> I haven't had good luck with Leonard. I attempted
reading something
> called GET SHORTY a long time ago and couldn't even
finish it. And
> that's unusual for me. I finish nine out of ten that
I start. A year or
so
> ago I read 52 PICKUP, and I thought it was better
but nothing really
> special.
>
> I'm ready to give him another shot. I've got
KILLSHOT, STICK, and
> UNKNOWN MAN #89. Which of these would you
recommend?
>
> Thanks, miker
>
Stick - that's the book that got me interested in this whole
area of literature. It may be that Leonard's influence has
been so immense that it's hard now to see how original he
was. Also you have indeed been a little unlucky in your
choices so far - the two you've read effectively bracket his
great period. The overrated Get Shorty was the first book to
show Leonard resting on his laurels, while the faintly
misogynist 52 Pick-Up was written just before he really got
into his stride. Unknown Man is pretty good early Leonard -
his only PI novel I think. Killshot is definitely
minor.
John
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