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Hap and Leonard #6
Captains Outrageous
Phoenix, Great Britain Trade Paperback with 319 pages. - Colourful, profane and with injection of black humour that borders on bad taste, this is another high-octane race through the Texas badlands, with a rising body count and thrills galore. A rewarding romp'. Guardian
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
91 people are currently reading
1056 people want to read
About the author
Joe R. Lansdale
824 books3,866 followersChampion Mojo Storyteller Joe R. Lansdale is the author of over forty novels and numerous short stories. His work has appeared in national anthologies, magazines, and collections, as well as numerous foreign publications. He has written for comics, television, film, newspapers, and Internet sites. His work has been collected in more than two dozen short-story collections, and he has edited or co-edited over a dozen anthologies. He has received the Edgar Award, eight Bram Stoker Awards, the Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Grinzani Cavour Prize for Literature, the Herodotus Historical Fiction Award, the Inkpot Award for Contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy, and many others. His novella Bubba Ho-Tep was adapted to film by Don Coscarelli, starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis. His story "Incident On and Off a Mountain Road" was adapted to film for Showtime's "Masters of Horror," and he adapted his short story "Christmas with the Dead" to film hisownself. The film adaptation of his novel Cold in July was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Sundance Channel has adapted his Hap & Leonard novels for television.
He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.
He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
March 31, 2016
Hap and Leonard go south of the border, and there hasn’t been a trip to Mexico end this badly since The Wild Bunch. As Warren Zevon once sang, they'll need lawyers, guns, and money to get out of this fix.
The guys have new careers as security guards at the local chicken processing plant. As Hap is leaving work one night he breaks up an attack on a young woman by a drug crazed maniac. (The fight scene is Lansdale at his best. I didn’t know whether to laugh or scream as I read it.) Usually good deeds don't go unpunished, but this time Hap is actually rewarded for his heroics with some cash and time off work so he decides to treat Leonard to a sea cruise.
Unfortunately, with their usual knack for trouble, things go badly at one of the cruise stops in Mexico, and they end up as the victims of a machete wielding gang of muggers. And since Hap & Leonard can always make a bad situation worse, they find a way to get thrown in a Mexican jail. They get out with a little help from their friends, and for once, they try to do the smart thing and return to the U.S. without getting further involved. But trouble follows them home and costs them dearly.
This was the last Hap and Leonard novel that Lansdale wrote for 8 years until the publication of Vanilla Ride, and it feels like he may have been a bit burnt out on the series. While there’s always been a bit of a melancholy tone to the H&L books, this one has several elements that are more depressing that the other ones. The humor is still there, but the guys seem worn out and sick of getting pulled into their violent adventures. Lansdale would write a lot of very good books during the break he took from Hap and Leonard, and the two would return refreshed and lively again in the next one so that makes me feel better about Captains Outrageous because I thought for years that it may have been the end of the series.
On a trivia note: Crime fiction fans might recognize the character of the lawyer Veil as Lansdale’s tribute to his friend and fellow crime writer Andrew Vachss. It’s a fun little cameo. You gotta love a lawyer with an eye patch.
The guys have new careers as security guards at the local chicken processing plant. As Hap is leaving work one night he breaks up an attack on a young woman by a drug crazed maniac. (The fight scene is Lansdale at his best. I didn’t know whether to laugh or scream as I read it.) Usually good deeds don't go unpunished, but this time Hap is actually rewarded for his heroics with some cash and time off work so he decides to treat Leonard to a sea cruise.
Unfortunately, with their usual knack for trouble, things go badly at one of the cruise stops in Mexico, and they end up as the victims of a machete wielding gang of muggers. And since Hap & Leonard can always make a bad situation worse, they find a way to get thrown in a Mexican jail. They get out with a little help from their friends, and for once, they try to do the smart thing and return to the U.S. without getting further involved. But trouble follows them home and costs them dearly.
This was the last Hap and Leonard novel that Lansdale wrote for 8 years until the publication of Vanilla Ride, and it feels like he may have been a bit burnt out on the series. While there’s always been a bit of a melancholy tone to the H&L books, this one has several elements that are more depressing that the other ones. The humor is still there, but the guys seem worn out and sick of getting pulled into their violent adventures. Lansdale would write a lot of very good books during the break he took from Hap and Leonard, and the two would return refreshed and lively again in the next one so that makes me feel better about Captains Outrageous because I thought for years that it may have been the end of the series.
On a trivia note: Crime fiction fans might recognize the character of the lawyer Veil as Lansdale’s tribute to his friend and fellow crime writer Andrew Vachss. It’s a fun little cameo. You gotta love a lawyer with an eye patch.
July 15, 2016
When Hap comes into some money, he and Leonard go on a vacation and wind up stranded in Mexico. True to form, they end up helping a fisherman and his daughter with a problem they're having...
This is my third read of Captains Outrageous but the first time in over a decade so it was like a completely new book.
Captains Outrageous sees Hap and Leonard going up against a Mexican loanshark and his goons. It also brings the crew back together with Jim Bob Luke, Marvin Hanson, Charlie Blank, and Veil. Unlike a lot of series mysteries, Lansdale isn't afraid to upset the apple cart in a big way.
Hap and Leonard go through quite a bit in this one and we all needed a break after it, even Lansdale, for this was the last Hap and Leonard book for something like eight years. While hilarious, crude, and full of violence, it's also really bleak.
There's a lot of interesting stuff going on but it's easily my least favorite of the Hap and Leonard books up to this point. It felt unfocused at times and might have worked better as two linked novellas.
All things considered, though, it was a pretty good read. Hap and Leonard had some good character moments and things ended with the pair in a good place for once, a place they'd stay in until Lansdale brought our boys back in Vanilla Ride. Three out of five stars.
This is my third read of Captains Outrageous but the first time in over a decade so it was like a completely new book.
Captains Outrageous sees Hap and Leonard going up against a Mexican loanshark and his goons. It also brings the crew back together with Jim Bob Luke, Marvin Hanson, Charlie Blank, and Veil. Unlike a lot of series mysteries, Lansdale isn't afraid to upset the apple cart in a big way.
