Dark.

This is one of the most depressing books I've ever read. The story seems to be filled with darkness and despair from the very beginning.

The wait for redemption feels extremely long as it only comes in the Epilogue.

It is the first book of the Hackberry Holland series.

Now, it will be truly interesting to see if the new chance that Hackberry Holland gets brings some semblance of ongoing joy into his life.

Will he be able to break free from the darkness that has笼罩 him throughout the story?

Only time will tell as we follow his journey in the subsequent books of the series.

The author has done a great job of creating a vivid and emotional world that keeps the readers hooked until the very end.

Despite the initial depression, the anticipation for what lies ahead makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre.

James Lee Burke is truly a master of the written word. He has an uncanny ability to turn a phrase in the most captivating and unique ways.

I have a deep appreciation for the lyricism and often irreverent nature of his language. It adds a certain charm and authenticity to his stories.

The character of Hack Holland, both the old man that our Hack admires and Hack himself, is an altogether pleasant protagonist. However, it's important to note that being a pleasant protagonist doesn't mean being pleasant all the time.

Hack Holland has his flaws and his moments of darkness, which makes him a more complex and relatable character. He is not a perfect hero, but rather a flawed human being trying to navigate the challenges of life.

Overall, I find James Lee Burke's writing to be engaging, thought-provoking, and highly enjoyable. His ability to create vivid characters and tell compelling stories is truly remarkable.

I'm an extremely passionate fan of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux books.

For a long time, I firmly believed that no other protagonist could ever capture my interest as deeply as Dave Robicheaux did.

I was convinced that Burke's talent was so intertwined with the character of Robicheaux that it would be impossible for him to create another equally engaging lead.

However, to my great surprise and delight, Burke managed to do just that!

He introduced a new protagonist who immediately grabbed my attention and held it captive from the very first page.

The new character had a unique charm, a complex personality, and a story that was both captivating and thought-provoking.

Burke's writing style remained as masterful as ever, painting vivid pictures and creating a world that I couldn't help but get lost in.

I found myself completely invested in the new protagonist's journey, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

It just goes to show that James Lee Burke is truly a remarkable writer, capable of creating not one, but multiple unforgettable characters.

The story of a Korean War veteran who found his purpose is truly inspiring.

This veteran, having经历了the hardships and horrors of war, managed to turn his life around and discover a new meaning.

His journey towards finding purpose is filled with challenges and triumphs, and it serves as a reminder that it's never too late to make a positive change.

Reading about his experiences in his books has been a captivating and eye-opening experience for me.

I am so intrigued that I think I will end up reading all of his books.

Each page seems to offer a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the human spirit and the power of perseverance.

I can't wait to see what other lessons and stories his books have in store for me.

I have a deep affection for James Lee Burke. His works have always held a special place in my heart. However, this particular book was a rather painful experience for me.

I had high expectations, given his reputation and the quality of his later books. But unfortunately, this one just didn't measure up. The story seemed to lack the depth and complexity that I have come to associate with his writing.

The characters didn't fully come to life, and the plot felt a bit disjointed at times. It was a disappointment, to say the least. But I'm still a fan, and I know that he has produced many outstanding works. I'm looking forward to reading his later books and hoping to be reminded of why I fell in love with his writing in the first place.

Hackberry Holland, the son of Sam Holland and the grandson of Hackberry Holland the TX Ranger, has always been a central figure in my efforts to map the Holland family tree.

He is a high-profile Austin lawyer and a TX Congressional Candidate. However, beneath his public persona lies a tortured soul. A depressed alcoholic veteran, he still struggles with the inner demons that haunt him from his almost three-year captivity as a POW in Korea.

When he gets involved in a civil rights case because of his old war-time buddy, his entire perspective on the world changes. Instead of simply going along with the status quo, he decides to take matters into his own hands and branches out on his own path. His goal is to help the poor black and mexican farmers who have been unjustly treated.

Like many of the Holland family stories, this one is filled with bad decisions made due to alcohol, depression, and an over-reliance on grandpa Hack's legacy. To be honest, there are not many likeable characters in this story, aside from the colorful black and mexican workers.

Nevertheless, this book serves as a powerful reminder of the injustices that plagued the minority communities during the civil rights era. It is a fabulous story that is both captivating and heartbreaking. I truly enjoyed reading it.

Hack Holland is a unique product of the South, embodying both the old and the new. He is a hard-drinking ex-POW who is also wealthy and a progressive Democrat. Standing in the long shadow cast by his ancestors, his candidacy for a congressional seat leads to increasing conflicts with those around him.

