Lone Star Literary Life Blog Tours
presents
presents
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
a novel
by
James Lee Burke
James Lee Burke
Title: HOUSE OF
THE RISING SUN
Author: James Lee
Burke
Genre:
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
# of pages: 448
Order
today from
New York Times bestseller James Lee Burke returns with
his latest masterpiece, the story of a father and son separated by war and
circumstance—and whose encounter with the legendary Holy Grail will change
their lives forever.
From
its opening scene in revolutionary Mexico to the Battle of the Marne in 1918,
and on to the bordellos and saloons of San Antonio during the reign of the Hole
in the Wall Gang, House of the Rising Sun
is an epic tale of love, loss, betrayal, vengeance, and retribution that
follows Texas Ranger Hackberry Holland on his journey to reunite with his
estranged son, Ishmael, a captain in the United States Army.
After a violent encounter that leaves four Mexican soldiers dead,
Hackberry escapes the country in possession of a stolen artifact, earning the
ire of a bloodthirsty Austrian arms dealer who then places Hack’s son Ishmael
squarely in the cross hairs of a plot to recapture his prize, believed to be
the mythic cup of Christ.
Along the way, we meet three extraordinary women: Ruby Dansen, the
Danish immigrant who is Ishmael’s mother and Hackberry’s one true love;
Beatrice DeMolay, a brothel madam descended from the crusader knight who
brought the shroud of Turin back from the Holy Land; and Maggie Bassett,
one-time lover of the Sundance Kid, whose wiles rival those of Lady Macbeth. In
her own way, each woman will aid Hackberry in his quest to reconcile with
Ishmael, to vanquish their enemies, and to return the Grail to its rightful
place.
House of the Rising Sun is James Lee Burke’s finest novel to
date, and a thrilling entry into the Holland family saga that continued most
recently with Wayfaring Stranger,
which The New York Times Book Review
described as “saturated with the romance of the past while mournfully attuned
to the unholy menace of the present.”
Praise
for the author
“The heavyweight champ, a great American
novelist.” —Michael Connelly
A
classic saga of the American West from James Lee Burke
House of the Rising Sun
One
of America’s most acclaimed and versatile novelists returns with a harrowing,
historical epic featuring Texas Ranger Hackberry Holland. Starting in
revolutionary Mexico circa 1918 and winding through seedy, gang-controlled San
Antonio, Holland fights his way back to his Army captain son while protecting
one of history’s most fabled artifacts.
“A gorgeous prose stylist.” —Stephen King
HALL WAYS REVIEW: Author James Lee Burke is a wonderfully gifted writer -- his descriptions are such that they are sometimes more vivid than real life, if that makes sense. His descriptions of the Mexican landscapes are incredible and pull the reader right into the scenes. Readers familiar with Burke's novels know that his writing is often somewhat dark, but this is probably the darkest story yet. It's grim, violent, and gory, and the author doesn't shy away from graphic descriptions of racism and warfare. This is not a book to be read by the reader looking for a feel good experience.
On the other hand, the violence and bleakness were accurate for the times, so the historical element and significance of what was happening in the world in those times is spot-on. Burke gives readers plenty of reminders that what happened then isn't so far away from what's happening now. In one scene, the main character's son is hospitalized for physical injuries sustained in war, but he's reminded that no amount of morphine can erase the mental scars -- PTSD has always been and will always be.
The story isn't told in a linear fashion and uses flashbacks to fill-in the details. This mostly works, but some readers will likely find it confusing and wish for a more chronological unfolding of the story. Burke's writing and word choices are well-done and when he's on, he's REALLY on; however, there are sections that get quite wordy and readers may find they are anxious to move along and get back to the story. After so many lengthy passages, the resolution felt a bit rushed and as such, wasn't completely comfortable or satisfying -- more like a good enough ending. Good story? Absolutely. Good delivery? Depends on the reader.
On the other hand, the violence and bleakness were accurate for the times, so the historical element and significance of what was happening in the world in those times is spot-on. Burke gives readers plenty of reminders that what happened then isn't so far away from what's happening now. In one scene, the main character's son is hospitalized for physical injuries sustained in war, but he's reminded that no amount of morphine can erase the mental scars -- PTSD has always been and will always be.
The story isn't told in a linear fashion and uses flashbacks to fill-in the details. This mostly works, but some readers will likely find it confusing and wish for a more chronological unfolding of the story. Burke's writing and word choices are well-done and when he's on, he's REALLY on; however, there are sections that get quite wordy and readers may find they are anxious to move along and get back to the story. After so many lengthy passages, the resolution felt a bit rushed and as such, wasn't completely comfortable or satisfying -- more like a good enough ending. Good story? Absolutely. Good delivery? Depends on the reader.
James Lee Burke, a rare winner of two
Edgar Awards, and named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, is the New York Times bestselling author of
more than thirty novels and two collections of short stories. He lives in
Missoula, Montana.
Check out these other great blog stops on the tour!
Monday, December 14 - The Crazy Booksellers -
promo
Tuesday,
December 15 - All For the Love of the Word - promo
Wednesday,
December 16 - Bookishjessp -
promo
Thursday,
December 17 - Book Crazy Gals - promo
Friday,
December 18 - Because This is My Life Y’all - promo
Saturday,
December 19 - Missus Gonzo -
review
Sunday,
December 20 - Texas Book-aholic - review
Monday,
December 21 - Secret Asian Girl -
review
Tuesday,
December 22 - The Page Unbound - promo
Wednesday,
December 23 - Hall Ways - review
blog tour services provided by
*NOTE FROM KRISTINE at HALL WAYS: Except for the Hall Ways review, the content of this promo post was provided by Lone Star Literary Life Blog Tours. If you're a Texas blogger interested in joining the ranks of Texas Book Blog Tours, contact Tabatha Pope.
A very well information you had said with this novel. And actually i am much inspired with this quotes which is described with the authors.
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