A fictitious tale of aristocratic Confederates during the American Civil War told from the perspective of an adolescent girl.
Annabelle Winchester begins her story years after its conclusion on a secret knoll in Alabama. A name brings back vivid memories of a childhood plagued by war and tragedy. After many years, she feels compelled to tell her story to her readers. The exposition will be several chapters long, in which time we will meet her extensive family and close-knit, aristocratic community.
Before long, Alabama secedes from the Union and her male relatives leave for war, shattering Anna's perfect universe. H
...
More
Annabelle Winchester begins her story years after its conclusion on a secret knoll in Alabama. A name brings back vivid memories of a childhood plagued by war and tragedy. After many years, she feels compelled to tell her story to her readers. The exposition will be several chapters long, in which time we will meet her extensive family and close-knit, aristocratic community.
Before long, Alabama secedes from the Union and her male relatives leave for war, shattering Anna's perfect universe. Her family must adjust to the disorder and chaos of wartime. Amidst it all, Annabelle attempts to live a well-bred girl's normal life, but slowly it is revealed that Anna is no typical Southern belle. She befriends lowly servant girls, gives gifts to slaves, and falls in love with the charming neighbor-boy, Nathaniel. All too soon, however, he also leaves for war. In his absence she finds herself taken by yet another boy, the governor's nephew - Andrew.
Years pass. Anna attends boarding school. The war rages on, threatening the Southern aristocracy. Anna deals with the loss of her grandfather and lover to the battlefield and finds herself marrying her second-choice, Andrew. Reconstruction begins and Anna leaves her home - now a shadow of its previous grandeur - to begin a family.
Less
