Sort of dull. The characters never really get interesting. Burke is a better writer of crime fiction. I tried three times to read this and could not make it through. I found Crime and Punishment an easier read than this.

A stunning depiction of the post world war 2 eras in the USA. In fully realized and complex characters the author subtly and effectively shows the currents active in our cultural stew. As the values, we fought for fade in the glare of big oil, Hollywood and organized crime, the large cast of people struggle with the moral morass they find themselves in. A great book by a great American writer.

I initally began Wayfaring Stranger expecting a thriller. What I got instead was a brilliantly written historical novel, one that sprawls from Bonnie & Clyde to the setting up of an oil business, all underlaid by a clear sense of menace. Exploring the character of Weldon Holland, Burke constructs a tightly plotted novel that keeps the pages turning and the story moving. Like any good historical novel, Wayfaring Stranger presents a clear sense of time and place, giving the reader an immersive experience. At the same time, Burke presents us with a classic moral dilemma - how far would you go to protect your family, your friends and the things you have built? This was my first experience of Burke, but he is definitely an author whose work I will look out for in the future.