I'm just wondering if people around Lafayette and the rest of Acadiana view his stories as being "friendly" to the region and its people. Obviously, the Dave Robicheaux novels are what prompts me to ask, but I know he has written other stuff, too.

(06-24-2011 09:35 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  I'm just wondering if people around Lafayette and the rest of Acadiana view his stories as being "friendly" to the region and its people. Obviously, the Dave Robicheaux novels are what prompts me to ask, but I know he has written other stuff, too.

Without the crime that has obligatory need in his writing----it is a huge compliment to the culture and the beauty of the Acadiana area!!!! We are very proud of his writing skills and his ability to make the reader experience that true feeling of the senses of being there!!!!!!

I agree about the sensation of "being there". The stories (the 2 that I've read) are incredibly evocative of a time and place.

And it's true that "crime" is "obligatory" in a mystery novel. Even so, I just kind of felt like the Cajuns came across in JLB's stories as very... primitive. That's good in some ways, maybe not-so-good in other ways. But I'm glad if the books are popular there.

The movies haven't turned out too well, for whatever reason...

(06-25-2011 10:18 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  I agree about the sensation of "being there". The stories (the 2 that I've read) are incredibly evocative of a time and place.

And it's true that "crime" is "obligatory" in a mystery novel. Even so, I just kind of felt like the Cajuns came across in JLB's stories as very... primitive. That's good in some ways, maybe not-so-good in other ways. But I'm glad if the books are popular there.

The movies haven't turned out too well, for whatever reason...

JLB Is a god amongst men.


BTW, Heaven's Prisoners (with Alec Baldwin) was fairly solid. In the Electric Mist was just too broad a story to try and put into a movie. I want them to do the Tin Roof Blowdown, but I doubt that happens.

On a side note, if the last Robicheaux novel was the last one, I'm going to be pissed beyond repair.

(06-25-2011 11:43 AM)theboro Wrote:  

(06-25-2011 10:18 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  I agree about the sensation of "being there". The stories (the 2 that I've read) are incredibly evocative of a time and place.

And it's true that "crime" is "obligatory" in a mystery novel. Even so, I just kind of felt like the Cajuns came across in JLB's stories as very... primitive. That's good in some ways, maybe not-so-good in other ways. But I'm glad if the books are popular there.

The movies haven't turned out too well, for whatever reason...

JLB Is a god amongst men.


BTW, Heaven's Prisoners (with Alec Baldwin) was fairly solid. In the Electric Mist was just too broad a story to try and put into a movie. I want them to do the Tin Roof Blowdown, but I doubt that happens.

On a side note, if the last Robicheaux novel was the last one, I'm going to be pissed beyond repair.

I haven't read the daughter's book/books yet--have ya'll???? Well to be honest----when using the past, it was (primitive)----We moved to a small Cajun town in 1984 and our next door neighbor could not speak English---the talk at men's gatherings were in English but sometimes totally or partially Cajun French----The language has really gone by the wayside as it is not spoken in the homes and with the advancement of radio and tv even the accent is not as pronounced!!!! BUT---what a great place to live!!!!!!

(06-25-2011 11:43 AM)theboro Wrote:  

(06-25-2011 10:18 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  I agree about the sensation of "being there". The stories (the 2 that I've read) are incredibly evocative of a time and place.

And it's true that "crime" is "obligatory" in a mystery novel. Even so, I just kind of felt like the Cajuns came across in JLB's stories as very... primitive. That's good in some ways, maybe not-so-good in other ways. But I'm glad if the books are popular there.

The movies haven't turned out too well, for whatever reason...

JLB Is a god amongst men.


BTW, Heaven's Prisoners (with Alec Baldwin) was fairly solid. In the Electric Mist was just too broad a story to try and put into a movie. I want them to do the Tin Roof Blowdown, but I doubt that happens.

On a side note, if the last Robicheaux novel was the last one, I'm going to be pissed beyond repair.

I haven't read the daughter's book/books yet--have ya'll???? Well to be honest----when using the past, it was (primitive)----We moved to a small Cajun town in 1984 and our next door neighbor could not speak English---the talk at men's gatherings were in English but sometimes totally or partially Cajun French----The language has really gone by the wayside as it is not spoken in the homes and with the advancement of radio and tv even the accent is not as pronounced!!!! BUT---what a great place to live!!!!!!

I haven't read the daughter's books either; but thoroughly enjoy JLB's work!

I've read pretty much all of his Robicheaux books. Read a couple of the Texas-based books and didn't enjoy them as much, including one set in Montana.

I've been to his home-based bookstore, just across the street from Shadows-on-the-Teche.

One would be surprised, I bet, to find out how much tourism he brings to the region.

A couple of local Cajun guys told me that there was a murder there a few years ago, that was too similar to a murder in a JLB book, and the family wasn't too thrilled about it, and he caught some flack.