How to Dodge a Cannonball

A Novel

By: Dennard Dayle

Narrated by: William DeMeritt

“Both the author and the narrator succeed notably in this funny, trenchant debut novel. William DeMeritt uses all his acting skills plus a strong narrative delivery to portray the wide cast of characters who live in this audiobook.” — Kirkus

"It's a roller coaster of a tale and [William] DeMeritt's virtuosic performance keeps us hanging on for dear life. A memorable debut with a narration that's not to be missed." — Booklist (Starred Review)

How to Dodge a Cannonball is a razor-sharp satire that dives into the heart of the Civil War, hilariously questioning the essence of the fight, not just for territory, but for the soul of America.

How to Dodge a Cannonball is funnier than the Civil War should ever be. It follows Anders, a teenage idealist who enlists and reenlists to shape the American Future—as soon as he figures out what that is, who it includes, and why everyone wants him to die for it. Escaping his violently insane mother is a bonus.

Anders finds honor as a proud Union flag twirler—until he’s captured. Then he tries life as a diehard Confederate—until fate asks him to die hard for the Confederacy at Gettysburg. Barely alive, Anders limps into a Black Union regiment in a stolen uniform. While visibly white, he claims to be an octoroon, and they claim to believe him. Only then does his life get truly strange.

His new brothers are even stranger, including a science-fiction playwright, a Haitian double agent, and a former slave feuding with God. Despite his best efforts, Anders starts seeing the war through their eyes, sparking ill-timed questions about who gets to be American or exploit the theater of war. Dennard Dayle’s satire spares no one as doomed charges, draft riots, gleeful arms dealers, and native suppression campaigns test everyone’s definition of loyalty.

Uproariously funny and revelatory, How to Dodge a Cannonball asks if America is worth fighting for. And then answers loudly. Read it while it’s still legal.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

Genius Absurdist Historical Satire

Not hard to follow or understand, the narrator just speaks fast (as befits the novel). Listen with earphones, lots of N-words.

Delightful!

I'll admit I couldn't always figure out what was going on and how the protagonist got from one scene to the next, but on the scene and language level this was wonderful, engaging, insightful, and amusing. The audiobook narrator also did an outstanding job, especially with character voices!

Very interesting!

Great story! Very imaginative. I’m not a civil war buff but it makes me want to learn more! Even if itjj be isn’t historically accurate. It’s very good

Cute book

I thought the writing was funny and the reader was perfect. It was a fun book.

Great book, terrific performance

Loved the narrator’s skillful rendering of the cast of varied characters. He has an incredible dexterity with his voice. Also I think he captured the main character’s quirks really well.