I've read several of Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels as well as Wayfaring Stranger which is part of the Holland family saga. The Jealous Kind is also part of his Holland family books and is narrated by Aaron Holland Broussard who is a cousin of Weldon Holland, the narrator of Wayfaring Stranger. Both of these two narrators are grandsons of Hackberry Holland who was a legendary Texas Ranger. (The Holland family tree is a little confusing in that there are two Hackberrys, both of which show up in Burke's novels. There is a website that clarifies the family tree that I thought helpful.)
In any event, I really did enjoy The Jealous Kind. It is told from Aaron's perspective as an older man but details what happened to him as a junior in high school in 1952. The novel takes place in and around Houston but the 1950s of this novel is not anywhere close to the idyllic settings of TV shows in the 50s such as Ozzie and Harriet or Leave It to Beaver. Aaron meets the love of his life, Valerie Epstein, at a drive-in in Galveston where he interrupts a fight she is having with her boyfriend, Grady. Well this leads to some very unforeseen events. Grady's family has ties to the mob and he seeks revenge on Aaron. But Aaron and his friend, Saber, a very reckless prankster, do not let Grady get the best of them. All of this leads to some very unsettling and violent consequences that were rather surprising.
Overall, I would recommend this unusual coming of age story set in the violent and dangerous world of Houston in the 50s. Burke paints a very vivid portrait of the times including the various factions trying to survive there: the Mexican gangs, the mobsters, the poor, and the rich privileged upper class. I'll look forward to more in Burke's Holland series.
In any event, I really did enjoy The Jealous Kind. It is told from Aaron's perspective as an older man but details what happened to him as a junior in high school in 1952. The novel takes place in and around Houston but the 1950s of this novel is not anywhere close to the idyllic settings of TV shows in the 50s such as Ozzie and Harriet or Leave It to Beaver. Aaron meets the love of his life, Valerie Epstein, at a drive-in in Galveston where he interrupts a fight she is having with her boyfriend, Grady. Well this leads to some very unforeseen events. Grady's family has ties to the mob and he seeks revenge on Aaron. But Aaron and his friend, Saber, a very reckless prankster, do not let Grady get the best of them. All of this leads to some very unsettling and violent consequences that were rather surprising.
Overall, I would recommend this unusual coming of age story set in the violent and dangerous world of Houston in the 50s. Burke paints a very vivid portrait of the times including the various factions trying to survive there: the Mexican gangs, the mobsters, the poor, and the rich privileged upper class. I'll look forward to more in Burke's Holland series.
James Lee Burke just keeps getting better with age. The Jealous Kind paints such a perfect backdrop of the South in the 50's that you almost overlook the story of youth, tragedy, and suspense. Burke's flawed heroes never let you down and Aaron Holland Broussard does not disappoint.