Hap and Leonard go through quite a bit in this one and we all needed a break after it, even Lansdale, for this was the last Hap and Leonard book for something like eight years. While hilarious, crude, and full of violence, it's also really bleak.
There's a lot of interesting stuff going on but it's easily my least favorite of the Hap and Leonard books up to this point. It felt unfocused at times and might have worked better as two linked novellas.
All things considered, though, it was a pretty good read. Hap and Leonard had some good character moments and things ended with the pair in a good place for once, a place they'd stay in until Lansdale brought our boys back in Vanilla Ride. Three out of five stars.
January 31, 2024
3.5 stars
short review for busy readers: Hap & Leonard go on vacation to Mexico and get themselves into muchas problemas just being their charming selves. Typical high body count, highly entertaining convos and the action is up to typical Lansdale standards. A bit on the stereotypical side concerning Mexicans and some silly plot turns brings down what would be a full 4 star read.
in detail:
For some reason, I didn’t enjoy this instalment of the series as much as the others. Even the last, non-typical one, Rumble Tumble.
Could have something to do with the kinda stupid cruise ship episode that strands our heroes in Mexico. Or possibly with the stereotypical view of Mexico as a place crawling with violent gangsters and corrupt police who prey on the honest poor and tourists if they step one foot out of tourist traps. Or maybe even that there are far fewer wacky characters in this one than normal, which makes it feel far more sober than usual.
What really is up to the bar are the conversations. Not just the typical banter between our boys, but all the characters. Really great. And of course, the actions scenes are just as bloody and brilliant as expected.
Not one of my favorite H&L, but decent. I think our boys need to stay in Texas.
short review for busy readers: Hap & Leonard go on vacation to Mexico and get themselves into muchas problemas just being their charming selves. Typical high body count, highly entertaining convos and the action is up to typical Lansdale standards. A bit on the stereotypical side concerning Mexicans and some silly plot turns brings down what would be a full 4 star read.
in detail:
For some reason, I didn’t enjoy this instalment of the series as much as the others. Even the last, non-typical one, Rumble Tumble.
Could have something to do with the kinda stupid cruise ship episode that strands our heroes in Mexico. Or possibly with the stereotypical view of Mexico as a place crawling with violent gangsters and corrupt police who prey on the honest poor and tourists if they step one foot out of tourist traps. Or maybe even that there are far fewer wacky characters in this one than normal, which makes it feel far more sober than usual.
What really is up to the bar are the conversations. Not just the typical banter between our boys, but all the characters. Really great. And of course, the actions scenes are just as bloody and brilliant as expected.
Not one of my favorite H&L, but decent. I think our boys need to stay in Texas.
September 10, 2022
"Trouble. You step in it the way kids step in mud puddles. You just can’t go around it, and when you try to jump over it, you fall in it. It’s a knack, brother.”
4.5⭐'s
Initial Thoughts
Its been a while since I dipped into the world of Joe Lansdale's Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. At least a month...and that's a month too long. It really is the main source of comedy in my otherwise boring life!
I've been a huge fan of this author since reading his Edgar Award winning novel The Bottoms. He's just a multi-talented guy with numerous Bram Stoker, British Fantasy and American Mystery awards on his shelf. But in this series of the finest redneck noir he really gets to showcase his amazing sense of humour and life experience of growing up in East Texas.
You know I love Stephen King, and Champion Joe is to Texas what King is to Maine. He has a literary style that is simple but just draws you in and wraps you up in his world. Easy to read and digest but with a real sense of heart. Always an absolute pleasure to read. Plus the fact that he is an absolute literary legend.
So without further ado it's book number six in the series Captain Outrageous. But before I delve into this much anticipated installment I'd like to add that the short story "Veils Visit", which you can find in The Big Book of Hap and Leonard, is best read before this one. Not after like Goodreads suggests, as little bits of it pop up in this story.
The Story
So we kick off with Hap and Leonard working security at the chicken processing plant. Far from their dream jobs it is a step up from picking roses in a hot and sweaty Texas field. Always looking to do a good deed, Hap hears a woman's scream when clocking off one night and dives straight into a fight with a human wolverine before saving a young girls life. He's soon rewarded for this with a big cash reward from the girl's father and this leads to our favourite pair setting off on a well earned break upon the world's worst cruise ship.
As we know by now, trouble follows Hap and Leonard around like a bad smell. Before the ship even leaves the dock there's a confrontation with the crew and I just knew where this one was headed. But as I've come to expect with this series, I got a lot more than I bargained for and there were going to be a big pile of bodies in store for me by the end of this story.
"“I know about how you saved that girl. You saved my girl too, Hap. You saved me. You’re always trying to save somebody. Everybody but yourself.”
The Writing
One of the big reasons I keep coming back to Hap and Leonard is Joe Lansdale's fantastic writing. I've already alluded, but his skill lies in his natural ability to tell a story while injecting his own Texas drawl. I was so immersed I actually felt a part of the story and when you reach this level of synergy with a writer it really is an amazing experience.
His descriptive phrasing and amazing dialogue, the way he mixes dark humour with frantic action and some harrowing situations is some of the best I've experienced. Its comparable to Joe Abercrombie in the fantasy genre but it may even be a little bit better. Those who've experienced his writing will know exactly what I'm talking about.
The humour and action fit seamlessly together and despite some of the nail biting scenes it's always the humour that I focus on. There's several times I laughed out loud, which rarely happens when reading a book. As a result the author was able to put me through the full range of emotions. It reminded me that no matter how bad things get, and whatever life throws your way, you can still choose to laugh in the face of adversity. So when I had plumbing issues in my bathroom while reading this one, I took it with a smile on my face. It's great when books can teach you life lessons while you're having a great time reading them.
Because there's hardly any filler, the pacing is lightning fast and there really wasn't a single dull moment for me. Once the story gets underway there's literally no stopping this runaway freight train. Yet despite the frenetic pace, Lansdale still manages to instill the heart that exists between the two main characters and really breathes life into the story. That's testament to his skill as a writer.
"This thing has some twisties and some turnies.”
"Twisties and turnies?” Leonard said. “Is that some kind of exotic underwear?”
