The Bayou Trilogy: Under the Bright Lights, Muscle for the Wing, and The Ones You Do

This was an engaging listen. Any fan of James Lee Burke would probably enjoy it. Probably better than Burke: no clumsy love scenes or irritating politics / social commentary.

Bronson Pinchot over-does his voicings, though, and most of his women characters sound about the same: one combination or another of drunk, insane, or brain-damaged. He's a talented narrator, but someone should have suggested he dial it down a little here and there.

Overall, well worth the time and the credit.

YES

The dialogue, characters, & narration.

gravitas

yes

Not for the faint of heart, this trilogy contains some real heavyweight writing. I finished it today, and I'm missing Woodrell's world of St. Bruno. This was a good choice.

I've long been a fan of every one of James Lee Burke and Will Patton collaboration but this one is better. Woodrell's trilogy has just become one of my favorite audio books. Pinchot's interpretation was on target with the vocal inflections that I've encountered in the bayou country. Wonderful, colorful, literary slice of the downside of bayou life. I do hope there is more to come from Woodrell & Pinchot.

Highly Recommended!

These are fast paced, tense stories. There is nothing here that doesn't need to be here. Everything sizzles. Great narration. Good action. Good characters. Good read. You won't regret it.

I originally purchased this book because it was narrated by Bronson Pinchot, whose work I have really come to enjoy. Although this is not his best work, he does an excellent job of individuating several different male characters with similar regional accents. He isn't so successful with the female characters.

The three novellas in this work were all very good. They all function well-enough on their own, but seem to fit together in a single volume. Although the protagonist is a detective, these are not traditional detective novels. These are exciting, well-written stories in which the main character just happens to be a detective.

In the fictional Parish of St. Bruno, Woodrell has created a living, breathing world of humid, dirty, dangerous cities over territory that is as much water as land.

Surprisingly good. Hard-edged, but with obvious heart.

Woodrell has an excellent ear for dialogue. His settings are first rate. And he writes a good yarn. My only complaint is that most, if not all of the characters speak with the same voice, using the same colloquialisms.