Customer Reviews

The Coming of Rain

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One strange legacy of the 20th Century is the realization of the humanity of parents, particularly mothers. Angelic, long suffering mothers of 19th Century literature were unveiled so often by so many writers as to always be tripwire for suspicion by readers. The more angelic a woman is portrayed, the more devious and profound the flaws before the final chapter. So it is with Coming of Rain.

A young man, dominated by a strong mother wielding the romantic Old South and a barely remembered Confederate father, discovers the past as it really was. He also discovers himself as he must be in the future. The Coming of Rain is a flood of story beginning in drought, of a prediction by a madman about to be hanged, of many kinds of slavery of the mind long after the ownership of other humans was abolished.

This book isn't heavy reading, but it's enjoyable for those who like historical fiction.

Richard Marius was a wonderfull writer. "The Coming of Rain" is one of those tales that you can go to and let the cares and woes of the world pass on by, because you are in "Bourbonville" for a while. This is the third Richard Marius book I have read, in that I came on board in the middle with "After the War", then mannaged to get "An Affair of Honor" and now, "The Coming of Rain" I am ordering "Bound for the Promise Land" today.If you like beautiful, descriptive writing, tongue in cheek observation and believable, interesting characters, read some Richard Marius.

Undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read. Great story with well developed characters. Comparing it to Bound for the Promised Land, the writing is as good or better. Overall, there's more a more optimistic spirit. As another reviewer mentioned, the story contains many familiar themes: the strong, proud southern mother, the revelation of family secrets, love triangle, etc. However, Marius' writing is better than any other Southern writer I've encountered.

You have to wonder if the lack of great commercial success was the reason Marius did not write fiction full time. My only explanation for why Coming of Rain never resonated with the public like Prince of Tides is the somber, existential struggles that Marius gives to many of his primary characters. I doubt that southerners living in the 19th century American south were constantly wondering 'what is the purpose of human existence' the way Marius' characters do.

The loss of this great writer in 1999 was very unfortunate, but we have this and several other great works to enjoy. There is also a Coming of Rain play, which was still being performed as recently as 2010. Let's hope a film will follow.

Having read Richard Marius' biography of Martin Luther, a masterpiece of accuracy and interpretation, I became interested in the novels of this now deceased author. Jumping into The Coming of Rain, having acquired the book in North Carolina, I was pulled into the writing style and the world being portrayed. In a small town outside of Knoxville which suffers from the effects of a long-term drought, a complex story of love, betrayal, prejudice, murder, fear, and insanity come together, forming a brilliant literary work difficult to put down.

A man is hanged for the murder of his wife and prophecy's the coming of rain just before his own death. In the process the local preacher, verging on the edge of insanity, begins shouting accusations at various townspeople. A rather cavalier beating of two black men ensues demonstrating the racial climate of the time. A darkness seems to envelope the area as past histories related to the Civil War become integral to the story, a story filled with questions, fears, anger, and hints of joy. The sad life of a lawyer who lost his wife and son, the budding but broken love of a young couple, the destruction of the soul of a former slave, and finally the powerful revelation of a murder from the past create a beautifully written book with enough anguish, sorrow, and hope to keep the pages turning.

The symbolism of the rain provides an umbrella of tone to the lavish story, and the religious overtones cannot be ignored. Marius' work is moving, with moments of tears, fright, and great sorrow. Yet in spite of the darkness that pervades many of the pages, there is also an undercurrent of optimism for the future. Wonderful read and recommended for Reconstruction historians, Southern history, or anyone interested in how the events of life shape the reactions and philosophies of the people. Highly recommended.

This book was recommended to me by a co-worker. She knew that I liked historical novels.

I was absolutely turned off by the excessive use of the "N" word.

As an educated Afro-American male, I was very disgusted.I am so glad that this period of American history is over!

The treatment of most of the slaves was horrendous. I think there's a special place in hell for slave owners who subjected innocent human beings to total degradation.