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Escape From Elysian Fields: An Old West Adventure
The Civil War is over, everything is in flux. For two brothers, it isn’t over yet.Lace fears Izzy won’t make it home. If Buster gets there first, she’s prepared to hide out in the secret room that’s part of the underground railroad. She can’t let Buster find her. Would he do all he’s been threatening her with for years? Lace doesn’t want to chance finding out.Buster’s only a day behind him. Izzy needs to get to the house and tell everyone the war’s over and they’re free. Finding complete devastation and Mam, Pa, and Satin dead is a hard blow. Izzy hopes Lace is waiting for him in her grandpa’s cabin. If she is, they must get on the move. There’s no telling what Buster will do when he finds the place destroyed and their parents dead. Will Buster think he burned their house to the ground? Murdered them all?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2021
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September 19, 2023Escape From Elysian Fields: An Old West Adventure by C. Forrest Lundin is a historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of the American Civil War that tells the story of two brothers, Izzy and Buster, sons of Turlough MacCulloug. While their father is white of Scottish heritage, their mother is an Indian. Since childhood, their different personalities resonated with the divergence in their choices. This was evident during the Civil War because while Izzy opted for the Union army, Buster chose the Rebel army. Buster’s affinity for his father influenced his decision to join the Rebel Army because he grew up not believing that all humans are equal.
At the end of the civil war, they both must make the journey home to deliver the news about the end of the war and each person takes what is left of their inheritance. Aside the inheritance, there is another bigger price to be won; a young lady known as Lace whom they grew up to know as a slave of mixed race.
As the people of Cherokee nation wait for the return of the two brothers, Lace is hoping that Izzy gets home first. She loathes seeing Buster because of the terrible experience she has shared with him in the past. In fact, he is among the three men she prayed that God take from the earth. The depth of her distaste for him prompts her to devise an escape plan should he return before Izzy.
Meanwhile, on the journey back home, Izzy is a day ahead of Buster. Buster is hoping that he arrives before Izzy so that he gets the biggest share of the inheritance and also keeps Lace for himself. Despite reaching home on different days, both Izzy and Buster are met with a tragedy that would alter their plans and fates.
Though met with tragedy at the Elysian Fields, Izzy discovers a new secret that would alter his thought process and his perception of some of the people in his life, especially, his mother, father, and some of his father’s slaves. This new secret made him experience a love that eluded him as a child.
I loved what the author did in this book. The plot was intriguing from the beginning. I enjoyed the dialogue. The dialogues helped me to understand some of the racial issues peculiar to the time in which the plot was set. Reading about the Union Army and Rebel Army in this book made me understand and appreciate the role the Union Army played in preserving the collective union of the United States of America.
Lundin exemplified his prowess in understanding the issues that were prevalent in the United States during the Civil War, especially as it relates to racism, slavery, and control of resources. For instance, reading about some of the laws the Indians enacted to prevent white men who marry their women in order to take over their lands and resources was insightful.
However, I expected that maps would be provided at the beginning of every chapter to show the movement of the characters from one place. It would have helped readers who are not familiar with some of the places mentioned to understand the locations and proximity.
Nevertheless, "Escape from Elysian Fields" is an exceptional book that I would recommend for history lovers. Lundin's masterful handling of historical issues, combined with a riveting storyline, makes for an absorbing read. It's worth noting, however, that the book contains racial slurs that might be offensive to some readers.
At the end of the civil war, they both must make the journey home to deliver the news about the end of the war and each person takes what is left of their inheritance. Aside the inheritance, there is another bigger price to be won; a young lady known as Lace whom they grew up to know as a slave of mixed race.
As the people of Cherokee nation wait for the return of the two brothers, Lace is hoping that Izzy gets home first. She loathes seeing Buster because of the terrible experience she has shared with him in the past. In fact, he is among the three men she prayed that God take from the earth. The depth of her distaste for him prompts her to devise an escape plan should he return before Izzy.
Meanwhile, on the journey back home, Izzy is a day ahead of Buster. Buster is hoping that he arrives before Izzy so that he gets the biggest share of the inheritance and also keeps Lace for himself. Despite reaching home on different days, both Izzy and Buster are met with a tragedy that would alter their plans and fates.
