House of Clouds by KI Thompson
A Story of Passion, Loyalty and Triumph During the Civil War
Feb 9, 2008
KI Thompson's debut novel, House of Clouds, is a riveting tale about the American Civil War from 1860-1861. A subject that has often been written about, Thompson manages to create an entirely new version of the war. She weaves the story around two specific women, while still managing to include a variety of colorful, deep characters around them. Fascinating as well is the portrait of what it might have been like for women to be lesbians in the nineteenth century.
Characters:
Jordan Colfax: A Northerner, she is an anomaly in 1800's society. She is independent, an actress, and has strong opinions. She is brave, kind, and fearless. As a part of the acting profession, she learns about her lesbian tendencies from another actress, and in turn, her world turns upside down when she meets Laura St. Clair.
Laura St. Clair: A Southerner, she is the epitome of a perfect Southern belle. Her father is a military aide to Jefferson Davis, the Southern "Rebel" leader. While she staunchly defends the South's right to live as they do, with their plantations and slaves, her heart is large and she is a tender, sweet character who gives her loyalties her all.
Bill O'Malley: This fantastic character steps right out of the pages of history. A theater owner well acquainted with Jordan Colfax, he is a major part of the Underground Railroad, and the reader can not help but adore him and root for him throughout the story.
Ransom St. Clair: Laura's brother and best friend, he feels the need to enlist and defend the South's right to their way of life. Like Laura, his heart is clearly in the right place, and the reader feels for him as the folly of youth and war is played out in the form of his relationship with his friend, Tyler Colfax.
Tyler Colfax: Jordan's brother has also enlisted in the military. He and Ransom are aware that they may be fighting against one another, and it causes them both great sadness. Tyler is open minded, and full of the same youthful fire as his friend Ransom. He cares greatly for his sister and family, and, like Ransom, the reader wishes him success.
The New Story:
What Thompson has done so well in House of Clouds is force the reader to see how both sides of the Civil War felt they were in the right, and how difficult it was for North and South to see one another's viewpoints. Through the characters, however, the reader comes to an understanding of the difficulties faced by the war billed "brother against brother."
While the love story between Jordan and Laura is the glue holding the story together, and the reader is desperate to know whether they will be together in the end, the plot of the entire novel surrounds the horrors of war and the confusion of loyalties when emotions and loyalties collide. While the characters above are pivotal to the story, there is a host of other characters, including slaves, that make the civil war and its issues come to life.
The Author:
KI Thompson is a down to earth, funny woman with a heart as large as those of her characters. She lives with her partner outside of Washington D.C, and has published short stories in Erotic Interludes 2-5, Best Lesbian Romance 2007, Fantasy: Untrue Stories of Lesbian Passion and The Blue Line. Her next novel, Heart of the Matter, will be out in April 2008 from Bold Strokes Books. Her myspace page has continual updates and information.
Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles, reviewed House of Clouds: "KI Thompson has ventureed into well-trodden ground--the American Civil War--and made it fresh and fascinating all over again. It has the inevitability of a well structured novel and the emotional delight of a troubadour's tale one wants to hear again and again. Wlecome, Ms. Thompson, to the ranks of the writers. I look forward to your next book." (On the back cover of House of Clouds.)
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