SPOILERS!! THE GLASS RAINBOW ending and plot discussed here

[pamala]

Is there some detail in a much earlier book that tells how old Dave and Clete are.

Dave is about JLB's age, 73.

As for the ending, I know it was analogous to the ending of an era and a way of life in Louisiana. I still cling to Jim's comment that "Dave's and Clete's fate is not certain." At the very least I feel comforted that they live on in the pages on my bookshelves.

[penelope]

Is there some detail in a much earlier book that tells how old Dave and Clete are.

Dave is about JLB's age, 73.

As for the ending, I know it was analogous to the ending of an era and a way of life in Louisiana. I still cling to Jim's comment that "Dave's and Clete's fate is not certain." At the very least I feel comforted that they live on in the pages on my bookshelves.

Thank you, Pamala, for clearing this up. I had always thought of Jim and Dave as about the same age, but wasn't certain from whence the idea sprung.

So even you don't know if that's all for Dave and Clete? Comforting to know you're in the same boat as the rest of us. But if Jim lets something slip about their respective fates, whisper it to us. We won't tell!

Best,

PEnny

[guysharpless]

Thank you Mr. Burke for another incredibly well crafted story. I had trouble suppressing tears at the loss of my great friends, Cletus and Dave. Can they be revived? Are they truly gone?

In a way it won't matter because I'm addicted to all your characters and so as long as you continue to publish, I'll read whatever you write with gratitude.

Come back to New Orleans, Mr. Burke, where we'll welcome you home with open arms.

[CaribooRose]

HI Guys
Oh my goodness, I'm finished ... I was trying soooooooo hard to read more and more slowly, but let's face it ... Jim made it impossible to do that, especially the last few chapters. Just to make it last longer, I went back three or even four chapters every now 'n' then.

One small detail, I don't think there are Girl Scouts in British Columbia ... we have Brownies and Guides ... and British Columbia's troop is a partner in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) ... but I don't think there are actual Girl Scouts here.

And the choice of Trout Lake, BC as a hometown for one of the victims is wonderful ... the scenery is so gorgeous, lush, free-of-urban-sprawl, etc etc, it makes the death of one of its young citizens even more obscene.

Anyhow ... what ... a ... ride!!

The ending? Ya, it isn't clear whether Dave boards the boat or not ... Clete's injuries may not be fatal either ... and sirens are heard off in the distance, so help is on the way ... I'm choosing to be optimistic ... I doubt Dave would go back to policing and I doubt Clete would privately investigate ... I'm thinking, if there is another novel in the wind, the two buddies would be retired, yes, but folks would seek them out for advice and they'd get dragged into busting up nefarious schemers ... who knows but Alafair could get involved in law enforcement somehow as a lawyer, judge or legislator.

It's been a long time since I've had to "recover" from a novel LOL ... a copy of Michael Connelly's 9 Dragons was donated to the library today, so I brought it home ... am finding it difficult to make the cultural shift from New Iberia to Los Angeles' Chinatown

Regards!!
Rose

[galoot]

A few days ago,before reading " The Glass Rainbow", I posted a note on my Facebook page saying James Lee Burke might be the best author in America. Having finished the book, there's no "might" about it. I affirm the sentiment, times 10.

Whew! I'm stunned. For my own selfish reasons, I hope this isn't the end. Characters like Dave and Clete Purcell become dear to one's heart, more real, in some ways, than actual flesh and blood acquaintances. As to speculation that the series has run its course, I can only say that books like the Robicheaux series, about the breadth of the human spirit, where the qualities of courage, loyalty, and compassion are non-negotiable-these books are timeless; they will never be out of fashion. Thank you, James Lee Burke.

[penelope]

Anyhow ... what ... a ... ride!!

The ending? Ya, it isn't clear whether Dave boards the boat or not ... Clete's injuries may not be fatal either ... and sirens are heard off in the distance, so help is on the way ... I'm choosing to be optimistic ... I doubt Dave would go back to policing and I doubt Clete would privately investigate ... I'm thinking, if there is another novel in the wind, the two buddies would be retired, yes, but folks would seek them out for advice and they'd get dragged into busting up nefarious schemers ... who knows but Alafair could get involved in law enforcement somehow as a lawyer, judge or legislator.

