SPOILERS!! THE GLASS RAINBOW ending and plot discussed here

[PAParrothead]

Just finished The Glass Rainbow this morning. I have to admit I had read the "spoiler alert" when I was about half-way through it, so I was looking out for hints or other indications that might foretell the ending.

I am like the vast majority of the posters here - I enjoy Dave, Clete, and the rest of JLB's amazing characters that I sincerely hope that we've not seen the last of them. I picked up on the series about 10 years ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed them all, as well as Mr. Burke's other novels as well. So, in a very selfish way, I do hope that Dave & Clete return. That said, if this IS JLB's way of saying goodbye to them, he did it in a magnificent way. Well done, sir.

I will now do what I always do with a Robicheaux novel, which is read it again. I have some unanswered questions - such as, who really killed old man Abelard? What role in the deaths of the girls did Herman Stanger really play? Great stuff!

[pamala]

Linda,
Regarding my last private email to you. Why don't you re-post your questions here in this thread? I'm sure other readers would welcome the questions and discussion about the ending.

[malbualt]

Reminded me of the final episode of the Sopranos (what happened there?) - the Bobsey twins blown away? At least the went together, watching out for each other, guns blazing! Is that what happened? Looked like it but.... you never can tell with JLB!

[pmartin53]

In my opinion, The Glass Rainbow is the best book of the Robicheaux series so far. Although I was a little confused by the ending, I do believe that Clete pulled Dave off the boat in time, hopefully guaranteeing further adventures for the Bobbsey Twins from Homicide and Company. I dread the thought that Mr. Burke will retire them since they are some of the best characters ever. I was holding my breath right up to the end and can't wait to read more!

[linda peirson]

Hi Pamala

It's Linda that post is on page #9 please every one read it thank you by for now Linda.

[G Efner]

I was first introduced (Cadillac Jukebox) to JLB by a wonderfull person who unfortunatly passed before his time.
Everytime I read one of the books I think of him.
The ending of The Glass Rainbow has shaken me almost as much as the loss of that dear friend.
I hope to see Dave again someday.

[francois]

Hi Mr. Burke.I am from Quebec city(French Canadian)and I consider myself almost
a relative to Dave.I have even known some Robicheaux's people from "l'Acadie"(New-Brunswick) when I was young.

I know I have no right to ask you this,but please,keep Dave and Clete alive.

Merci beaucoup.

Francois

[Expatriate]

I felt no confusion with this ending. But I did feel that I had a spiritual experience with it. It was beautiful! JLB handled Dave's spectre perfectly here and there in the novel, so as to build up to the awesome climax. Dave and Clete, even though wounded, are at this time alive and well, awaiting Jim's next book, of that I am sure.

In fact, I cannot think of a better, more moving ending to a novel that I have read or listened to EVER! I lay down with my eyes closed and listen to Will Patton's ending narrative over and over, and I am just blown away by it! I flew airplanes for the Army in Vietnam . . . operated out of Phu Loi with Dustoff crew next door . . . covered them often as their rotor blades flattened the elephant grass while picking up wounded. Bonne chance to Mr Burke and family!

[criticalear]

Finished The Glass Rainbow last night - am still wandering around in a state of suspended animation - I feel like Dave and Clete are members of my extended family (am a devoted fan and avid reader) and their stories are my story. I'll try to get back to normal breathing this evening - I have a hard time letting go of a good story when I've finished a book and the suspense will keep me twisted until the boys come back, one way or another. Thanks, Jim, for another superb episode. And, for what it's worth, my favorite is still IN THE ELECTRIC MIST WITH CONFEDERATE DEAD...nothing - I mean NOTHING - compares to the imagery in that book. Love from Orange, Texas.

[JeffRey]

Hello all,

My first JLB book was "In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead." I, like James, am an alumnus of the University of Missouri-Columbia and the title caught my eye when I browsed the Alumni Authors section of the bookstore my freshman year (all the way back in 1995!).

That first book was all it took to get me hooked and I have since eagerly anticipated each installment of the life and times of Dave, Clete, Alafair, Bootsie, Molly, Tripod, Batist and the assorted other characters that have given JLB's novels their amazing depth.

Now I am a realist. None of us lives forever, whether it be the real world or a fictional one, so I knew at some point the latest Dave Robicheaux novel would also be the last.

That said, if the end has come for Dave and Clete I'm a disappointed it was at the hands of so unworthy an adversary. The noble villain has not generally been a hallmark of JLB's writing, but to see Dave and Clete bested by Carolyn and her gang of sadistic perverts doesn't seem like the proper way for these two to go out.

JeffRey