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Liked It “I haven't read a lot of Elmore Leonard. That said, I'm not sure why not. I love Carl Hiaasen, who has a similar style, covering all the oddball characters in Florida, but in a more humorous vein. Leonard's stuff is edgier, dealing with low-life in a more realistic manner. The pace is quick,...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I'm beginning to realize that Leonard's masterpiece is Glitz, and that not much measures up to it. He seems to have just lucked into the structure and plot of that book and seems to have never been able to duplicate it.
David G wrote this review Tuesday, September 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Often in his fiction, Leonard gets sidetracked onto minor, irredeemable characters and forgets to spotlight any character about whom we care. The details of those trashy characters' lives are fascinating for a few pages, but not an entire novel.
That said, the fabric of the writing is, as always, top notch. He knows how his characters speak, think, and rationalize. He is the master of the vernacular. These are no Merchant Ivory dialogues he's writing. His researcher has hung around in enough bars to know exactly who these people are.
Maximum Bob starts out well, with a shoot-from-the-hip judge who seems determined to ruin everyone's lives to satisfy his own whims. But after 40 pages, we descend into the ruined criminal life of Elvin, who doesn't hold much interest past 10 pages. Unfortunately, Elvin plays a big part in the ensuing drama.
Leonard (and many readers) must think that the deadly force employed in this drama is clever, but I didn't. I enjoyed Bob's wife (and her interesting pathology), the female probation officer, and her romantic interest, so it wasn't difficult to finish the book. Still, another reviewer's judgment of "uneven" seems on the mark.”“I haven't read a lot of Elmore Leonard. That said, I'm not sure why not. I love Carl Hiaasen, who has a similar style, covering all the oddball characters in Florida, but in a more humorous vein. Leonard's stuff is edgier, dealing with low-life in a more realistic manner. The pace is quick, the characters very believable, and the plot is tight, with twists. I really liked this book, which I picked up on a whim, and I'll have to check out more of Mr. Leonard's books.”
Acur81 wrote this review Monday, August 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Nice, unexpected twists, but with all the hoopla I was expecting more. Maybe this is lesser Leonard? Just needed a quick read.”
Mike T wrote this review Monday, July 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Maximum Bob is a Florida judge so named for handing out the Maximum penalty to convicts. Bob is at odds with his air-headed new age wife, who happens to believe she is a channel for the spirit of a lost little girl.
Auntie Nanuuq . wrote this review Tuesday, February 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Seeking to rid himself of his wife, Bob hires two thugs to capture the biggest meanest gator of the swamp and deposit it in his back yard, thinking it will eat his wife and thus rid himself of her blathering once and for all. What Bob does not count on is the gator attacking his wife's dog rather than her...... So begins a riotous tale of misadventure and justice as only can be found in Florida.
Elmore Leonard has a wicked sense of humor and this is one more of his well written offerings.”
“Another amazing, short, entertaining novel from Elmore Leonard. I think he is the best writer you will ever consistently find on the supermarket best seller list.”
moik wrote this review Sunday, January 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“I read this book about 5 years ago and don't remember too much about it, but in my book journal I rated it a 4 out of 5, so it must have been really good.
Reojames wrote this review Friday, September 14 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Almost all of Leonard's books are worth a read.”
“This is my favorite of all Elmore Leonard's books.”
Bloom Radio wrote this review Tuesday, June 12 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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