⇒ Libro Slant of Light A Novel of Utopian Dreams and Civil War The Daybreak Series Steve Wiegenstein Books

Slant of Light A Novel of Utopian Dreams and Civil War The Daybreak Series Steve Wiegenstein Books

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Slant of Light A Novel of Utopian Dreams and Civil War The Daybreak Series Steve Wiegenstein Books

I try my best to keep my eyes on what's going on with the small presses. I also try to keep my eyes open for books with connections to my hometown of Quincy, Illinois. Though the bulk of Mr. Wiegenstein's novel Slant of Light takes place in the fictional town of Daybreak in southern Missouri, a brief interlude in pre-Civil War Quincy (when the city was one of the largest in the state) brought this book to my attention. In that, I feel fortunate, because this novel is quite excellent, and far above the quality of many books published by small presses.

The basic story follows the founding of Daybreak, a utopian community based on the ideas of James Turner, a popular writer and lecturer. He founds the town in late 1857 on land donated by George Webb, an ageing farmer who has found inspiration in Turner's ideas. Turner goes there with his wife, Charlotte, and a varied group of believers who migrate there from around the United States.

Over the next few years, the community struggles to establish itself and maintain the ideals of universal sharing and decision-making that are meant to be the mark of the group. They work at learning effective farming, producing goods like rope to raise money, and Turner continues to raise awareness through a newspaper and lecture tour. It is difficult, however, in the face of the growing intrigues of war which could be particularly nasty in border states like Missouri as well as the personal intrigues that occur whenever people gather together, no matter what their idealistic tendencies.

The plot is a strong one and Wiegenstein has a number of other things going for him. He is clearly an expert on the era and the area. Everything he describes seems very real. His ear for dialogue is excellent and he has a well-drawn cast of characters. The leader, Turner, and Charlotte, his wife, are fine but the supporting cast here really makes the book--sensible George Webb and his odd son, Harp; Adam Cabot, the intellectual from the East; the foolish, doomed Lysander Smith; not to mention all the other residents of Daybreak who have their own unique personalities and contributions to make. Other than the all-too-predictable love triangle, there's hardly a weakness here and even that cliché plays out satisfactorily.

According to their website, Blank Slate Press was founded to publish authors "in the greater Saint Louis region". Slant of Light is only the third book they've published. If the other two are as good as this one, I may have to check them out. As it is, there is an expected sequel to this novel which takes us deeper into the Civil War years. I'm looking forward to it.


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Slant of Light A Novel of Utopian Dreams and Civil War The Daybreak Series Steve Wiegenstein Books Reviews

I am very pleased with this well written historical novel. It is written about the area I grew up in. As I read through the book I could relate easily with all of the descriptions of the Area.
A good look at what it was like to live in Missouri at the beginning and during the early part of the Civil War. Good character development and a good story line.
Being a Missourian and familiar with locales mentiioned made the book even more enjoyable. Seems to be historically accurate in presentation of the basics aand well written. I understan "Slant of Light" is the first of a trilogy which will continue the story of the characters involved. Eagerly looking forward to the next one.
Good story of our early history
It was fantastic.....I'm so glad I had both books so I could flow from one to the other without having to wait to see what would happen next!
A DEFINITE RECOMMENDATION!
I found Slant of Light very enjoyable historical fiction. The author employs chronological storytelling about a loosely-formed group of people beginning an egalitarian society in the late 1850's along the St. Francis River in Missouri. There are enough details of the hardships of daily life, the surrounding countryside, and the characters who inhabit the vicinity to make it real, yet not get side-tracked with minutia.
The central character is a woman, Charlotte. She falls in love with the society's inadvertent founder, and gets swept up into this difficult life. She become almost an androgynous character, fulfilling the roles of wife, mother, homemaker, and lover with the imposed roles of doctor, community organizer, and leader. Her heart is caring, yet her approach is pragmatic. She enters the scene as an impetuous girl and develops into a stronger woman than she might want to be. Her husband's character also takes twists which are human, though not always commendable. Adam, who would be Charlotte's lover if it worked out, is idealistic yet unfocused. The other characters, too, are realistic.
The beginnings of the Civil War form a backdrop. Missouri was a border state in locality and mentality. While trying to maintain neutrality, the inhabitants of Daybreak, the utopian community, have mixed rebel and federal sympathies.
I'd give this book four and a half stars. I look forward to more books in the author's proposed Daybreak series.
I live in the area in which this book primarily takes place. I've had the pleasure to hear Wiegenstein speak twice at my local library. I'm so glad I finally took the time to read this book and now wished I'd read it sooner. Such a well-researched story, the writing is superb. It drew me right in, gave me a lot to think about, and stayed with me for weeks after I read it, the raw human issues were so well covered. I love the thread of history and the flavor of this area, which Wiegenstein captures so well, right down to local plants, the sound of the river, and the way the stars look in the sky just before dawn. Story-telling at its finest.
I try my best to keep my eyes on what's going on with the small presses. I also try to keep my eyes open for books with connections to my hometown of Quincy, Illinois. Though the bulk of Mr. Wiegenstein's novel Slant of Light takes place in the fictional town of Daybreak in southern Missouri, a brief interlude in pre-Civil War Quincy (when the city was one of the largest in the state) brought this book to my attention. In that, I feel fortunate, because this novel is quite excellent, and far above the quality of many books published by small presses.

The basic story follows the founding of Daybreak, a utopian community based on the ideas of James Turner, a popular writer and lecturer. He founds the town in late 1857 on land donated by George Webb, an ageing farmer who has found inspiration in Turner's ideas. Turner goes there with his wife, Charlotte, and a varied group of believers who migrate there from around the United States.

Over the next few years, the community struggles to establish itself and maintain the ideals of universal sharing and decision-making that are meant to be the mark of the group. They work at learning effective farming, producing goods like rope to raise money, and Turner continues to raise awareness through a newspaper and lecture tour. It is difficult, however, in the face of the growing intrigues of war which could be particularly nasty in border states like Missouri as well as the personal intrigues that occur whenever people gather together, no matter what their idealistic tendencies.

The plot is a strong one and Wiegenstein has a number of other things going for him. He is clearly an expert on the era and the area. Everything he describes seems very real. His ear for dialogue is excellent and he has a well-drawn cast of characters. The leader, Turner, and Charlotte, his wife, are fine but the supporting cast here really makes the book--sensible George Webb and his odd son, Harp; Adam Cabot, the intellectual from the East; the foolish, doomed Lysander Smith; not to mention all the other residents of Daybreak who have their own unique personalities and contributions to make. Other than the all-too-predictable love triangle, there's hardly a weakness here and even that cliché plays out satisfactorily.

According to their website, Blank Slate Press was founded to publish authors "in the greater Saint Louis region". Slant of Light is only the third book they've published. If the other two are as good as this one, I may have to check them out. As it is, there is an expected sequel to this novel which takes us deeper into the Civil War years. I'm looking forward to it.