Two for Texas

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

This James Lee Burke novel, featuring Son Holland - the great-grandfather of Burke's Billy Bob Holland - as he flees a Louisiana prison camp with a Native American woman and a fellow prisoner in tow, is now available in audio.

©2000 James Lee Burke (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

So Good... and a bonus! Clete is here!

Burke is as good as it gets. Every time I think I could be a novelist, I read ANYTHING of his and realize that he sets the standard and I have far far to go.

The Book

This may be (I HOPE!) a starter novel to see reader reactions. Well, my reaction is EXCELLENT. I say starter as the novel is quite short... about 5 hours. I so wanted it to go on, but Burke resolves all threads and ends it with me wanting more. I doubt Birke reads these reviews but if he is doing so... Write more on Son and Hugh!

Somehow, the publishers summary was pretty correct... something that as we know does not always happen... so if I write much more, it might spoil for others, but just a hint...

We meet Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, come close to Davy Crockett...

Will Patton is so good he is scary. Stealing a comment from another reviewer, he could read the US tax code and make it interesting.

One of our two heroes, Hugh... well... it's Clete from some of Burke's other fine books. I recognized it instantly, but it is not even a minor distraction.

Get the book. I guarantee that the five hours you will spend will only improve your life!

One of Burke's best ever.

What made the experience of listening to Two for Texas the most enjoyable?

The historical aspect of this novel was wonderful. Meeting Houston and Bowie were so cool. As a kid I remember these 2 historical figures. Also the humor is off the chart. I kept laughing out loud many times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hugh by far. One of the best and funniest characters Burke has produced. Old, salty, lippy, and one eyed. I fell in love with this character immediately.

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

Every one that is available on Audible. I loved this one. I put this performance near the top.

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

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly visit Texas.

Any additional comments?

Burke is the best living American author.

The battle for Texas, Burke style.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's a brutal story about brutal men. Still, there are unforgettable characters and enough of Burke's amazing story telling ability to recommend to most.

It begins with a descriptive tale of Louisiana prison life in the early 19th century. Not pleasant in the least, but surprisingly familiar to the prison portrayed in Cool Hand Luke. Most of the book revolves around the escape of two men, the main characters.( No spoiler here, all this foretold in the first paragraph.)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hugh Allison is a 19th century version of Clete Purcell.

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

No question it was Allison, Son Holland seemed just to be along for the ride.

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

It was so violent I felt like I was in the midst of it.

Another great listen by Burke and Patton

I loved Hugh. My husband and I listened to this story on the way to the ocean and found ourselves listening and chuckling to Hugh, the most interesting character in a long time. We find ourselves using quotes from him for spicing up conversations (spicing being the key word).

James Lee Burke is one of the best authors we have listened to in a long time. This is the third book I have from Audible by him (and read by Patton) and have recommended it to all to my friends, who like me spend a lot of time on the road with work. I have put 3 more of Burke stories on my wish list and plan on getting Rain Gods tomorrow when my next credit comes through.

My Favorite JLB in quite some time

I consider James Lee Burke one of my all-time favorite authors and he has written so many books that it's pretty darn hard to call any one book one of his best.

Having said that, I will say that this one is my favorite since Tin Roof Blowdown and easily "Among his Best". That may not make sense since Tin Roof Blowdown was written in 2007 and this one was written in 1982. The answer is that Two for Texas was not published on Audible until 1/1/2013.

I sure wish he would have continued this story and written more on these characters. It sounds like many other reviewers agree, but I doubt we will get our wish. If he does read or get wind of these reviews, I would cast a vote to give us another!!

Will Patton is also among the best and does a great job on this one as well.

This one is a can't miss JLB.... my advice is DON'T MISS IT!!

Valerie's Gallery

If you could sum up Two for Texas in three words, what would they be?

Great story line.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Two for Texas?

What happened at the Alamo.

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

I LOVED how he had a different voice for each character. I almost felt like a knew them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Sun went back for White Man's Woman.

Any additional comments?

Will Patton is a wonderful narrater. I especially enjoy James Lee Burke's discriptive writing.

Cajun goes County Western?

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I love Burke/Patton so was eager to sample a different venue. I was disappointed. I like Robicheaux thrillers so much I've bought several Apple Shuffles and distributed them among my friends. I won't be adding this one.

Would you recommend Two for Texas to your friends? Why or why not?

No. I would recommend some of the many other Burke/Patton stories first.

Which scene was your favorite?

Nothing stands out

Do you think Two for Texas needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Any additional comments?

I hope Burke continues to try different venues. I know I'll buy them, just wasn't as captivated with this theme as I have been with his past works. I download books Will Patton narrates because of his incredible soothing yet passionate voice. I wonder if he can mimic a Downeaster's dialect!

Ray Porter rocks as usual

My problem with this book is the dialogue. Too many "he saids". When someone asks a question the dialogue should be "he asked ", not "he said" This goes on and on all through this book. I don't recall if Burke has done this in his other books. This type of dialogue bugs me because I'm constantly putting in the correct term that the writer should have used.

If this doesn't bother people, then the book is a great listen. But for some reason I have been noticing how writers use dialogue. This is what makes a good book, especially if it's being read. The narrator changes the voices and the dialogue isn't that important to me,

Just my thoughts on this book.

It was tough, rough, yet entertaining.

Neat characters.

The story starts with life in a prison camp. It’s cruel and bad and depressing. Then the two guys escape, and they’re on the run. It’s hard. This is not a fun read. But it was a good story. It turns into some historical fiction with Sam Houston leading the Texans against the Mexicans. The Alamo and the battle at San Jacinto are included.

I really enjoyed the character Hugh. He was nasty. I wouldn’t want to be him or do what he does, but he makes being an older guy “cool.” I don’t mind being older if I can be like him. (Don’t get me wrong, I hope I am never like him, but ...) His survival instincts were amazing. He was crafty, competent, impressive, cantankerous, ornery, and a good decision maker in desperate circumstances. He was always getting into trouble, couldn’t keep his mouth shut, insulted the wrong people, and not good at keeping a job. I liked Hugh even though I shouldn’t.

The other main character was Son. What an honorable guy, his honesty kept coming out.

I loved the narrator Will Patton. He is now one of my favorite narrators.

Genre: historical fiction, prison fiction

Forgettable

As usual, Will Patton's delivery was perfect and was probably all that kept me listening to this story. Unlike most books I listen to....and I've listened to most of James Lee Burke's....I just couldn't keep my focus on this one. The story just didn't seem to go anywhere or have a point that I could identify with. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood for it but generally, when listening to a really good story, I do not want to stop to do anything else. This time, I was hoping for something to interrupt me so I'd have something more interesting to do. Just not my cup of tea, I guess.