The Characters
And the other big reason I keep coming back here is the brilliant characters. There's a intriguing mystery element in the majority of these stories but that takes a definite back seat to the relationship Hap and Leonard have. They bicker like an old married couple, tease like a pair of high school kids and constantly make wise cracks. But they always have each others backs. It's quite possibly the most natural friendship I've experienced in literature and never feels forced.
Honestly, I was discussing the quality of the character development with the friend who introduced me to this series and we both talked about how you see this duo as real people. And at this point in the saga they feel like friends who you miss when they're not around. They face some horrific violence in this one and it leaves a mark on both. But that strong moral code that they live by, despite taking a pounding, is still as strong as ever. I really do love these guys, I just have to keep reminding myself they're not real and I still need to make some real life friends.
Even the secondary characters and villains are written with the same level of detail and craft as the main ones. They are all very distinct and individual, with dialogue that suits their own personality, bringing their own unique flavour to the narrative. Particularly that legendary private eye Jim Bob, who was such a standout in Bad Chilli. Great to see him returning this one.
Final Thoughts
I'll finish by saying that although Hap and Leonard is definitely an acquired taste, with strong violence and sexual humour, it is one that I personally can't get enough of. I guess you can tell that by how much I have to say about it. Anyone still reading?
This chapter was different from the others and was more of a a grand adventure than mystery. And it finished with one of the best climaxes so far. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you've read the series so far you'd be stupid not to get this one in.
But while we're on the subject, although it could be read as a standalone, you'd be missing out on so much if you didn't read the ones prior. It would be like a private joke that everyone's laughing at but you're not in on. There such short reads there's absolutely no reason not to anyway.
Its worth noting that Lansdale took a seven year hiatus from the series after writing this one. But I certainly would not be waiting that long to pick up the next installment, Vanilla Ride. Join me for that one soon.
Thanks for reading and...cheers!
February 2, 2016
*3.5 Stars*
Hap and Leonard have been in some pretty bad situations over the years but nothing can prepare them for the open seas. After Hap gets a sizeable reward for saving a teenage girl from a tweaked out murderer, he decides to go on a cruise ship vacation with Leonard. But rather than the restful trip they had planned, they end up on the cruise from hell and find themselves balls-deep in trouble as usual, when their ship leaves them stranded in a Mexican beachtown.
One weird thing that stood out is that this novel felt like the most negative Hap and Leonard installment. With how much they constantly nagged, it felt like everything that the boys experienced was the absolute worst thing to ever happen to them: from the ocean, to the food on the cruise ship, to the hotel in Mexico and every person they meet along the way. In the past, our heroes have usually been pretty positive throughout everything, but here, both Hap and Leonard felt like those friends you have that just complain about everything under the sun. But, this book is ultimately a big improvement over the last one, Rumble Tumble, because of its much more engaging storyline. The story takes it's time to get going, but once it does it really takes off and you forget the grumbling first act. The action is clear and concise, many of the supporting characters really come into their own here, and the new characters really shine, including Leonard's new boyfriend John. Even with issues, it's hard to resist reading about the adventures of Hap and Leonard, and this novel is no exception.
Hap and Leonard have been in some pretty bad situations over the years but nothing can prepare them for the open seas. After Hap gets a sizeable reward for saving a teenage girl from a tweaked out murderer, he decides to go on a cruise ship vacation with Leonard. But rather than the restful trip they had planned, they end up on the cruise from hell and find themselves balls-deep in trouble as usual, when their ship leaves them stranded in a Mexican beachtown.
One weird thing that stood out is that this novel felt like the most negative Hap and Leonard installment. With how much they constantly nagged, it felt like everything that the boys experienced was the absolute worst thing to ever happen to them: from the ocean, to the food on the cruise ship, to the hotel in Mexico and every person they meet along the way. In the past, our heroes have usually been pretty positive throughout everything, but here, both Hap and Leonard felt like those friends you have that just complain about everything under the sun. But, this book is ultimately a big improvement over the last one, Rumble Tumble, because of its much more engaging storyline. The story takes it's time to get going, but once it does it really takes off and you forget the grumbling first act. The action is clear and concise, many of the supporting characters really come into their own here, and the new characters really shine, including Leonard's new boyfriend John. Even with issues, it's hard to resist reading about the adventures of Hap and Leonard, and this novel is no exception.
July 5, 2011
I’ve been listening to these Hap and Leonard books on audio and it’s been quite the experience. If you’ve never listened to the audio versions I recommend buying or borrowing copies. Narrator Phil Gigante does a terrific job of bringing these guys to life in all of their over the top glory and has a friendly, humorous, comforting southern drenched voice that I could listen to all the live long day. Captains Outrageous is book #6 in the series. I recommend reading them in order because this book does reference previous mishaps and mayhem from the previous books.
Leonard and Hap are two unlikely best friends who when together manage to get themselves in all sorts of dangerous, over-the-top situations. Leonard is big, black and gay while Hap is straight, white, very average in looks, brain-power and penis size. And they love each other like brothers. Their camaraderie and dialogue is something to behold. It’s usually vulgar and could be insulting if it weren’t so damn funny. Hap doesn’t understand Leonard’s sexual activities and Leonard feels the same about Hap’s attraction to a woman’s parts.
“I like a big dick. A big tit don’t really do you any good. You get to suck on it or whatever you heterosexuals do, roll it around in your palms or rub your head with it. Whatever. Frankly the thought of it kinda disgusts me. You’re not accomplishing anything there. Just buy a beach ball. Now a dick, there’s something got a purpose.”
Hap starts off the book a little morose. He’s lost his love and is working at a chicken slaughterhouse. The only thing he’s got going for him is his sense of humor and the fact that Leonard is working at the same crappy job and they get to spend some time chit chatting after their shifts. When leaving work one night Hap hears a female scream, witnesses a young lady being attacked and recklessly chases down the culprit. Apparently Hap hadn’t read The Summer I Died because he might’ve thought twice about following up on the scream. Regardless, he saves the girls life because he’s a good guy and his rescue sets off a series of events that will find Hap and Leonard in Mexico where they, of course, find trouble, violence and lots of dead bodies.
