Reviews

The Burnt Orange Heresy by Charles Willeford

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shellyhartner's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Dated. Maddeningly sexist. All characters unlikable without exception.

smelendez's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

rocketiza's review against another edition

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2.0

I do really like Willeford, but this one focused on a lot of explaining art which I didn't really care about, and the final twist didn't make any sense whatsoever.

traciemasek's review against another edition

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2.0

This is the first Willeford book that I've read that was a bit of a dud to me (not counting the collection of posthumously published short stories). It starts slow, the middle is slow, the end is sort of exciting for like 3 pages, and then it's all slow again. I could not stand the narrator. And unlike with most of Willeford's other protagonists (none of whom are all that likeable) I couldn't find one aspect of Figueras that I could tolerate. I would not ever want to be in the same room as that dude, lest I get stuck listening to him pontificate about contemporary art, which--SPOILER ALERT--is what he does for the entire novel. SHUT UP YOU ARE BORING. I think maybe if he would have been developed a bit more into perhaps a Harvey Pekar-type I could have related to him a bit more. Not that one should ever really relate to Willeford's characters, but at least he'd be more well rounded and less of a droning asshole.

The exciting three pages are good, but still not great, and not nearly enough to save this, although good enough to get it 2 stars versus 1. Also, the actual ending? HATED IT.

And, seriously, Willeford, can I get like one female character who isn't deplorable? At this point, I'm not even asking for a strong female character, just one who does something aside from drink, have sex, ask annoying questions, and get in the way.

I think I'm more of a fan of Willeford's later stuff. I like the ultra violence. And I like a crime gotten away with from time to time. And, yes, goddamnit, I like Hoke Moseley.

matt_books's review against another edition

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4.0

Landing somewhere between Elmore Leonard and Charles Portis, this was a fun way to spend time in the American Southeast with a handful of weirdos who are totally full of shit each in their own unique way

nickdleblanc's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a vicious little satire. It is apparent that Willeford does not like critics. It is especially apparent that he does not like the way critics, reviewers, and dealers use people's work for their own benefit or the way artists rest on their laurels or exploit their own reputations. As with most Willeford books I've read, the real heart of the story (and the best person in the story) is the woman. He uses misogynistic first-person narration from the lead character--a snotty and successful art critic--to really drive this point home. Berenice is the lens through which we should view these terrible people. She sees them for what they are as we are meant to. Figueras' multiple page monologue to her about modern art while she falls asleep is a hilarious little section. Willeford is one of the most enjoyable reads out there. Some would say this is his best novel. I'm not sure I agree. I think that opinion has formed because maybe because this book is more accessible. It deals with more high-brow subject matter and has a bit less sex, violence, and dirty humor than some of his more crime-focused work. Good stuff.