Hello again, agents. And thank you for
stopping by for today's briefing today, I thought we would discuss what should
be (if it isn't already). A modern classic of the Western detective genre,
which is "Pronto" by Elmore Leonard, this is the first book of the
series that has discussed below in inspired the critically acclaimed TV series
"Justified" after watching the entire series (again, as discussed
below). I decided that I was still in the mood for stories where justice is
served (even if it is from the barrel of a gun) and the bad guys get what they
deserve. Especially corrupt politicians (insert any name you wish here), and I
must say these stories are definitely captivating. I almost wanted to run out
and buy a Stetson and a pair of boots from the very first line I was absolutely
absorbed in the story and felt like I was the deputy following Marshal Givens
on the trail of the fugitive. If you are in for an action-packed adventure,
where justice is served and the white hat always wins. Or are feeling nostalgic
for a good Western, I definitely suggest giving this book a try. I highly doubt
you'll be disappointed...
I recently finished (binge-watching
FX's series Justified (because I didn't watch it when it was new. And I
couldn't find anything better on Amazon prime video not to mention I just
recently realized that Elmore Leonard wrote 310 to Yuma, which is one of my
favorite Western movies), and decided it might be fun to extend my binge by
reading the Elmore Leonard books that inspired the series. I figured I'd start
out with Pronto, the first novel to feature stetson-wearing Federal
Marshal Raylan Givens, native of Harlan County and veteran of the Kentucky
mines.
The novel ends where the series begins, with the “justified” shooting of a mobster at an outdoor cafe in Miami. The book begins in Miami too, but it has to travel to Italy and back again in order to return to the place where it started.
At first, when the novel begins, it doesn't seem to be about Raylan Givens at all. It is the story of Harry Arno, a bookie on the run from both the Feds and the mob, but mostly on the run from the mob, which of course is trying to kill him. Marshal Givens soon takes Harry into custody, but Harry tricks Raylan and gets away. Where has Harry gone? Raylan has a hunch, for he remembers something Harry once said to him years ago.
This book was my first exposure to Elmore Leonard's literary works, and I must say I will be reading as many of these books as I can find in the near future. He is so good that he habitually makes his writing do at least two things at once. For example, when he describes a person, he makes that description part of a dialogue in which one character is describing this particular person to another. (For example, Joyce, Harry's ex-stripper girlfriend, describes Raylan, who she has seen in the hotel lobby, to Harry.) The reader gets a description, but he also benefits from the further development of two additional characters, all at the same time.
You Justified fans want to know, though: is this Raylan really the same Raylan? Well, he's got two little boys, Wynona and he are definitely not getting back together, and the brim if his stetson is narrower in the books (a “businessman's stetson” they call it). Otherwise, he is pretty much the same, and you ladies can always imagine he looks just like Timothy Olyphant if you want to.
Pronto is an exciting thriller, full of interesting people, wisecracks, subterfuge and gun play. If I were you, I'd give it a try, whether you are a Justified fan or not.
The novel ends where the series begins, with the “justified” shooting of a mobster at an outdoor cafe in Miami. The book begins in Miami too, but it has to travel to Italy and back again in order to return to the place where it started.
At first, when the novel begins, it doesn't seem to be about Raylan Givens at all. It is the story of Harry Arno, a bookie on the run from both the Feds and the mob, but mostly on the run from the mob, which of course is trying to kill him. Marshal Givens soon takes Harry into custody, but Harry tricks Raylan and gets away. Where has Harry gone? Raylan has a hunch, for he remembers something Harry once said to him years ago.
This book was my first exposure to Elmore Leonard's literary works, and I must say I will be reading as many of these books as I can find in the near future. He is so good that he habitually makes his writing do at least two things at once. For example, when he describes a person, he makes that description part of a dialogue in which one character is describing this particular person to another. (For example, Joyce, Harry's ex-stripper girlfriend, describes Raylan, who she has seen in the hotel lobby, to Harry.) The reader gets a description, but he also benefits from the further development of two additional characters, all at the same time.
You Justified fans want to know, though: is this Raylan really the same Raylan? Well, he's got two little boys, Wynona and he are definitely not getting back together, and the brim if his stetson is narrower in the books (a “businessman's stetson” they call it). Otherwise, he is pretty much the same, and you ladies can always imagine he looks just like Timothy Olyphant if you want to.
Pronto is an exciting thriller, full of interesting people, wisecracks, subterfuge and gun play. If I were you, I'd give it a try, whether you are a Justified fan or not.
As always, agents please remember, "reading
is just recreation for intelligence."
Book
details:
Book
title: Pronto
Author:
Elmore Leonard
·
Hardcover: 265 pages
·
Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1st edition (September 1, 1993)
·
Language: English
·
ISBN-10: 0385308469
·
ISBN-13: 978-0385308465
I haven't read any of Leonard's books, but I might start. I do like a good read about justice and the "white hat" concept of winning. Sounds like something I need to check into.
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