Now We Shall Be Entirely Free by Andrew Miller

Europa Editions, 432 pages, $19 (c2019)

I read a review of this book in which the reviewer* spoke of how “Now We Shall Be Entirely Free” reminded him of Hillary Mantel’s writing. Yes, that’s a good comparison. Andrew Miller creates the universe of 1809 Great Britain. He dresses his story with multiple details of the period: furniture, architecture, dress, food, drink, work, etc., etc., etc. But this is also the story of the descent of John Lacroix, Miller’s main character, into a hell of past military horrors and of his pursuers. The story also reminded me of a Charles Dickens tale of woe, with more graphically violent invention.

When John Lacroix first appears, he is in very bad shape. Somehow people have returned him from the Napoleonic war raging in Spain to his quiet country home near Portsmouth, England. In his idyllic youth, not that long ago, he had bought a commission into the Hussars. He dreamt of fighting in a noble fight atop his mighty steed. He would return a hero. The truth was less than that. The truth comes out in pieces.

After John has regained his strength, thanks in no small part to family servant Nell, he knows he must leave, go away to the islands of Scotland to … what? … learn the music of the Scottish Isles. Yes, that’s what he will tell everyone. He even takes his fiddle.

There are military people who have held an inquiry into a My Lai-type massacre in Los Morales, Spain. As a result, two men — Calley and Medina (wow!) — are sent to track down Lacroix to answer for his part in the massacre. Lacroix seems more absent-minded than panicked in his flight, because he does not realize there are men in pursuit, men who leave a nasty smear of destruction in their path.

Gentle John speaks kindly and has a child’s naiveté about many things. He also carries a pistol and a bag of stuff with which to make ammunition. He wanders without true purpose — except to get away from the named terror of war — and is saved time after time by the kindness of strangers. Will he ever grow up? And will he ever be free?

“Now We Shall Be Entirely Free” begins in a slow roil that quickens and abates, quickens and abates, until the truly breath-holding ending. This book is a masterpiece of detail, a thrilling chase, and an indictment of the “glories” of war. It is also a tale of a person beginning to look past himself to others.

*Charles McGrath for "The New York Times"