Postmark Bayou Chene: A Novel

by Gwen Roland

In the heart of Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, a letter sent from an isolated settlement, addressed to Hautes-Pyrénées, France, and marked undeliverable, shows up at the Bayou Chene post office. That same day locals find a dog, nearly dead and tethered to an empty skiff. Odd yet seemingly trivial, the arrival of a masterless dog and a returned letter triggers a series of events that will dramatically change the lives of three friends and affect all of the residents of Bayou Chene.

Gwen Roland’s debut novel, set in 1907 in a secluded part of Louisiana, follows young adults Loyce Snellgrove, her cousin Lafayette “Fate” Landry, and his friend Valzine Broussard as they navigate between revelations about the past and tensions in the present. Forces large and small—the tragedies of the Civil War, the hardships of swamp life, family secrets, as well as unfailing humor—create a prismatic depiction of Louisiana folklife at the turn of the twentieth century and provide a realistic setting for this enchanting drama.

Roland anchors her work in historical fact and weaves a superb tale of vivid characters. In Postmark Bayou Chene, she uses the captivating voice that described the beauty and challenges of the swamp to legions of readers in her autobiographical Atchafalaya Houseboat. Her ear for dialogue and eye for detail bring the now-vanished community of Bayou Chene and the realities of love and loss on the river back to life in a well-crafted, bittersweet tribute.

Genres: Fiction, Southern, Historical Fiction

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2015

Reviews

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of the Bayou of the Eastern part of Louisana. Because of the Bayou the people of Chene had a different way of life. All travel, trade, and communication was done by paddle boats. Loyce a blind woman rescued a dog that was tangeled up in a fishing net. That dog because of her care , was a close companion and helped her get around the Island. People came and went from the island, except one woman who stayed and organized the general store . Life was so much better because of her. I won this book from Goodreads first reads

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Roland using the setting of a remote rural community in south Louisiana, at the beginning of the 20th century, which has now largely vanished, creates a believable tale. One that is highly entertaining, historically accurate, with well developed characters that are most likable.

While not in any sense feminist literature, Ms. Roland seems to do a much more effective job of creating robust female characters and giving them the central roles as antagonists and protagonist. Like Kate Chopin writing in “ The Awakening” about a similar era, in locations not far away, more than 100 years ago, Ms. Roland develops strong female characters and addresses the challenges that faced them and the morality of the period with its impact on women but without being so depressing. These Bayou Chene women aren’t going to quit.

The story about simple people and their daily problems over a period of about two years on Bayou Chene unfolds with twists and turns with several surprises but without great tragedy. However, there is a lot beneath the surface of the bayou she creates.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bayou Chene no longer exists. Looking at a map of how riverbeds in the Atchafalaya Basin have changed over the last three hundred years, it was probably a matter of time before it disappeared. Gwen Roland’s Postmark Bayou Chene recreates Cajun life—using family stories, interviews, and documents—in the little community before the waters moved, before pollution ruined the ecosystem, and before people started moved from the backwoods to the cities...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming journey to another place and time! The atmosphere and the characters are captivating, and the story line is compelling. Fun and drama. Knowing that Mrs. Roland wrote this based on actual history, stories and experience makes this all the more enjoyable, as is knowing this represents recent American history of a place and people that are essentially gone and almost forgotten. Highly recommend.

[Colinda Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! Best book I’ve read in many years. The writing flows just like the bayous of Louisiana. The characters draw you in and you immediately feel like you’ve known them all your life. She brings it alive with her beautiful and descriptive writing. Recommended this to anyone who enjoys the beauty of a wonderfully written page turner!!!

