This one's a really intersting one for me. Going back in time, I read a string of Hap and Leonard books and absolutely loved them. The characters and the levels of connection I felt with them, as well as the tight action, had me riveted to the pages.
I recently decided that I should check out the first book in the Hap and Leonard series, Savage Season, drawn in just like I was with Mucho Mojo et al with its crazy cartoon cover and twisted font when I saw it on the shelf.
Hap and Leonard are going about their business and just about keeping their heads above water, when in walks Trudy. Trudy's an ex of Hap's and his huge attraction to her and the memories he holds of their relationship are his own form of Kryptonite. Back when they were an item, they were idealistic youngsters hoping to change the world by any means necessary.
As it turns out, Trudy's re-appearance is no accident. She's after Hap to find some money for her. It's stolen money and it's likely to be at the bottom of a river somewhere, but if he can locate it, he'll get a cut and that will be the end of it.
Hap deals Leonard in and the pair set off with a set of diving equipment on a hiding to nothing.
Which is when they meet the rest of Trudy's team, a bunch of revolutionaries who never grew out of their ideals and didn't manage to come to much of anything between them. Their plan is to retrieve the money to fund an operation that they hope will bring meaning to their empty lives.
The chemistry of the group is odd and Hap and Leonard's addition sets off a set of reactions that create a whole lot of friction.
The funny thing about Savage Season is that, if I'd actually started with this book, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have moved on to any of the others. For me, it lacks energy for too long. The first half is slow and lacks interest. It picks up as the search for the money finally gets underway and definitely kicks off in an exciting way for an explosive final fifth, but it's not quite enough of a payoff.
I'm not sure whether the book doens't measure up to the others because I've changed or because the books got better as Mr Lansdale got to know his creations, or whether I'm simply wrong, so I'd be interested to hear what you think. Let me know in the comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment