Half of Paradise

One of the great JLB's first. Cutting his teeth; I wouldn't bother unless you are determined to read everything he's ever written, which I am. Story of three different doomed characters, two of whom intersect at one point. One is forced to ask... why? Far cry from here to the moral ambivalence and complexity that make Dave Robicheaux and Billy Bob Holland such compelling characters.

I've read a few of James Lee Burke's books and enjoyed them very much but this collection of short stories threading it's way through the life's of some very flawed and unlikable weak characters was just too dark and unforgiving for me. His writing is superb but in this collection the content became boring in it's unrelenting gloom and baseness.

The first time I've been slightly disappointed with a James Lee Burke novel. The prose is still pretty good but the dialogue sections did not read true in a lot of cases. It is really four stories which jump from one to the other chapter after chapter and this did not work for me. It is one of his earliest books (if not his first published) and boy has he improved since then. I still look forward to his next one, and recommend him to anyone who has not read him yet.

I've read a few by this author before and quite liked the style of writing and stories, but I wish I'd given this one a miss. Its the most depressing book I've read in a long while.

A series of linked short stories masterfully entwined. Dark and brooding. Burke keeps the sense of foreboding going until the end. Perhaps not his strongest work but still well worth a punt.

Fabulous evocative writing set in the south. Brilliant

James Lee Burke stories are entertaining, and gripping. His writing is atmospheric and suspenseful...bravo, again Mr Burke..

Needed about 6 more chapters to tie up all the loose ends ... felt as if he was just showing us how clever he was .... not a patch on his other novels but wins an award I must be thick