The early work of a man who was destined to become a great writer is truly remarkable.

His writing is filled with vivid and detailed descriptions that bring the scenes and characters to life.

However, at times, this wonderful descriptiveness can come at the expense of the pace of the story.

The narrative may seem to slow down as he delves deep into the minutiae of a particular moment or setting.

But despite this minor flaw, it is clear that this writer has a unique talent for painting a picture with words.

His early work serves as a testament to his potential and hints at the great things that are yet to come.

As he continues to develop and refine his craft, it will be exciting to see how he balances his descriptive abilities with a more engaging and fast-paced narrative.

Undoubtedly, he is on the path to becoming a literary icon.

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Lay Down My Sword and Shield is a novel that grapples with a significant identity crisis. It finds itself sandwiched between the more literary tragedies that launched Burke's career and the crime genre that he would later leave an indelible mark on. The plot, which is predominantly depressing, unfolds like that of a literary tragedy, yet it is accompanied by the hard-boiled dialogue typical of the crime genre.

Hackberry Holland, a Robicheaux prototype, is a complex character. He is self-loathing and ambivalent about the possibility that he might be a better man than he believes himself to be. Running for political office and hailing from an old money family, his experiences in a POW camp during the Korean War define him. He resents the insular gentility of his social class, aligns himself with a workers union, and discovers himself throughout the course of the book. However, a major problem with the narrative is that the best-written scenes are in flashbacks from his military days, and the past holds more tension than the present, where the majority of the book is set.

Burke's trademark complex, flawed characters are still present, but his fluid description is intermittent. Perhaps this is due to his struggle to make terse Texas as visually interesting as lush Louisiana. The dialogue and the dignified prose seem at odds, whereas in his later books, they would contrast beautifully. This is the first Burke book I've read (after around 15 others) that feels overwritten. It could have been eighty pages shorter without sacrificing much. Additionally, there are excessive descriptions of drinking, which almost reach comical proportions as the protagonist consumes a volume of strong spirits that would be lethal for most people if it were water.

Ultimately, by Burke's high standards, this is a weak book. Every major theme or concept he introduces here, such as the private war in people's heads and the exploitation of the impoverished classes, will be explored more sophisticatedly later. Nevertheless, there are a few thoughtful passages and enough of a prologue for the Hackberry Holland character to warrant a quick read for Burke fans. Rating - 3/5.

My excuse at present is that we are in a state of lockdown and my concentration is not at its best.

So, I happened to come across this on my bookshelf. The only memories I have of how it ended up there is that it was recommended by the owner of Murder Ink, along with a hazy recollection that I enjoyed it at that time (but what was my excuse then?). Otherwise, I have no recognition of the story at all.

It is set in 1960's Texas and everyone is tough as nails. It is an entirely different world compared to the one I live in, and nothing about it is appealing or, to be honest, believable. There are fistfights, alcohol, racism, and whatever other Texas clichés you can think of. However, the author writes well, especially when it comes to describing the desolate landscape.

One outstanding line caught my attention:

… my father asked [Woodie Guthrie] what the migrant farm workers thought of the movie Grapes of Wrath, and he said, “Most of the people I know ain’t going to pay a quarter to see no more grapes, and I don’t expect they need any more of this here wrath, either”

Written in 1971, this is one of JLB's earliest works.

It serves as a precursor to two of his very recent novels, namely Rain Gods and Feast Day of Fools.

The story follows the fortunes of Hackberry Holland, a young Texas lawyer who is running as a candidate for a congressional seat.

As is always the case with Burke, the lead character is deeply flawed. Hackberry is a hard drinker, haunted by visions of his capture by the Chinese during the Korean War.

He is constantly at odds with those around him as he battles his inner demons and attempts to balance his career commitments and aspirations with a growing desire to support migrant farm workers who are on strike for higher wages.

It's a brutal and often uncomfortable tale, lacking the polish and craft of the author's later work.

However, for me, a bad James Lee Burke novel is still superior to most fiction out there.

Moreover, it provides a good introduction to the character for anyone who intends to read the later (and superb) Hack Holland books.

I simply couldn't bring myself to finish this book.

The main character seems to be living his entire life in a perpetual alcoholic stupor. It's truly disheartening to witness.

His actions and decisions are constantly clouded by the effects of alcohol, making it difficult to empathize with him or understand his motives.

The story lacks a clear direction and seems to meander aimlessly, much like the main character in his intoxicated state.

I found myself losing interest early on and struggling to keep turning the pages.

Perhaps if the author had delved deeper into the character's psyche or provided more context for his alcoholism, I might have been more engaged.

As it stands, however, this book failed to capture my attention and left me feeling disappointed.

DNF.

I have a great affection for this author. However, this particular character was so outrageously absurd that I simply couldn't bring myself to progress beyond Chapter 4.

The actions and traits of this character seemed completely脱离现实 and made it extremely difficult for me to engage with the story on a deeper level.

