"I have too much to read, and too little time, to want to waste my life away being bored." Well said, Terry, and a great quote for a t-shirt. Maybe you and Elaine could open an online shop and sell merchandise with your drawings and quotations on them. I would be a customer. P.S. I enjoyed all of this post!
Elmore Leonard is one of my all-time favorites. He lived his entire life in greater Detroit and most of his stories are set in this gritty atmosphere and the swanky surrounding suburbs. His ear for dialog is unmatched and his humor is subtle and sometimes ironic. Several of his books were made into movies: "Get Shorty" for one.
Leonard's longtime researcher, Greg Sutter, has his own Substack where he shares stories of "Dutch" (Leonard's nickname) along with video clips from interviews and readings. It's a rabbit hole worth diving into.
I have never seen Get Shorty, but know the title. Didn't know that was Leonard's. Thanks for the information. Just subscribed to Greg's. Any novels you would especially recommend, Jim?
They are all great in my opinion but one of his most memorable openings is in "Freaky Deaky." The premise is wild and the dialog, especially between the two bomb squad officers, is just a riot.
Well, I’ve started both, and they’re both interesting, but in different ways. So I don’t thiink it matters which order you read them in if you buy both. I think I am probably going to continue with La Brava for now, mainly because the image and back story are quite intriguing.
I looked that up — thanks! Great stuff. I shall use it in my writing course. I like his summing up: if it sounds like writing, start again. My philosphy exactly, though I don’t always manage to live by it.
"I have too much to read, and too little time, to want to waste my life away being bored." Well said, Terry, and a great quote for a t-shirt. Maybe you and Elaine could open an online shop and sell merchandise with your drawings and quotations on them. I would be a customer. P.S. I enjoyed all of this post!
LOL Thanks, Mary!
Elmore Leonard is one of my all-time favorites. He lived his entire life in greater Detroit and most of his stories are set in this gritty atmosphere and the swanky surrounding suburbs. His ear for dialog is unmatched and his humor is subtle and sometimes ironic. Several of his books were made into movies: "Get Shorty" for one.
Leonard's longtime researcher, Greg Sutter, has his own Substack where he shares stories of "Dutch" (Leonard's nickname) along with video clips from interviews and readings. It's a rabbit hole worth diving into.
I have never seen Get Shorty, but know the title. Didn't know that was Leonard's. Thanks for the information. Just subscribed to Greg's. Any novels you would especially recommend, Jim?
They are all great in my opinion but one of his most memorable openings is in "Freaky Deaky." The premise is wild and the dialog, especially between the two bomb squad officers, is just a riot.
Thanks, Jim. Sounds great.
Interesting stuff here. I may give Elmore Leonard a try.
I don’t think you would be disappointed if you like that sort of thing.
I have a new word persiflage, love it thank you Terry and great reviews xx
Ha Ha! It’ts a great word, isn’t it, Jo? Thanks for kind words about my reviews 🙂
Elmore wins. I was looking for a page turner. Which one first is the question.
There are plenty. See my response to Terry for some good starters.
And Jim’s response. This is going to keep me busy for some time.
Well, I’ve started both, and they’re both interesting, but in different ways. So I don’t thiink it matters which order you read them in if you buy both. I think I am probably going to continue with La Brava for now, mainly because the image and back story are quite intriguing.
Although not my taste for summer reading, these are very excellent journalistic examples of how to summarize book content
ooh, thank you, Jill 🫡
I envy you, just discovering the greatness of Elmore Leonard! I too was once a Chandler purist before Leonard. Enjoy and savor!
Thanks, Cary. Which other Leonard ones would you recommend?
There are so many really good ones, and I haven’t read any of the Westerns. I’ve always liked Maximum Bob, Glitz, Freaky Deaky, and 52-Pickup.
I think you’ll also enjoy Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing. Short and not always sweet!
I looked that up — thanks! Great stuff. I shall use it in my writing course. I like his summing up: if it sounds like writing, start again. My philosphy exactly, though I don’t always manage to live by it.