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New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke brings readers a captivating tale of justice, love, brutality, and mysticism set in the turbulent 1960s.
The American West in the early 1960s appears to be a pastoral paradise: golden wheat fields, mist-filled canyons, frolicking animals. Aspiring novelist Aaron Holland Broussard has observed it from the open door of a boxcar, riding the rails for both inspiration and odd jobs.
Jumping off in Denver, he finds work on a farm and meets Joanne McDuffy, an articulate and fierce college student and gifted painter. Their soul connection is immediate, but their romance is complicated by Joanne’s involvement with a shady professor who is mixed up with a drug-addled cult. When a sinister businessman and his son who wield their influence through vicious cruelty set their sights on Aaron, drawing him into an investigation of grotesque murders, it is clear that this idyllic landscape harbors tremendous power—and evil. Followed by a mysterious shrouded figure who might not be human, Aaron will have to face down all these foes to save the life of the woman he loves and his own.
The latest installment in James Lee Burke’s masterful Holland family saga, Another Kind of Eden is both riveting and one of Burke’s most ambitious works to date. It dismantles the myths of both the twentieth-century American West and the peace-and-love decade, excavating the beauty and idealism of the era to show the menace and chaos that lay simmering just beneath the surface.
The American West in the early 1960s appears to be a pastoral paradise: golden wheat fields, mist-filled canyons, frolicking animals. Aspiring novelist Aaron Holland Broussard has observed it from the open door of a boxcar, riding the rails for both inspiration and odd jobs.
Jumping off in Denver, he finds work on a farm and meets Joanne McDuffy, an articulate and fierce college student and gifted painter. Their soul connection is immediate, but their romance is complicated by Joanne’s involvement with a shady professor who is mixed up with a drug-addled cult. When a sinister businessman and his son who wield their influence through vicious cruelty set their sights on Aaron, drawing him into an investigation of grotesque murders, it is clear that this idyllic landscape harbors tremendous power—and evil. Followed by a mysterious shrouded figure who might not be human, Aaron will have to face down all these foes to save the life of the woman he loves and his own.
The latest installment in James Lee Burke’s masterful Holland family saga, Another Kind of Eden is both riveting and one of Burke’s most ambitious works to date. It dismantles the myths of both the twentieth-century American West and the peace-and-love decade, excavating the beauty and idealism of the era to show the menace and chaos that lay simmering just beneath the surface.
33 Reviews
3.0

McBeard
Created 7 months agoShare
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oddrey
Created about 1 year agoShare
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“2.75- i felt lost throughout more than half the book. There was a lot going on but the last two chapters caught my attention. Then, the epilogue confused me even more…”

K.C.
Created almost 2 years agoShare
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“James Lee Burke has once again proven his mastery of the crime fiction genre with his latest novel, Another Kind of Eden. With its mesmerizing prose, complex characters, and a hauntingly atmospheric setting, Burke delivers a riveting and ambitious story that immerses readers in a world filled with darkness, redemption, and the unyielding pursuit of justice.
Set in the Louisiana bayous, Burke creates a landscape so vividly described that it becomes a character in itself, with its eerie swamps, tangled marshes, and ethereal beauty. From the first page, the reader is transported into this richly textured world, where secrets are buried deep and the past refuses to stay hidden.
The novel follows the story of Aaron Holland Broussard, a retired Texas Ranger haunted by a tragedy from his past. Drawn into a web of corruption, violence, and a powerful family's ruthless quest for power, Broussard must confront his own demons while attempting to uncover the truth behind a series of brutal crimes. As the layers of the narrative unfold, Burke expertly weaves together a complex tapestry of interconnected lives, intertwining themes of love, betrayal, and the everlasting struggle between good and evil.
What sets Another Kind of Eden apart is Burke's exquisite prose. His writing is a symphony of words, painting vivid images in the reader's mind and evoking a wide range of emotions. Each sentence is crafted with care, displaying a lyrical quality that captivates from start to finish. Burke's deep understanding of human nature shines through his characters, who are flawed and nuanced, yet profoundly relatable. Their struggles and triumphs are a reflection of our own, creating an intimate connection that resonates long after the book is finished.
Burke's exploration of morality and the duality of human nature is masterfully done. He delves into the gray areas of right and wrong, highlighting the complexity of the human psyche. Through his characters, he poses thought-provoking questions about justice, forgiveness, and the enduring power of hope. As the plot unfolds, the lines between the heroes and villains blur, forcing readers to confront their own preconceived notions and challenging them to reevaluate their understanding of right and wrong.
Another Kind of Eden is not just a crime novel; it is a profound meditation on the human condition. Burke's narrative transcends genre conventions, taking readers on an introspective journey that touches on the universal themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. It is a book that demands to be savored and pondered, offering readers a rare combination of gripping storytelling and profound philosophical depth.”
About James Lee Burke
James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author, two-time winner of the Edgar Award, and the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in Fiction. He has authored forty novels and two short story collections. He lives in Missoula, Montana.
Other books by James Lee Burke
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