Tin Roof Blowdown

[T.S. Bolton]

Greetings Jim,
Once again the local library released your book a few days earlier than they were supposed to. Lucky me as I just received an email that the copy I had ordered was just shipped and isn't expected to arrive until sometime next week.
I had almost no sleep last night and am about 3/4th through and am almost at a loss as to tell you how much I am enjoying this masterpiece. I find it a lot darker than your previous books, and that was obviously necessary. At first I thought that Tin Roof Blowdown should be required reading for the boys and girls in Washington DC, but they probably wouldn't find the message that was contained in the story. Even more so that the short story "Jesus Out To Sea" you painted a canvas that made the effects of Katrina so palpable that at times I just had to stop reading. What a fine emotional roller coaster.
I don't want to say any more, nobody likes a spoiler. Will just end by saying I'm very happy that Tripod & Snuggs made it through the storms unscathed and are doing fine.
Thanks ever so much.
best,
T.S. Bolton (Tom)

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks for the nice letter. By the way, I started writing THE NEON RAIN in a yellow legal pad in an Italian cafe just up the street from City Lights Book Store. The cafe was located across the street from a Catholic church, I believe, and there were tables under the awning outside. It was a fine place to begin writing a book, and I always thought that maybe Jack Kerouac was looking over my shoulder.

Anyway, keep the faith in San Fran, noble mon.

Best,

Jim

[T.S. Bolton]

Hey Jim,
I just finished the novel and what a ride. I won't give anyting away to the others, but the ending just cracked me up. I never saw "that" coming and neither did Bledsoe or Claggert.I know the place you described, the church still stands there but am not sure about the cafe, Northbeach is i a state of constant change. Many of my favorite restaurants have gone by the wayside, replaced by more yuppified establishments. We need another starbucks like we need a hole in the head.
best,
- T.S. Bolton (Tom)

[roroma]

Tom: I've finished both JOTS and Tin Roof, also, and you said it very well. Both are so powerful that one has to put the book down from time to time and breathe for a while. I'm still recovering !

peace . . . roroma

[whitey2]

Just finished Tin Roof, and I must say how wonderful this book is. Having been there for both Katrina & Rita, I am amazed at how much information you were able to gather of both of these storms & their affect of both the land & the folks who lived there.

Having grown up in this area & gone to USL only made it an even better ride!

Thanks for the journey!

Whitey

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks for the good words, Whitey.

Best,

Jim

[penelope]

Dear Jim,

Thank you so very much for this incredible book (and series)! You, through Dave and Cletus and Alafair and Molly, truly do speak for those who have no voice. Thank God we have you.

Thank you for making Molly and Alf (don't use that name) strong women who give us hope through their courage. Women who refuse to knuckle under to evil. And, thank you for letting Thelma learn that hatred gets us nowhere and it's only through forgiveness that we can be relieved of anger and hatred.

What happened in New Orleans with Katrina and Rita was nothing compared to what we, as a country allowed to happen in the aftermath. All of us must share the blame for allowing the outrages that have happened in our country for the past seven years.

I live in hope that the outrage I, and many others, expressed last November, will continue to 2008, and we can wrest our country back from many of the criminals who have purged our Constitution.

This book should be required reading for everyone in Congress. It wouldn't do to send one to the Pres and VP. I'm fairly certain they can't read above the second grade level. And, sadly, they don't give a damn as long as their pockets are lined with their "filthy lucre."

We cannot let them win.

Finally, Jim, God has a special place for you in Heaven. Just don't make the crossing too soon. We need men like you who will continue to speak for us.

Peace.

Penny

[michael4ny]

I've been an avid reader of Mr. Burke's books for about a half dozen years now and I usually read and enjoy them from start to finish in a day or so.
Similar to some other folks, I just couldn't do that with "Tin Roof....".
After reading the first chapter it felt as though someone, (Clete maybe) had punched me in the gut. I just had to put it down and walk away for a while. I had similar reactions in the next chapter or two but since then I've been reading away at a fairly fast clip. I could have finished it last night but I decided that I would give myself one more evening,(tonight) to luxuriate in Mr Burke's eloquence.
The book ought to be required reading by all those in significant leadership positions in the upper echelons of Government. Do I really think they'd learn anything from it? Probably not, their hubris is just too great but just maybe one or two of them might feel a little shame and at least try and respond a little more appropriately when the next disaster strikes as it inevitably will.
Thank you Mr. Burke. I think you outdid yourself on this one and I'm sure it was one of the more difficult books for you to write even with all of the grist you had for your mill.

[lbroome]

Man what a great bunch of reviews folks! My curiosity pump is now well primed. I hope to get my book on the 27th. The U.S. Postal Service still feels safe in New Orleans, so I do too.

I love the local PBS channel here also and it has nightly documentaries about the past, present, and future of New Orleans History. Last night was about the "German Coast" and Eric Paulson discussing the German immigrants and their important part of New Orleans History. I'm waiting patiently for a documentary about "The Irish Channel"..

Yes, through the adventures of Dave and Clete, I have become a Louisiana history buff wannabe. These things I should have excelled in while in grade school, but no I studied girls, motorcycles, hot rods, hunting, fishing and joining the Navy. I'm just thankful I'm still able to learn a little sumpin about our wonderful history and the people that made it happen. Good Day Folks, Lonnie

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Penny, for the fine letter. I hope to write a few more stories before I catch the bus. Your words about the books mean a great deal to me.

Best,

Jim