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by Bruce C. Autry (Author)
Mr. Autry has collected his three earlier volumes into a single volume with a few new features such as the preface and the afterward. The trilogy--a post-modern novel of history and magical realism-- focuses on three interlocking stories. First, the frame for the whole series deals with Mary Elizabeth Autry's journey in 1915 from Beaumont, TX, to the Alamo at San Antonio, TX, where her father died on the last day of the siege there in 1836. Accompanying the dying old woman is her grandson and a few folks they pick up along the way where the world is full of liars, cheats, con artists, racists, as well as good and decent folks, sort of like Flannery O'Connor meets Mark Twain. The second story focuses on Micajah Autry and his adventures from the War of 1812 in New Orleans with General Andrew Jackson's forces where Autry meets Marie Laveau and Jean Lafitte. The voodoo queen becomes the love of Autry's life, but their tragic fate complicates and frustrates the fulfillment of their romantic dreams, somewhat like William Faulkner meets James Joyce. The third strand of the novel follows Marie as she seeks consolation for her grief through escaping from the captivity of Pierre Lafitte and attaching herself to Napoleon Bonaparte's imprisonment at St. Helena. Lord Byron and his entourage become a significant part of this section. The three strands come together for a fantastic conclusion during the 13 days of the Alamo siege much like Hemingway might have handled the topic. This novel sticks close to the verifiable facts of the Alamo story, toys with the legends, and explores the magic of "what if" as the epic tale unfolds more about the spirit of love and the capacity of the human heart to transcend the limitations of the here and now for the flights of soul that make life worth living. The cast of characters includes David Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis, James Bonham, Andrew Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Micajah Autry, Martha Autry, Jennie Autry, Mary Elizabeth Autry, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, Marie Laveau, Colonel Almonte, Colonel Pena, Santa Anna, and a few surprise guests along the way.
