The Last Monument by Michael Grumley: A Haunting and Unforgettable Tale of Loss, Memory, and the Power of Storytelling

The Last Monument

by Michael C. Grumley

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4147 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	344 pages
Paperback	:	325 pages
Item Weight	:	12.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	5 x 0.82 x 8 inches

FREE

The Last Monument by Michael Grumley is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the power of storytelling. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, the novel follows the journey of a young woman named Sarah as she grapples with the loss of her family and her struggle to find meaning in a world torn apart by war.

Sarah is a young woman from a wealthy family in Virginia. When the war breaks out, her family is divided, with her father and brothers fighting for the Confederacy and her mother and sisters supporting the Union. Sarah is torn between her loyalties to her family and her country, and she eventually decides to leave home and work as a nurse for the Union Army.

As a nurse, Sarah witnesses the horrors of war firsthand. She sees men die in battle, and she helps to care for the sick and wounded. She also meets a young doctor named John, who becomes her friend and confidant. John is a kind and compassionate man, and he helps Sarah to heal from the trauma of war.

After the war, Sarah returns home to Virginia. She finds that her family has been destroyed by the war. Her father and brothers have been killed, and her mother and sisters have disappeared. Sarah is alone and lost, and she struggles to find her place in the world.

One day, Sarah meets an old man who tells her about a monument that is being built in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the soldiers who died in the war. The old man tells Sarah that the monument is being built on the site of a former slave plantation, and he asks her to help him to tell the story of the slaves who lived and died on the plantation.

Sarah agrees to help the old man, and she begins to research the history of the plantation. She learns that the plantation was owned by a wealthy planter named Robert E. Lee. Lee was a Confederate general, and he fought against the Union Army during the war.

Sarah also learns that the slaves on Lee's plantation were treated brutally. They were whipped, beaten, and sold. Many of them died from overwork and disease. Sarah is horrified by what she learns, and she vows to tell the story of the slaves so that their suffering will not be forgotten.

Sarah's research takes her to the Library of Congress, where she finds a collection of letters that were written by the slaves on Lee's plantation. The letters are full of pain and suffering, but they also contain stories of hope and resilience. Sarah is inspired by the letters, and she uses them to write a book about the slaves.

Sarah's book is a powerful indictment of slavery, and it helps to raise awareness about the horrors of the slave trade. The book is also a tribute to the slaves who survived the war and who fought for their freedom.

The Last Monument is a haunting and unforgettable tale of loss, memory, and the power of storytelling. Grumley's novel is a moving reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of remembering the victims of slavery.

Themes in The Last Monument

The Last Monument explores a number of important themes, including:

• Loss: Sarah experiences a great deal of loss in her life. She loses her family, her home, and her country. She also loses her faith in humanity.
• Memory: Sarah struggles to come to terms with the memories of her past. She remembers the horrors of war, the loss of her family, and the suffering of the slaves on Lee's plantation. These memories haunt her and make it difficult for her to move on with her life.
• Storytelling: Storytelling is a powerful force in The Last Monument. Sarah's story is told through a series of letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. These different perspectives help to create a complex and nuanced portrait of Sarah and her experiences.

Characters in The Last Monument

The Last Monument features a cast of complex and well-developed characters. The main characters include:

• Sarah: Sarah is a young woman who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her family and her country. She is a strong and determined woman, but she is also haunted by the memories of her past.
• John: John is a young doctor who works as a surgeon for the Union Army. He is a kind and compassionate man, and he becomes Sarah's friend and confidant.
• The old man: The old man is a former slave who tells Sarah about the monument that is being built in Washington, D.C. He asks Sarah to help him to tell the story of the slaves who lived and died on the plantation.

Setting in The Last Monument

The Last Monument is set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. The novel takes place in a variety of locations, including Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the battlefields of the Civil War.

The setting of the novel is an important part of the story. The Civil War was a time of great upheaval and change, and the novel explores the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.

Style in The Last Monument

Michael Grumley's writing style is lyrical and evocative. He uses vivid imagery and rich language to create a powerful and immersive experience for the reader.

The novel is written in a non-linear style, which helps to create a sense of suspense and mystery. The reader is slowly piecing together the story of Sarah's life, and this helps to keep the reader engaged.

The Last Monument is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the power of storytelling. Grumley's novel is a moving reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of remembering the victims of slavery.

The Last Monument is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, the Civil War, or the power of storytelling.

The Last Monument

by Michael C. Grumley

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4147 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	344 pages
Paperback	:	325 pages
Item Weight	:	12.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	5 x 0.82 x 8 inches

FREE