Simon the Fiddler fits into the genre of historical romance fiction, yet Simon does not begin to interact with Doris face to face until two thirds through the novel. How does this fit into the romance genre?

Are there any scenes, characters, or moments in the novel that depict the military positively? How does the novel portray the Union and the Confederacy?

Jiles often describes the natural world. How does this style influence and emphasize the story’s plot?