Dark Thicket, by Elmer Kelton

Owen Danforth has been injured in the War Between the States and has come home to Texas to recuperate. Owen had joined the Confederacy and his father’s, Andrew, sympathies are with the Union. So, there is tension between Owen and his father because of their different loyalties.

Owen is eventually drawn into the conflict between his father and the home guards. The home guards are looking for anyone who actively supports the Union cause. They arrest and detain people, illegally seize lands and murder whoever they don’t like. Owen is forced to choose between the Confederacy and the Union guerrillas his father is helping.

I enjoyed reading this because Elmer Kelton writes a nice simple western, easy reading.

Reviewed by Judy, First Regional Library

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