Jesus Out to Sea - Paperback

Award-Winning Short Story Collection Set in Post-Hurricane Katrina Gulf Coast

INCLUDES THE STORY "WINTER LIGHT," THE BASIS FOR THE FILM GOD'S COUNTRY STARRING THANDIWE NEWTON

James Lee Burke, New York Times bestselling author and two-time Edgar Award winner, delivers ten powerful short stories that capture the human experience against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina's devastation in Louisiana and Mississippi. This collection showcases Burke's signature lyrical prose and complex character development that has made him one of America's most acclaimed contemporary fiction writers.

Stories That Span the Human Experience

Each story in this collection explores different facets of life in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. Burke examines love, sex, domestic abuse, war, death, and friendship through the lens of characters navigating both natural disaster and personal turmoil. The devastated landscape serves as more than just setting—it becomes a character itself, reflecting the internal struggles of Burke's richly drawn protagonists.

From Page to Screen

The story "Winter Light" from this collection was adapted into the film God's Country, starring Thandiwe Newton. This adaptation brought Burke's compelling narrative and complex characters to a wider audience, demonstrating the cinematic quality of his storytelling.

About James Lee Burke

James Lee Burke has authored forty novels and two short story collections throughout his distinguished career. As a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in Fiction and winner of multiple Edgar Awards, Burke has established himself as a master of both crime fiction and literary storytelling. His work consistently appears on the New York Times bestseller list, and he continues to write from his home in Missoula, Montana.

Why Readers Choose This Collection

This paperback edition from Simon & Schuster combines gripping storytelling with literary merit. Burke's ability to marry compelling plots with lyrical writing creates stories that resonate long after reading. The Gulf Coast setting provides authentic Southern atmosphere while the universal themes of human resilience and connection make these stories accessible to readers nationwide.

Published in 2007, this collection captures a pivotal moment in American history while exploring timeless aspects of the human condition. Whether you're a longtime fan of James Lee Burke's work or discovering his writing for the first time, Jesus Out to Sea offers a powerful reading experience that showcases why Burke remains one of contemporary fiction's most respected voices.