When he created the character Dave Robicheaux, author James Lee Burke lent the New Orleans homicide detective a few of his own characteristics: a daughter named Alafair, a lifetime struggle with alcohol, his Roman Catholic faith, and his love for fishing and the outdoors. On the other hand, Robicheaux is portrayed as a veteran of the Vietnam war, something Burke never experienced firsthand. Yet the demons Burke has known allow him to write convincingly about demons he never knew. Thus Burke has created a realistic, complex and compelling protagonist for his crime fiction series. That depth is one element that elevates Burke's writing above the status of genre fiction. This book explores how James Lee Burke, through the first person narrative of detective Dave Robicheaux, probes the world of law and order, crime and disorder, and one man's internal conflicts with modern moral issues. The first chapter reveals the similarities and differences between real life creator and fictional protagonist. Next, chapters arranged by theme explore the roles of women, Robicheaux's paternal side as revealed through his adopted daughter, the paternal influences in the detective's own life, and the contrasting personality of his half-brother, Jimmie. The next chapters probe the roots of the detective's moral dilemmas: his battle with alcohol, the Vietnam war's lingering trauma, and religion. Next the author explores Burke's use of the supernatural, sense of place, and music to deepen his stories. Final chapters delve into Robicheaux's moral quandaries as a law enforcement officer, the character's contrast to his reckless and funny partner, Clete, and how Burke reveals truths about life through Robicheaux. An interview with Burke is included.
These writings have evolved properly over living many years on the planet and enjoying observations of my fellow man. It's about learning how to flow within the rhythm of all “LIFE FORMS” and laughing about silly things incredulous human beings do. It’s about loving the human race, and living everywhere on the planet at one time; it’s about you! Note: There is no intention on my part to be cogent as these writings have come about from a knowing heart! Upon using the words man and he, I am referring to the Homo Sapien species which include both male/female gender as we know it at the time of these writings.
Basia is an emotional journey of a woman through childhood and adolescence into a turbulent adulthood full of revelations and deceptions. As a teenager, Basia observes the complete deterioration of her parents marriage and her mothers struggle to keep her family and kids together. She knows her mother desperately hangs on to the memories of her first love, but the memories are too painful to share. When her mother dies when Basia is just twenty years old and her father goes through a selfish stage, she is forced to grow up quickly. She leaves her family home and the small town she grew up in and vows to never return. Within the layers of self-discovery lies the profound need to be loved. She makes mistakes and bad decisions, but she never loses the clarity of her aim; to never end up like her parents and marry only for love.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.