This story moves along at a good clip with plenty of raunchy humor and a dark streak of mean but somewhere after they return from the mess in Mexico I felt like it should have been over. Things were getting wrapped up, it seemed, but then more very bad things happen and they return to clean up their mess and the book starts to drag a bit. Maybe I had just had enough of the mayhem and death at that point? I’m not sure but I do know my attention started to drift and for that reason this one squeaks by at four stars and that's because the humor and narration were done so well.
Leonard and Hap are two unlikely best friends who when together manage to get themselves in all sorts of dangerous, over-the-top situations. Leonard is big, black and gay while Hap is straight, white, very average in looks, brain-power and penis size. And they love each other like brothers. Their camaraderie and dialogue is something to behold. It’s usually vulgar and could be insulting if it weren’t so damn funny. Hap doesn’t understand Leonard’s sexual activities and Leonard feels the same about Hap’s attraction to a woman’s parts.
“I like a big dick. A big tit don’t really do you any good. You get to suck on it or whatever you heterosexuals do, roll it around in your palms or rub your head with it. Whatever. Frankly the thought of it kinda disgusts me. You’re not accomplishing anything there. Just buy a beach ball. Now a dick, there’s something got a purpose.”
Hap starts off the book a little morose. He’s lost his love and is working at a chicken slaughterhouse. The only thing he’s got going for him is his sense of humor and the fact that Leonard is working at the same crappy job and they get to spend some time chit chatting after their shifts. When leaving work one night Hap hears a female scream, witnesses a young lady being attacked and recklessly chases down the culprit. Apparently Hap hadn’t read The Summer I Died because he might’ve thought twice about following up on the scream. Regardless, he saves the girls life because he’s a good guy and his rescue sets off a series of events that will find Hap and Leonard in Mexico where they, of course, find trouble, violence and lots of dead bodies.
This story moves along at a good clip with plenty of raunchy humor and a dark streak of mean but somewhere after they return from the mess in Mexico I felt like it should have been over. Things were getting wrapped up, it seemed, but then more very bad things happen and they return to clean up their mess and the book starts to drag a bit. Maybe I had just had enough of the mayhem and death at that point? I’m not sure but I do know my attention started to drift and for that reason this one squeaks by at four stars and that's because the humor and narration were done so well.
December 19, 2024
I really dig this series, but Captains Outrageous felt a little flat; even the usual snappy, snarky dialogue felt stilted. This starts off with Hap and Leonard working security at a chicken processing plant. One night on his way out of work, Hap hears a weak 'help me' and then sees a guy stomping a gal just on the other side of the fence around the plant. Well, Hap jumps the fence and gets stuck in and then some. Long story short, the bad guy gets arrested and the young gal lives. Barely.
Turns out the young gal is the daughter of the guy who owns the chicken plant, among other assorted holdings. He pays Hap a visit and gives him 100,000 cash for saving his daughter; he also gives him a month off work. So, after some back and forth, Hap and Leonard decide to take a cruise; in a small town in Mexico along the way they run into some trouble (surprise!) and then more trouble, and then trouble with a capital T...
While the plotting in this series has been enough to pull the story along, the snarky dialogue makes this series shine. Here? Maybe Lansdale had an off day with this one, or maybe it is just me, but the witty banter just didn't do me here. Captains Outrageous does possess a pretty gruesome body count, however, and the plotting here was stronger (if a little OTT). Not sure where this series is going, but I will give the next a go before giving up. 3 watery stars.
Turns out the young gal is the daughter of the guy who owns the chicken plant, among other assorted holdings. He pays Hap a visit and gives him 100,000 cash for saving his daughter; he also gives him a month off work. So, after some back and forth, Hap and Leonard decide to take a cruise; in a small town in Mexico along the way they run into some trouble (surprise!) and then more trouble, and then trouble with a capital T...
While the plotting in this series has been enough to pull the story along, the snarky dialogue makes this series shine. Here? Maybe Lansdale had an off day with this one, or maybe it is just me, but the witty banter just didn't do me here. Captains Outrageous does possess a pretty gruesome body count, however, and the plotting here was stronger (if a little OTT). Not sure where this series is going, but I will give the next a go before giving up. 3 watery stars.
February 9, 2017
A lot of suspense, a shi†-load of fun, a slew of horribly good one-liners, unending thrills, enough action for even the most impatient of readers, beatings galore, tons of shi†-talk and a worthy addition to the series.
Just a butt-hair short of being as outstanding as the 5 previous books in the series though no one and I mean no one writes like Lansdale or as good as Lansdale.
This one's got Hap & Leonard heading to Mexico on vacation after Hap receives a large sum of money from circumstances surrounding a horrible, gut-churning situation.
And like you'd expect of the duo, things go from good to bad to ugly faster than a machete chop to the neck.
We got an ocean voyage, trips back & forth to Mexico, romance, kidnapping, murder and mayhem.
Not necessarily in that order.
And this time around we got a whole slew of characters, old and new.
But I can't tell you the whole enchilada. That, you will have to ingest yourself.
Sorry, mon amigos!
LONG LIVE HAP AND LEONARD!!!!!
December 15, 2024
Joe R Lansdale's 6th book in the 'Hap and Leonard' series doesn't quite measure up to the best of them, but it's still a fun ride. In this adventure, Hap saves the daughter of a millionaire from a brutal attack, gets a big payout as a result and takes his buddy Leonard on a Mexican cruise. Needless to say, things go badly wrong.
The appeal of these books is the banter between the two leads and trying to figure out how they'll get out of the scrapes they get into. This one delivers on those fronts, but the plot felt a little bit too convoluted to me.
The appeal of these books is the banter between the two leads and trying to figure out how they'll get out of the scrapes they get into. This one delivers on those fronts, but the plot felt a little bit too convoluted to me.
July 6, 2025
Another brillant adventure for Hap and Lenord. This has them fighting super human teenagers, Giant henchmen, Mexican mob bosses, and as usual comes with all the hilarious banter and dialogue that genuinely makes me laugh out loud. This is a very special series that just gets better and better.
