I decided to pull this book off the shelf and re-read it after 10+ years. After the War is a sprawling narrative covering many years with a multitude of interesting characters and poignant tales. The book takes place in post-World War I Tennessee and captures all the idiosyncrasies and growing pains of both the country and its characters during that time.

The narrator, Paul Alexander, is a Greek immigrant who was raised in Belgium, served in the trenches of the Great War, was wounded and lost two very dear friends. His perspective, observations and journey through life are what drive this book as Paul is many things - sympathetic, frustrating, stubborn, disarming, naïve - as his life unfolds in this narrative.

This is a big, dense, magnificent novel and if you can find the time, is well worth the read - as are all of Marius' books.fiction reread5 s Steve Minor11 20

There are many moments in this book that I have always found affecting - the big party when Paul first played in Tennessee, his recollection of Palmyre, the meetings in his office with various Ledbetters, the dealings with his father. This is a great book I feel lucky to have come across.3 s Allan67373 10

I really enjoyed this book, although my time to read it was limited to time available after caring for my disabled wife. Dr Marius taught at the University of Tennessee during the time that I was there and lists Dixie Lee Junction as his home in his biography, which coincidentally is where Paul Alexander built his home in the book.

This story covers many years of the life of a Paul Alexander. Paul was borne in Greece and was attending college in Belgium when World War I broke out. He is the narrator of his story of his college experiences, his involvement in the war how he came to Bourbonville, how he came to be the manager of the car shop there, his marriage and much the remainder of his life at Dixie Lee Junction.

This book is the second of three Bourbonville books and probably the best of the three, I did particularly the way this book ended, maybe that is why I think it is the best. Maybe one day, I'll sit down and re-read all three, in order then. At that time, I reserve the right to re-choose the favorite of the series.

2 s Al1,518 48

Paul Alexander, born Paul Kephalopoulos in Greece but educated in Belgium, finds himself in the Belgian army with his two best friends fighting Germans in WWI. His friends are killed and Paul, grievously wounded, spends three years in English hospitals recovering. Through a chance encounter in England, Paul winds up as a chemist for a railroad car works in the mythical town of Bourbonville, Tennessee where the bulk of this lengthy book takes place. Paul slowly acclimates to small town Tennessee life, and although he constantly expects to return to Greece, he grows to accept Bourbonville and its people.
From the looks of Marius's life story, it would appear there is some of it (and probably his father's) in this book, but this is one of those happy cases where the author's life experiences actually enhance the story. Marius's writing is clear and his combination of action and reflection is excellent; I was quickly drawn into the book.
Marius makes Paul the narrator, albeit a generally faceless one in his interactions with other characters. He reminds one of Chance the gardener in the Peter Sellers classic, Being There, in that he impresses everyone in Bourbonville and gains stature and position primarily by simply listening and not offering any opinions of his own. I must admit that after a while this particular affect becomes a bit irritating (as in, why would anyone be interested in this guy?).
Still, there's a lot to here. A vibrant story line, strong development of thematic elements (particularly the role of fate in our lives), memorable characters and more.
1 Andy Todd208 5

Huge canvas populated with rich detail.1 Suzanne892 128

I decided to abandon after 100 pages in. Not much to capture my interest and I couldn't stomach 600 pages of boredom.didn-t-finish historical-fiction Chrissie689

I love that Marius decided to introduce an "outsider" as one of the main characters in this trilogy. Having someone new come into the world set up by the first book sets up a very different perspective on the town and its history. It also sets up the third book in which the "outsider" becomes part of the town and its history. Bob Peru1,083 43

the second volume in the bourbonville trilogy. a masterpiece among southern saga novels. it's too bad that richard marius died leaving only three bourbonville novels. these were on track to rival (almost) faulkner's yoknapatawpha county. high praise indeed. John509 3

Tremendous. Try reading "The Coming of Rain" first. (Most of the characters carry over.) Susan I4 2

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