GET SHORTY - Elmore Leonard

Chili Palmer is a Miami-based, mob-connected loan shark. He's getting a little tired of the Florida scene and so, after chasing a deadbeat who's trying to avoid paying his dues, all the way out to Hollywood, Chili finds that the Hollywood lifestyle suits him just fine and he might as well stay.

Chili is a man of opportunity and when he sees how Hollywood works - how you can talk people into giving money for the chance to produce a movie, he sees an opportunity and becomes a movie producer, with all the expected gains and consequences for a man who is much more used to taking than actually doing.

Yes, this is the book upon which the movie (starring John Travolta and Danny Devito) was based. No, I never saw the movie so I wasn't tainted by any possible differences.

As much as I love old pulp-style fiction, I've not read any Elmore Leonard (except maybe a couple of westerns many years ago), which is why I was interested in reading this reissued book.

The book really hinges on the character of Chili. I do tend to like character-driven novels but it requires a connection (not necessarily a 'like') with the main character. That connection will be different for different people, of course, but I never found that connection. Mostly I think this is because I don't understand what motivates Chili. I get that he's after easy money, but his decision to follow a scumbag across the country for money doesn't sound like 'easy' money. 

I also don't understand his status. Is he high level, mid-level, low level mob? Low level acting high level? Is he independent or working for someone? He's such an enigma that he comes uninteresting. I don't care about him. I don't care if he succeeds or fails and the manner in which either happens isn't as interesting as it should be.

I liked Leonard's writing, his wordsmithing and plotting. But in this instance, I didn't care for the character-building. This book would not, by itself, draw me into reading more. 

This reissue that I received includes some extra material that is not only interesting, but invaluable, especially to budding authors. Leonard shares his tips on writing in an essay titled It It Sounds Like Writing, Rewrite It. It is superior. There is also the transcript of an interview he did, as well as a selected filmography and bibliography of his crime novels and his westerns. Fans should definitely take note.

Looking for a good book? Get Shorty is a modern classic by Elmore Leonard. It does not stand up well, to this reader.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

* * * * * *

Get Shorty

author: Elmore Leonard

series: Chili Palmer #1

publisher: HarperCollins HarperTorch

ISBN: 9780060082161

paperback, 384 pages

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