The jealous kind. Holland family saga (2) : a novel

From New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke?an atmospheric, coming-of-age story set in 1952 Texas, as the Korea War rages. On its surface, life in Houston is as you would expect: drive-in restaurants, souped-up cars, jukeboxes, teenagers discovering their sexuality. But beneath the glitz and superficial normalcy, a class war has begun, and it is nothing like the conventional portrayal of the decade. Against this backdrop Aaron Holland Broussard discovers the poignancy of first novel and a world of violence he did not know existed. When Aaron spots the beautiful and gifted Valerie Epstein fighting with her boyfriend, Grady Harrelson, at a Galveston drive-in, he inadvertently challenges the power of the Mob and one of the richest families in Texas. He also discovers he must find the courage his father had found as an American soldier in the Great War. Written in evocative prose, The Jealous Kind may prove to be James Lee Burke's most encompassing work yet. As Aaron undergoes his harrowing evolution from boy to man, we can't help but recall the inspirational and curative power of first love and how far we would go to protect it New York Times bestselling author and "the reigning champ of nostalgia noir" ( The New York Times Book Review ) James Lee Burke returns with a powerful novel in the Holland Family series set in 1950s Texas, as the specter of the Korean War looms. On its surface, life in 1950s Houston is as you'd expect: stoic fathers, restless teens, drive-in movies, and souped-up Cadillacs. But underneath that surface lies a world shifting under high school junior Aaron Holland Broussard's feet. The underlying class war between the haves and have nots is growing steadily, along with the menace of conflict overseas in Korea, providing a harrowing backdrop to his growth to manhood. But when Aaron spots the beautiful Valerie Epstein at a drive-in, he steps in when he sees her fighting with her boyfriend, Grady Harrelson. Aaron's newfound confidence helps catch Valerie's eye, and the two begin dating. Grady is a live wire though, and presents a looming problem for Aaron. You will recall the feelings and inspirational power of your first love, and empathize with Aaron's extraordinary challenges to protect himself and the ones he loves in "this dark, atmospheric story" ( Publishers Weekly ). The Jealous Kind illustrates how first loves, friendship, violence, and power can alter what traditional America means for the people trying to find their way in a changing world. From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke—an atmospheric, powerful, coming-of-age story set in 1950s Texas, as the specter of the Korean War looms. On its surface, life in Houston in the 1950s is as you'd expect: stoic fathers, restless teens, drive-in movies, and souped-up Cadillacs. But underneath lies a world shifting under high school junior Aaron Broussard's feet. There's a class war between the "haves" and the "have-nots" as well as a real war, Korea, happening on the other side of the world. It is against this backdrop that Aaron comes of age, trying to understand how first loves, friendship, violence, and power can alter what "traditional America" means for the people trying to find their way in a changing world. When Aaron spots the beautiful Valerie Epstein fighting with her boyfriend, Grady Harrelson, at a drive-in, he steps in. Aaron and Valerie begin dating, but Grady presents a looming problem—as does Grady's... On Its Surface, Life In Houston Is As You Would Expect: Drive-in Restaurants, Souped-up Cars, Jukeboxes, Teenagers Discovering Their Sexuality. But Beneath The Glitz And Superficial Normalcy, A Class War Has Begun, And It Is Nothing Like The Conventional Portrayal Of The Decade. Against This Backdrop Aaron Holland Broussard Discovers The Poignancy Of First Love And A World Of Violence He Did Not Know Existed. When Aaron Spots The Beautiful And Gifted Valerie Epstein Fighting With Her Boyfriend, Grady Harrelson, At A Galveston Drive-in, He Inadvertently Challenges The Power Of The Mob And One Of The Richest Families In Texas. He Also Discovers He Must Find The Courage His Father Had Found As An American Soldier In The Great War. James Lee Burke. Sequel To: Wayfaring Stranger (2014). Intervening when he sees the beautiful and gifted Valerie Epstein fighting with her boyfriend, Aaron Holland Broussard inadvertently challenges the power of the Mob in his Korean War-era Texas community.