It's been a long time since I've had to "recover" from a novel LOL ... a copy of Michael Connelly's 9 Dragons was donated to the library today, so I brought it home ... am finding it difficult to make the cultural shift from New Iberia to Los Angeles' Chinatown

Regards!!
Rose

Rose, I know exactly what you mean. I usually do an immediate re-read of all JLB books. Can't do so with this one. I will have to wait a spell, I think.

I also agree that the guys are just on the gangplank, not the boat, so perhaps there is hope.

It was a wonderful book, and I truly hope it isn't the end, but I understand that with Dave at age 73, a continuation of "active" law enforcement activity just might not be believable.

If it is the end, Dave and Clete went out together, and that's as it should be - the Bobbsey Twins of Homocide walking onto the boat together. If not, well, we'll just have to wait and see what they can do. I'd love to see Alafair get active, though readers (at least the new ones) might get her mixed up with the real Alafair Burke, law professor and writer. Wow! The complications and implications are endless.

One poster said the characters are timeless, and they are. The stories, the principles, the courage, and the content of their respective characters are timeless. Having said that, to remain believable, well, how many truly active LE personnel do you know?

Did you notice that Cletus was actually cleaning up his act throughout the book? He went to that house sober and he finally tossed the cigarettes out the car window.

Everything just dove-tailed so beautifully.

As I said to Jim on another thread - D-A-M-N!

[DarrenD]

Oh. My. God. I had just finished reading "61 HOURS" by Lee Child and although it was a gripper, I could put it down so I could go to sleep.

Not so with THE GLASS RAINBOW. I couldn't put this book down for nothing. NOTHING, I tell you. By far, this book is the best wine produced by Burke Vineyards. Damn, what a buzz! Absolutely enthralling from start to finish...I read 9/10ths of the book in one night, forcing myself to put it down so that I could savor the ending.

But the ending was hard to savor. It was harsh and and abrupt and left me in a silent scream.

I wish I understood your intentional use of symbolism more so I could fathom what you're "really" saying...but I do NOT believe that this is the end of the Bobbsey Twins from Homicide. Uh-uh. I can't believe it. Get us another book out there, Noble Mon!!!

This was absolutely your best Robicheaux. No question. Thank you!

[CaribooRose]

HI Penelope
Yes, I did notice Clete's actions ... the love/loyalty between Dave 'n' Clete was just so open and honest ... I've noticed older people often can express feelings more easily simply because it's too late to hide behind some silly facade ... I also noticed they "tied up loose ends" in a way, like finally finishing a conversation after umpteen years of not saying the "rest of the sentence."

As for law enforcement folk staying on the job till they're over 70 ... around these here parts, that don't happen! RCMP provides policing services for about 75% of Canada ... municipal or city police forces do the rest ... and I can tell ya, they grab that golden handshake as soon as they have enough years in cuz the monthly pension isn't going to get any higher!

Regards!!
Rose

[veronicat]

For me, aside from the terrific characters and plots, I love the philosophical comments Jim makes because I find myself nodding and folding corners of books. It makes me not feel so alone as I look to these books of explanations of how life has changed from when we were growing up. There are so many gems of wisdom in these books. I find myself enjoying my re-reads greatly. I have two more books to catch up to Tin Roof so I have been at it a while. loll.

As far as age goes, I would say 70 is about right. There comes a point when we pass on the torch to our younger versions. In my head, two people just rolled into town who are Iraq vets and they hook up with Dave and Clete, perhaps Dave and Clete are after them, only to find younger versions of themselves....and the torch gets passed on. In my head that is what I see but I am content with whatever our artist James Lee Burke deems to be best for him and his art.

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks to Pen, Rose, Veronica, Guy, Galoot, Byron, and everyone else who have made such kind posts on this thread. You guys are the best.

If I left anyone's name out, it's because I'm not that sophisticated with Internet technology yet. It took me forty-five years to pick "The Wild Side of Life" successfully, and I'm still working on it.

Best,

Jim