Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "Black Cloud Rising" by David Wright Falade

1. Character Exploration:

   • Who are the central characters in "Black Cloud Rising," and how do they contribute to the overall narrative?
   • Are there characters whose perspectives you found particularly compelling or challenging?

2. Themes and Motifs:

   • Identify and discuss the major themes and motifs present in the novel. How do these themes contribute to the story's depth and meaning?

3. Plot Development:

   • How does the plot of "Black Cloud Rising" unfold? Were there any unexpected twists or turns that surprised you?
   • How well did the author keep your interest throughout the narrative?

4. Setting and Atmosphere:

   • Explore how the author uses setting and atmosphere to enhance the story. Did the descriptions make you feel immersed in the world of the novel?

5. Social or Political Commentary:

   • Does the novel offer any social or political commentary? If so, what themes or issues are addressed, and how are they portrayed?

6. Character Relationships:

   • Analyze the relationships between characters. How do these relationships evolve, and do they contribute to the overall narrative arc?

7. Writing Style:

   • Discuss the author's writing style. Did it enhance your reading experience? Were there any passages or quotes that stood out to you?

8. Symbolism and Imagery:

   • Explore any symbolism or imagery used in the novel. How do these elements add layers of meaning to the story?

9. Cultural or Historical Context:

   • If applicable, discuss how the novel engages with cultural or historical contexts. Did it provide insights into certain time periods, events, or cultures?

10. Reader's Experience:

    • Reflect on your overall experience as a reader. What aspects of the novel resonated with you, and are there elements you would like to explore further?

The Tidewater region of Virginia played a significant role during the American Civil War, and Union forces were actively involved in various campaigns and operations in this area. Here is a general timeline of Union forces in Tidewater Virginia during the Civil War:

• 1861:

  • April 17: Virginia seceded from the Union.
  • May 23: Union forces occupied the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk to prevent its falling into Confederate hands.

• 1862:

  • March 8-9: The Battle of Hampton Roads took place, featuring the famous naval engagement between the ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia.
  • May 9-10: Union forces, led by General George McClellan, began the Peninsula Campaign, aiming to capture Richmond. The Battle of Williamsburg occurred during this campaign.

• 1863:

  • May 3: The Second Battle of Fredericksburg took place, involving Union forces under General John Sedgwick.

• 1864:

  • May 5-7: The Battle of the Wilderness marked the beginning of the Overland Campaign, in which Union forces, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, clashed with Confederate forces in central Virginia.
  • May 12-16: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House occurred during the Overland Campaign.

• 1865:

  • March 29 - April 9: The Appomattox Campaign, the final campaign of the Civil War, unfolded. Union forces, under General Grant, surrounded Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army, leading to the eventual surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

These are some key events related to Union forces in the Tidewater region of Virginia during the Civil War. The area witnessed various battles and campaigns, and Union efforts were part of broader military strategies aimed at controlling key waterways and gaining access to Richmond, the Confederate capital.

David Wright Faladé is the author of three books : the narrative history Fire on the Beach: Recovering the Lost Story of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Lifesavers, and the novels Away Running and most recently, Black Cloud Rising.

The New Yorker chose Fire on the Beach as one of its notable selections, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch named it one of its Best Books of 2001.
Away Running was named an Outstanding International Book by the US Board on Books for Young People and was selected by the Junior Library Guild and the Texas Library Association for its high school reading lists.
An excerpt from Black Cloud Rising, entitled “The Sand Banks, 1861,” appeared in the New Yorker.

A former Fulbright Fellow to Brazil, David Wright Faladé is the 2021-22 Mary Ellen von der Heyden Fellow of the NY Public Library’s Cullman Center for Writers. His work has been recognized by the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Texas Institute of Letters. He teaches in the MFA program at the University of Illinois.