Land of the Shadow

The Appomattox Saga #4

by Gilbert Morris

This account of the Rocklin clan features the relationship between Southern photographer Paul Bristol and his assistant, Frankie Aimes, a Northern woman forced to spy for the Union.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Civil War, Christian, Inspirational

338 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 1993

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Madi Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

FINALLY finished this book. ngl this book was so freaking boring but chapter 23 carried the entire book and almost made the whole thing worth it. the book had its moments but overall it wasn’t my favorite.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate that these books are written by someone who doesn't understand how slavery really was . Or he does and paints it pretty anyway. Because the stories are so good. It makes me feel like an awful human to enjoy them.

In this story Paul Bristol has come home from Europe a failure of an artist. He doesn't know what to do with his life. Then he gets a chance to photograph the war for the confederates. He decides he needs an assistant and Frankie Aimes ( a girl) shows up for the job.

Just as this story gets started the book goes into how Frankie got to this point for at least two chapters. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why this needed to be done. But yeah its a doozy.

See Frankie's a spy.

Along with the spy story, Paul is engaged to this baracuda woman Luci DeSpain. She is horrid. She is unforgivable. The mean things she did to Frankie. Pure jealousy.

Paul and Frankie travel to different battle places taking photos. Seeing the before( often happy and carefree) and the after ( piles of severed limbs). Paul and Frankie become very close. When Frankie gets injured it gets very good.

Running parallel to this story is Ellen's descent into madness. She is crazy. Then again who cares. Maybe David her son, but no one reading these books could care for Ellen. So now both impediments are gone. What will keep them apart now? I want a wedding in the next book but really this is only book 4, Clay and Melora can't get their HEA already can they??

When the book had twenty pages left I was pulling my hair out. How could everything get resolved in twenty pages??? Oh but it does, and it is as always wonderful.

[Summer Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four in the Appomattox Saga, and probably my favorite so far. Things I like about this book: Morris allows his men to be strong and masculine AND have feelings and express tenderness; his female characters are strong and independent but can still enjoy a dance or a fine gown when available, and Morris doesn't require his characters to be perfect to prove that they are Christian. He never condones sin, but he doesn't shy away from it either. His characters are complex and human, and I love it.

Things I think some people might object to in this book: the way gender roles play out in this story, the portrayal of the slave characters, and the fact that this book focuses on a Southern plantation-owning family and gives them more nuance than just outright villains.

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still enjoyable, but my least favorite of the series so far.

Also, a dude is a known womanizer/prodigal but all of a sudden he's just...not?? Kinda confused as to where that plot line went but it's fine.

Also, basically everyone and their dog is becoming a Christian and while that's amazing and wonderful it's also kinda cheesy, I'm sorry

[Emily Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another sweet book by Morris. His writing is good but not to thorough. The months can fly by on just a few pages of his book without much descriptions. Though the story line is always a good one and it will make you want to keep getting more involved with the next book in series to see how everything ends up.

[Emily Gingrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable book! It gets rather mushy at times, but it’s also an interesting analysis of womanhood as well.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one of the series since the first one, which is still my favorite so far.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome historical fiction, with well developed character and plots.

[Darlene Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This account of the Rocklin clan features the relationship between Southern photographer Paul Bristol and his assistant, Frankie Aimes, a Northern woman forced to spy for the Union.

[Kristin Funk-neubauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gender politics of this book bugged me. Of course the hero is incapable of seeing that he is in love with the heroine, until she mends her gender-nonconforming ways and becomes conventionally attractive. At which point he suddenly wants to marry her. Blech.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST!!!

[Walter Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

if Gilbert morris wrote it.its good

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Civil War: romantic, spiritual, good historical tie-ins

[Emock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the ensemble cast and how the "bad" characters are redeemed. Gospel presentation is good. Historical portions are sometimes choppy. I like the saga, although sometimes scenes jump abruptly. Overall, enjoyable.

I especially love Clay, Melora, Dent, Raimey.