Rain Gods
Gladestry: Scorpion Press, 2009. Limited Signed Numbered Edition. Hard cover. Fine / No dust jacket issued. Item #5330
ISBN: 9781873567913
An absolutely beautiful edition of James Lee Burke’s “Rain Gods.” This is no. 71 of a very limited 80 published editions, signed by the author on the limitation page. Portishead based Scorpion Press released this title in 2009, quarter-bound in leather with unusual marble boards and finished with the top edges of the text block dyed a rich saffron yellow. In Fine condition, appears unread and with no discernible flaws of any kind. A finely produced book in collectible condition. Copies of this edition appear to have become quite scarce.
Burke’s dark, biblical story features Texas Sheriff Hackberry Holland, a sober aging man in his 70’s, tending to his garden in the early mornings to try to keep his demons under control, and confronting a grisly series of murders near the Texas-Mexico border, whose stark violence pushes his faith in justice and endurance after a lifetime of his own trauma and darkness. Fans of Cormac McCarthy’s “No Country for Old Men” may genuinely enjoy this title.
Burke discussed “Rain Gods” on NPR’S Morning Edition on August 10, 2009, where he explored his creepy antagonist, Preacher Jack, “who has all the appearances of a sociopath…a driven man who believes he’s part of a Biblical drama…He’s the most intriguing villain I’ve written.” Burke also discussed writing about Texas and how the landscape became its own character in the novel: “There’s something about the American Southwest that’s enchanting, it’s magical, it’s the correspondent of the Mid East, and it’s biblical in its landscape…it’s funny how many Texas towns have the names of ancient cities. And for me it’s the perfect backdrop to a biblical story."
Price: $200.00 other currencies