• Wayfaring Stranger

  • By: James Lee Burke
  • Narrated by: Will Patton
  • Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,707 ratings)

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Wayfaring Stranger  By  cover art

Wayfaring Stranger

By: James Lee Burke
Narrated by: Will Patton
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Publisher's summary

2015 Audie Award Finalist for Thriller/Suspense

From "America’s best novelist" (The Denver Post): a sprawling thriller drenched with atmosphere and intrigue that takes a young boy from a chance encounter with Bonnie and Clyde to the trenches of World War II and the oil fields along the Texas-Louisiana coast.

It is 1934 and the Depression is bearing down when 16-year-old Weldon Avery Holland happens upon infamous criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow after one of their notorious armed robberies. A confrontation with the outlaws ends as Weldon puts a bullet through the rear window of Clyde’s stolen automobile. Ten years later, Second Lieutenant Weldon Holland and his sergeant, Hershel Pine, escape certain death in the Battle of the Bulge and encounter a beautiful young woman named Rosita Lowenstein hiding in a deserted extermination camp. Eventually, Weldon and Rosita fall in love and marry and, with Hershel, return to Texas to seek their fortunes. There, they enter the domain of jackals known as the oil business. They meet Roy Wiseheart - a former Marine aviator haunted with guilt for deserting his squadron leader over the South Pacific and Roy’s wife, Clara, a vicious anti-Semite who is determined to make Weldon and Rosita’s life a nightmare. It will be the frontier justice upheld by Weldon’s grandfather, Texas lawman Hackberry Holland, and the legendary antics of Bonnie and Clyde that shape Weldon’s plans for saving his family from the evil forces that lurk in peacetime America and threaten to destroy them all.

©2014 James Lee Burke. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about Wayfaring Stranger

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No one does it like James Lee Burke

Another outstanding story from the man with the gifted pros and beautiful descriptive passages. He ie the best.

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Awesome

This was a great story, great narrator and characters.

I highly recommend this book if you like a good quality read.

Storm Seal of Approval

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Could not put this down!

Burke has become on of my favorite authors. This story will is an great epic of love, betrayal and self discovery. It has triggered me to read all the Holland stories. Amazing Book!

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EPIC! MAGNIFICENT!

This was my introduction to James Lee Burke and how delighted I am to have made his acquaintance. The prose is without parallel and the complexity of the novel doesn't lose you as it takes you from present situations and characters to the back stories. It flows like a river.

The characters are fleshed out even if their part in the story is a very small one. To travel from WWII Europe to Texas, L.A. and the High Sierras is a thrilling ride. Weldon is a true hero who doesn't know it, and you just want to soothe Herschel's brow. The women are strong if not always likable.

No one voices Burke's novels like Will Patton -- Perfecto! Must mention Grandfather--he's a treat!

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Burke paints beautiful pictures,characters w words

I love listening to Patton read Burke's stories. Burke weaves all his story threads together so beautifully and movingly. My library only has abridged audio versions. Burke's artistry cannot be fully appreciated, not sure why that's even an option. Burke will carry you away. Patton completes the picture.

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Wonderful !

Penetrating prose, dark, thought provoking. Reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy. Loved narrator's southwest accent and meter.

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hauntingly beautiful prose

James Lee Burke's language provides the perfect backdrop for his story. It is rich and soulful regardless if he is describing a lovely view or a grisly murder. Will Patton's voice is a perfect match.

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Most Excellent, story & reading.

My first Burke book. Won't be my last. Will Patton was terrific. Voice changes, inflection and emphases were spot on and enhanced the storyline effectively.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not a fan of the Holland characters

I have read the Dave Robicheaux series at least 2 times through and more than enjoyed them. There are sufficient redeeming qualities in the character of Robicheaux for me to put up with his flaws (or should I say, Burke's flaws). Women in Burke's worlds are not professional women; their highest purpose is the emotional/physical support of their men; the good ones are put on pedestals, then tucked away. The main characters (males) are disdainful of the modern world, and see the past in rainbows, ignoring any dark clouds. They are highly judgmental of others, neatly placing them in their proper boxes. They are alone in their intellectual and moral superiority, rarely meeting equals.


I'd say in all these respects Burke is at his Burke-iest in Wayfaring Stranger. His characters follow the above traits to the letter, and Burke never loses an opportunity for meandering exposition in order to show how well-read (through his characters) he is, whether or not it enhances the plot. The only woman in this cast of characters who dares to be other than the faithful supportive spouse is not admirably drawn.


While I enjoyed the book enough to finish it and do appreciate much of Burke's prose, the plot was strained, the constant Burke-ish philosophizing tedious, and the characters annoying. I've never cared for the Holland series, but thought this newest generation might have evolved. Apparently not.


Patton's narration was as usual, well done, save for the atrocious attempt at an Aussie accent, but somehow only emphasized the moral and intellectual smugness of Burke's Holland. The wrap-up was perfunctory, and I felt empty, rather than satisfied, when this book ended. My POV is clearly in the minority; if you are a already a big fan of Burke, you will likely enjoy this book.

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Mesmerizing, eloquent, Faulkner cadence

This book combines word pictures, mesmerizing sentences that remind you of William Faulkner. The narrator is magic, merging with the cadences.

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