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Original poster

Wonkers' - and anyone else who wants to join - Book Club - The Neon Rain (James Lee Burke)

42 replies

BecauseImWorthIt · 12/06/2010 00:18

OK - just setting up the thread.

Anyone is welcome to join!

The first book is The Neon Rain, the first Dave Robicheaux book by James Lee Burke.

The plan is to start the discussion from 5 July, so you've got three weeks to find/buy/borrow and read the book!

OP posts:
MmeLindt · 15/06/2010 09:08

Ordered book from Amazon. 1p. Bargain.

Een · 14/06/2010 20:50

Here here. Would love to join but I've just started Any Human Heart by William Boyd which I'm throughly enjoying. Unfortunately I don't have the time for another book with my two monkeys keeping me busy. Will join for the next book.

Hullygully · 14/06/2010 10:52

I want to play, but I'll wait for the next book - can't hack alcoholism. Would just want to kill him.

thumbwitch · 14/06/2010 10:49

Will be checking the library tomorrow or Wednesday for it (it's our wedding anniversary tomorrow so might not get the chance and we had a BH Monday today for the Queen's birthday, dontcha know)

I have an interesting attitidue to violence in novels, depends what it is, really. I can't read about sexual violence - hence can't stand Karin Slaughter etc. - but someone like Christopher Brookmyre is absolutely fine (and very funny in a very dark way)

Eleison · 14/06/2010 09:11

(1st bit of Goldberg Variations always makes me think of murder and cannibalism now, which is a bit Clockwork Orange.)

Eleison · 14/06/2010 09:07

The violence might be a good stimulus for discussion, esp given that a woman is the victim of a male murderer?

I have to say that I sometimes enjoy schlocky(sp?) violence. I like some parts of the Hannibal films & books partly for that reason. Hannibal's violence is extreme enough to take you to the very edge of yourself but because it is jocularly moral you can continue to feel safe (to feel that you, like Clarice, would be one of his untargetted). And refreshingly it is not about a man killing women.

Intensely corny though it is I love the playing out of one of his murders to the background of the so-orderly Goldberg Variations

BingumyAndThob · 14/06/2010 00:13

Interesting- I was discussing armchair travel with a colleague the other day, and we were saying how sometimes it's actually nicer to read about places than actually go there... and how a good writer makes us feel we've been somewhere that we actually haven't. I was saying how when I read about places in my local area in books it gives me a little secret thrill inside [girly] I just love it, makes me feel like I'm in on something...

Original poster
BecauseImWorthIt · 13/06/2010 23:20

OK - I should warn you that it is very violent.

I'm not normally one for gratuitous violence in books, films, etc - but James Lee Burke writes exceptionally well.

His hero, Robicheaux, and his struggles with alcholism are so very well portrayed. And his descriptions of Louisiana and New Orleans are just stunning. I've never been to that part of the US, but I have such a clear picture of it, courtesy of him.

OP posts:
BingumyAndThob · 13/06/2010 22:23

I have just bought on ebay

just got to fit in reading it... not sure about the brutal though... I never read crime, except Fred Vargas- her stuff is quite good, oddly I like the way it is translated.

Eleison · 13/06/2010 21:41

Fast work, BIWI!

Have bought now. Plenty on amazon for a penny plus postage.

Original poster
BecauseImWorthIt · 13/06/2010 21:15

I'm about half way through the book now. Interestingly, I have absolutely no recollection of ever reading this book

I obviously discovered James Lee Burke some time after his debut.

But I'm enjoying it.

It's fierce, brutal stuff although interspersed with the most lovely, lyrical descriptions of Louisiana/New Orleans.

Definitely not a Miss Marple type of detective fiction!

OP posts:
Eleison · 13/06/2010 20:47

Must go and amazon it.

midnightexpress · 13/06/2010 20:42

Marking my place too.

Original poster
BecauseImWorthIt · 13/06/2010 11:50

Well, we'll start the discussion on 5 July but I'm sure it will carry on, so you can catch up with us.

Or should we delay it by a week? I just think a month before we start talking about the book could be too long!

OP posts:
BingumyAndThob · 12/06/2010 23:17

eek... 3 weeks is not very long!

MmeLindt · 12/06/2010 09:34

Will be back later to post properly.

Quattrocento · 12/06/2010 09:19

Marking my place.

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