Lyrical, eloquent, alive... those are the three best words to describe the style of Dennard Dayle's writing in How to Dodge a Cannonball.

This novel is simply stunning.

I haven't laughed this much at a novel in a very long time, and that the setting for it is the American Civil War makes it even better because that isn't a historical event you'd associated with laughter. But Dayle's novel is meant as satire so the humor is intended. And it lands with perfect balance in the story of Anders, a white teenager who joins the Union Army to be a flag twirler for General George McClellan, then defects to the Confederate Army to be a flag twirler for General Robert E. Lee, before defecting again to be an octoroon among a Black regiment in the Union Army.

Much of the novel reads almost, but not strictly, as Anders' stream-of-consciousness and the things that run through his head, the thoughts and observations he has on himself, the people around him, and America at-large during the Civil War are witty, lyrical, honest, endearing, and important.

It's hard to explain the ways it's so good, definitely the best book I've read so far this year and no doubt in the running to be the best of the year, because it is so good. Dennard Dayle really says it all perfectly. He makes the story come alive off the page in a way not many authors can do.

So if you like satire novels, historical fiction, commentaries on the human condition, and novelized looks at what makes America and what matters to America... you should read this book.

Obviously because it involves the Civil War, any trigger warnings would have to include war imagery and Civil War-era language involving slavery and the n- word. But all of it is given the attention and respect it deserves in the context of history and the story, and none of it is used gratuitously.

I'm going to give it a couple months and read this book again...

The premise of this book is definitely different. A white teenager joins an all black regiment during the Civil War to get away from his abusive mother. This is at Gettysburg, one of the most horrific battles of the war. He claims to be an octoroon! The book is a satire whose humor may be questioned about the worst war here in the United States (aside from the Revolutionary War). Is it absurd? Is it humorous? That depends on you, the reader. Yes it is difficult to laugh at the tragedy of the Civil War. The tragedy of families being torn apart. Not only that, but how it is viewed through the coming-of-age of a 15 year old teenager. I have never read anything like this, don't think I will read another book like this. For sure I won't be requesting it!!! Somebody at Henry Holt and Co. must have a weird sense of humor including the author! !My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to at least get through the pages.

Thanks to Henry Holt and NetGalley for this ARC of 'How to Dodge a Cannonball' by Dennard Dayle.

I'm afraid after multiple attempts to penetrate deeper than a couple of dozen pages into this one I have not been able to engage with it. It's not a DNF, I'm never a DNF, I'm just going to have to postpone until a later time when I'm hopefully in the right frame of mind for it because the blurb describes it as a book I should really love.

I was not sure what to expect and continued to feel the same as I read this incredibly inventive, sometimes confusing, sometimes delightful story. The fusion of modern day sentiments and social issues with Civil War era settings and language and issues of race and war was really unique. Honestly I fought my way through the prose on more than a few occasions but would then find a phrase or sentiment that would really delight me. So I recommend this cautiously as worth reading and encourage the reader not to give up as it's worth reading through to the end.

Absurd and brilliant - Just when I thought I'd tire of the dialogue and direction, the author flipped the story (whether to other characters, a play within the story, a letter written to another in the story, a diary entry, newspaper article, etc). I kept my heart light, because some of the topics can be dark (finding humor in trauma, and an inner dialogue in which I wasn't sure if I should be laughing or crying). The ending was abrupt, and I wish it had wrapped up a little differently, but I was fascinated by the storyline, development of characters, jabs at history, and dry humor. I've never read anything by this author (Dayle) and am hooked in his style (if you've ever read anything by Christopher Moore, I would say this story is a bit like his style: brilliant, humorous and also absurd, thus the need to keep your heart light while reading). I wasn't sure if I hated or admired the main character, Anders, and grew to like him more and more as the story drew on. Please give this story a try! I think if you go into it with casual enjoyment and an open mind for structure, you'll be pleasantly surprised. 4/5 stars for me, and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Henry Holt & Company) for the ARC.
A few favorite words I loved:
- "The new information settled into Anders's mind, with a refreshing lack of trauma. For once, the madness came without pain. He could cope with a world that made little sense, as long as it wasn't actively antagonistic."
- "<i>Less</i> is worse than <i>free</i>. <i>Free</i> is a gift. <i>Less</i> is submission. I'm tired of submitting."
- "I've been lying a bit lately, and worried it'd mess up my truth."

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


Fleeing his abusive mother, white, 15 year old Anders, declares himself an octoroon and joins the negro army. This flag twirling, intelligence soldier actually began in the Union army but after being captured was quick to change allegiance and now serves the Southern Freedom. Building a life, friends and family along with commentary about the Civil War from those serving in Anders’ squad is the bulk of this story.

HOW TO DODGE A CANNONBALL is highly satirical, often literary and erudite for reasons that confounded me, so much so, that I often found it difficult to read. It reached well beyond the educated, black, theater loving character. There were some moments of humor and political double entendres to mine but it was work to do so. There’s regular use of racial “no-no’s” for white folks and the white equivalent, (ofay), that I’d never heard before, plus a full complement of expletives.

It’s difficult for me to enjoy novels when there isn’t at least one character to follow who experiences some kind of growth or change that is worth the time invested in reading the book. Unfortunately, these characters fell flat for me. I can empathize with their story and horrible treatment by white men historically but specifically within this story, they make little overall progress📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks