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Writer and editor Home > Blogs > Brain Droppings > Archives > 2005 > October > 11 > Entry
Happy birthday, Elmore Leonard!
Blow out 80 … yes, crime lovers and smart readers … 80 candles today for the esteemed Mr. Elmore Leonard. If you already know the guy, then you share in my delight that he’s still around with his mind, voice, imagination and writing skills as deft and sharp as ever … evidenced by his newest novel, the terrific “The Hot Kid,” which came out this summer and provided one of the season’s best reads in any genre… not that old Dutch can’t still defy and bend genre, which he did once again with this dazzling adventure.
If you don’t know Leonard, lucky you … for that means you have miles and miles of wonderful reading ahead. I strongly advise, as any other EL reader and fan would, to get yer butt in gear and get started ASAP.
He’s mostly a crime writer in that he chooses the lives and weird misdeeds of crooks and the men and woman who chase them as the basic material for his stories. But he basically is a spinner of yarns and a wry observer of humanity, personality and the split-second decisions that people make that can alter their lives, and others’ lives, forever.
“The Hot Kid” was about gunrunnin’ outlaws and bankrobbers in 1930s Oklahoma, the hotshot crime reporter who covered them and the cool, even-tempered US marshal who was on their trail… Paths cross, plots enmesh and the fun never lets up. It’s a smashing book.
And it’s typical Elmore. Where to begin if you are a neophyte? I’d stay “Get Shorty,” which is even better than the very good movie that was made from it. “Rum Punch,” “Glitz” and “Killshot” all work well, too. They move from the neon streets of Miami and LA to the nasty back alleys of Detroit (Leonard’s hometown), Atlantic City and points in between… gangsters, shylocks, killers, cops, feds, judges, bail bondsmen, bounty hunters, Mafiasi… all there.
Have fun. Happy birthday, once again, to Mr. L.
And what the hell are you still doing sitting there? Get to the library or bookstore NOW! Haven’t you been listening???????
Comments
By susan
October 12, 2005 12:30 PM | Link to this
‘dumb criminal yarns’ …?! those are perfectly crafted gems, young man. leonard just makes it look effortless. besides, who wants to read goethe or herman melville all the time.By doug
October 12, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this
I have read every Elmore Leonard since his earliest stuff. One to keep on the list of best Elmore’s is Cuba Libre…a total departure from his typical dumb criminal yarns, this story about life in Cuba is tops!By ron
October 11, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this
ahhhhh, i love a challenge… ok, good question… mebbe can’t get it down to just 10… but tune in tomw and i’ll give you 15. thanks for the question!By susan
October 11, 2005 7:01 PM | Link to this
“Killshot” has been on my top ten for so long I’m going to retire it to my Fiction Hall of Fame. What I love the most about Leonard is how he can capture his characters pitch perfect, regardless of ethnic or gender background. And then there are the stories … my goodness, the stories … Say, there’s a question … what’s your Fiction Hall of Fame, Rollins?