Wayfaring Stranger - James Lee Burke

Wayfaring Stranger

By James Lee Burke

  • Release Date: 2014-07-15
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 286 Ratings

Description

In his most ambitious work yet, New York Times bestseller James Lee Burke tells a classic American story through one man’s unforgettable life.

In 1934, sixteen-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 with Weldon firing a gun, unsure whether it hit its mark.

Ten years later, Second Lieutenant Weldon Holland barely survives the Battle of the Bulge, in the process saving the lives of his sergeant, Hershel Pine, and a young Spanish prisoner of war, Rosita Lowenstein—a woman who holds the same romantic power over him as the strawberry blonde Bonnie Parker, and is equally mysterious. The three return to Texas where Weldon and Hershel get in on the ground floor of the nascent oil business.

In just a few years’ time Weldon will spar with the jackals of the industry, rub shoulders with dangerous men, and win and lose fortunes twice over. But it is the prospect of losing his one true love that will spur his most reckless act yet—one inspired by that encounter long ago with the outlaws of his youth.

A tender love story and pulse-pounding thriller, Wayfaring Stranger “is a sprawling historical epic full of courage and loyalty and optimism and good-heartedness that reads like an ode to the American Dream” (Benjamin Percy, Poets & Writers).

Reviews

  • Outstanding

    5
    By Longhorn5555
    Simply one of the most outstanding writers on the planet.
  • Superb!

    5
    By Diana1airs
    I'm a James Lee Burke fan, and have read most of his books. This one held my attention the entire time - sometimes with virtual white knuckles from hanging on to every word. Very suspenseful, written with clever descriptions, and tied together everything at the end. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
  • Superb.

    5
    By Thatnine
    Pulled me right in. Great insight into tough personal interaction.
  • Wayfaring stranger

    3
    By Armeranus
    Page turner for three quarters of the book Absolutely awful abrupt and disappointing ending
  • Way too long

    2
    By Writekid
    I finished it-finally. It was just good enough to keep reading. But pretty boring. Glad the ordeal is over!
  • Outstanding

    5
    By Billyroy7
    I've read (or listened) to every book Burke has ever written. He's definitely America's best novelist. His descriptive stories are beautifully written. I'm listening to "Warefaringon" on the audio book. Will Patton is the perfect reader of Burke's books. Two outstanding artists. Keep up the good work guys.
  • Beautifully written

    5
    By Bboo26
    One of the best new books I've read in quite some time. Thank you, Mr. Burke. I'll expect to see this one at the movies.
  • Wayfaring Stranger

    5
    By Stupid Loser
    Amazing. His best book. Ever.
  • At his best

    5
    By D.D.gm
    I've read every one of his books. He really speaks to me. This particular book seems to reinforce all the qualities of an author who embraces what America could be but unfortunately is not. For me, this is James Lee Burke's best work. (So far).
  • The Wayfaring Stranger

    5
    By Xyzygy
    Burke does it again, like he always does. Write a great novel. He's simply one of the best.