Review: A Civil War family saga
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 15, 2013
Ginger Myrick has created the Deane family home during the Civil War, situated far outside the nearest town.  This isolated family, made up of both whites and blacks, is a succinct microcosm of everything southern.  All the characters are both flawed and noble -- I liked all of them very much.All the characters have hidden stories that could destroy them.  As the trust develops between the family and their uninvited guest, Beau, the stories are revealed.  Eventually, by the time Beau is a full-fledged member of the family, the stories have all been shared, but Beau still needs to go to his own family home and tie up some loose ends, including a possible jail sentence.A few graphic stories illustrate the outrage of slavery.  I was happy to know that the Deane home was a stop on the underground railway, and that Beau, a product of the Southern plantation system, found it in his heart to do some serious self-examination.This book is filled with love, and as the title says, compassion, and very little hatred, even when it would be an understandable response to injustice.  I wish I could shake the hands of several of the characters.  The Civil War is always a good backdrop for a book, and it plays well in this one, too.  The author's research of that time is detailed, including clothing, food, medicine and ethics.  I'm delighted to give this book 5 stars!-- Java Davis