Despite my love for the author's previous works, this one just didn't click with me due to this one character.

I found myself constantly distracted by the absurdity and unable to fully immerse myself in the narrative.

It's a shame really, as I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, this character's portrayal was a major stumbling block for me.

Perhaps others may be able to overlook the absurdity and enjoy the story for what it is, but for me, it was just too much to handle.

I'll still look forward to the author's future works, hoping that they will offer a more engaging and believable cast of characters.

Each time I embark on reading a James Lee Burke book, I am rejuvenated by his remarkable writing style.

His characters are vividly described, to the extent that I have a profound sense of familiarity with them.

His depictions of people, places, and events are nothing short of superb.

A James Lee Burke book truly offers a wonderful experience.

In this particular book, Hackberry Holland is a man with flaws yet of great courage.

Trailing his exploits throughout this story makes me impatient to commence the next book in the series.

This book was thoroughly engaging and entertaining, captivating my attention from start to finish.

It is a testament to Burke's skill as a writer that he can create such a rich and immersive world that keeps readers coming back for more.

His ability to bring his characters to life and make the reader care about them is truly remarkable.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys well-written, engaging fiction.

Lay Down My Sword and Shield by James Lee Burke is the first installment of the Hackberry Holland mystery series, which is set in 20th-century Texas. It is also the first book of the Holland Family series.

Hackberry "Hack" Holland, a decorated war veteran and ex-POW, is running for office. He is married, but despises his wife, who is only for show and hates him too. His life revolves around two things: drinking and having sex (not with his wife). His behavior is a way to cope with the PTSD from his POW days. A Senator is handling his campaign, but Hack constantly shows up late or misses his scheduled speaking engagements. His obscene wealth enables him to get away with anything. He doesn't view other people as real human beings, but rather uses them as pawns to achieve his selfish goals of drinking and having sex.

A message from a war buddy shatters his shell. He decides to get his friend out of jail, speeds south in his luxury car, and (unwittingly) gets involved with a labor rights group. His strategy for making friends among strangers is to keep buying rounds until everyone likes him, repeating hourly or daily as needed. After a tragedy occurs, he seems to make a true friend, but no, she becomes another sexual conquest, and then he unloads his horrible POW memories on her. An unusual courtship strategy indeed... but considering his track record: he decided his wife was the perfect mate for life after riding around with her in a convertible on escapades for 2 weeks, with champagne on ice in the back seat. They didn't really get to know each other until after they were married.

As a huge fan of the Dave Robicheaux series, I was eagerly looking forward to reading another series by Burke. Fortunately, I read the DR books first instead of this one. I could not stand the protagonist, Hack Holland. The setting of this book is a barren wasteland compared to the affectionately portrayed Louisiana bayou in the DR series. The recurring theme of redemption, so prominent in the DR series, seemed to be completely absent from this book... but finally emerged at the very end.

Wayne recommended this series to me.

I thought it would be a good idea to start with book 1.

This book was written awhile ago, but it still holds up really well.

I absolutely loved it.

It was such a great fun read.

The writing was outstanding, and I ended up highlighting several passages because they were so well-written.

Now that I've finished book 1, I'm off to read book two in this series.

I'm a big fan of James Lee Burke, and that definitely helps my enjoyment of this series.

I can't wait to see what else this series has in store for me.

Wonderful landscape writing and focused'slice of life' observations make this work quite remarkable.

The author has a remarkable ability to描绘 the scenery with vivid details, allowing the readers to almost step into the scenes.

The'slice of life' observations are also very perceptive, capturing the essence of ordinary moments and making them interesting.

However, on the downside, I found that the plot meandered. It seemed to lack a clear direction at times, which made it a bit difficult to follow.

The romance element, in my opinion, felt cliched. It followed a rather predictable pattern that I have seen many times before.

Moreover, in some places, it even felt cringeworthy. But perhaps this is just a matter of personal taste.

Some readers may enjoy the romance and the meandering plot, while others may prefer a more straightforward and engaging story.

Overall, despite its flaws, this work still has its merits and is worth reading for those who appreciate good landscape writing and'slice of life' observations.

First published in 1971, this remarkable work showcases the author's characteristic descriptive and vivid writing style, along with incredibly realistic characterizations. The story comes alive on the page, drawing the reader in and making them feel as if they are a part of the action.

I had the pleasure of experiencing this work in audio format, which was expertly narrated by Will Patton. His performance added an extra layer of depth and nuance to the story, bringing the characters to life in a whole new way.

The audio version allowed me to fully immerse myself in the story, listening intently as the plot unfolded and the characters developed. It was a truly engaging and enjoyable experience, one that I would highly recommend to others.

Overall, this work is a testament to the author's talent and creativity, and the audio version is a wonderful way to experience it. Whether you prefer to read the book or listen to the audio, I am confident that you will be captivated by this remarkable story.