Tin Roof Blowdown

[robertgreenup]

Mr. Burke,

I admit I took a long time to pick up The Tin Roof Blowdown. I knew it was about Katrina and I just couldn't bring myself to go there. I live 250 miles north of New Orleans, but my family is still there and we spent may days nailing boards, ripping out carpets, shoveling the garbage that had once been personal property. Even here in Southeast Arkansas we had over 40 families from New Orleans living in our church for many weeks, several of them setting down here. Even now, a trip back home is heartbreaking.

That said, after Swan's Peak came out I told myself it was time to read the "Katrina" book. I was simply blown away. I have loved all of your books, but this one had me crying at times and seething in rage at others. You so pushed my buttons! Great work.

I teach your books in my American Lit class and my students are always impressed by your prose. I use your words as examples of lyrical prose.

Well, I will now re-read Black Cherry Blues so I will be up to snuff on Swan's Peak.

Arkansas is fine, we have our own bayous....but they think that catfish is seafood!

Regards,

Robert

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks for your nice message. I'm honored that you include my work in your American lit class. I love the last line of your message regarding the identification of catfish with seafood.

By the way, Pearl and I used to go to a blueglass nightclub in Long Beach many years ago, and the dobro player, who was from Arkansas, said he went back home to visit and was told the state had been experiencing a terrible drought. So the next day he went fishing and of course caught nothing and told himself, "This is a serious drought, all right."

However, he realized he had underestimated the situation when he rounded a bend in the forest and met a catfish who was hitchhiking and carrying a canteen.

Best,

Jim

[maystamper]

I didn't want Tin Roof Blowdown to end as I was so caught up in it. As a Yank we have visited NO area several times pre-Katrina. I could only imagine what you'all went through. I LOVED the book and my husband is just finishing it and said that it would make a great movie. My husband wants to change his name to Clete and just ordered one of the T-shirts! The things men do as they age! Ha! Keep up the writing! I'm ready for the next book now. An avid follower from Minnesota. Mary

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Mary. I hope you and your husband keep enjoying the books and stories.

Best,

Jim

[AndrewO]

Hello Jim,

I found Tin Roof Blowdown entirely absorbing. You managed to compellingly explore issues from a macro-viewpoint, like the government's pitiful response to Katrina, to the micro, like a man's battles with his own demons.

One small error I noted (although someone else has probably pointed this out already): The Columbia River Gorge is north of Mount Hood, not south. I was in Central Oregon, which some of us call God's Country, when I read your book.

Seems like Dave R. was goaded but refrained in large part from doing evil deeds (though I guess he could have yelled "Sheriff's department, drop your weapon!" before he plugged the bad guy).

I met a veteran interrogator, and unless I was completely taken in, I would say that the novel's assertion that interrogator=torturer is not accurate when it comes to the professionals, who abhor tactics like waterboarding.

Keep up the good work, and I look forward to the next installment.

Regards,
Andrew

[jamesleeburke]

I'm glad you enjoyed the novel. The error about Mount Hood was corrected in the reprint (or least it should have been). Anyway, thanks for catching it.

Best,

Jim

[Keys]

I was totally repulsed by the description of the spiders biting the people trying to get out of the houses.. Just the kind of scene that plays over and over in your head after you've read it.. I suppose that is exactly what they would do, go up and out and on... Ick Ick Ick...

[M.O.D]

A long time ago, I read Cadillac Jukebox. It didn't leave much of an impression at the time, I realize now that it had more to do with me, and where my head was, during that period of my life than the book itself.

After reading what Ian Rankin had to say about The Tin Roof Blowdown, I decided to give it a go. I am very glad I did, it blew me away (sorry, pun intended). Living in Sweden, I watched the news about Katrina just like everybody else, and I thought I had a fairly good idea about the devastation and horrors that followed.

However, after reading Blowdown, I realized I didn't know shit - I also discovered just what an ace of a writer Mr. Burke is. Since then, I have been ordering the back catalogue, just finished Neon Rain yesterday. I am glad to have re-discovered you, sir. Thank you for your work. That's all...

- Magnus

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Magnus.

Best,

Jim

[cat_79]

I have to say that this was possibly the best book it amazes me how James can make such ugliness sound so beautiful and poetic