Preview
  • Devil’s Dream

  • A Novel About Nathan Bedford Forrest
  • By: Madison Smartt Bell
  • Narrated by: Scott Sowers
  • Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (25 ratings)

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Devil’s Dream

By: Madison Smartt Bell
Narrated by: Scott Sowers
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Publisher's summary

A contributor to Harper’s, the New York Times Book Review, and many other publications, Madison Smartt Bell has also been a finalist for the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Devil’s Dream is a rich, evocative work of historical fiction profiling the infamous Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

©2009 Madison Smartt Bell (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC
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Critic reviews

“Rich descriptions of battles … and the pure force of Forrest’s personality make this an engrossing read.” ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about Devil’s Dream

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Great historical account but diabolical in value

What did you like best about Devil’s Dream? What did you like least?

The account and narrative gives one a tremendous insight into the nature of life, conditions, and poverty during the period. I loved the way it is narrated. I believe it is realistic in word and dialogue the way people actually talked in West Tennessee, Mississippi valley.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The author jumps around too much chronologically. One chapter you are in 1864 and the next 1858. Hard to follow all the individuals names and relationships.

What about Scott Sowers’s performance did you like?

Excellent rendering of the worded book narrative. The reflection and accent appeared to be accurate

Was Devil’s Dream worth the listening time?

Sort of !! Sometimes I wished I would have just put it down and forgot it. The image of a schizophrenic, demon possessed individual jumps out when Forrest loses control upset me. He walked a fine line between a Hitler and a Robert E. Lee. Only two individuals have any control over him when he has become possessed. His wife and his mother.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Civil War novel par excellence

CcAn original and highly evocative novel of war and slavery, of the spirit world and the corporeal world

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disjointed

Hard to follow on the spoken version. Could not go back to refresh times, places and characters.

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