Traum in Louisana

by Louis Bromfield

Vintage book

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Louis Bromfield was an American author and conservationist who gained international recognition winning the Pulitzer Prize and pioneering innovative scientific farming concepts.

Bromfield studied agriculture at Cornell University from 1914 to 1916,[1] but transferred to Columbia University to study journalism. While at Columbia University, Louis Bromfield was initiated into the fraternal organization Phi Delta Theta. His time at Columbia would be short lived and he left after less than a year to go to war. After serving with the American Field Service in World War I and being awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor, he returned to New York City and found work as a reporter. In 1924, his first novel, The Green Bay Tree, won instant acclaim. He won the 1927 Pulitzer Prize for best novel for Early Autumn. All of his 30 books were best-sellers, and many, such as The Rains Came and Mrs. Parkington, were made into successful motion pictures.

photograph by: Carl Van Vechten

Reviews

[Susie Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction written in the 1940’s by Louis Bromfield about Union occupation of New Orleans during the end of the civil war. The contrast between the northern characters from Boston compared to the Louisiana French and southern plantation owners way of life was fascinating. It was a time of discovering the wilderness of the west and emancipation of slaves and women. Well developed characters and all the action, romance and intrigue you look for in a good book. I loved it.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly Gothic Southern drama - less Lost-Cause-y than I feared when I started reading it. Interesting juxtaposition of Puritan New Englanders and decadent Louisianans, and some memorable characters. Bromfield is clearly a sociologically-inclined writer, with strong notions of heredity and environment as the genesis of character. Interesting, fast-paced read.

[Charmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was surprisingly lovely. The theme included the heroism of emancipated women. There was the Hollywood happy ending but it was not without death, murder and manipulation.

[Anne Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel to be savored. This author evokes the feel of New Orleans in the 1860’s during the occupation by the Union Army in a way that feels true to history. The writing and language has intense flavor that draws you in and sparks the imagination. I’m not surprised that he won the Pulitzer Prize for an earlier novel. The characters in this story have unusual depth and are the farthest thing from flat, though many are not at all likable. I can’t wait to read more of his works.