About:
'The Wreckage of Eden' by Norman Lock is a narrative that spans decades of the 19th century, delving into the turbulent times of U.S. Army Chaplain Robert Winter as he navigates through historical events like the Mexican War, the battle with American Indians, and the Mormon Rebellion. Winter's internal struggles and spiritual crisis mirror the country's loss of idealism and corruption, reflecting on the atrocities committed in the name of Manifest Destiny. The book captures Winter's encounters with significant figures like Abe and Mary Lincoln, Samuel Clemens, and John Brown, all while addressing his complex relationship with Emily Dickinson and his wavering faith.
The writing style in 'The Wreckage of Eden' is praised for its evocative portrayal of the 19th-century era, with detailed language that mirrors the thoughts and phrasing of Dickinson. Lock skillfully weaves historical references with Winter's personal journey, showcasing his narrative addressed to Dickinson and exploring themes of faith, duty, and the harsh realities of war.
From The Publisher:
A nineteenth-century army chaplain confesses his loss of faith in God and country to his first love, poet Emily Dickinson
When U.S. Army chaplain Robert Winter first meets Emily Dickinson, he is fascinated by the brilliance of the strange girl immersed in her botany lessons. She will become his confidante, obsession, and muse over the years as he writes to her of his friendship with the aspiring politician Abraham Lincoln, his encounter with the young newspaperman Samuel Clemens, and his crisis of conscience concerning the radical abolitionist John Brown. Bearing the standard of God and country through the Mexican War and the Mormon Rebellion, Robert seeks to lessen his loneliness while his faith is eroded by the violence he observes and ultimately commits. Emily, however, remains as elusive as her verse on his rare visits to Amherst and denies him solace, a rejection that will culminate in a startling epiphany at the very heart of his despair.
Powerfully evocative of Emily Dickinson's life, times, and artistry, this fifth stand-alone book in The American Novels series captures a nation riven by conflicts that continue to this day.
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