[Donna Barrere · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful story with living characters and the smell of the bayou. One of those books that "stays with you" that you find yourself thinking about later.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

1903 , Bayou Chene, La--an empty skiff with a dog, tethered to it and floating in the Bayou, seemingly dead, floats alongside the dock at the post office/ general store. Later that day, a letter postmarked from that PO and returned undeliverable arrives. Both of these events will set off ripples throughout the community like a stone dropped into the Bayou. Things change, mostly for good, but not, necessarily quickly enough to predict that. An interesting community of people with an interesting way of life--slow flowing sometimes, sometime rushing like the bayou with its changing water levels. With a blind heroine, aspects of life there are different than in most books. Sounds and smells the feelings of air brushing across the skin of one's face or arms are as important as the sights and tastes of the surroundings. A story of the senses as much as the people of Bayou Chene. The reader is truly submerged into the place and its people more than in most books. Just a delight,

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly I enjoyed this book! First-time author with a setting in the bayous of Louisiana (I have lived in Louisiana for 26 years, but not in a rural area) in the early 20th century, so I was skeptical. I did not need to be. This is a great story; it flows well and is highly believable with some interesting characters. I appreciated the author's notes at the end about the history of the setting and what was factual, fiction, and the in-between.

[Tomi Agostini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author does a great job at describing what Bayou Chene would have been like in the early 1900’s. Reading this book just peaks my interest in Bayou Chene and the people who lived there and raised families there. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters and the stories written about them.

[Nicole Diamond · Rating 1 out of 5]

If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing

[Melanie Vidrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed much of this novel, but it was obviously written by a non-fiction writer/journalist. The “story” was expanded, I might say spoiled, by explanations or descriptions of things that the characters would have known without such explanation. This makes the tale lengthy and the tempo awkward.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great stories of lives pieced together through a year.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club read and, although I was familiar with the author through her "Atchafalaya Houseboat" story and documentary, I had not heard of this novel so was pleased to be introduced to it. As with her nonfiction work, this fictional story makes it clear that Gwen Roland has a talent for capturing the sights, smells, and sounds of the South Louisiana bayous and the communities of people who have inhabited them for centuries. Her descriptive style carries the reader on an adventure that teaches as well as entertains, and the surprise twist near the end was a wonderful way to wrap up all the lines that the author had been weaving together all along as skillfully as the maker of a catfish net.

[The Advocate]

In 1907, an old letter from Europe finally arrives in Bayou Chene. And a dog tied to an empty skiff is saved.
These are the beginnings of events that will affect the three main characters and others in “Postmark Bayou Chene.”
The novel opens with the day’s story told from the viewpoint of each of those characters, which felt a tad slow. But the information and personalities that are introduced in that slow start are important.
Read more: http://theadvocate.com/entertainment/...

[DeDe G · Rating 5 out of 5]

With descriptions both lyrical and heartfelt, Roland weaves a captivating tale of a life, of a place, so different from any this city girl has known, any I'd ever have imagined finding intriguing.
Some authors choose their words carefully. Gwen Roland is one of those writers whose words seem to've chosen her, and for all the best reasons.
Her characters, rich, liquid, and juicy, yet crisp, clean, and strong, lead me to liken Postmark Bayou Chene to an oil painting rather than a watercolor. Its smells, tastes, sounds, and feelings, bold, buoyant, and rhapsodic. Loved it!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Atchafalaya Houseboat by Gwen Roland, I gave Postmark Bayou Chene a try--and I'm sure glad I did. I enjoyed her descriptions of the Atchafalaya Basin, an area I hold close to my heart. I was drawn to her story, which takes place near an area I frequent in south Louisiana. Her words transport me right to the bayou with her characters.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, enjoyable read. I felt that there wasn't as much motion to the arc of the story as I would have liked (it didn't really feel like it went much of anywhere), but it wasn't a bad way to pass the time.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line is simple and predictable but the writing really takes you to the bayou, and I'm glad I went there.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small gem. Little House on the Prairie meets the Louisiana Bayou in 1908. Great sense of place. Predictable story, but enjoyable read.

[Kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel you can see, hear, feel, smell and taste. Truly a fulfilling read.

[Jeanne Lamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytelling at its finest! A good, fun read!

[Kathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. It is a different type of story from what I have been reading lately (mostly murders!), so it was a nice change. The characters are interesting and the setting is a little familiar, so I'm glad I took the time to enjoy it.