Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table

From Paradise to Hell

 by Marjorie Ann Reeves

Reviewed by Rosemary Miller

This book is written in a journal style by the main character Rose and begins in April of 1844 and ends in May 1891. There are also several chapters throughout the book written by Rose’s daughter.  This book describes her happy life as a young southern lady, a wife and then a mother.  The difficult times arrive as the Civil War turns her life upside down.  Her writings give a through view of life during this period in our history.

This historical fiction book takes place in north Alabama where Rose, is anxious about her upcoming marriage to Nathan Flower. I immediately felt a connected to this book when I read the main character’s name was Rose.  She was described as a tall young lady at the beginning of the story, another personal association.  Rose is an educated southern lady who is very interested in current events.  Throughout the book she stays connected to politics and the changing events happening around the country by reading whatever newspapers she can get her hands on.  While reading these newspapers she fills the pages of her journal with many historical facts.

This book would be a good introduction for someone wanting to get an overview of family life during the mid and late eighteen hundreds.  I enjoyed reading Rose’s journal.  It kept my interest throughout her story to hear how she would take on all of life’s challenges and her survival during those difficult times.