Re: RARA-AVIS: Willeford vs. Leonard

Mario Taboada (matrxtech@sprintmail.com)
Fri, 13 Feb 1998 23:50:43 +0000 Bill Denton:

> That's interesting, I'll have to think about that. But let me ask you
> a question: do you think Leonard's last few books are as good as his
> earlier ones, from the '70s and '80s? I hooked into him about 1990,
> read some older stuff and followed his new releases for a few years,
> but then something happened and I got the feeling he was coasting.
> I guess I'll have to pick up his latest and see how I like it.

I didn't find any of his latest books weak - of these, I would say that
"Get Shorty" is terrific, and that the dyptic "Pronto" and "Riding the
Rap" is very good. Now, if you ask me whether these late books are
masterpieces on the order of "Freaky Deaky", "City Primeval", "The
Moonshine War", or "Glitz", I would say no.

By the way, your unconcious must have been punning when you said
"coasting"... It sounds like a reference to Florida, not to mention that
is is raunchy enough to be the title of a Leonard novel...or (gasp,
choke, sputter), of a Tarantino movie ("Pulp Coast" also suggests
itself, irresistibly).

I'm looking forward to reading "Cuba Libre", apparently a historical
novel set at the end of the nineteenth century. Is it out yet?

Regards,

Mario Taboada
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