For those finished with Creole Belle (will contain SPOILERS)

[veronicat]

I thought I would start a new topic for people who have finished Creole Belle. I didn't see any other topic about this. I finished this book and would love to see discussion about it. Anyone care to join me? veronica

[jjeff88]

First, a confession: After the restroom incident, I was so emotionally wrapped up in the welfare of the ladies that I couldn't bear the tension and "cheated" (i.e. I skipped ahead 25, 35, 50 page to take the pressure off and see how everything came out).

As always, great plot, terrific characters and "you can smell the gumbo." But this time we get to feast on 751 pages, and a bunch of new, intriguing (& sometimes quite creepy) characters.

I read it on my I-Pad with a trusty Map app close-by, so I could use the map to vicariously travel the same roads and visit the same places that Mr. Burke so colorfully writes about.

Great novel!

[veronicat]

I read mine on my Kindle so the search feature allows me to cheat but I didn't. I didn't want to ruin my own good time but when I hit 80 percent, I started getting anxious and really nervous because of The Glass Rainbow's ending. I kept thinking, Mr. Burke can't do this to us again! LOL. I loved it that the daughters of Dave and Clete were involved in this book. I have 506 bookmarks because he kept writing things I wanted to read again. It blew me away when the dude with the Bugs Bunny tattoo was in there and how this book continued THe Glass Rainbow with the same bad dudes which meant business, was not finished back on the bayou. I had a feeling that the old "Jew" was really an old Nazi. Liquid Drano suited him well. I was very nervous getting to the end of the book, I must admit.

What had me going, was the thought that Clete had. That maybe they were dead and this was just an after life experience. I am glad that was not the case. I really think that this is Mr. Burke's finest book and loved it that they were all together in Key West at the end. I really want Clete to find a woman who can love him, warts and all. It was so wonderful to see him take on a father's role with Gretchen. Just beautiful. I re-read all of these books and look forward to my second read. I also googled New Iberia and did a walk down Main Street, crossing over the bridge and took a look at Jeanerette too. lol.

[jbenham]

Good review. Excellent book! Did you have any fear that Clete might not have made it to the end of the book?

[veronicat]

Yes, I absolutely had that fear especially with something pinging around his chest. Then for him to walk through the water with the jellyfish, I did have the thought that it would be ironic for him to get poisoned by jellyfish after escaping so much human-caused damages. I kept moaning to my husband, "Ohhhh, I am at 80 percent, I am scared to read the rest." LOL. When the jellyfish appeared, I let out a "OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." How about you?

[umkh01]

Haven't read Dave's latest life event in Creole Belle, but am looking forward to it. The reason I visited Louisiana a few years back is because of these books. It was like visiting an old friend--that is why I am a repeat customer to Mr. Burke's books. He weaves the story in the reader's mind as if they are are there in New Iberia and witnessing it all in real time. We believe and connect with these people; they are our friends. Amazing how the reader can't seem to let go of Dave and Clete .... they cannot possibly leave us behind. Are we afraid somehow that their departure is our own? I've learned more about the South, the politics and its people reading this spectacular series then any news program or history book could ever provide me. The author allows us to follow these courageous characters through their daily routines and experience their fears, happiness and triumphs. Most of us want to find our place, how we fit in this life puzzle, and by witnessing Dave and Clete's struggles, we know, at least during the course of the novel, that we're not so different afterall--which is a comfort.

Thanks Mr. Burke for bringing Dave and Clete to life in our minds.

[umkh01]

Haven't read Dave's latest life event in Creole Belle, but am looking forward to it. The reason I visited Louisiana a few years back is because of these books. It was like visiting an old friend--that is why I am a repeat customer to Mr. Burke's books. He weaves the story in the reader's mind as if they are are there in New Iberia and witnessing it all in real time. We believe and connect with these people; they are our friends. Amazing how the reader can't seem to let go of Dave and Clete .... they cannot possibly leave us behind. Are we afraid somehow that their departure is our own? I've learned more about the South, the politics and its people reading this spectacular series then any news program or history book could ever provide me. The author allows us to follow these courageous characters through their daily routines and experience their fears, happiness and triumphs. Most of us want to find our place, how we fit in this life puzzle, and by witnessing Dave and Clete's struggles, we know, at least during the course of the novel, that we're not so different afterall--which is a comfort.

Thanks Mr. Burke for bringing Dave and Clete to life in our minds.

[umkh01]

Haven't read Dave's latest life event in Creole Belle, but am looking forward to it. The reason I visited Louisiana a few years back is because of these books. It was like visiting an old friend--that is why I am a repeat customer to Mr. Burke's books. He weaves the story in the reader's mind as if they are are there in New Iberia and witnessing it all in real time. We believe and connect with these people; they are our friends. Amazing how the reader can't seem to let go of Dave and Clete .... they cannot possibly leave us behind. Are we afraid somehow that their departure is our own? I've learned more about the South, the politics and its people reading this spectacular series then any news program or history book could ever provide me. The author allows us to follow these courageous characters through their daily routines and experience their fears, happiness and triumphs. Most of us want to find our place, how we fit in this life puzzle, and by witnessing Dave and Clete's struggles, we know, at least during the course of the novel, that we're not so different afterall--which is a comfort.

Thanks Mr. Burke for bringing Dave and Clete to life in our minds.

[veronicat]

Well said. Dave is a voice of reason in a world gone made. We need Dave's voice! You are right. I have learned more about history and Southern politics from these books than from anywhere else. Mr. Burke is right. It has spread west. He gives us much to ponder with his words. We are all set to depart and I think you are right. Their departure echoes our own. Great observations umkho. I just rewatched In The Electric Mist on tv.Can't get enough of Mr. Burke's stories. I wish someone would do a movie with Clete in it! These are extraordinary stories and observations.

[umkh01]

Wow, I too love In the Electric Mist! I didn't know that there was a movie though; thanks for sharing. Also, I have read the series several times from start to finish--they are excellent. My husband travels a lot and I gave him the books on tape and he loved them too, which normally isn't so. The books cover all types of reading appreciations!