Burke Series
Encyclopedia
The Burke Series is an 18-book fiction
series written by Andrew Vachss
, centered around a man named Burke
and his battle against child abuse
rs. The series is written from Burke's perspective in the first person.
The first book, Flood, was published in 1985; the 18th and final novel, Another Life, was published in December, 2008.
was abandoned at an early age by a mother he barely remembers and a father he never met. He was passed around from surrogate home to surrogate through his early years. It is revealed that Burke was abused in the various homes he went to, severely scarring his mental state.
In his teenage years, Burke lived on the streets with gangs of other abandoned, abused children. Throughout the series Burke describes those days as when he was a cowboy. Burke states he always intended to die robbing a convenience store or in a gang war
.
The Prof teaches Burke a philosophy that Burke operates by for the rest of his life: Survive. The Prof shows Burke how to stay alive without fighting, how to use knowledge, any knowledge he can get, to have at his disposal. Burke takes this to heart, reads the entire prison library, and when he is released from prison before the Prof, Burke waits for his mentor and picks him up when he himself is released.
Burke also meets and adopts as his brother a man known as Max the Silent (sometimes extended to Max the Silent, widowmaking wind of death). Max is a Mongolian
warrior, and is deaf and mute
.
Burke comes to know another man known as the Mole, an anti-Nazi Jew who specializes in bombs, weaponry, breaking and entering, chemistry, and computer hacking. The Mole is associated with Michelle, a transsexual woman who teaches Burke social skills, and Terry, a young man Burke had once rescued from a pimp
and his abusive bio-family, whom Michelle and the Mole have adopted and are teaching their skills.
Burke moves on to a career of hijacking after his first release from prison, and after a crooked deal with a gang Burke ends up holding off the police with a crate full of grenades in an abandoned subway tunnel in order to give his brothers (Max, the Prof, and the Mole) time to escape.
During his second prison sentence, Burke states he "finds the freaks". Burke becomes intensely aware of child abuse and the scars it leaves upon a youth's mind. Burke spends this prison sentence "studying" the freaks, and when he is released he becomes an unlicensed private investigator
. He spends considerable resources and effort to live "off the radar," with multiple false identities. He mentions a man who he pays to file false payroll and income taxes on his behalf.
Burke begins to battle child abuse, assists (a few) police in locating runaway girls, takes on cases (for generous amounts of money), runs fake subscriptions for kiddie porn in order to keep a list of known freaks, steals, extorts, blackmails and anything else he can do to remain anonymous from police
but still make a difference and, in is own way, find vengeance for the misdeeds committed to him as a child.
he has raised from puppyhood. She is a robust, ice cream and Chinese food eating blue Neo. For Vachss fans, Pansy and Burke are both icons for "The Children of the Secret". Pansy is modeled after Vachss' own blue Neo mastiff, named "Gussie".
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
series written by Andrew Vachss
Andrew Vachss
Andrew Henry Vachss is an American crime fiction author, child protection consultant, and attorney exclusively representing children and youths...
, centered around a man named Burke
Burke (character)
Burke is the protagonist of the Burke Series by Andrew Vachss.He is a career criminal, an orphan raised by the State who was abused throughout his childhood in state institutions and foster homes. Burke lives in New York City, always on the edges of society...
and his battle against child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
rs. The series is written from Burke's perspective in the first person.
The first book, Flood, was published in 1985; the 18th and final novel, Another Life, was published in December, 2008.
Childhood/early years
BurkeBurke (character)
Burke is the protagonist of the Burke Series by Andrew Vachss.He is a career criminal, an orphan raised by the State who was abused throughout his childhood in state institutions and foster homes. Burke lives in New York City, always on the edges of society...
was abandoned at an early age by a mother he barely remembers and a father he never met. He was passed around from surrogate home to surrogate through his early years. It is revealed that Burke was abused in the various homes he went to, severely scarring his mental state.
In his teenage years, Burke lived on the streets with gangs of other abandoned, abused children. Throughout the series Burke describes those days as when he was a cowboy. Burke states he always intended to die robbing a convenience store or in a gang war
Gang War
Gang War is a 1928 gangster film, best known for being the main feature attached to Steamboat Willie, the debut of Mickey Mouse in sound. The film starred Jack Pickford in his last major role, as "Clyde", a saxophone player whose love for a dancer named Flowers traps him in the middle of a gang war...
.
Prison sentences/creating family of choice
Burke went to prison twice, and in prison found friends that become part of his Family of Choice. Of the several lifelong companions, Burke finds a fatherly figure, known as the Prof, in his first stay in prison. The name is short for both Professor and Prophet, depending on who's listening.The Prof teaches Burke a philosophy that Burke operates by for the rest of his life: Survive. The Prof shows Burke how to stay alive without fighting, how to use knowledge, any knowledge he can get, to have at his disposal. Burke takes this to heart, reads the entire prison library, and when he is released from prison before the Prof, Burke waits for his mentor and picks him up when he himself is released.
Burke also meets and adopts as his brother a man known as Max the Silent (sometimes extended to Max the Silent, widowmaking wind of death). Max is a Mongolian
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
warrior, and is deaf and mute
Muteness
Muteness or mutism is an inability to speak caused by a speech disorder. The term originates from the Latin word mutus, meaning "silent".-Causes:...
.
Burke comes to know another man known as the Mole, an anti-Nazi Jew who specializes in bombs, weaponry, breaking and entering, chemistry, and computer hacking. The Mole is associated with Michelle, a transsexual woman who teaches Burke social skills, and Terry, a young man Burke had once rescued from a pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
and his abusive bio-family, whom Michelle and the Mole have adopted and are teaching their skills.
Burke moves on to a career of hijacking after his first release from prison, and after a crooked deal with a gang Burke ends up holding off the police with a crate full of grenades in an abandoned subway tunnel in order to give his brothers (Max, the Prof, and the Mole) time to escape.
During his second prison sentence, Burke states he "finds the freaks". Burke becomes intensely aware of child abuse and the scars it leaves upon a youth's mind. Burke spends this prison sentence "studying" the freaks, and when he is released he becomes an unlicensed private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
. He spends considerable resources and effort to live "off the radar," with multiple false identities. He mentions a man who he pays to file false payroll and income taxes on his behalf.
Burke begins to battle child abuse, assists (a few) police in locating runaway girls, takes on cases (for generous amounts of money), runs fake subscriptions for kiddie porn in order to keep a list of known freaks, steals, extorts, blackmails and anything else he can do to remain anonymous from police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
but still make a difference and, in is own way, find vengeance for the misdeeds committed to him as a child.
Pansy
Dogs have been a critical part of the Burke series. Burke shares his life with Pansy, a Neapolitan MastiffNeapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff, Italian Mastiff, is a large, ancient dog breed. This massive breed is often used as a guard and defender of family and property due to their protective instincts and their fearsome appearance....
he has raised from puppyhood. She is a robust, ice cream and Chinese food eating blue Neo. For Vachss fans, Pansy and Burke are both icons for "The Children of the Secret". Pansy is modeled after Vachss' own blue Neo mastiff, named "Gussie".
Synopsis
- Flood (1985)
- Strega (1987)
- Blue Belle (1988)
- Hard Candy (1989)
- Blossom (1990)
- Sacrifice (1991)
- Down in the Zero (1994)
- Footsteps of the Hawk (1995)
- False Allegations (1996)
- Safe House (1998)
- Choice of Evil (1999)
- Dead and Gone (2000)
- Pain Management (2001)
- Only Child (2002)
- Down Here (2004)
- Mask Market (2006)
- Terminal (2007)
- Another Life (Dec. 30, 2008)