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)

Classic Burke

What did you love best about Feast Day of Fools?

The plot and the characters and, as always, Burke's use of the language - his wordsmithery is incredible and an absolute pleasure to behold either visually or auditorily.

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

Bitterroot - multiplicity of schemings and plottings happening at the same time, overlapping and intertwining.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yup, comparable and excellent, as usual.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Classic James Lee Burke - I think I said that.

Any additional comments?

Excellent - right up there with the many others I've read/heard.

If you liked his others, you'll like this.

Burke writes the same book over and over with the same characters, the same kind of dialogue, and the same stock evil-doers (oppressive and moneyed big business/politician types), with only the names changed. His protagonists are identical, poor tortured recovered-alcoholic war veterans who amusingly won't tolerate profanity, whether they live in Montana, Texas or Louisiana. His political diatribes have the depth and sophistication of an 18 year old Occupy Wall Sreeter. The fact remains, however, that he is such a superb writer that he keeps making this material entertaining in novel after novel. His plots are riveting, if slightly predictable by now, and no writer in any genre is more beautifully descriptive and evocative of his settings (although must every signal event happen under lightning clouds, regardless of the location or season in which they occur?). As long as he keeps churning them out I'll keep reading (or listening to) them, because he is such a gifted writer. This book is his best in a long time because he emphasizes the story and limits his tiresome anti-Bush rants of the past several years. Will Patton whispers his way through this one in the same hushed, portentous monotone he has used for every Burke book. There are no surprises here but if you enjoyed other Burke books read by Patton, you'll love this one.

Will Patton is the perfect narrator for this book

James Lee Burke wrote an outstanding book "Rain Gods" and narrated perfectly by Will Patton. I was totally mesmerized by all the wonderful characters especially Preacher. A true modern western in every sense. This book did not let me down. I was totally transfixed to this desolate area of Texas and the lives of all these people. I have to say I again was disappointed when I finished the book. I wanted it to go on and on. I did rerun many of the descriptions that Preacher or Hackleberry used towards each other. Such poetry in his descriptions of the landscape! Oh how I hope he writes another book in the continuing saga of Preacher and Sheriff Hackleberry. There is absolutely no one else that bring these characters to life the way Will Patton did. Thank you so much James Lee Burke.

A little long.... a little slow

Not my favorite Holland story. Will Patton excellent as always. And I wish Burke would let go of the politics..

Superb, depth of characters are classic.

Characters great, storyline superb, totally draws you in and keeps your attention. Narration very good .

Brighton Beach, LA or Texas border?

For sure you don't have to be from Texas border country to identify with the characters from this book. In fact it may help if you're from a city with a multiplicity of diverse and flawed characters. Hackberry Holland has a law degree, epiphanies and suffers the angst of a college professor's son. Every elderly reader's dream is this nearly octogenerian's involvement with his chief deputy who has only a few premature gray hairs. Russian criminals, country club degenerates, an Asian former CIA affiliate and more abound in this superbly paced novel which is magnificently read by Will Paton. There are some nice descriptions of the border environment, including Burke's apparent fondness for rain, but did I think I was reading about 2012 Texas-Mexico border reality? Not so much.The iconography of a mystic underground are certainly present, as is the violence without the grit of a hardscrabble part of the country.

Burke Redeemed

"Lay Down My Sword & Shield," the book that introduced me to Hackberry Holland, was disappointing to this fan of the Dave Robicheaux series. "Feast Day of Fools" redeems both the author and the character.

In "Feast Day," Holland is some 40 years older, and much the wiser. He's a man of principle, which he wasn't in the last book. As repellant as he was, he becomes a sympathetic and admirable character.

The book moves at a good clip, and engages the listener immediately. I found myself rewinding to make sure I hadn't missed, or misunderstood, anything. The book tells a story that involves a vicious and demented serial killer, agents of a Mexican drug cartel, agents of the U.S. government, and a charismatic ex-CIA operative turned faith healer. The ending is surprising, and very satisfying.

Will Patton does a good job of narrating, although at times his accents got a bit jumbled. It didn't really detract from the book, but it's why I didn't give him 5 stars.

Do yourself a favor and spend a credit on this one. You won't regret it.

Brutal Telling

I would have to say that this is one of the most brutal books I've ever listened to but I would also add that it had one of the most riveting scene I've ever heard. There was one point in the book that I listened for a solid 2 hours were I just couldn't turn the narrative off. This man is an amazing writer who has a strange cast of characters. I sure hope that the characters he writes about I never have the pleasure of meeting in real life.

Will Patton is #1 in my book!

What did you love best about Feast Day of Fools?

Compelling action. My first Hackberry Holland and I am an instant fan. Burke does it again. A pretty dark story, gruesome at times, but you don't want it to stop. I'm hooked!!

What did you like best about this story?

The actual "story" or plot unfolds slowly. There are so many rich characters, most of them up to no good, and you keep wondering where it's all going. For me the story is sort of like Hitchcock's "McGuffin." It almost doesn't matter. It's how Hack and his deputies interact with all of the characters that makes this one move along and hard to put down.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

I could listen to Will Patton read a grocery list. His ability to change his voice for every character is amazing. I've always noticed Mr. Patton in his film roles. He usually plays somewhat unlikeable characters --- the sniveling, suck-up, etc. But his talent here shines right through. I find myself seeking out books that I otherwise would have overlooked because he is reading them. Check out "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" by Kimberly Willis Holt. It's an interesting coming of age story set in a small town, made much better because of Mr. Patton's skills. The first one I heard him read was James Dickey's "Deliverance." Perfect!

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

If I could have, I would have. But, reality and life do go on!

Window into twisted minds and redemption

I must admit, I love Will Paton's reading James Lee Burke novels. However, at first I had to divorce myself from thinking I was listening to Clete...since this is a totally different novel. However, I appreciate James Lee Burk's writings and his gift of detai,richness and insights into humans nature. I loved the book and hated for it to end.