It's easy to see how fans of James Lee Burke do not like this-his first-novel. This is the only work of Burke's that I've read and can't say I'm a big fan of the novel either. The characters are mostly unlikable, there's no plot to speak of, what story there is seems to go nowhere, and the author's positive reputation is not in evidence. Half of Paradise follows three men, Avery Broussard, J. P. Winfield and Toussaint Boudreaux (none of whom achieve even a modicum of the amount of paradise promised by the title) and the poor choices they make or are forced into, seemingly by fate. Their lives do not intersect, except for a brief period when Broussard and Boudreaux are thrown together by circumstance. On the surface, there is nothing to connect the three men other than their stories all taking place in Louisiana and that none of them can seem to catch a break. Which raises the question of why the author chose to tell their stories in one book (using alternating chapters) rather than writing a separate novel, or novella, for each character. This also would, perhaps, have helped to make the characters fleshed out human beings, rather than the thin, cardboard stock they appear to have been constructed from as none of them ever attain a sense of being whole characters instead of just empty shells used by the author to make some cash.However, if one looks beneath the surface, there is a deeper them connecting the three stories and the lives of the three men. Each man is stubbornly fighting against plummeting toward his inevitable fate. In this case death, although not necessarily a physical death. J. P. loses his soul long before his body will die. Broussard's way of life and family dying as we meet him, and his aimlessness is a sign that his spirit has died long before we meet him. Toussaint Boudreaux is perhaps the only one who meets his fate as a whole person; spirit and soul fighting until the very end against the forces set to do him in. I do not think a story needs a plot to be good or enjoyable; and, although, it's possible to find a deeper meaning to the ultra thin lives of the three protagonists, there should be some point to it all. Unfortunately, in the case of Half of Paradise, a point is sorely lacking. I will read other works by Burke at some point, but from this novel, I am in no hurry. Half of Paradise is not for the casual reader, but only for those hardcore fans of the author who want to read everything he's published. Anyone else can skip this book without missing out on anything.
It is quite interesting to read the first book by an author you enjoy, to see how their writing has developed and progressed, especially if they have acquired a following, such as Burke definitely has. The story itself is less than satisfying, but interesting enough (though I much prefer Pierce's Cool Hand Luke), and goes along fairly quickly. I found it amusing when I came across turns of phrase that I know he has used in later books, such as his description of nutria as they make their "scream of a hysterical woman." You can easily see the groundwork for his Robicheaux series, in tone and descriptive language, as well as character development. One thought however: why is it no other snakes except moccasins slither through literary swamps?
What do You think about Half Of Paradise (1999)?
James Lee Burke has been writing for roughly fifty years now, and this was an early effort, published in 1965; I think it was his first, in fact. It starts out appearing to be short stories, but the narratives involving three individuals eventually make one crushing point about the dismal, cynical failure of the US criminal justice system, which rains down its uneven blows hardest upon the poorest sectors of the population. He never actually says it. He goes one better, by demonstrating it through his fiction.Those who have read his Edgar winners or the Pulitzer-nominated Black Cherry Blues and come back to this work feeling cheated because it doesn't measure up ought to reconsider before slapping down their one-and-two-star ratings. If you have a very strict rating system and would give another writer of this caliber that rating, fine, go ahead. I disagree, but at least you'd be consistent. However, if you are comparing Burke to Burke and holding everything he ever wrote to the standard of Neon Rain or Black Cherry Blues, then that is unfair. As for me, if Half of Paradise, a stark, brutal, depressing book reminiscent of some of Russell Banks's work (but with a Southern exposure) were as good as Burke were ever going to become, I would still choose to read his work over that of most other writers. And because it is indeed grim--and anything with this subject matter ought to be--I always have another book going, too. Actually, I usually have four to six books that I read in rotation. By not making more than one or two of them morbid, I keep myself from plunging to the depths one otherwise might while reading it.A worthy early effort, still worth reading today if you can stand the sting of the "n" word.
—Donna Davis
I wish I could remember who suggested I read this author. After seeing the other reviews here (thank you good reads and goodreaders) i will probably try another one of his books. But this thing I could hardly stand to read. In fact, after the first section "book one" i just started flipping thru and reading random parts... and found the writing rather uninspired and flat, and the character development dull and predictable. Maybe he was one of the first to observe and describe these sorts of characters, maybe that was forceful in it's day, and if so I appreciate my lack of perspective on making this critique.
—Torimac
This is Burke's first novel. A tale of three men from Louisiana and how each is able to face his demons. Not the most upbeat story but we get a first taste of the poetry that is Burke's writing. Burke is one of the best writers out there right now. His words flow over the page as his descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of the stories he tells. Avery Broussard, a one time land owner, is arrested when caught running moonshine, J.P. Winfield is a musician that makes the big time and then spirals down into drugs and alcohol and Toussaint Boudreaux and out of luck boxer that is caught driving a truck with stolen furs. The story tells of how each man deals with adversity. A good beginning to a great career.
—James Sorensen
