Purgatory

A Novel of the Civil War

By: Jeff Mann

Narrated by: Mikael Naramore

During the Civil War, two young soldiers on opposite sides find themselves drawn together. One is a war-weary, scholarly Southerner who has seen too much bloodshed, especially the tortures inflicted upon the enemy by his vicious commanding officer, his uncle. The other is a Herculean Yankee captured by the rag-tag Confederate band and forced to become a martyr for all the sins of General Sheridan's fires.

When these two find themselves admiring more than each other's spirit and demeanor, when passions erupt between captor and captive, will this new romance survive the arduous trek to Purgatory Mountain?

©2012 Jeff Mann (P)2013 Jeff Mann

Historic Gay Fiction- Must Read!

Would you listen to Purgatory again? Why?

I'd waited until the last minute to select a few books for a long trip and would probably have passed this by if I'd had more time (not really into pain). The book is so much more than just a story about two guys into BDSM.The story is hauntingly beautiful, intense, provocative, often disturbing, and impossible to put down.

What did you like best about this story?

The historical setting & insight we're given into the thoughts and actions of the characters. The unexpected plot twists showing our capacity for hope & kindness even in the face of adversity.

What does Mikael Naramore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator is incredible! One of my initial concerns after beginning the story was if the deep south, Virginian accent would get annoying after a while. No worries. Mr. Naramore has quite a range of voices for the characters. I'll just come clean and say he has one of the hottest voices I've ever heard.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is all about extremes but ends with love and hope.

Blown away

I’m wary of historicals because sometimes the historical facts weigh down on characterization and plot. Not here. This book was incredible, couldn’t recommend more.

Endless repetitive torture

The story is chapter after chapter of meaningless torture - chapter after chapter after chapter after chapter - it grows weary quickly. Jeff Mann’s writing skills are wonderful but the repetitive torture really distracts from what should have been an interesting story. Mikael Naramore performance is outstanding! Best narration of any audio book I have listened to.

A Whole New Experience

I've read dozens of m/m pieces, the vast majority written by women. This story has a distinctively masculine flair. Jeff Mann's work is both beautifully lyrical and gritty in its realism. If forced to find fault, I'd say that it's a very long tale. Even so, the length does nothing to dampen my desire to tackle the sequel! It's fine work and an overall joy to read.

This Book Was Purgatory

I don't mind a good sexy story involving homosexuality but the "plot" was tedious. I understand that was a very realistic presentation of daily war life but it made for tedious listening.