The author can still write a sentence that is amazing. Sadly many of them in this book seemed to have been recycled from his many other books. This book was like a Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcell (his much longer running series) book rewritten with high school versions of these two characters. The story is so over the top and outlandish and unreal, that it is laughable. The usual themes about evilness and characters justifying their terrible behavior because of their moral high ground are pounded into the reader at every opportunity.
Because it takes place in the early 1950’s the reader isn’t completely smothered by the authors insane liberal beliefs which has been the case with a number of his other books, but too much of this book is been there done that with different characters.
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I did enjoy the story here, the first of the Holland novels I have read. The problem with it, in my opinion, is that anyone who has read any of Burke's Robicheax novels can see the 2 main characters of this novel are VERY like Dave and Cletus in those books. Young Holland seemed a self-flagellating do-gooder in his mind and his best friend the wild and reckless quasi criminal. I could not seem to shake these comparisons as I read this which kind of spoiled my enjoyment of it. Still Burke and his quality writing, though. ( )

For the longest time, this story proceeded in a most frustrating manner: at every decision point, the main character makes the one choice that makes the least sense and leads him into the most trouble. Whether through stupidity, stubbornness, or simply an innate talent for poor decision-making, the character gets into deeper and deeper trouble. It makes for a good story, but it's hard to respect the character. I nearly gave up on the book several times, but kept with it, and was ultimately rewarded with a satisfying and memorable tale. As always, Mr. Burke's talent for creating an evocative atmosphere and sense of place is compelling. The man sure can write. And I just love Will Patton's narration. Overall, I didn't really love the book, but definitely liked it enough to seek out other books by the same author and narrator. ( )

I have been a James Lee Burke fan for quite a while now (not that I've yet read every one of his many books). THE JEALOUS KIND is absolutely terrific - a coming-of-age story featuring 17-year-old Aaron Holland Broussard (grandson of Hackberry Holland, one of Burke's series characters). Not only does this novel take you back to a particular era in 1950's America, with colour and rich detail, it mixes its lead character up with members of the Mob and other lowlifes, and the danger and excitement that entails. It is also about grace and mercy - qualities which young Broussard has in abundance, and which he offers, at the end of the book, to a heroin-addicted mob woman and a dying detective. Not only that, but Burke depicts in all its glorious colours the flowering of young and abiding love. As always, his descriptions of landscape, human feeling, and the particular milieu in which his story is set, are eloquent. A must read from the master. ( )

This novel is mind-blowingly great. It reminded me of James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause, but with the depth and background that a great novelist can inject into a story. Set in 1952 Houston, it is a story of a high school kid, Aaron Broussard, his encounters with rich punks from the other side of town, his run-ins with leather-jacketed hoodlums, corrupt police, and a continuing descent into a world of mobsters and double-crossers. His world-bending romance with the most beautiful young girl in town and lifelong friendship with another kid sets him on a collision course with jealous suitors connected with the underworld. He juxtaposes his encounters with tough guys with his father's service in the war and his courage. In many ways, its as if the curtains were lifted and he can see how evil has reared its ugly head. This is written in absolutely tremendous prose and there are so many great phrases in this story. Without going into too much detail, it is far more than a simple coming-of-age story and is simply a tremendous post-war classic. ( )