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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Picked it off the library shelf for two reasons
1) I used to like Burke's Dave Robicheaux, got tired/depressed with him, tho I still liked the writing
2) name of the book--wayfaring stranger, one of our favorite songs that Herdmen Hills & Mangsen do.
the book itself...again, I do really like Burke's writing. this book was a bit like a train wreck tho, you kept reading even though you knew it was going to shit. this poor guy...whew. what a life. I see here on goodreads that it is labelled Wheldon Holland #1, don't know if that is based on fact or wishfulness, but I will keep my eye open for another.
might even go back and try Dave again.
1) I used to like Burke's Dave Robicheaux, got tired/depressed with him, tho I still liked the writing
2) name of the book--wayfaring stranger, one of our favorite songs that Herdmen Hills & Mangsen do.
the book itself...again, I do really like Burke's writing. this book was a bit like a train wreck tho, you kept reading even though you knew it was going to shit. this poor guy...whew. what a life. I see here on goodreads that it is labelled Wheldon Holland #1, don't know if that is based on fact or wishfulness, but I will keep my eye open for another.
might even go back and try Dave again.
Absolutely fell in love with the book from the get-go. Burke's writing style is phenomenal, gripping, detailed. I love what he writes, how he writes, and his vocabulary usage (makes me feel like I'm learning ;D).
Then, before I knew it, Wayfaring Stranger went from revolving around Weldon and his adventures, to... a whole bunch of women in his life. I wouldn't have minded at all, except Burke portrays a majority of the women in Weldon's life as either strongly sexualized or deeply deranged. Very quickly, their disastrous sexual behavior begins to drive the plot. Linda Gail is a great example of this, but also, the people threatening Weldon spend most of the book taking a crack at his wife (whether that was because of forced sexual activities back in the day or her citizenship status).
In all honesty, I have a hard time understanding why exactly I felt so queasy reading this book. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, but for now, I'm just glad I finished the book and can get rid of it (i.e. return it to the library).
Then, before I knew it, Wayfaring Stranger went from revolving around Weldon and his adventures, to... a whole bunch of women in his life. I wouldn't have minded at all, except Burke portrays a majority of the women in Weldon's life as either strongly sexualized or deeply deranged. Very quickly, their disastrous sexual behavior begins to drive the plot. Linda Gail is a great example of this, but also, the people threatening Weldon spend most of the book taking a crack at his wife (whether that was because of forced sexual activities back in the day or her citizenship status).
In all honesty, I have a hard time understanding why exactly I felt so queasy reading this book. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, but for now, I'm just glad I finished the book and can get rid of it (i.e. return it to the library).
Enjoyed this thrilling ride and appreciated this book as it was our book club pick and I would not have picked it up on my own!
There is something a little slow moving about books set in that great expansive space of the American West. As soon as a book enters the state of Texas, Colorado and the like the book slows down, which is fitting because there is usually a lot of ground to cover. This book takes its time, Burke is in no rush, he spends his time painting a stunning south Texas on the Golf Coast. The actual action of pretty much most of the seven sins is almost secondary.
I remember reading a review of a completely different book, where the person described the author as a brilliant cinematographer, but not a strong director. I would say the same for Burke, with most of his books (that I have read anyway) it is the setting that pulls the plot forward. Usually the one good man in the swampy sea of greed, corruption, lust, pride, wrath, and the other two sins. Since Hollander is the only good man, he has to wait for his antagonists to push him into any kind of action for forward momentum. Though to be fair that is true of 95% of all crime novels.
But my word, Mr Burke paints an amazingly good picture.
I remember reading a review of a completely different book, where the person described the author as a brilliant cinematographer, but not a strong director. I would say the same for Burke, with most of his books (that I have read anyway) it is the setting that pulls the plot forward. Usually the one good man in the swampy sea of greed, corruption, lust, pride, wrath, and the other two sins. Since Hollander is the only good man, he has to wait for his antagonists to push him into any kind of action for forward momentum. Though to be fair that is true of 95% of all crime novels.
But my word, Mr Burke paints an amazingly good picture.
This is the first of Burke's books that I've read. I thought it was just so so. I found it kind of lacking at times...other times good, but not a real page turner. I almost put it down a few times without finishing however I managed to get through it. I like mystery and suspense novels which I thought Burke wrote, but apparently I picked a book where he was trying something different. I kind of feel he was trying to write a classic like Ayn Rand's Fountainhead - it never got there or even close. He had some kind of idea but just wasn't conveying it to the reader. As others have said he kind of lost it with the ending and it seems like he ended the book without pulling it all together. So, without getting into specifics, that is my take on this read...let me know if anyone feels the same.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The writing style of this author was amazing. The story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism
I’m a huge fan of James Lee Burke’s Hackberry Holland novels, which dance just on the rim of Hell. Jack Collins is such a disturbing villain, and here’s Hack, a guy in his 70’s taking on so much evil it seems like the devil will drive. Both “Rain Gods” and “Feast Day of Fools” will take you places you never wanted to go, but in Burke’s hands you wouldn’t be anywhere else.
So imagine the excitement about “Wayfaring Stranger” –a novel about an earlier Holland set in the 1930s! But the novel follows a familiar path; snobby rich people with ugly secrets and bad to the core, tortured men, and soulless women. Lacking is that spark that makes a flawed hero believable and empathetic.
James Lee Burke is turning out quality fiction at the rate of one a year, so we can forgive him this misstep. And remember, Burke’s misstep is often as good as another’s best effort.
So imagine the excitement about “Wayfaring Stranger” –a novel about an earlier Holland set in the 1930s! But the novel follows a familiar path; snobby rich people with ugly secrets and bad to the core, tortured men, and soulless women. Lacking is that spark that makes a flawed hero believable and empathetic.
James Lee Burke is turning out quality fiction at the rate of one a year, so we can forgive him this misstep. And remember, Burke’s misstep is often as good as another’s best effort.
3.5 stars. This was my first book by Burke. I liked it. He really had a great grasp of the era, and his descriptions and phrasing really captures the time and places in the book. I liked the story too, it was fun without being awkward. I am not sure if I'll dive into Burke's back catalog, but I now see why do many people love him.
Every July, I derive incredible pleasure in devouring another James Lee Burke novel. Wayfaring Stranger is as dark as any he's written. Wendall Avery Holland is "the good man" struggling to maintain his center of gravity as he faces SS troopers, American bigots, anti-Semites and the demoralizing power of big oil and big Hollywood. The only problem - I was finished in two days, and it's a long wait until next July. At 78, Burke is writing better than he ever has, and there's a sense that he feels the cold breath of mortality more than he ever has. Long life, and keep writing, James Lee.