Moreover, his almost unwitting involvement in a violent civil rights conflict compels him to reevaluate his future and his past. This book chronicles the early life of Hack Holland during his marriage to Verisa.

Although it may not be James Lee Burke's best work, Burke is undoubtedly an excellent writer. I am eager to read his Dave Robicheaux series. I read this book as part of my exploration of Century of Mystery Novels. It was published in 1971, offering a glimpse into the South during that era.

The story delves into the complex character of Hack Holland and the challenges he faces, making it an engaging read for those interested in Southern literature and mystery novels alike.

Solid writing is truly remarkable, as it is surprisingly rich in detail and texture.

The setting of this work is in 60's Texas, a time and place that was steeped in racism and unsavoriness. It was a society filled with prejudice and inequality, which provides a vivid backdrop for the story.

However, despite the harsh and unappealing setting, the storyline is quite redemptive. It offers a glimmer of hope and shows that even in the darkest of times, there is the possibility of change and growth.

Personally, this might not be a book or series that I would choose based on the setting alone. But I have to admit that it is a finely written thriller nonetheless. The author's skill in crafting a gripping and engaging story is evident, and it manages to draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

Overall, while the setting may be off-putting for some, the quality of the writing and the redemptive nature of the storyline make this a work that is worth considering.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

I am often in the car or at a quiet desk, which makes it convenient for me to enjoy audiobooks.

I started with book #4, “House of the Rising Sun” first. My son told me that I didn't have to read these books in sequence.

I really love book #4. However, this one didn't appeal to me as much.

The main reason is that the timing in this book is not clearly explained, which makes it a bit confusing for me.

Also, I felt that it wasn't as good as book #4.

One thing that I really liked was when the actor, Will Patton, read these two books. His performance made it easy for me to visualize the main character.

Overall, while I had a great experience with book #4, this one had some drawbacks that affected my enjoyment.

After reading James Lee Burke's most recent novel, I was so captivated that I made the decision to go back and explore his older works.

Hack Holland, without a doubt, is a character with profound flaws. However, there is an element within him that is truly and deeply engaging.

This story is not for the faint of heart. It contains violence and presents rough situations that might make some readers uncomfortable. What truly stood out for me, though, was the remarkable way in which the sentences were crafted to perfection. The flow of the story was seamless, drawing me in and keeping me hooked from beginning to end.

The narrator played a crucial role in bringing everything to life. Their performance was so wonderful that it made every scene and character feel authentic and real. It was as if I was right there, experiencing the events of the story alongside the characters.

Overall, my experience of reading this book was both thrilling and thought-provoking. I look forward to delving into more of James Lee Burke's novels and uncovering the unique worlds and characters that he has created.

I was almost on the verge of giving it a rating of 3. However, in the end, it managed to climb up to a 4 in my personal assessment.

For a considerable period of time, I was completely clueless as to where the story was headed. But then, miraculously, it discovered a really good direction.

The characters in the book are well-developed and the story itself is engaging. There are, of course, a number of things that I didn't particularly like. For instance, the racial name calling was quite off-putting. But I understand that it was a different era back then and perhaps such things were more prevalent.

Nonetheless, I'm still looking forward with great anticipation to seeing how the next book in the series unfolds. I'm eager to find out what new adventures and developments await the characters and what kind of impact it will have on the overall narrative.

I'm hopeful that the author will continue to build on the strengths of this book and address some of the areas that I had concerns about. Overall, despite its flaws, this book has left me with a positive impression and has piqued my interest in the series.

Hackberry Holland, an ex-POW with a promising family legacy, is running for Congress. However, he is far from being a likable character. He is a drunk, arrogant, and cynical man. He has a strained relationship with his wife, whom he is only with for political reasons. He also dislikes his brother, who is the polar opposite of him. His record as a lawyer is decent, considering the clientele he defends.

But everything changes when an ex-POW is thrown in jail and Hack tries to get him freed. He gets caught up in a conflict with the unions in a small town along the border. There, he meets his future wife, Rie, and his encounter with the law alters the course of his political career and ultimately his entire life.

It wasn't until after his arrest that he realizes the real reason everyone was interested in his campaign was because of the promises made to the oil companies. Eventually, his then wife divorces him, his brother buys him out of his share of the practice, and he becomes a lawyer for the ACLU.

While I understand that Hack is supposed to be the protagonist of the book, I found it difficult to relate to him. His choices and conversations didn't seem very praiseworthy to me. I felt he was narcissistic and self-centered. The constant mention of his drinking and getting drunk on almost every page was also a bit too much for my taste. It detracted from the overall quality of the book.

Overall, it was a good book with an interesting story, but it could have been better if the author had developed the protagonist in a more likable and relatable way.