Customer Reviews

Another Life: A Burke Novel (Burke Series)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Another Life is the final chapter of the Burke series -- I've always viewed the entire series as analogous to a single book, with each novel representing a chapter in Burke's story. If you've been a fan of the series, you will of course want to read this book; nobody sets down an engrossing read with the last chapter untouched. You won't be sorry. Burke, and the series, leave our lives on a high (or rather, hopeful) note. The conclusion may or may not leave you reeling, but it's guaranteed to leave you *thinking*.

It seems to me that Vachss' novels always have two simultaneous "themes" -- there are the action points, what most reviewers will tell you the book is "about" -- and then the slightly more subtle, infinitely more meaningful underlying thesis. On one level, Another Life is about Burke agreeing to look for the abducted toddler son of a Saudi royal in exchange for medical care for the Prof, clinging to life after being shot in the last chapter, and a clean slate for other Family-of-Choice members. Another (chance to continue the same) Life. At its heart, though, AL is a book about the things we do, the lengths we will go to, for "those who come after."

I'd heard a couple folks say this book was "predictable," and that frankly surprises me. Burke is in no way an impromptu type of individual, he plans everything he does down to the last detail. He doesn't *want* surprises, and those who've taken this journey with him all the way are likely justified in feeling we know how Burke will react to many given situations. This is where the surprise (on my part) came in. Vachss has written before in the series about people who "do the right thing for the wrong reason," and neither Burke nor Vachss has any problem with that. What I never really expected Burke -- or Vachss -- to address is the other side of that "intent" coin, those who do the *wrong* thing, but do it for the *right* reason, with the best of intentions, hoping to create something better but going terribly wrong. There are two specific instances of that in AL, and they're closely entwined.

Burke's core Family all work with him on this one, along with many characters who've made appearances over the course of the series, so we get a chance to say goodbye to our favorites, both old and newer. As the parent of a fellow adult, I was deeply touched by the themes of growing, moving on ... letting go. When you've put in the work, the day will come when it's time to stand aside and let your kids go to make their own lives, find their own worlds. This book is "about" fathers, and mothers, sons and daughters. It's "about" Family, what we do to make one, the lengths we go to to keep them safe, and (if the job was done right), the bittersweet feeling of seeing them move on being overwhelmed and subsumed by the pride we feel while watching them go.

When I read the last page and closed the book, I felt almost exactly the same way I felt at the end of Shella. So, my own personal response to the question "What is Burke going to do next?" is: He's going to pick up his jacket.

"Another Life" is the concluding chapter in the long novel that has been Andrew Vachss's Burke series, and will be no disappointment to those who have been following the story since 1985's "Flood." On the contrary, the book is the quintessence of what Burke tales have always been.

There is a puzzle to be solved, the investigation of which stretches throughout the book, taking Burke and the reader into areas of society that are tough to visit even through the filter of "fiction." There are the vivid characterizations and relationships between the main characters of Burke's crew, relationships that have grown deeper with every book. There are the frequent asides and soliloquies on contemporary life and society that I've always found as fascinating as the actual plots. And there is a climax that serves as a textbook definition of the perfect ending: surprising but inevitable in retrospect.

Add to all of these qualities the emotional resonance that comes with knowing that this is the last time we'll ever be able to walk with these characters, and "Another Life" is a gem, a novel that lets us look back to Burke's past and ahead to whatever future we can imagine for him and his family of choice. At once valedictory, heart-breaking, uplifting, and deeply satisfying, readers who have vicariously shared Burke's life for nearly a quarter century should no sooner miss this final chapter than the Prof should speak two sentences in a row without a rhyme. Like Mr. Henry says, "Only thing that's true is what you do," and what you've got to do is read this one. It rings true and clear as always, and for the last time...

Vachss' incredible ear translated into Burke's dialogue is unprecedented. Perhaps Burke and his family of choice have reached the kind of stability many of us hope for, but Vachss hopefully won't leave us without the only authentic view into the world of monsters and predators that most of us, fortunately, will never have contact with. I'll miss Burke and the gang, especially mama; we should all be so lucky. But if you you've been on board this unprecedented body of work you will want to say goodbye, and if you haven't the flashbacks provide a taste of what you've been missing. The family has entertained us for years, now it' s time to get involved in the issue and Vachss' website provides more than enough opportunities and incentive to do that.

I've followed Vachss' Burke series from book one. (Started, actually, with Sacrifice, then jumped back to Flood and went forward from there.) I've always loved the books, have enjoyed watching the characters grow, and enjoy going back through them to get a sense of time and place; as much as you can see the changes in the characters, you can also witness the change in the country, and the change in our culture, all of which Vachss reflects on in the books.

I won't give away anything from this last chapter, but I will say this: it's both a beautiful send-off for Burke's family, and also includes an amazing revelation about Burke that was sitting there in front of me, I never recognized, and now, with it revealed, it really changes the context of all 17 of the previous novels.

A masterpiece! Highly recommended!

The only problem with this novel is that it's the last of the series! Burke faces two final mysteries -- the first, a kidnapping involving an infant, the Israeli secret service, and a Saudi prince. The second is the murky history of Burke's own birth. I loved this series, this journey, from beginning to end; if you haven't picked it up yet, then jump right in! Andrew Vachss' Burke novels always speak from the heart, and always spoke to my secret, vengeful soul.

