Look Away, Beulah Land

Beulah Land Trilogy #2

by Lonnie Coleman

The people of the great plantation of Beulah Land, including the Kendriks--its masters--a Union deserter, and freed slaves, determine to create a new way of life from the ruins of the Civil War

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Civil War, Historical, American Civil War, American, Historical Romance

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Born William Laurence "Lonnie" Coleman. American novelist and playwright best known for writing the Beulah Land trilogy. His first novel was published in 1944. Coleman was an associate editor at Ladies Home Journal, 1947-1950, and at Collier's, 1951-1955.

Coleman's 1959 novel "Sam" is considered a groundbreaking novel in American literature in its depiction of homosexuality and metropolitan gay life.

In 1974, his book "Beulah Land" was a New York Times Best Seller. His novels "Beulah Land" and "Look Away, Beulah Land" were filmed in 1980 as the NBC miniseries Beulah Land starring Lesley Ann Warren, Michael Sarrazin. Meredith Baxter, and Don Johnson.

Coleman had three plays produced on Broadway, but none were successful.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the "Beulah Land" trilogy, and far more brutal than the first.

This is a story of the violent and hardscrabble Reconstruction era in the South following the Civil War. The Elk family, which has long loathed the Kendrick family, takes advantage of the Union presence to try to bring low the people of Oaks and Beulah Land. Atrocities are committed that brought me to tears, despite an understanding that these were things that really did happen in the past. What this told me is that Lonnie Coleman's characters have become dear to me over time, developed so carefully that they are like real people and not just words on a page.

This was a hard read for me; as I mentioned, I wept at more than one point while reading. Those who are interested in outstanding historical fiction would enjoy this book; it is possible to read it without having first read "Beulah Land," but I think that reading the first book makes this one all the more poignant.

[Sarah Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going back to my grade school years, I remember loving this book, so I reread it recently. This book does not hold up. I think, given the mores of late 70's middle America where I grew up, the book was a shocking, engrossing escape. But now, decades later, I find the whole book less about legitimate story telling and more about jumps from one gratuitous shock to another. While I'll probably always hold on to my nostalgic memories of my first reading, this book is going into the Goodwill box.

[Helen Robare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first book in the series and enjoyed it, I just had to read the second book. (I didn't know there was a third book but now that I do, I am going to purchase it). The second book did not disappoint! It continued on with the main characters, a little older and a little wiser but not much changed. Some books have sequels in which the main characters are unrecognizable but I am happy to say: "not this one". It is best if you read the first book in the series before you read this one as the family is pretty inter-married and can be a bit confusing. Taking into account the time period this book covers, it is pretty true to life. However, in this modern day of politically correct, I feel I should warn readers that there are some circumstances that might offend.

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. The sequel to "Beulah Land" was a very good read. Continuing the saga of the Kendrick family, it starts during the Civil War. Beulah Land has lost a number of its slaves and things are tough on the land. But when a group of troops said to be part of Sherman's army start harassing the people at Beulah Land, soon terrible things happen to both Beulah Land and Oaks plantation. Afterwards, life is very different for the families who lived there and there is much adversity and then, a rebuilding, a new life for many. I've really enjoyed the series of two books, like the terrific characters that were introduced and enjoyed the story. An old set of books but good reads today.

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are more likable in this second volume. It begins in 1864, a rough year for Georgia with Sherman's army marching through to bring an end to the war. I appreciate the fact that the author does not "waste" time on the peripheral events but deals with them on the personal level of the characters and how they deal with misfortunes and adjust their lives. It's always a pleasure to find a book you can "lose" yourself in and hate to see it end!

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Sunday, July 01, 2007 I wrote:

It arrived!!! book 2. Now I have all 3 (does happy dance)

on Friday, July 27, 2007

8 out of 10
Read this book 2 weeks ago. I love the atmosphere in the Beulah land books. They are easy to read, but not boring at all. Lots of things happens. I
Book 2 was pretty good. 8.5
Going to lend them to my mom

[Greg Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good sequel to Beulah Land. Sad at times, happy at others. I never knew what to expect. The story is well written, which I truly appreciate. I feel as though I know the families and care about them, even though they are fictional, and want to know what happens next. I highly recommend the book, but you really need to read the first book first. I hope book three is as good. I took away one star for the unnecessary sex. Not that there is a lot, but more than needed.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engrossing saga of war torn lands and plantations in Mississipi during the Civil War. Sad stories of tortue, burning old homes, rape and often killing. This book is a true meaning of a saga; the families both black and white go on for generations and then more generations.
Eventually I felt a little "ho hum" set in when I realized the story could go on even until today.

[BookNerdette · Rating 5 out of 5]

One LESS on the paperback TBR shelf.📚

note to self:
Finished the second book. It is a clean cut finish. I don't see a reason to go on to the third book. Because to do so .. Sarah and the other characters we love will have been passed away. I believe the third book would probably be of the children, the grandchildren and I'm not sure that I care about those enough to continue on.

[Alice Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good read, looking for the sequel...

[Stephanie Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books are amazing and you must read all three..Sarah has come to her own as mistress of Beulah Land ..is adored by all for being the sensible wife friend & mother ( even tho she gives birth to no child she ends up being the mother to Leon's Childern ) she truly loves the land and is the calm force that drives them to survive the Yankees.
She feels as if all the people white or black living at Beulah are " her people" to protect and take care of. I have to say the civil war and outlook about slavery is refreshing..yes they were slaves but she neither sold not bought slaves and they believed in keeping family together and gave many their freedom.
Roscoe Elk is a true villain and you will read of his sons and grandsons in the trilogy.

Deb and Sarah best friend was Lovey ..they raised their children together & had heartaches & joyous moments.

[LemonLinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues the story of all of the people who are Beulah Land through the terror and devastation of the last days of the Civil War and their struggle to hold on to the land and the people they held so dear during the years of Reconstruction. Sarah Kendrick may not have been born to the plantation but it has become hers to love, to care for and to save from the clutches of her enemies.

This is the Antebellum South in its lowest period and one where those of means may have lost their prosperity, but they hang on to their determination, pride and sheer grit and will to do what must be done both to save and avenge their honor and to reclaim their former glory.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to Beulah Land from the same author - more of the family ties are strung tightly through the pages of this generational saga. I'm a sucker for these, and the Beulah Land books are no exception.

[Doris House]

What is was like for the slaves after they were freed and what it the war did to the economy of the South.

[Marco. Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! It really wrapped up the stories from Part 1, Beulah Land.

[Susan Lerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the trilogy. As good as the first.

[The Twins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dark and heavy at times, but i never read anything from this time before and even if you didn't get a lot of historical information - still a good read at bedtime!

[Kathleen Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I read this sequil to Beulah Land...but the Coleman stuck to it's roots.

[Pamela L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good series!