A review by zenithharpink
When Will This Cruel War Be Over?: The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson, Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864 by Barry Denenberg

3.0

3.5 stars. This was an interesting perspective from a southern girl during the Civil War. It was extremely short, even as fluffed up for length as it was. Emma seemed like a good and sweet person, but as a supporter of the Confederate cause, a slaveholder, can she really be a good person? I found myself pondering this question throughout the book. Mostly I came to the conclusion that the Civil War was an absolute mess in every possible way. Lives were ruined, on multiple levels, in multiple ways.

Emma's father was even more outspoken (and racist), as were some of her neighbors.

I recommend this book to young readers, as well as to those interested in a different perspective on the Civil War, even though it's largely superficial and fiction. Still a fun read.