October 23, 2013
Holy crap! I bought this book on Sunday night and finished it in about 3 days. This I think is quite possibly my favorite Hap and Leonard novel to date. It has EVERYTHING, romance, rescuing of young ladies from drug crazed psychopaths, a cruise to Mexico, women of loose morals, machetes, giant prison rats, even vengeance. This series is about two great guys from East Texas who are tough as nails and attract trouble like a magnet attracts iron shavings. This one is no exception. We see the death of a beloved supporting character and the events that death sets in motion. If you're reading this and you haven't read any Hap and Leonard novels then stop and go get "Savage Season" right now. These book are as to fiction as swiss clocks are to the world of time pieces. They are not overly long but every word is used and is so well placed. I have a short list of my 5 top tier authors and Joe R. Lansdale is on it. 'Nuff said.
As always please support brick and mortar bookstores!
As always please support brick and mortar bookstores!
April 27, 2019
I'm not sure whether I'm just getting tired of this series or my expectations were raised after reading his excellent stand-along novel "The Bottoms", or maybe this one just was a bit of a dud, but I'm going to have to stick with only 3 stars for this one. It had a lot of good lines and unusual phrases that are typical of the stories, but the violence was pretty horrific, with plenty of descriptions. This killer liked to really get into his work, often subjecting his victims to terrible tortures to get information. Cutting off a finger was just a minor little thing for him, and if he doesn't need information, he might only kill you quickly. So, he deserved to die, but our dynamic duo seemed to contribute somewhat to some of the deaths, although not knowingly.
I'll likely read more of the series in the future, but not right away. However, I'll look for some of his stand-alone books.
I'll likely read more of the series in the future, but not right away. However, I'll look for some of his stand-alone books.
December 6, 2020
Eine Kreuzfahrt mit Folgen
Da sind wir wieder: Das sechste Abenteuer von Hap & Leonard beginnt mit einer wahren Heldentat Haps, der zur Belohnung dafür einen dicken Batzen Geld und Urlaub von seinem Chef bekommt. Und weil unser texanisches Duo bekannterweise unzertrennlich ist, kommt Leonard natürlich mit auf die geplante Kreuzfahrt. Selbstredend ecken die beiden schnell mit ihrem losen Mundwerk bei der Besatzung an und werden beim Landgang dann "ausversehen" in Mexiko vergessen. Ein Überfall von korrupten einheimischen Polizisten rundet das Ganze dann noch ab. Glücklicherweise springt den beiden in letzter Sekunde der einheimische Fischer Fernando, der die Kunst des Machetenkampfes beherrscht, bei und kann so Schlimmeres verhindern. Er nimmt sie mit zu sich nach Hause, wo sie seine wunderschöne Tochter Beatrice kennenlernen. Vater und Tochter stecken in großen Schwierigkeiten, und weil Hap nun einmal Hap ist, kann er nicht anders und lässt seiner Ritterlichkeit freien Lauf. Womit keiner gerechnet hat, ist allerdings die Tragweite dieser Einmischung, die katastrophale Folgen für alle Beteiligten haben wird.
Leseeindruck
Lansdale führt uns von Texas nach Mexiko und wieder zurück. Es geht rasant und auch recht brutal zu, viele Konflikte werden thematisiert und lassen den Leser definitiv nicht kalt. Hinzu kommt, dass der gewohnte Humor dieses Mal seltener mitschwingt und die Leichtigkeit deshalb deutlich gedämpft ist. Aber der Autor weiß, was er tut und warum er es tut. Er schaltet eine härtere Gangart ein, macht klar, dass jedes Handeln auch seine Konsequenzen hat und Flapsigkeit keinen Universal-Schutzschild darstellt. Dennoch handeln Hap & Leonard stets ehrbar, ganz ohne Eigennutz. Und das ist es auch, was sie von ihren Gegnern unterscheidet, ihnen so einen Vorteil verschafft. Moral und uneigennütziges Handeln stehen bei den meisten Verbrechern nun mal nicht hoch im Kurs und so erwarten sie eben das auch nicht von anderen.
Die Entwicklung der Figuren steht dieses Mal nicht so sehr im Vordergrund, wird aber auch nicht gänzlich vernachlässigt. Besonders Hap hadert nach wie vor mit seiner Art des Lebens, sehnt sich nach einem ruhigen Hafen, möchte gern ankommen. Das Älterwerden und auch die Erlebnisse in der Vergangenheit setzen ihm zu, und doch scheinen er und Leonard in der Spurrinne ihres schrägen Lebens gefangen sein.
Fazit:
Die Lektüre von »Machos und Macheten« macht Spaß, verursacht aber gleichermaßen auch ein mulmiges Gefühl an der ein oder anderen Stelle und regt durchaus zum Nachdenken an. Für mich deshalb lesenswert, wenn auch nicht der stärkste Band der bisherigen Reihe.
3.5 / 5⭐︎
Da sind wir wieder: Das sechste Abenteuer von Hap & Leonard beginnt mit einer wahren Heldentat Haps, der zur Belohnung dafür einen dicken Batzen Geld und Urlaub von seinem Chef bekommt. Und weil unser texanisches Duo bekannterweise unzertrennlich ist, kommt Leonard natürlich mit auf die geplante Kreuzfahrt. Selbstredend ecken die beiden schnell mit ihrem losen Mundwerk bei der Besatzung an und werden beim Landgang dann "ausversehen" in Mexiko vergessen. Ein Überfall von korrupten einheimischen Polizisten rundet das Ganze dann noch ab. Glücklicherweise springt den beiden in letzter Sekunde der einheimische Fischer Fernando, der die Kunst des Machetenkampfes beherrscht, bei und kann so Schlimmeres verhindern. Er nimmt sie mit zu sich nach Hause, wo sie seine wunderschöne Tochter Beatrice kennenlernen. Vater und Tochter stecken in großen Schwierigkeiten, und weil Hap nun einmal Hap ist, kann er nicht anders und lässt seiner Ritterlichkeit freien Lauf. Womit keiner gerechnet hat, ist allerdings die Tragweite dieser Einmischung, die katastrophale Folgen für alle Beteiligten haben wird.
