Enemy Women

By: Paulette Jiles

Narrated by: Reba Buhr

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

As lyrical and poignant as Ahab’s Wife and Cold Mountain, here is a wondrous tale set against the tragedy of the American Civil War....

“Jiles carries her gifts with deft precision.” (New York Times Book Review)

The Colley family is made of modest farmers in the Missouri Ozarks. Although Southerners, the Colleys try to remain neutral, a fact ignored by the Union militia who confiscate their livestock, burn their farm, and arrest their daughter, Adair, on charges of “enemy collaboration”.

Yet as this innocent young woman soon discovers, fate can have a double edge. While imprisoned, she falls in love with her interrogator, a Union major who helps her escape. Transferred to the front lines, he promises he will survive and marry her. And Adair, now an escaped convict, must begin her own harrowing journey through the wilderness and enemy territory to find the family she left behind. In unsentimental yet elegant prose, Paulette Jiles reveals the universal horrors of war and its irreparable damage and introduces a wonderful new character in a memorable, touching story.

©2002 Paulette Jiles (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Fascinating history

This book is much more than I expected. It is obviously well researched and cited. It actually fills in blanks in my genealogy that I could never have hoped to find. Great reading b

Beautiful Prose

This story offers accurate information about the Civil War in Missouri. I used to live in Cape Girardeau and recognize all the place names in the story.
The characters were well drawn and nuanced as were the horses which featured largely in the tale.
The plot was nicely paced and kept my interest.

Enemy Women is another great story by Paulette Jules

I have listened to and enjoyed News of the World and Simon the Fidler. Enemy Women is equally engrossing and well written. I didn’t think the performance by Reba Buhr was as good as Grover Gardner for the other two books.

The sacrifices and suffering of the common people, as well as the soldiers.

It made me aware of a totally different way of looking at the Civil War

Amazing narrator.

Liked it. Swept along by the emotion. Felt as if it was I experiencing it all. (Spoiler alert) However, the romance notion of them reuniting seemed implausible.

Might be better to read this one

I love Paulette Jiles’ writing. This is no exception; meticulously researched historical fiction at its best, an original Civil War tale focusing on the end of the war in the very divided state of Missouri, and a heroine that is complex and lovable. Loved it. BUT - the book is organized with snippets of original source material at the opening of every chapter. These “interludes” were very interesting and provide the reader with insights that enhance the overall content. As an Audible listen though, they disrupt the content and flow of the story telling. The ear/mind had to keep adjusting as it wasn’t always clear when the narrative stopped and the snippets began. If this does not bother you then listen away.

Raw and Riveting

Blurred lines between fact and fiction coupled with harsh reality and genius imagery - Paulette Jiles takes the heart, blood, and guts of the Civil War to another level. What an enviable gift she shares with us - Thanks, PJ!!

Story, history, writing and reader

I loved it . Jules should win a Pulitzer for this work. Absolutely stunning writing and historical work. Brilliant.

For those who read for style...

I frequently read or listen for style. This book is beautify read, but for the style alone, it deserves to be read. It’s the third Jiles novel I’ve listened to, but I’ll definitely be getting a hard copy as well. The poetic phrasing is unique and beautiful and well worth your time.

Nice story but narrator should have studied

As a native of the area the pronunciation of the town names were cringe worthy. I almost had to stop. With the availability of resources these days, she could have easily studied. If nothing else, make a few phone calls. More names mispronounced than were correct. Do yourself a favor and read this one instead of listening to audio.