As sad as I was to see the Burke series end, I thought that it was done well. Burke is approached by a shadowy character, Pryce (from Safe House) to retrieve the kidnapped son of a Saudi prince. During his search for the missing boy, Burke takes a road of self-discovery and redemption. While not my favorite Burke novel, I liked the way that the case was solved while Burke dishes out his own brand of justice. Cleverly enough, some of the popular characters are allowed to gracefully withdraw from "the life," while Burke sort of fades out. Vachss makes more than his usual social commentaries without pulling any punches. That in itself was entertaining.

Another Life is the last in the series of Burke novels. And even though Vachss has long hinted (or reminded) in the previous novels of the fact that Burke must reach SOME kind of end (the attempt on his life; his try for 'one final big score'), the fact of it is still jarring. An ending to Burke's story is an answer to a question that's been hovering throughout the last several books: how does someone like Burke end up? We've seen how he lives; what is the end, for him?

I felt real dread when the book was announced many months ago. I wasn't sure I wanted the answer. Then, December 30th rolled around and I realized I couldn't NOT know.

In this installment, Burke and his Family of Choice function as a family much more so than in any of the previous books. With the Prof still fighting to recover from his gunshot wounds and Clarence nearly paralyzed with worry, Burke is made an offer by former acquaintance Pryce that will net him a life-saving hospital arrangement for the Prof and clean slates for all the others. He accepts immediately - the way a son would do - without his normal vetting process. His task is to retrieve the missing infant son of a Saudi prince - Pryce believes the child was snatched by the type of humans Burke knows only too well. But the most disturbing discoveries Burke makes are about the prince himself.

His contacts this time around have a bit more intellectual heft - be sure to brush up on your Latin. Perhaps it's a reflection of Burke's new understanding of the difference between what he knows...and what he always believed he's known.

Families of all types come under focus - even canine, as Burke finally decides on a new partner. For his own family, particularly the next generation, questions about the future are demanding to be answered once and for all. They reflect the hope of the book's bittersweet title.

Partnerships are forged, a financial future is constructed, the flames of Arab-Israeli conflict are stoked. And Burke's story reaches its end. Faster than expected, like the illusion of a train floating in the horizon.

vale.

I've read about a dozen or so of Mr. Vachss' Burke novels, including this final entry. Here's a few 'patterns' I've come to recognize from this writer's toolbox.

1. All women are beautiful. All men are ugly.

This world-view, even if only expressed in fiction, belies a willful dissociation from his own gender. Not healthy.

2. All the african-americans Burke likes are bright, intelligent, and gifted. Those he does not are abusive, exploiting thugs.

This is the 'liberal plantation' attitude brought to its logic-warping extreme. An insult to all blacks who are active and engaged in

the weaving of American life and culture.

3. For all of his experience with women, plus his 'ability to see patterns', Burke is constantly tripping over his own tongue and

angering the women in his life. WTF??? Somewhere between 'Flood' and 'Another Life', Burke should have figured it out, especially

since he's fictional!

And, finally,

4. "Translation". If there were ever a Burke Concordance, this word would only be second to "the" as most used. Usually found after Michelle

barks at Burke or Mole. From the work under review: "[Michelle said]'You're buying me a new pair[of shoes]!'. Translation: 'You'll be back.'"

Granted, the example cited is a simple one, but loyal Burke fans will recognize it as a true thing. And the final translation? Vachss doesn't

trust his readers' intelligence.

Vachss has always said he funds his work through his fiction. And his work is noble, indeed. Children need champions in the courtroom such as Mr. Vachss. A $20 donation to his cause ought to do the trick, freeing up room on the bookshelves for young and gifted writers with fresh insights and noble purpose.

Vachss has said that this will be the final Burke novel, but he has left himself an out--Burke and the members of his family are free to pursue other courses as a result of their actions in this novel. That could prove to be the birth of a new life story for Vachss's protagonist.

Another Life is a solid Burke novel. Burke and his family face a seemingly impossible task--recovering the apparently kidnapped son of a Saudi prince in return for 'private' medical care for the injured Prof. This takes Burke into the world of kinky sex and pornography, territory that he knows well. The plot arcs are fine. The full Burke family ensemble is along for the ride and Burke even gets a new pet, a pit bull named Rosie, who fills some of the personal and professional void left by the demise of his beloved Neopolitan mastiff, Pansy.

Two caveats (and I have offered these before with regard to another recent Burke novel): first, Vachss plunges into the story with its large cast of characters without offering sufficient background information for the first-time reader. If you have not yet read a Burke novel you are likely to be very confused by the characters, their back-stories and their roles in Burke's life. Second, Burke offers historical/philosophical observations on many of his experiences, observations which name names in the contemporary political pantheon (or rogues' gallery, depending on your point of view) and he does not pull punches. This could annoy some readers, though here he is an equal-opportunity critic, slamming Dinkins as well as Giuliani, for example. There are also one or two references to New York events and individuals that may not be familiar to all readers.

Nevertheless, this is a good Burke book. I will miss him and I would not be at all averse to seeing Vachss revive him in a new role, perhaps even in a new setting, now that Vachss is spending time in the Pacific northwest.

Anything Andrew Vachss writes, I will read, because I am an enormous fan of his style and plotting. But this novel is something even more special, because it is the finale of the Burke series, and Vachss poured his absolute best into the writing of it. A thrilling ride, all the way to the thoroughly satisfying end!