THE JACKAL'S MISTRESS

by Chris Bohjalian

It’s been a while since I’ve indulged myself with a Chris Bohjalian novel. I’ve always found his books entertaining and fast-paced. So, I decided The Jackal’s Mistress was just what I needed at this point in August. And I was right!  

Set in Northern Virginia in 1864, our protagonist Libby finds herself running her husband’s family farm and threshing mill, with only a recently freed enslaved couple and her young niece to help.  Although her town has seen a lot of fighting and has changed hands many times, Libby’s husband is far away fighting for the Confederate Army and she hasn’t heard from him in months.  He was taken prisoner by the Union Army, but she lost track of him when he got moved from one place to another.

As Libby goes about the daily grind of keeping the farm and mill operating, she decides to take in and care for a gravely injured Union Army soldier. If discovered by her neighbors, the penalty would be severe—for her and the others on the farm.  Much of the book details the slowly developing relationship between Libby and the soldier, aka “the Jackal.”  Bohjalian writes a poignant story of this man and woman and their unfolding realization that despite being on opposite sides of the Civil War, their lives and hopes and dreams are very similar.

The storyline in The Jackal’s Mistress follows some unexpected paths and takes several unforeseen turns.  Bohjalian presents a heart-rending story about how the throes of war affect not just those who fight, but those left behind to carry on.  Add in the theme of acting honorably and humanely amidst the horrors of war, and Bohjalian has got a stunning novel.  You definitely want to read The Jackal’s Mistress.  (Liz)