Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Mysterious Press (2001), Edition: First Edition, 319 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: Hap and Leonard is now a Sundance TV series starring James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams. Hap Collins and Leonard Pine find mucho trouble, this time in Mexico, when they come face to face with a nudist mobster, his seven-foot strong-arm, a octogenarian knife-touting fisherman, and, somehow, an armadillo. When Hap Collins saves the life of his employer's daughter, he is rewarded with a Caribbean Cruise, and he convinces his best friend Leonard Pine to come along. However, when the cruise sails on without them, stranding them in Playa del Carmen with nothing but their misfortune and Leonard's new ridiculous hat, the two quickly find themselves drawn into a vicious web of sordid violence. When they return to East Texas, they find that trouble has beaten them back, and when trouble's around it doesn't take long for Hap and Leonard to find it..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member regularguy5mb
I just love the way Lansdale writes, especially the way his characters interact with one another. It comes off as very conversational, even if it is a bit crude at times, but then again, so are the characters.
This was my second book by Lansdale, and my first Hap and Leonard. I got this particular
I would put this, and probably most of the Hap and Leonard series, in the same category as Freezer Burn, fun but dark. Hap Collins and Leonard Pine are two of the unluckiest fellows you're likely to meet, if their past adventures are any indication. Just reading Hap's summary of the previous stories makes you feel like buying the poor guy a drink, and maybe something stronger to put him out of his misery. As this one opens, Hap and Leonard are working night security at a chicken plant. Things are going fine until Hap leaves work one night only to come across a wild-man absolutely destroying an innocent girl. Fortunately for the girl, Hap steps in.
From those humble beginnings, we are lead down the path of the lives of Hap and Leonard, two best friends with some of the worst luck. Not even a vacation can be simple for these two, as they are unfortunate enough to find out.
If I had to describe this book to someone, I think the phrase "quintessential Texas" might come up. I mean, having grown up in the South, even as far north as I am from Texas, I've known plenty of people like Hap, Leonard, Brett, Jim Bob, and Charlie. Maybe it's because of that, and the natural way Lansdale has of picking up Hap's narrative from the previous books, I feel like I'm just catching up with old friends. Even without reading any of the previous five Hap and Leonard novels, I understand these two and the world they are coming from as if I was there from the start. Which I will be, as soon as I can read the other books in this series. Hap gives just enough detail of those previous adventures to spark interest without ruining them for someone who came in mid-read like I did.
This was my second book by Lansdale, and my first Hap and Leonard. I got this particular
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book when I unexpectedly met Mr. Lansdale at a horror convention a few years ago (it was 2009 or 2010, can't remember exactly which). I had first come across him as a writer when I found a Tarzan story he had written, The Lost Adventure. I have yet to read that, but I bought it on the spot. I then got to meet him at Horrorfind, where I bought this one (at the time, the most recent book he had released) and had him sign it (which is always great, but unfortunate if you've changed your name since). Since then, I have only had the chance to read one other Lansdale book, a one-off called Freezer Burn that is a fun, but dark read.I would put this, and probably most of the Hap and Leonard series, in the same category as Freezer Burn, fun but dark. Hap Collins and Leonard Pine are two of the unluckiest fellows you're likely to meet, if their past adventures are any indication. Just reading Hap's summary of the previous stories makes you feel like buying the poor guy a drink, and maybe something stronger to put him out of his misery. As this one opens, Hap and Leonard are working night security at a chicken plant. Things are going fine until Hap leaves work one night only to come across a wild-man absolutely destroying an innocent girl. Fortunately for the girl, Hap steps in.
From those humble beginnings, we are lead down the path of the lives of Hap and Leonard, two best friends with some of the worst luck. Not even a vacation can be simple for these two, as they are unfortunate enough to find out.
If I had to describe this book to someone, I think the phrase "quintessential Texas" might come up. I mean, having grown up in the South, even as far north as I am from Texas, I've known plenty of people like Hap, Leonard, Brett, Jim Bob, and Charlie. Maybe it's because of that, and the natural way Lansdale has of picking up Hap's narrative from the previous books, I feel like I'm just catching up with old friends. Even without reading any of the previous five Hap and Leonard novels, I understand these two and the world they are coming from as if I was there from the start. Which I will be, as soon as I can read the other books in this series. Hap gives just enough detail of those previous adventures to spark interest without ruining them for someone who came in mid-read like I did.
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LibraryThing member ragwaine
I went into this without any idea what it was about. I didn't even know that it was a series and that this was book 6. I also didn't know that there was a TV show made about this series. The only thing that I knew was that I had read 3 or 4 books by Lansdale and enjoyed all of them.
In the beginning
So basically, if you like "Average Joe, who has kicked plenty of ass in his day, meets people in bad situations with hardened criminals" then this is for you. Especially because it's gritty and realistic (most of the time) and the good guys don't always win.
In the beginning
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I was thinking that this was going to be a kind of "backwoods" Supernatural, but no supernatural/fantastic elements (I thought someone was possessed when they were really just on drugs). So that was kind of disappointing, because I love fantasy and sci-fi. Fortunately the kind of boring plot was made up for with amazing characters. Being an audio book helped too, since the narrator was great.So basically, if you like "Average Joe, who has kicked plenty of ass in his day, meets people in bad situations with hardened criminals" then this is for you. Especially because it's gritty and realistic (most of the time) and the good guys don't always win.
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LibraryThing member asxz
Unrelentingly vulgar, violent and fun. It seems like Hap and Leonard might be settling down. You have to figure that might not turn out so great for their respective partners.
LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
Hap and Leonard on a cruise? And without Bob the armadillo? C’mon...
But Jim Bob Luke does show up ‘bout half way in, so that made my heart pitter patter!
Lots of stuff going on in Mexico in this one. Lots of messy killings. But what sets these books apart is the dialogue and the witty banter,
But Jim Bob Luke does show up ‘bout half way in, so that made my heart pitter patter!
Lots of stuff going on in Mexico in this one. Lots of messy killings. But what sets these books apart is the dialogue and the witty banter,
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often full of foul, graphic language. I just love it! Hap and Leonard books just hit the right spot in me, and this one is no exception! Thanks Mr. Lansdale! Show Less
LibraryThing member MiaCulpa
Another barnstorming adventure featuring Hap and Leonard, Joe R. Lansdale's blue collar couling of white liberal anti-Vietnam war protester and black gay conservative Vietnam vet. Getting into more scrapes than strictly necessary, the ultra violence mixed with the sparkling dialogue make a great
In this entry, Hap stops a brutal bashing and is awarded a cruise for two as thanks. He takes Leonard but things soon go pearshaped as they are wont to do with these two. Lots of fun.
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addition to any crime library.In this entry, Hap stops a brutal bashing and is awarded a cruise for two as thanks. He takes Leonard but things soon go pearshaped as they are wont to do with these two. Lots of fun.
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LibraryThing member bjkelley
I've seen Joe R Lansdale mentioned as a master storyteller. That pretty much sums it up. A great tale with great characters and as I have said previously, words don't get in the way of the story, they only add to the story. A master of his craft.
LibraryThing member bjkelley
The usual good plot and great characters. Can't go wrong with Joe R Lansdale.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001
ISBN
0892967285 / 9780892967285