Feast Day of Fools

A Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Celebrated crime master and two-time Edgar Award winner James Lee Burke returns with a gorgeously crafted, brutally resonant chronicle of violence along the Texas-Mexico border.

Sheriff Hackberry Holland patrols a small Southwest Texas border town, meting out punishment and delivering justice in his small square of this magnificent but lawless land. When an alcoholic ex-boxer named Danny Boy Lorca begs to be locked up after witnessing a man tortured to death by a group of bandits, Hack and his deputy, Pam Tibbs, slowly extract the Indian man’s gruesome tale. It becomes clear that the desert contains a multitude of criminals, including serial murderer Preacher Jack Collins (whom The New York Times called “one of Burke’s most inspired villains”).

Holland’s investigation leads him to Anton Ling, a mysterious Chinese woman whose steely demeanor and aristocratic beauty compel Hackberry to return to her home again and again as the investigation unfolds.

James Lee Burke is at his engrossing and atmospheric best in this, his 13th novel, as Hackberry plumbs the depths of man’s inhumanity to man - from killers-for-hire, to the U.S. government, to the misguided souls in search of a better life across the border.

©2011 James Lee Burke (P)2011 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[O]utstanding.... The richness of Burke's characters, always one of his strengths, reaches new heights.... The intricately plotted narrative takes numerous unexpected turns, and Burke handles his trademark themes of social justice and corruption with his usual subtlety.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“As Burke steers the elaborately structured narrative toward its violent conclusion, we are afforded looks inside the tortured psyches of his various combatants, finding there the most unlikely of connections between the players. This is one of Burke’s biggest novels, in terms of narrative design, thematic richness, and character interplay, and he rises to the occasion superbly, a stand-up guy at the keyboard, as always... Though he is best known for his Dave Robicheaux series, the broader canvas of this Hackberry Holland adventure makes a fittingly grand stage on which to play out such a landmark event in American publishing.” (Bill Ott, Booklist)

“The dialogue scenes, along with the action sequences, the South Texas landscape and the indelibly conflicted characters make you want to give Burke a medal.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Great book don't believe negative reviews

I have listened to 109 s of books. this is 5 star. You will enjoy it

The Preacher

If you could sum up Feast Day of Fools in three words, what would they be?

I dont think I can sum it up in three words.

Which scene was your favorite?

The passage where Crill becomes Antonio again. Redemption, perhaps.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither but I did find the cruelty of some of the characters to be a bit over the top for me, but others might find it engrossing. Some of the emotions I experienced were revulsion for some and pity for others.

Any additional comments?

I dont like this form for reviewing a book. I had rather write my own thoughts. So let me begin with the 'Preacher, character because I had not expected to find him in this book also. He is a very convoluted man who is cruel, arrogant, and prideful but in whom lives still a very tiny spark of humanity. I suspect if there is a Book 4 Hackberry and Pam will lock horns with him again. I didnt think the story thread was woven as tightly in this book as in "Rain Gods" The story only seemed to move from one atrocity to the next with the very picturesque writing for which Burke is best known in between. I was disspointed in the ending but I can see that it leaves several of the characters the opportunity to reappear in the next Hackberry Holland book.

Almost as good as his Robicheaux novels

Would you consider the audio edition of Feast Day of Fools to be better than the print version?

Definitely. Will Patton's narration is unique--gritty, but with a boy-next-door likeability. He's the perfect reader for the Hackberry stories.

What other book might you compare Feast Day of Fools to and why?

No Country for Old Men has been mentioned already. I'd also refer readers to Craig Johnson's novels. He's not so wellknown as Burke, but Johnson is an extremely talented author of contemporary westerns. If you like Hackberry Holland, you'll love Johnson's Walt Longmire. Audible has eight of Johnson's novels; I'm impatiently waiting for the ninth.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

Preacher Collins, hands-down.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No choice--I had the flu!

Any additional comments?

The Holland novels would benefit from a little Clete Purcell.

Great story but contrived ending

What made the experience of listening to Feast Day of Fools the most enjoyable?

The narrator was wonderful.

If you’ve listened to books by James Lee Burke before, how does this one compare?

James Lee Burke is the best in his genre

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

He is great and makes you live the story

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I enjoyed it a bit at a time

Any additional comments?

Did not like the ending - it appeared fast and contrived.

Enjoyed it very much...

Wonderful characters... Interesting story line that held my interest completely through the book... I will look for more by the author.

Fantastic!

Will Patton is the perfect performer for James Lee Burke. He is his alter ego

Marty's read

very captivating. great characters. the usual good read by Will Patton. makes traveling a lot easier to bear! on to the next one.

Lost way too much sleep listening to this...

What did you love best about Feast Day of Fools?

Everything

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'd listen to Will Patton read the phone book

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes yes yes

Any additional comments?

Love James Lee Burke in any form, but now only listen to the books because Will Patton is the narrator.

Why Isn’t This A Movie?

Not that it needs to be. The descriptions of surroundings and people leave no doubt of the picture I my mind. It’s beautiful. And I love love love the characters. And such a great story. With so many broken people trying so hard to mend themselves, and showing that good side in little snatches. Other than the really bad guy I could see the goodness in each of these characters, and I could almost see the logic in their feelings that what they did was somehow justified. Okay, now I see why no movie. No way could one delve into the souls of these characters within the confines of time for a movie. And who could do as fantastic a job narrating as Will Patton? I cannot think of another person that could portray the west Texas rough voice of the sheriff and still give the voice of La Magdalena such clarity and softness. I love this part of the country and now even more after listening to the stories of an old ocean and the mermaids that will return some day. Despite all of the ugliness in the book it is still beautiful. Bravo to James Lee Burke. Really a good book. Bravo to Will Patton. I’ve always loved your characters, but for me, you outdid yourself on this one. Thank you to the publishers and director and everyone who helped with this production.

Burke 's best to date

I absolutely loved it. Will Patton is fantastic! No one else narrates like he does.