Though met with tragedy at the Elysian Fields, Izzy discovers a new secret that would alter his thought process and his perception of some of the people in his life, especially, his mother, father, and some of his father’s slaves. This new secret made him experience a love that eluded him as a child.
I loved what the author did in this book. The plot was intriguing from the beginning. I enjoyed the dialogue. The dialogues helped me to understand some of the racial issues peculiar to the time in which the plot was set. Reading about the Union Army and Rebel Army in this book made me understand and appreciate the role the Union Army played in preserving the collective union of the United States of America.
Lundin exemplified his prowess in understanding the issues that were prevalent in the United States during the Civil War, especially as it relates to racism, slavery, and control of resources. For instance, reading about some of the laws the Indians enacted to prevent white men who marry their women in order to take over their lands and resources was insightful.
However, I expected that maps would be provided at the beginning of every chapter to show the movement of the characters from one place. It would have helped readers who are not familiar with some of the places mentioned to understand the locations and proximity.
Nevertheless, "Escape from Elysian Fields" is an exceptional book that I would recommend for history lovers. Lundin's masterful handling of historical issues, combined with a riveting storyline, makes for an absorbing read. It's worth noting, however, that the book contains racial slurs that might be offensive to some readers.
October 11, 2023
C. Forrest Lundin's western drama, "Escape From Elysian Fields", is set after the American Civil War. The Union has just defeated the Confederacy, and social and historical change is on its way. Izzy, who fights for the North, is eager to arrive home before his elder brother, Buster, beats him to it. Buster fights for the South, making him and Izzy adversaries in many ways. Let's just say that these two brothers are not close in any shape or form. Izzy fears that Buster may reach home before him and take Lace, who is Izzy's love, for himself. But when Izzy gets home, he is heartbroken. His father has already burned down their home, killing Izzy's mother, their maid, and himself in the process. Izzy eventually locates Lace and tries to get her and some other friends to safety and freedom. But his brother, Buster, who is seeking vengeance, is close behind. There is no doubt that this novel is filled with drama and excitement.
I sometimes surprise myself when I enjoy reading a genre that I do not normally read. I experienced this feeling while reading this book. I'm glad I read it because it is a real treat. I think a good novel should educate, as well as delight, its audience. The author has accomplished both goals through the use of riveting character dialogue and research. All of the characters, including Buster, are intense and engaging. The only reason I give this book 4 stars is because the introductory chapters start off a little too slowly for my liking. But, this does not dampen the impact of the storyline too much. The book is well edited, and the storyline is comprehendible. The book has some expletives, so readers should be aware of this. Nonetheless, if you enjoy reading a good historical novel, or a good western drama now and again, then you will enjoy reading "Escape From Elysian Fields".
I sometimes surprise myself when I enjoy reading a genre that I do not normally read. I experienced this feeling while reading this book. I'm glad I read it because it is a real treat. I think a good novel should educate, as well as delight, its audience. The author has accomplished both goals through the use of riveting character dialogue and research. All of the characters, including Buster, are intense and engaging. The only reason I give this book 4 stars is because the introductory chapters start off a little too slowly for my liking. But, this does not dampen the impact of the storyline too much. The book is well edited, and the storyline is comprehendible. The book has some expletives, so readers should be aware of this. Nonetheless, if you enjoy reading a good historical novel, or a good western drama now and again, then you will enjoy reading "Escape From Elysian Fields".
August 4, 2024
Enjoyable
This is an awesome western romance. It covers a nice piece of American history that is not addressed enough. Post civil war, western migration, brothers fighting brothers, enslaved people, and indigenous people are all truthfully and wonderfully portrayed here. Awesome action and a great ending that should give us all hope as imperfect, biased humans. Izzy and Lace are lovely and I rooted for them to get a happy ending the whole way.
This is an awesome western romance. It covers a nice piece of American history that is not addressed enough. Post civil war, western migration, brothers fighting brothers, enslaved people, and indigenous people are all truthfully and wonderfully portrayed here. Awesome action and a great ending that should give us all hope as imperfect, biased humans. Izzy and Lace are lovely and I rooted for them to get a happy ending the whole way.
March 20, 2022
Escape From Elysian Fields is a compelling western set just after the civil war. The characters were lovingly fleshed out and you understand everyone’s motivations and goals. I quickly related to Lace and the peril she found herself in. I was rooting for her the whole time. Buster felt like a very real and tangible threat.
I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews