tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post5296465835533537375..comments2024-03-29T09:22:57.031+00:00Comments on Declan Burke: Burke On Burke; Or, Why Some Writers Are Too Good To ReadUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-65531419321570479152011-01-11T09:27:48.876+00:002011-01-11T09:27:48.876+00:00Agreed. It's the descriptions of micro physica...Agreed. It's the descriptions of micro physical movements that make the writing so convincing ("he pinched the fatigue from the corner of his eyes"..."... his thoughts collecting in his eyes.." combined with a dry humour that I love.<br />Frank@frankamcgrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16172806678745818817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-50401158156172430012011-01-10T18:48:11.691+00:002011-01-10T18:48:11.691+00:00Burke. Sigh.
Scott Nicholson
http://www.hauntedco...Burke. Sigh.<br /><br />Scott Nicholson<br />http://www.hauntedcomputer.comAuthor Scott Nicholsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09778999586794284457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-30538280334275115872011-01-10T10:59:14.604+00:002011-01-10T10:59:14.604+00:00Probably very good to read, as no question his wri...Probably very good to read, as no question his writing is superb.<br /><br />It's probably churlish to complain, but at episode 18 of Dave the legend, inevitably conquering his demons, whilst overcoming the bad guys it's tiring - well it is to this reader.<br /><br />I'd far rather read about Dave getting knocked off and Clete Purcell unleashed as his avenging angel.....but it won't happen.<br /><br />IMHO the series has gone on far too long, and I just can't take Robicheaux seriously any morecol2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-12796474493595991662011-01-10T07:36:37.842+00:002011-01-10T07:36:37.842+00:00I'd only read novels that weren't just bet...<i>I'd only read novels that weren't just better than anything I can do myself (not too difficult, it has to be said), but novels better than anything I could ever imagine writing myself. And not just to learn from them, or to force myself to aim higher; just for the pure joy of reading superb writers.</i><br /><br />I can think of no worthier reason to read. I have been reading lots of Dashiell Hammett in recent months, so I know something of this splendid goal myself.<br />==========================<br /> Detectives Beyond Borders<br />"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"<br /> <a href="http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a>Peter Rozovskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977933481463759162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-54854277972586134792011-01-09T23:24:41.120+00:002011-01-09T23:24:41.120+00:00When I pick up a Robicheaux book, I am transported...When I pick up a Robicheaux book, I am transported to a familiar place, one that I have never seen, but I can smell and hear...and feel. Connolly's tribute is apt, I'd like to add Swan Peak to the books that others have recommended, because there is a window to Burke's view on his very important feelings about society. Not his best, but worthy. So important is his view of friendship, his love of those who love him. I hope for the next book. Burke's courage and honesty shine in his writing, and we are there with him. (You don't know what you will do, Declan, your sense of immediacy is just different from some other writers.)lil Glucksternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288522126331817172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-27171873756816520642011-01-09T21:32:14.631+00:002011-01-09T21:32:14.631+00:00I understand what you're saying Declan. I'...I understand what you're saying Declan. I've actually read three of JLB's Robicheuax novels in the past month, over the summer break here in NZ (NEON RAIN, LAST CAR TO ELYSIAN FIELDS, TIN ROOF BLOWDOWN), and they are just on another level to most other crime and thriller fiction I read. <br /><br />Every line in every paragraph is layered and lush. As a (in my case non-fiction, journalist) writer, it almost makes you cry to realise you can never, ever write something like that....Kiwicraighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11687089028299093360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-3037895891134748102011-01-09T16:55:16.297+00:002011-01-09T16:55:16.297+00:00"The truth about the Robicheaux novels is tha..."The truth about the Robicheaux novels is that I really don't have the time to go back and start with Neon Rain,"<br /><br />I call bullshit, though I'm sure you don;t see it that way. It's not like you'll have to put your life on hold and read them all. Read one a year, or every other year. Take advantage of your youth. The Robicheaux books are wonderful reads, unlike any other series. <br /><br />I, too, don;t feel I'll ever write half that well. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy his work, and that I don't learn some little thing from almost every Robicheaux book that makes me a little better writer.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-34790494586583971572011-01-09T14:48:10.902+00:002011-01-09T14:48:10.902+00:00Nobody's promised tomorrow so why not read as ...Nobody's promised tomorrow so why not read as many good books (or that hold the promise of being good)as you can right now? No need to start at the beginning of the Robicheaux series either. I've read them all out of order, starting with Jole Blon's Bounce and jumping back and forth, and that's worked just fine. And if you feel as though you'd like to read more Burke but have no time for 18 books, then limit it to The Tin-Roof Blowdown and The Glass Rainbow. The other books are certainly worthy reads, but those two are magnificent.Naomi Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08005429772070247806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-62058814577711047362011-01-09T11:35:54.818+00:002011-01-09T11:35:54.818+00:00I hear you, folks. The truth about the Robicheaux ...I hear you, folks. The truth about the Robicheaux novels is that I really don't have the time to go back and start with Neon Rain, and I'd hate to dip in at a later stage; although I am very tempted to run with The Glass Rainbow right now. <br /><br />As for the rest: if I had a choice in the matter, I'd only read novels that weren't just better than anything I can do myself (not too difficult, it has to be said), but novels better than anything I could ever imagine writing myself. And not just to learn from them, or to force myself to aim higher; just for the pure joy of reading superb writers. <br /><br />Cheers, DecDeclan Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14322645323239292406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-56551858021952039362011-01-09T11:17:37.689+00:002011-01-09T11:17:37.689+00:00Great post Declan. I finished The Glass Rainbow th...Great post Declan. I finished The Glass Rainbow the other night, staying up until my eyes were gritty with sleep to do so (just one more chapter, okay just one more chapter, oh I might as well keep reading, hah). I love his books and his languid writing style, Bitterroot is still one of my top 10 novels, but like Michael above I'd never do the comparison game, namely because there is none, and secondly because it would depress the socks off me. <br />I feel that way whenever I open the cover of a Daniel Woodrell novel too, almost nervous about what is in store. For that matter I can't wait for the The Dark Lord's next tome. But ain't it grand to have such authors out there who make us sit up and take notice? How dull it would be without them.<br />ArleneArlenehttp://www.arlenehunt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4938060587020568315.post-58253349374974047822011-01-09T09:32:20.092+00:002011-01-09T09:32:20.092+00:00I totally understand where you are coming from her...I totally understand where you are coming from here, Dec, however I can't restrain myself. Comparison is fatal so I don't do it. Instead I look on it as a lesson and try to learn from him.<br /><br />I see at ...for me ...as a being like a situation where a young footballer, golfer, tennis player or whatever, is playing alongside a sporting legend. They are only going to raise their game and learn from the great man.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13316263425112020638noreply@blogger.com