Summary
Author: Taylor Brown (b. 1982)
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (New York). 276 pp.
Type of work: Novel, history
Time: 1865
Locale: Southern United States
Set against the crumbling backdrop of the American South in the waning days of the Civil War, "Fallen Land" by Taylor Brown is a gripping tale of love and survival. The novel tracks the harrowing journey of Callum and Ava, a young couple pursued by relentless bounty hunters. Their story unfolds amid the desolation and chaos of a nation at war, as they strive to find hope and build a new life together.
Principal Characters
Callum: A teenage Irish immigrant orphan, known for his skills as a horse thief and deserter from the Confederate army.
Ava: The orphaned daughter of a Southern doctor and farming family, whose resilience is a beacon through the novel’s dark landscape.
The Colonel: A former Confederate colonel who commands a band of drifters, driven by a thirst for violence and revenge.
Clayburn: Also known as "The Slave Hunter," he is the Colonel’s brother and a ruthless bounty hunter.
Old Swinney: A father figure to Callum and a member of the Colonel’s crew, who offers a semblance of protection.
Reiver: The Colonel’s formidable and spirited horse, symbolic of power and freedom.
The Beginning of a Fateful Journey
The novel opens with a jarring encounter that sets the stage for the odyssey to come. Callum, part of a marauding gang led by a disgraced Confederate colonel, arrives at a rural Virginian farmstead and meets Ava, armed with a kitchen knife and fueled by desperation. In a moment of unexpected alliance, Callum chooses to save Ava from an assault by another gang member, a choice that leads to him being shot in the head but cements their bond.
A World in Ruin
"Fallen Land" speeds forward from its explosive start into a narrative charged with rapid action and raw emotion. Callum and Ava navigate a war-ravaged landscape, relying on primal instincts as they fight for survival and each other. The absence of societal norms forces them to chart their own path through a dangerous world where human connections are based on necessity rather than choice. Their struggle is emblematic of the enduring human spirit, a theme that underpins their tumultuous journey.
Callum's Transformation
Callum's injury thrusts him into a haze of fevered dreams that weave his past and present into a tapestry of survival. Old Swinney tends to his wounds, but revelations about the Colonel's brutality against Ava add layers of complexity to Callum's recovery. Ava’s gesture of sewing Callum a colorful coat from scraps becomes a symbol of her burgeoning care and the symbolic richness of the novel. As Callum heals, he is transformed, shedding his youthful innocence for a hardened resolve. He eventually escapes the Colonel's grasp, setting out to reclaim his autonomy and Ava's freedom.
Pursuit and Escape
Callum's daring night ride on Reiver sparks a relentless chase that propels much of the novel's tension. Despite their improbably fortunate reunion, Callum and Ava face constant peril from pursuers driven by the promise of a bounty on Callum's head. The narrative keeps readers on edge, questioning whether vengeance or greed propels their hunters. Brown masterfully maintains suspense, leaving the motives of the relentless pursuers shrouded in mystery until the novel's dramatic conclusion.
The Search for Sanctuary
As the bounty hunters' chase fades, Callum embarks on a different quest—one of desperate hope. Ava, wounded and bearing the Colonel’s child, is taken to a Union encampment for medical aid. Separated by the chaos of war, Callum’s search for...
(This entire section contains 980 words.)
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Ava becomes a poignant thread of longing and loss. His journey, marked by the loss of Reiver, echoes his inner turmoil as he clings to the possibility of reuniting with Ava on a distant Florida plantation.
Epic Inspirations and Themes
"Fallen Land" traverses the line between historical realism and epic romance, drawing inspiration from classical traditions. The narrative, steeped in the rhythms of an epic journey, resonates with the spirit of timeless tales like the "Odyssey." The landscape and events, though fictionalized, are infused with the mythic qualities of folk ballads, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and drama that interrogates the essence of love, heroism, and humanity.
Civil War Backdrop
The Civil War provides a somber backdrop to the characters’ personal battles. Iconic moments, such as Sherman’s March, create turning points in Callum and Ava's journey, presenting both hope and devastation. The war's shadows cast a pall over the landscape, where every encounter is fraught with uncertainty, and survival often hinges on the slimmest of chances.
Themes of Death and Wisdom
Death is an omnipresent theme, with Callum and Ava frequently confronting its stark reality. Their encounters with the dead challenge their understanding of mortality, prompting rituals of respect. Elderly characters, like a mountain hermit or a mystical seer, offer wisdom and guidance, anchoring Callum and Ava’s journey within a spiritual framework that transcends the immediate chaos of war.
An Epic Conclusion
Ultimately, "Fallen Land" is a saga of survival that bridges worlds both real and imagined. It evokes a sense of timeless struggle, where the journey to safety is as much about self-discovery and endurance as it is about physical escape. Brown's prose, infused with the cadence of ballads, transports readers into a realm where love and war intertwine, leaving a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.
Review Sources
- Review of Fallen Land, by Taylor Brown. Historical Novel Society, historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/fallen-land/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2017.
- Monks, Sheryl. Review of Fallen Land, by Taylor Brown. Change Seven, 12 Jan. 2016, changesevenmag.com/2016/01/12/fallen-land-by-taylor-brown/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2017.
- Sallis, George. “Reverse Prophecy.” Review of Fallen Land, by Taylor Brown. The Tishman Review, 28 Dec. 2015, www.thetishmanreview.com/2015/12/reverse-prophecy-a-review-of-fallen-land-by-taylor-brown/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2017.
- Yarde, Lisa. Review of Fallen Land, by Taylor Brown. Washington Independent Review of Books, 7 Jan. 2016, www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/fallen-land/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2017.
