ORDINARY BECOMES EXTRAORDINARY IN NOVEL, BLACK CHERRY BLUES we’re talking integrity here rather than commercial T= most critical factor in a novel’s success — and success — is the author's ability to devise characters so compellingly real that the reader is immersed in what seems a biographical account rather than a work of fiction. Few writers possess the word- magic essential to effect this; rarer still is the novelist capable of breathing life into characters with whom we feel empathy, charac- ters whose resurrection in subse- quent stories is nothing less than a reunion with someone we not on- ly feel we know but want to know. James Lee Burke has this un- common talent, a gift he demon- strates as he transports readers for the third time into the world and life of ex-New Orleans cop, Dave Robichaud in Black Cherry Biues (Little-Brown; 290 pp.; $21.95 in hardcover). Robichaud’s home is a ram- MIKE STEELE book review shackle huddle of weathered buildings deep in the steamy heart of Louisiana’s bayou country, a landscape as complex and multi- faceted as Robichaud himself. The former detective ekes out a meagre living from a bait and boat-rental business on the edge of the bass- and cypress-filled swamps where his ancestors sought refuge in the 18th century. Now they serve as another kind of refuge as Robichaud struggles with the memories of his wife’s violent death, alcoholism and the respon- sibility of raising Alafair, his adopted Salvadorian daughter. Life may not be too exciting these days, especially for a man once immersed in the vitality of PITA the Big Easy, but the quiet rhythm of days filled with mechanical, undemanding routine and nights punctuated only by the sound of nocturnal insects is all Robichaud seeks. This healing stillness is shattered with the sudden return of a childhood friend, a man dancing a deadly tango with ruthless oil in- terests, the Mafia and his own greed. Robichaud is dragged into Dixie Lee Pugh’s problems against his will and better judgment and finds himself plunged into a morass of intrigue and murder as treacherous and unforgiving as the bayous themselves. Accused of beating an oil com- pany’s strongarm man to death, Robichaud has two choices: give up and lose his daughter, his live- lihood and his freedom or un- tangle the intricate web of crooked land deals spun by the mob and business interests. The choice is an obvious one, but by attempting to clear himself, Robichaud gambles for the highest stakes in his life as he and his daughter risk becoming targets of an opposition that believes in burying its mistakes. The trail leads from the tranquil! backroads of rural Louisiana to the wind-swept eastern slopes of the Rockies in Montana’s Blackfoot country, a long way from home for Robichaud and his Cajun patois- speaking little girl. It’s also a long way fror:, .ome for the determin- ed contract killer who stalks them. Unilike the majority of characters in detective stories, Robichaud doesn’t have unlimited resources, financial or otherwise. This is a single parent who worries about the kinds of things that concern all single parents: his daughter's education, her diet, her clothing; a S MEXICAN RESTAURANT COME CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S YOUR CHOICE OF APPETIZER Ceviche De Almejas or Avocado & Shrimp Caesar Salad e 1 Medaltion of Tenderloin in white wine sauce served with red peppers. “Patatas Bravas” and Ratatouille of Vegetables or 2, Fresh Boneless BC Salmon with Jumbo Prawns served with nce pilat and Ratatouille of Vegetables or 3 Boneless Breast of Chicken stutted with mushrooms. ham cheese and nuts pate served with “Bananas Fritas’ and Ratatouille of Vegeiables DI Copa “Pepitas” cr Amaretto Cassata s2qvs Favors. Cattee, Glass of Champagne | — BOOK EARLY! 180 WEsplanade, N.Van. 980-2405 AMERICAN AUTHOR James Lee Burke brings readers a third novel in the Dave Robichaud series and, as usual, shows his talent for portray- 27 - Wednesday, December 27, 1989 - North Shore News come to life ing characters as flesh-and-klood people with real human concerns. temporary home, a babysitter and stretching pennies to make ends meet. He dwells constantly on her welfare, mindful of the violence in her young life that tore her from her natural parents and her adopted mother. And maybe this is Burke’s secret: a knack for portraying his characters as flesh-and-blood people with typical human con- cerns and all too typical weaknesses and doubts as to the wisdom of their courses of action. in the final analysis this is why Burke succeeds: he writes about people for people. Any heroism is the product of necessity in the face of adversity; ordinary people are confronted by extraordinary and possibly insurmountable obstacles but persevere anyway because they have no other choice. Those unacquainted with Burke’s Dave Robichaud novels dohave a choice though: read Black Chervy Blues first and then its two predecessors (The Neon Rain and Heaven's Prisoners) or enjoy them in sequence. Either way it’s a Cajun feast for the uninitiated. Next Week BOOKS NOW explores the ex- otic locales of the Himalayas with reviews of Elaine Brook’s Land of The Snow Lion — An Adventure in Tibet and a spectacular new coffee table title, Kathmandu — City On The Edge of The World by Thomas Kelly and Patricia Roberts. Our bar is stocked with luscious watermelon. Crisp cantaloupe and fresh vegetables. Also included, hor pasta and soup bar. Naturally, it’s Sizzler’s All You-Can-Eat Fresh Fruit & Salad Bar. And grill means large and lean 7 ounce Sizzler’s Sirloin Steak cut fresh daily. Then broiled to order. So bring your family to Sizzler, where bar and grill takes on a fresh new flavor. Sizzler A fresh experience. Sizzler Sirloin Steak & All-You-Can-Eat Salad Bar $ 1099 Open Tam Harry — offer ends Jan, 7/90 Licensed Westview Shopping Centre 20% Seniors Discount Ait Day Tues lay Upper Levels Highway at Westview Drive