Leseeindruck
Lansdale führt uns von Texas nach Mexiko und wieder zurück. Es geht rasant und auch recht brutal zu, viele Konflikte werden thematisiert und lassen den Leser definitiv nicht kalt. Hinzu kommt, dass der gewohnte Humor dieses Mal seltener mitschwingt und die Leichtigkeit deshalb deutlich gedämpft ist. Aber der Autor weiß, was er tut und warum er es tut. Er schaltet eine härtere Gangart ein, macht klar, dass jedes Handeln auch seine Konsequenzen hat und Flapsigkeit keinen Universal-Schutzschild darstellt. Dennoch handeln Hap & Leonard stets ehrbar, ganz ohne Eigennutz. Und das ist es auch, was sie von ihren Gegnern unterscheidet, ihnen so einen Vorteil verschafft. Moral und uneigennütziges Handeln stehen bei den meisten Verbrechern nun mal nicht hoch im Kurs und so erwarten sie eben das auch nicht von anderen.
Die Entwicklung der Figuren steht dieses Mal nicht so sehr im Vordergrund, wird aber auch nicht gänzlich vernachlässigt. Besonders Hap hadert nach wie vor mit seiner Art des Lebens, sehnt sich nach einem ruhigen Hafen, möchte gern ankommen. Das Älterwerden und auch die Erlebnisse in der Vergangenheit setzen ihm zu, und doch scheinen er und Leonard in der Spurrinne ihres schrägen Lebens gefangen sein.
Fazit:
Die Lektüre von »Machos und Macheten« macht Spaß, verursacht aber gleichermaßen auch ein mulmiges Gefühl an der ein oder anderen Stelle und regt durchaus zum Nachdenken an. Für mich deshalb lesenswert, wenn auch nicht der stärkste Band der bisherigen Reihe.
3.5 / 5⭐︎
February 24, 2023
Still good but very similar to the previous books.
February 15, 2021
Our East Texas rednecks, Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, are back, in their sixth of the series, and are in hip deep trouble, with a Mexican Loan shark and gangster…The story starts out with a bang, as Hap, leaving work, as a guard at a chicken processing plant, breaks up an attack on a young woman by a drug crazed maniac...The young woman is the daughter of the plant's owner...Usually Hap and Leonard's good deeds don't go unpunished, but this time Hap is actually rewarded for his heroics with some cash and time off work...He rewards himself and Leonard with a sea cruise South of the Border...When they become stranded in Mexico, the fun begins...Again Lansdale produces some good stuff here, but NOT for ALL tastes!!!
March 29, 2025
“But sometimes the way you kill a bug is just step on it. You don't think about it too much. You don't go get bug spray or call the exterminator, or talk to the bug and tell it why it must die, or try to bargain money from it, you just step on it.”
-Joe R. Lansdale
-Joe R. Lansdale
February 10, 2017
This is a just-okay entry in the continuing misadventures of Hap & Leonard. Hap saves a chicken-plant mogul's daughter from getting killed, and as a reward he and Leonard are set up on a Mexican vacation. Of course things go wrong, and the vacation turns bloody. Really bloody. Lots of dismembered and tortured bodies.
There are almost no quirky characters here, and it's not until they're missing in a Hap & Leonard novel that you realize how integral they are to your enjoyment of the series. So I missed that. And the ending is rushed and anticlimactic.
Not bad, but not one of the better books in the series.
There are almost no quirky characters here, and it's not until they're missing in a Hap & Leonard novel that you realize how integral they are to your enjoyment of the series. So I missed that. And the ending is rushed and anticlimactic.
Not bad, but not one of the better books in the series.
August 1, 2025
Another Lansdale, another top read.
Read this one mostly on 2 domestic flights and had to stop myself laughing loudly at a few scenes.
Read this one mostly on 2 domestic flights and had to stop myself laughing loudly at a few scenes.
February 21, 2025
Wow, this one rocks with suspense, action, and mixed emotions as Hap and Leonard embark on a cruise together but become sidetracked in Mexico.
The end of Beatrice and her father is quite sad, but Sarah Bond is a victory for Hap. Mr. Bond shows his appreciation by sending Hap and Leonard on vacation with cash. The vacation leads them to Beatrice and her father after an encounter with some dangerous residents. Beatrice is an interesting woman that Hap becomes involved with, even though, Leonard is not on board with this relationship.
Things become difficult during their visit to Mexico. They return to the States and trouble follows them. This leads to them going back to Mexico with Brett involved in the visit along with a couple of others. However, not all of them make it back to the States after this visit. They have a plan to take out the enemy but that plan is forced to change by a turn of events with the enemy.
Hap becomes full of rage after so many deaths and he cannot stop thinking about Beatrice and her father and his friend, Charlie. He takes off on his own and decides to confront the beast and his boss on his own. This is a riveting storyline and page-turning novel.
The end of Beatrice and her father is quite sad, but Sarah Bond is a victory for Hap. Mr. Bond shows his appreciation by sending Hap and Leonard on vacation with cash. The vacation leads them to Beatrice and her father after an encounter with some dangerous residents. Beatrice is an interesting woman that Hap becomes involved with, even though, Leonard is not on board with this relationship.
Things become difficult during their visit to Mexico. They return to the States and trouble follows them. This leads to them going back to Mexico with Brett involved in the visit along with a couple of others. However, not all of them make it back to the States after this visit. They have a plan to take out the enemy but that plan is forced to change by a turn of events with the enemy.
Hap becomes full of rage after so many deaths and he cannot stop thinking about Beatrice and her father and his friend, Charlie. He takes off on his own and decides to confront the beast and his boss on his own. This is a riveting storyline and page-turning novel.
May 22, 2025
This book is probably a little weaker than most of the preceding books in the series, but I still had a great time with it overall. I think the plot feels a little haphazard here, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a Hap & Leonard book, but it just kind of seems like things bounce around too much without ever settling into a groove. Personally I would have liked to see them spend the whole book on the cruise, but I can see how that would have been confining for Lansdale. All of that said, this book is still a lot of fun, with some great action and of course, wonderful humour and Landsale’s knack for somehow injecting poignancy into a silly romp. Love this series a whole lot.
