Date: 11 April 2011, 03:16
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"Another Life" is the concluding chapter in the long novel that has been Andrew Vachss's Burke series, and will be no disappointment to those who have been following the story since 1985's "Flood." On the contrary, the book is the quintessence of what Burke tales have always been. There is a puzzle to be solved, the investigation of which stretches throughout the book, taking Burke and the reader into areas of society that are tough to visit even through the filter of "fiction." There are the vivid characterizations and relationships between the main characters of Burke's crew, relationships that have grown deeper with every book. There are the frequent asides and soliloquies on contemporary life and society that I've always found as fascinating as the actual plots. And there is a climax that serves as a textbook definition of the perfect ending: surprising but inevitable in retrospect. Add to all of these qualities the emotional resonance that comes with knowing that this is the last time we'll ever be able to walk with these characters, and "Another Life" is a gem, a novel that lets us look back to Burke's past and ahead to whatever future we can imagine for him and his family of choice. At once valedictory, heart-breaking, uplifting, and deeply satisfying, readers who have vicariously shared Burke's life for nearly a quarter century should no sooner miss this final chapter than the Prof should speak two sentences in a row without a rhyme. Like Mr. Henry says, "Only thing that's true is what you do," and what you've got to do is read this one. It rings true and clear as always, and for the last time...
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