James Lee Burke - a master.

carpetmojo · 02-06-2012, 12:31 PM

I'd like to recommend the bppks of James Lee Burke - I've been a fervent reader of his work for some 20 years now, and each new one still comes fresh as a daisy. and I find myself working through the complete works every 2-3 years.
Wonderful writing, and if anyone's read a better indictment of appalling local and national government neglect and incompetence than "Tin Roof Blowdown" I'd love the title please.
He writes in the "crime/detective" genre, but the books are so much more than that. His insights into the politics and environment of the Texas / Louisiana Gulf coast and areas are incisive, and his descriptive powers never flag.
On top of all that, the characters and plotlines are all you'd ask for, and the action's pretty ace too ! deserved.

He has written, I believe, 47 works in total, with his main man, Detective Dave Robicheaux, the most consistent character, but there are short stories and courtroom procedurals for variety.
He hasw been named among the greatest living American writers, and if you want good, intelligent writing with a kick, he's your man - in my opinion.

Here's a list of the Dave Robicheaux novels so far - they are best read in order, I feel, but "Two for Texas" , a book of short stories, are a good intro to Burke's writing :
1. The Neon Rain (1987)
2. Heaven's Prisoners (1988)
3. Black Cherry Blues (1989)
4. A Morning for Flamingos (1990)
5. A Stained White Radiance (1992)
6. In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead (1993)
7. Dixie City Jam (1994)
8. Burning Angel (1995)
9. Cadillac Jukebox (1995)
10. Sunset Limited (1998)
11. Purple Cane Road (2000)
12. Jolie Blon's Bounce (2002)
13. Last Car to Elysian Fields (2003)
14. Crusader's Cross (2005)
15. Pegasus Descending (2006)
16. Tin Roof Blowdown.
17. Swan Peak.
18. Glass Rainbow.
Hope he wins some new readers....

MickeyC · 02-06-2012, 06:23 PM

Couldn't agree more. Have liked every one of his novels.

John A. A. Logan · 02-10-2012, 03:42 AM

I've been meaning to read something by him since I read a good interview with him. Then I came across several Youtube interviews with him where he was very intelligent and articulate. He was talking about a Louisiana or Texas outlaw ancestor, if I remember right...his outlook when he was talking seemed very far-ranging too, an appreciation of the spiritual side of things.

carpetmojo · 02-10-2012, 06:06 AM

His interview, broadcast on BBC Radio, concerning his "Tin Roof Blowdown", and the disaster that happened to New Orleans, was one of the most intelligent and thoughtfull I've heard in a long time, certainly.
He has always struck me as a very "complete person", as it were, which I think comes across in his writing.

02-06-2012, 12:31 PM	#1
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	James Lee Burke - a master. I'd like to recommend the bppks of James Lee Burke - I've been a fervent reader of his work for some 20 years now, and each new one still comes fresh as a daisy. and I find myself working through the complete works every 2-3 years. Wonderful writing, and if anyone's read a better indictment of appalling local and national government neglect and incompetence than "Tin Roof Blowdown" I'd love the title please. He writes in the "crime/detective" genre, but the books are so much more than that. His insights into the politics and environment of the Texas / Louisiana Gulf coast and areas are incisive, and his descriptive powers never flag. On top of all that, the characters and plotlines are all you'd ask for, and the action's pretty ace too ! deserved. He has written, I believe, 47 works in total, with his main man, Detective Dave Robicheaux, the most consistent character, but there are short stories and courtroom procedurals for variety. He hasw been named among the greatest living American writers, and if you want good, intelligent writing with a kick, he's your man - in my opinion. Here's a list of the Dave Robicheaux novels so far - they are best read in order, I feel, but "Two for Texas" , a book of short stories, are a good intro to Burke's writing : 1. The Neon Rain (1987) 2. Heaven's Prisoners (1988) 3. Black Cherry Blues (1989) 4. A Morning for Flamingos (1990) 5. A Stained White Radiance (1992) 6. In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead (1993) 7. Dixie City Jam (1994) 8. Burning Angel (1995) 9. Cadillac Jukebox (1995) 10. Sunset Limited (1998) 11. Purple Cane Road (2000) 12. Jolie Blon's Bounce (2002) 13. Last Car to Elysian Fields (2003) 14. Crusader's Cross (2005) 15. Pegasus Descending (2006) 16. Tin Roof Blowdown. 17. Swan Peak. 18. Glass Rainbow. Hope he wins some new readers....

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02-06-2012, 06:23 PM	#2
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Couldn't agree more. Have liked every one of his novels.

02-10-2012, 03:42 AM	#3
John A. A. Logan Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 1262144 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle	I've been meaning to read something by him since I read a good interview with him. Then I came across several Youtube interviews with him where he was very intelligent and articulate. He was talking about a Louisiana or Texas outlaw ancestor, if I remember right...his outlook when he was talking seemed very far-ranging too, an appreciation of the spiritual side of things.

02-10-2012, 06:06 AM	#4
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	His interview, broadcast on BBC Radio, concerning his "Tin Roof Blowdown", and the disaster that happened to New Orleans, was one of the most intelligent and thoughtfull I've heard in a long time, certainly. He has always struck me as a very "complete person", as it were, which I think comes across in his writing.

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