A Face Illumined is one of Roe's very best novels and my personal favorite. It centers on a young artist who sees a lovely young woman at a concert. He is struck by her beauty in one instant, but is disturbed by her character revealed in the next. The artist seeks to acquaint himself with the girl, in the hope that he can somehow create in her character the beauty that he first saw in her face. He follows her family to their Summer hotel (this sounds like stalking, but it isn't) and then the battle ensues. This is a brilliant work that explores many themes delving into human character. There is a brilliant and poignant segment arguing against suicide. Roe was a minister, and his moving plea for receiving the Saviour is the highlight of the book. What a master!

I am a big fan of E.P. Roe's books, and this is my favorite.It portrays a youn man who rises above his faulty upbringing and above serious trouble to become a true Knight of the 19th century. After ending up in prison through embezzelment, and then being turned away from every house in the city but two, he becomes a Christian and manages through hard work and faithfulness to prove himself to everyone, and later goes through the Civil War and comes back a hero. This is a must read- it's a fascinating story, and very encouraging as well. He also happens to be what I consider the "ideal" man. :-)

Edward Payson Roe served as a chaplain and war correspondent for the Union army during the civil war. A prominent clergyman in upstate New York, he was deeply troubled by the events of the Chicago fire. Although never having actually seen the tragedy, Roe creates a moving fictional account of the events during and following the fire. The majority of the novel, however, is spent on the most fascinating portion of the book -- a tale of two brilliant but unknown artists: Dennis, a young man of faith, and Christine, the worldly daughter of a skeptic. Although one might naturally assume that the terrible fire would be the climax of the story, the true climax takes place much earlier in the book as the two main charaters draw closer and closer to the inevitable collision of their disparate upbringings. 'Barriers Burned Away' is, by no means, Roe's best novel, but for a first effort it is truly remarkable. Roe's books are like buried treasure. By all means, search for them. They have the power to change their readers' lives. - - Monte Wilson

Roe was a chaplain and war correspondent during the Civil War. After the Chicago fire, he was moved to write this stirring account of that tragedy. The conflict between the two main characters is more mezmerizing than the fire! This is an outstanding book by my favorite author.

I found this book on my mother's shelf, and found it interesting. Set at the end of the Civil War, the focus is on a Southern girl called Miss Lou who was orphaned at a young age and raised by her aunt and uncle. At 18, she wishes that her guardians would see she has grown up. When the battles of the War start reaching the plantation, the characters are challenged in ways they could not have predicted. While sometimes hard pressed to understand what the slaves were saying (the author writes in the manner they speak and doesn't use correct spelling), I found them portrayed in a different manner than is in the books written today. They had their superstitions and were limited in their education, but faith, hope and love were certainly their strengths. Miss Lou is wonderful; she, although inexperienced, has the courage and gumption to stand up against injustice, whether against her or others. These qualities earn her the respect of almost everyone around her, espacially a Yankee soldier who befriends her. The only thing truly disappointing about this book was the end. It cuts off to a description of what the end was supposed to be like. I do not know if the author died before he could complete the book or if it was intended to end this way. But if you have an imagination then the characters in the book will come alive and end it for you.