Currently reading
September 12, 2023Not everyone loves Joe Lansdale's Hap Collins and Leonard novels - some are understandably turned off by all of the violence therein - but I quite like it and have been grabbing and reading every book available via the Austin library system.
Captain Outrageous is the latest I have read and it's definitely one of my favorites. It is different than the norm in that a big chunk of the book takes place not just outside their neighborhood but also outside the country.
It is excellent.
Captain Outrageous is the latest I have read and it's definitely one of my favorites. It is different than the norm in that a big chunk of the book takes place not just outside their neighborhood but also outside the country.
It is excellent.
July 29, 2016
I finished Rumble Tumble, Lansdale's fifth entry into the Hap & Leonard series, earlier this year as part of my Unfinished Series project. Given that the books weren't really part of a series as the rest of the books (they really just feature recurring characters, and aren't books that comprise a single story), I didn't see the need to track down the rest of the books in that series to finish them out. I figured I would get to them as I had the time, but then I was at the library picking up another book, and noticed that my branch -- one of the backwoods branches in a somewhat large district -- had four of the books right there. It's hard to pass up an opportunity like that.
Captains Outrageous is a fairly atypical Hap & Leonard novel, which is to say that it's full of characters that aren't somehow oddball and quirky. Considering that Rumble Tumble was populated with a smart-mouthed Little Person and an ex-reverend assassin, I was surprised to find a fairly normal cast of characters. We have Hap and Leonard, of course, but Leonard's boyfriend is a well-dressed guy who works at an aluminum chair factory, and the folks that Hap and Leonard encounter on their adventure are an older man who runs a fishing boat and his daughter, and then later they run into a rich asshole who's easy to despise, but he's otherwise normal. No one's missing limbs or appendages, no one has any weird physical deformity, and there are even fewer wise-ass attitudes present here. It's almost like I'm not even reading a Lansdale book!
The events that lead to Hap and Leonard's adventure this time are a bit random and convoluted, sort of like how most of the recent episodes of The Simpsons begin. Hap saves a woman from being beaten to death, who happens to be the daughter of the owner of the chicken processing plant where he and Leonard are working. Said father is so grateful that he gives Hap $100,000 and a month off for both Hap and Leonard, and the two of them are talked into taking a cruise by John, Leonard's boyfriend, even though neither one of them has ever really wanted to go on a cruise. But it's the cruise that takes them to Mexico, and it's in Mexico where this particular adventure really begins.
Anyone who's read the Hap & Leonard series, or anyone who has read any of Lansdale's fiction, will recognize this as another in a long line of Lansdale romps, but I can't say that this is his best effort. Along with the lack of the usual Lansdale weirdness, the plot just isn't as engaging. It's too loose, and the ending is anticlimactic. It's definitely not as bad as Lost Echoes, but it's not as good as Sunset and Sawdust, either (though that one is so good I should just stop comparing his other novels to it). I'd say it's probably on par with Leather Maiden -- fun and engaging to read, but largely forgettable and not indicative of what Lansdale can do when he's turned the gas on high.
Captains Outrageous is a fairly atypical Hap & Leonard novel, which is to say that it's full of characters that aren't somehow oddball and quirky. Considering that Rumble Tumble was populated with a smart-mouthed Little Person and an ex-reverend assassin, I was surprised to find a fairly normal cast of characters. We have Hap and Leonard, of course, but Leonard's boyfriend is a well-dressed guy who works at an aluminum chair factory, and the folks that Hap and Leonard encounter on their adventure are an older man who runs a fishing boat and his daughter, and then later they run into a rich asshole who's easy to despise, but he's otherwise normal. No one's missing limbs or appendages, no one has any weird physical deformity, and there are even fewer wise-ass attitudes present here. It's almost like I'm not even reading a Lansdale book!
The events that lead to Hap and Leonard's adventure this time are a bit random and convoluted, sort of like how most of the recent episodes of The Simpsons begin. Hap saves a woman from being beaten to death, who happens to be the daughter of the owner of the chicken processing plant where he and Leonard are working. Said father is so grateful that he gives Hap $100,000 and a month off for both Hap and Leonard, and the two of them are talked into taking a cruise by John, Leonard's boyfriend, even though neither one of them has ever really wanted to go on a cruise. But it's the cruise that takes them to Mexico, and it's in Mexico where this particular adventure really begins.
Anyone who's read the Hap & Leonard series, or anyone who has read any of Lansdale's fiction, will recognize this as another in a long line of Lansdale romps, but I can't say that this is his best effort. Along with the lack of the usual Lansdale weirdness, the plot just isn't as engaging. It's too loose, and the ending is anticlimactic. It's definitely not as bad as Lost Echoes, but it's not as good as Sunset and Sawdust, either (though that one is so good I should just stop comparing his other novels to it). I'd say it's probably on par with Leather Maiden -- fun and engaging to read, but largely forgettable and not indicative of what Lansdale can do when he's turned the gas on high.
November 25, 2009
After six books, Hap and Leonard are starting to wear a little thin. This doesn't mean I didn't like Captain Outrageous. I am still enthralled with the East Texan odd couple and Lansdale's visceral style continues to make me laugh and horrify me at the same time. But this time it reads a bit formulaic. I think the main problem is that Lansdale himself may be tiring a bit with this series. After this book, he took a eight years hiatus from the series only to return to write a last one (Vanilla Ride) due to the urging of his fans.
But after all this criticism, I need to say Hal and Leonard can still fight and snarl with the best of them. Hap is still an idealistic push-over and Leonard is still bailing him out with more than a hint of sarcasm and cynicism. This is still the best modern crime fiction series around.
But after all this criticism, I need to say Hal and Leonard can still fight and snarl with the best of them. Hap is still an idealistic push-over and Leonard is still bailing him out with more than a hint of sarcasm and cynicism. This is still the best modern crime fiction series around.
January 30, 2012
I now see why people say this is the weaker of the bunch so far. I think it is written well and definitely has that Lansdale wit, but this didn't feel like a Hap and Leonard novel, it was more of a Hap and Jim Bob novel - which is still good, but just not as fun. I still thought it was a good read though.
