I couldn't help thinking this is Ray Bradbury from the wrong side of town, what happens to children who don't live in that pure middle-American country idyll that Bradbury made so much his milieu. Childhood fancy struggling through the real shit of American life, the violence, poverty, ignorance that are at least as much American life as that which Bradbury chronicles.

Not only about childhood, but it is a theme.

And throughout it all, the poetic lilt that is Burke's own in the way Bradbury has his. I found myself reading passages out loud - especially conversation - it demanded to be heard as well as looked at. It's been quite a while since I visited Burke's world, but I'm so glad I did.



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I couldn't help thinking this is Ray Bradbury from the wrong side of town, what happens to children who don't live in that pure middle-American country idyll that Bradbury made so much his milieu. Childhood fancy struggling through the real shit of American life, the violence, poverty, ignorance that are at least as much American life as that which Bradbury chronicles.

Not only about childhood, but it is a theme.

And throughout it all, the poetic lilt that is Burke's own in the way Bradbury has his. I found myself reading passages out loud - especially conversation - it demanded to be heard as well as looked at. It's been quite a while since I visited Burke's world, but I'm so glad I did.



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I couldn't help thinking this is Ray Bradbury from the wrong side of town, what happens to children who don't live in that pure middle-American country idyll that Bradbury made so much his milieu. Childhood fancy struggling through the real shit of American life, the violence, poverty, ignorance that are at least as much American life as that which Bradbury chronicles.

Not only about childhood, but it is a theme.

And throughout it all, the poetic lilt that is Burke's own in the way Bradbury has his. I found myself reading passages out loud - especially conversation - it demanded to be heard as well as looked at. It's been quite a while since I visited Burke's world, but I'm so glad I did.



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Short fiction by one of my favorite contemporary novelists, the author of the Dave Robicheaux detective series set in south Louisiana. Burke is always on the raw and grim side, but with themes of redemption and the triumph of Right over Wrong-doing that make his novels rewarding to read. These short stories (some of which are extracts from his novels) are equally tough, and not quite as satisfying, although the series of related stories about boyhood friends Charlie and Nick set in pre-and post-WWII Texas are extremely moving in their exploration of what friendship is all about.
Review written in 2010 ( )

Short stories south mainly after second world war till "katrina ".
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