Sandi K W. (Sandiinmississippi) reviewed The Bayou Trilogy: Under the Bright Lights / Muscle for the Wing / The Ones You Do (Rene Shade, Bks 1-3) on + 265 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a really satisfying read, but perhaps I simply didn't like the setting of the bayou as well as I do Woodrell's books about the mountains. The characters are memorable but feel a little overworked in spots. Nearly every page has some little nugget of beautiful phrasing and all 3 of the stories about grifters, drunks, and small-time criminals and their loved ones ring true. There were a couple specific spots (like the female snake hunt story) which didn't seem to advance the plot nor to fit within the realm of likelihood, but overall were entertaining. The man writes a really fine book of the absurd and makes the people come alive and seem quite reasonable in their life choices!
