Customer Reviews

Border Music

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is not as good, in my opinion, as some of his other books, such as Puerto Vallarta Squeeze or Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend, but it is still sad, realistic, and a good read. The only criticism I have is that in the beginning, it moves too slow and gives a negative attitude about the plot to the reader. However, as it moves on, it gets rather good. This book almost made memad, the way things turn out, but it also dives into the human indeciciveness between fantasy and reality. This is another sad but interesting book by Robert James Waller, and it is much easier to find than "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze." Though, in my opinion, not his best book, it is certainly good and worthy of the time it takes to read it.

I read this book before I read Bridges and find it much more inspirational. If you thought Bridges was good, but a little too sappy, you might find Border Music a more adventurous ride. This book is the story of a modern day explorer living his life to the fullest despite the mundane obstacles in today's world. Its the story of the road less traveled. You won't cry while reading Border Music, but you might get a new perspective on life. Bridges might be one of the best all-time romance novels, but if you're looking for a broader look at a great way to lead a life, Border Music is a great choice.

I found this book in a bargain bin a few years back and finally got around to reading it only recently. Fortunately, I was glad I did, as it was diversely interesting, different from what I expected, too. No big surprises or stunning twists, but a nice flow all the same. Waller has a style of writing that fits the characters in his story; he writes from the angle of a Texas cowboy or other southern rugged, feral type, raw and unrefined.

'Border Music' is the story of untamed love, of romance initiated on a whim. It is the story of Jack Carmine and Linda Lobo, a drifter in a pickup truck and a sexy barroom dancer, who meet by chance, and decide to take a chance with each other. Sometimes a man will simply be a man, a drifter always a drifter as well; love dwindles and fades, and events become uncontrollable; fate takes control. Life gets on in years and the past appears as a dream. We know, ourselves, how much we'd love to try and grasp it and hold onto it just one more time, but always find it gone forever, leaving only faded memories. Country singer, Bobby McGregor, Jack's close friend, eventually realizes that his memories make him smile and reminisce, as he longs for the good ol' days to re-emerge. Uncle Vaughn Rhomer leaves in search of a dream, too, yearning for the experience himself, in search of his nephew also.

Maybe it's Jack who has the right idea, God's freeborn soul, for even though he longs for Linda, his true love, his heart calls on him to constantly wander ... keeping life fresh, free, and unpredictable.

Don't look back, Jack Carmine.

Though a novel for women also, this is a love story for men, which is somewhat rare.
Waller pulled it off nicely.

I was breezing through this book when I realised I had read about 90 pages and nothing has happened. Not a single interesting thing has occured. It didn't get much better either.
I was not sure at first if I should like the main charachter , Jack Carmine , or not. Was he the likable hero ? I did not like Jack Alpine at all. The other main charachter is Linda Lobo and I liked her even less. Jack meets Linda , a stripper at.....a strip club. Jack instantly likes Linda. Why ? She has large breasts. We are told repeatedly that Linda has large breasts. Jack will do anything to get them. Jack has reduced anything and everything about women to the size of the above mentioned attributes. Linda decides , even though I know nothing about Jack , I will drive away and leave my life behind to be with Jack. They decide to go back to Texas where Jack has a home. First they must pick up her young daughter who is living with Lindas mother in another state. We are supposed to believe Linda loves and cares so much about her daughter. So why is she working as a stripper in another state. Why is she now taking her daughter to Texas with a man she does not even know. At one point in the book Jack and Linda stop at a clothing store so Linda can get a new wardrobe. We are supposed to believe that all the store employees are charmed by Jack and Linda who are putting on a "fashion show" while she tries on the clothes. Do we remember where Jack met Linda ? It was in a strip club. There was nothing charming about the image of Jack leering and drooling over his stripper friend putting on another strip routine at a clothing store.
Things predictably don't go well in Texas. Jack is haunted by his Vietnam memories. Jack starts taking longer and longer leaves of absence until Linda finally realises she made a big mistake.
It was a very easy read because it is pure fluff.

I loved "The Bridges Of Madison County". Read it in one sitting. So I was eagerly looking for other books by the same author, expecting the same quality. But I've been disappointed. I heard this book rather than read it, and found myself fast forwarding through parts of the tapes.

I expected more from the author of Bridges of Madison County, but I was disappointed. I found the alternating timelines confusing also. I didn't think the Uncle's adventures and thoughts added anything to the story. Someone who listened to this book on tape said they fast forwarded, so did I reading it. There was lots of meandering thoughts and quotes from other writers that I just skimmed over. Didn't particularly dislike this book but can't say it was really good either.

Robert James Waller's prose reads like poetry. There are images and passages in "Border Music" that stun me everytime with there insight and beauty and passion. I knew when I read the dedication that this work would be a masterpiece. Read it to find out. I think everyone dreams of being like Jack Carmine. Some have the courage to try...

This was my first R.J.Waller novel and I hope the rest are half as good as this. With the perfect eye for the romance of life on the road, Waller tells the tale of Jack Carmine, a ramblin' Texan veteran with a hide as tough as leather but a soft heart beneath. Although I found myself identifying more with Jack's "Walter Mitty" uncle, it's the road less traveled we come to realize we all eventually want. I recommend it highly.

Hey, to the author's credit, when the first two characters in the book are a Texan named Carmine Jack and a stripper -- of course -- named Linda Lobo, well, you've been warned. If you continue reading past page 3, you have nobody to blame but yourself.

It doesn't get better. The biggest groaner was when Mr. Carmine, or Mr. Jack, meets one of Miss Lobo's disrespectful, mouthy kids, and puts the kid in his place in a manner that could only occur in a book like this one.

I'lll give it two stars, because, hey, there are people that like this kind of stuff, and who am I to rain on their parade? If you can get past the first couple of pages, knock yourself out. But if curiosity compels you to read this, do yourself a favor and check it out of the library. I'm sure they have a copy.

Beautifully written pros, although a bit redundant at times. I have to admit I did not want to put it down. The jumping back and forth between Jack Carmine and his Uncle left me confused at times. Why? I do not think it added anything to the story. Pulling in Vietnam just seemed like an afterthought. Waller spent a great deal of time describing Jack and Linda to us, but seemed to grow tired of writing the story and ended it. NOTHING happened! I am a huge Waller fan, but his writing seems to run hot and cold.