House Of The Rising Sun

This is on its way into my hands from the library. I may disappear with it for a couple of days.

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 U.S. Army.

Burke is writing in my territory. (From the blurb, it sounds like he bounces around in time a bit, which is a Burke trait).

The first novel I read from James Lee Burke was back when I was just a kid. Two For Texas it was called. Probably the first really gritty take on the Texas Revolution I’d ever read, after steeping myself in the Walt Disney imagery of Davy Crockett swinging Ol’ Betsy in a valiant last stand at the Alamo. Later, Burke hit the big time with his Dave Robicheaux mysteries set mostly in Louisiana. I got into those while I was working in a book store and ate ’em up. Didn’t even know it was the same guy for years. Got kinda sated and never picked up the last few of those. I’ve read several of the Holland family novels and like them.

Thing is, Burke’s working some deep themes that play into his own life — alcoholism, sin and redemption, race… all big, important stuff, but it makes his stories stylistically and thematically a little same-y, especially read back-to-back-to-back (which Craig McDonald reminded me once is a terrible thing to do to a writer).

No matter. I really like Burke and I’m excited about this novel.

Burke gave a wonderful interview to Texas Monthly. This is my favorite part:

The plot of the book has two origins. There’s the story from the Old Testament of how Ishmael is cast out by Abraham because of the jealousy of his wife, Sarah, and there’s the legend of the Arthurian knight’s search for the Grail, which is symbolic of redemption. In other words, I’ve stolen both plots out of Judeo-Christian and Celtic legend. I’ve been stealing from the Bible for a long time! I’m always afraid I’m going to get in trouble down the pike—“We’ve been waiting for you! Are you the guy who’s been violating our copyright?”

 

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Just for the hell of it — and as a hat tip to my bro — here’s Five Finger Death Punch’s weird Mad Max take on the title song. I’m certain that Burke would hate it. (WARNING: There’s an unrelated intro with bad language, bellowed loudly. Also, semi-clad women gettin’ freaky with each other; those with sensitivities — or co-workers — should avoid):

And a version I’m pretty sure Burke WOULD appreciate:

And Nina Simone… Lordy.