So it was with some reservations that I picked up Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks. Some 758 pages later Banks had gently led me away from some of my preconceptions. Here is a piece of writing that uses the first person narrative to great effect. Taking the thoughts and actions of Owen Brown - son of John Brown - as it's focus the novel is an enthralling read.

Although the author makes it clear that the book is a work of imagination, the depth of conviction within the writing often lends itself to the belief that the words are autobiographical in nature.

You've obviously read the offical overview of the book thus there is no need for me to comment on that here. Rather, it's the structure, the studied use of language, the emotion and the "feel" of this book that makes it without doubt a splendid and captivating read.

I always struggle with a 5 star review - it's got to reach perfection to gain five stars and I'm not sure perfection exists. Cloudsplitter, however comes very close. You will enjoy this book!


Brings history to vivid life. Essential reading   December 11, 1999
An utterly gripping and convincing novel, which tells you more about the American civil war than Gone with the Wind and any number of gung-ho 19th-century westerns put together. The character of John Brown is drawn in great, perceptive detail, and the choice of his troubled, idealistic son Owen as narrator is inspired, allowing us a clear analysis of the political and social factors behind slavery and its opponents. Looked at another way, the narrator may be a bit of a windbag, but he tells the story beautifully. The structure of the novel - it is essentially one long flashback - also gives it strength. Don't be put off by the size of this book: it's a smooth, haunting, educational journey, and it must be read.


This is a big book in every sense!   August 12, 1999
This massive novel is a fictionalised account of the life of the radical abolitionist John Brown, as told 50 years after his death, by his son Owen.

Owen's memories initially flit around in a confusing (but believable) manner, but the narrative gradually gains focus and eventually develops a powerful drive towards the climactic Harpers' Ferry incident.

I knew nothing about Brown when I started this book (apart from the words of the song). Banks stresses that this is a work of fiction, so I don't know how closely it follows the facts, but this scarcely matters because this book operates on so many levels, and raises many questions which are still relevant about race and sex, about masculinity, violence and the roots of the 'gun culture', about political extremism and religion, about family loyalty versus individualism, etc., etc.

John Brown exerts a dominating influence on Owen and on the events of the novel, but this book is really a complex and convincing psychological study of Owen himself.

Aside from all this, it's a terrifically evocative read about the period leading up to the Civil War, packed with description, incident and characters. It's maybe a little bit too long - particularly Owen's self-justification to his contemporary reader.

And the title is a bit of a let down - apart from the period and setting, this has little in common with 'Cold Mountain'. Banks' mountain anyway makes only an occasional appearance, presumably to justify the title.

But these are minor quibbles - I was completely gripped throughout these 750 pages.


Compelling and convincing   July 18, 1999
This book is at pains to point out that this is a fictionalisation of this man's life. Nevertheless it paints a convincing portrait of the Brown family and their motivations. While the slow might present itself as excessively sober, it is this tone that draws you in and makes the unwinding tale so very convincing. I raced through it - and recommend it as one of the best books of the year.