Dennard Dayle’s How to Dodge a Cannonball is a bold and satirical novel set during the American Civil War, exploring themes of race, identity, and war with a sharp, often laugh-out-loud wit. The story centers on Anders, a naïve and idealistic teenager from antebellum Illinois who finds himself navigating the brutal realities of war through an improbable disguise.
Anders, who grew up surrounded by Black communities in the free town of Liberty Valley, remains surprisingly oblivious to racial tensions—a testament both to his sheltered upbringing and the flawed maternal influence of his mother. At 15, when the war erupts, Anders enlists as a Union flag-bearer, a perilous role known for boosting troop morale and attracting enemy fire.
Captured by Confederate forces, Anders switches allegiances, only to become disillusioned again after witnessing the carnage of battle. Seeking a safer path back to the North, he adopts the identity of B.K. Jefferson, a recently deceased Black Union soldier. Despite his white appearance, Anders claims to be an octoroon—part Black—to maintain his cover, a decision that leads to a series of absurd yet poignant encounters.
Surrounded by a diverse cast, including a fervent corporal, a Haitian revolutionary, a white arms dealer, and a shape-shifting bugler, Anders’ journey traverses both battlefields and the volatile New York Draft Riots of 1863. Through these experiences, Dayle satirizes American hypocrisy and racial politics with both humor and gravity.
How to Dodge a Cannonball draws from a rich lineage of African American satire, echoing literary greats such as James Weldon Johnson and Ralph Ellison, while offering a fresh and contemporary perspective. Dayle’s nuanced portrayal of anti-Blackness, class struggles, and cultural uncertainty in the 19th century resonates powerfully today.
Despite the weighty themes, the novel remains consistently entertaining and incisively funny. Readers are treated to moments of sharp wit that underscore America’s enduring contradictions. Dennard Dayle’s debut marks him as a formidable new voice in American literature, blending history, satire, and social commentary with exceptional skill.
