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russspeakeasy

(6,539 posts)
Sun Jul 29, 2012, 03:24 PM Jul 2012

The Glass Rainbow, by James Lee Burke

I'm re-reading this book. It was published in 2008.
It gives some insight as to what Big Ag, Big Oil / Gas have done to our political system and our environment.
It also gives some insight into the social structure of the haves and have more's. (paraphrasing) "The system has shaved the dice in favor of the well to do. Anyone who doesn't understand that, deserves whatever they get".
It's a novel with a very good story about the power of money and politics and serial murder.
I have been reading Mr. Burke for the last 15 years. I have yet to read a book of his I didn't like.
Remember this was written in 2008 and in one of the dialogs his friend is called "you people", and takes offense to it.
Also paraphrasing, "You are not going to change the system by being polite".

If you have read it, I would appreciate your comments, and/or insights.

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The Glass Rainbow, by James Lee Burke (Original Post) russspeakeasy Jul 2012 OP
Creole Belle ChazInAz Jul 2012 #1
You said it well. russspeakeasy Jul 2012 #2
That's the last Burke book I read. mvccd1000 Jul 2012 #3
I'm waiting for a library copy. russspeakeasy Jul 2012 #4

ChazInAz

(2,778 posts)
1. Creole Belle
Sun Jul 29, 2012, 04:30 PM
Jul 2012

fully develops the theme. I've been reading him since sometime in the '80s, and have never seen him as eloquent in his searing contempt for the elites who regard us as economic cannon fodder.
Glass Rainbow was wonderful. I thought he was using it to wrap up the Dave Robichaux series at first. Like all of his work, it's elegiac and sad...a look at a ruined lost world as seen by a too-human recovering alcoholic. It's a deeply moving book, especially the ending. In Creole Belle, that same suffering person goes after the very people who have stolen that world and our lives. His final success is a small one and incomplete, and he knows it.
Mr. Burke is a national treasure.

russspeakeasy

(6,539 posts)
2. You said it well.
Sun Jul 29, 2012, 04:45 PM
Jul 2012

Mr. Burke is indeed a national treasure. I am looking forward to his new book. I think I'm about 19th or 20th on the reserve list.
Have a great day.

mvccd1000

(1,534 posts)
3. That's the last Burke book I read.
Sun Jul 29, 2012, 11:42 PM
Jul 2012

It seemed sadder than some of his others, and I also thought it was to be the end of Robicheaux (until I saw the teaser chapters of Creole Belle). I might have to get home and find the new one in a used bookstore or library soon, as I refuse to pay more than $7.99 for any book on kindle.

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