November 11, 2014
Arrivati al sesto volume delle loro storie, anche Hap&Leonard cominciano ad accusare un po' di stanchezza: il soggetto non è dei più scoppiettanti, la sceneggiatura si regge col mestiere ma pare a volte dover spingere un po' troppo il pedale (sul becero) per tenere su tutta la baracca. La lettura è sempre di quelle piacevoli, ma la serializzazione riscuote pegno.
October 3, 2015
I enjoyed this one a bit more than the last one, even with the slow start.
February 19, 2022
Ühtegi selle seeria raamatut pole eesti keelde tõlgitud; eesti keeles võiks pealkiri olla otsetõlkes "Kaptenid ennekuulmatud". Ma pole küll kindel, kas siin ei ole mingeid lisakihte ning mida võib olla pealkirjaga mõeldud, kuna Captain Outrageous nimeline kunstnik on ka Ameerikas olnud.
Hap ja Leonard, kaks sõpra, eelmise sajandi kaheksakümnendate lõpp. Kui muidu on raamatute tegevus olnud suuresti Texases, siis kuues raamat viib meid ühel hetkel Mehhikosse. Algus on küll sõprade kodukandis, raamatu alguseks on nad jõudnud tööle kanade tapamajja turvameesteks. St isegi mitte tapamajja, tegu on pigem suure tehasega, kus ühest otsast lähevad linnud sisse ja teiselt poolt tulevad nad kenasti külmutatuna ja pakituna välja. Töö ei murra konti, eriti kui Hap mõtleb eelmisele tööle, kus ta oli tissibaaris väljaviskajaks, kus lõpuks oli tal tahtmine kõik need naised õrnalt riidesse aidata ning vaikselt kogu sellest värgist eemalduda.
Igaljuhul. Nagu ma olen miljard korda juba ütelnud - hea raamatu tunneb ära sellest, kui juba esimesest lausest, lõigust, leheküljest ta imeb endasse. Eks ma olen Lansdale'i juba viis raamatut alla ära lugenud, kõik eelmised on olnud vägevad - aga ikkagi ei väsi ta mind üllatamast. See karune tegevus, meeste omavaheline lõõp, kus Leonard kirjeldab, miks ta praeguse boyfriendi kaheksatolline riist on mõnus ning kuidas Hapi jaoks on suured rinnad naise juures olulisemad, kui ta julgeb endale tunnistada. See kõlab ühtepidi nagu lihtsa ja labase raamatuna, no äkki on ka? Ei tea, mind sellised hinnangud väga ei huvita. Minu arvates on H&L lood elust enesest, autor ei seo tegelaste suid kinni ega pane rääkima peenes kõrgklassi keeles. Oh ei, täpselt nii inimesed omavahel räägivad vahel. Naised teavad ju hästi, millest nemad omavahel sookaaslastega räägivad ja mis toonil, millise detailsusega. Siin raamatus saab piiluda teatud nurga alt meeste peadesse. Ütleks lausa, et tegu on peene süvapsühholoogilise romaaniga, eksole.
Hea küll, nali naljaks. Aga jah, meie ennekuulmatute kaptenite raamat on hoogne lugu, mille algus on juba lummav. Põhimõtteliselt lükkab kogu loo käima see, et Hap päästab ühe tüdruku vägistaja käest; see peatükk on muide täiesti vaimustav vägivallajada, kuidas üks julmalt tongis mehepoeg on nii väge täis, et Hap peab teda tükk aega rahustama, vahepeal ka tüübiga asfalti puhtaks lükates... Lansdale oskab muide väga mõnusalt kakelunge kirja panna. Igaljuhul tüdruk on väga tänulik, samuti on tänulik ta isa ning tänutäheks saab Hap sada tuhat dollarit. Selle eest viib ta sõber Leonardi kruiisile, teel on aga sekeldusi ning mehed avastavad end ühel hetkel Mehhikos. No hästi lühidalt ja põgusalt hakkab siis raamat niimoodi peale, sest ega edasi juhtub ja juhtub veel... midagi.
See pole žanrikrimi, küll on aga ühel hetkel siin olemas kõik vajalikud elemendid (kuritegu, uurijad, uurimine jne.), seega julgen soovitada ka krimihuvilistele. Lansdale stiil on toores ja tume, samas see pole ka põhjamaine karm krimka - kuigi kahtlemata see raamat on ka... sarnane. Aga kui põhjamaade autorid oskavad kuidagi eriti häirivalt masendavalt ja rusuvalt kirjutada, siis Lansdale puhul on tihti mängus torkiv huumor, mis muudab kogu loo natuke teistsuguseks. Ning üldse on palav Texas ja Mehhiko juba keskkonnana teistsugused.
Eks muidugi võiks hakata Hapi ja Leonardi lugusid esimesest raamatust peale - nad kõik on ka üksinda loetavad, aga kui järjest minna, siis on see üks pikk huvitav lugu meestest, kes üksi võttes polegi kõige hullemad, kokku saades aga hakkab veidraid asju juhtuma, satutakse pidevalt paraja supi sisse, omamoodi folie à deux.
Miinuspoolele jääb mu silmis seekord see, et raamat on ühel hetkel sarnane eelmise raamatuga, kasutab sarnaseid võtteid, pannes tegevuse teise keskkonda. See pole halb, aga puudu on varasem võlu ja uudsus. Mitte, et ükski H&L lugu oleks väga orignaalne, oh ei. Aga selline sarjasisene taaskasutus kiskus tsutt igavaks.
Lühidalt: järjekordne mõnus sõbraromaan. Mul on hea meel, et Lansdale on neid päris palju kirjutanud (juba romaane on tükki kolmteist hetkel, lisaks peoga jutte ja -kogusid). Samas nüüd mõnda aega pean selle autoriga vahet ka (mis on mugav vabandus, kuna ega teda mul hetkel riiulist pole võtta ka).
Hap ja Leonard, kaks sõpra, eelmise sajandi kaheksakümnendate lõpp. Kui muidu on raamatute tegevus olnud suuresti Texases, siis kuues raamat viib meid ühel hetkel Mehhikosse. Algus on küll sõprade kodukandis, raamatu alguseks on nad jõudnud tööle kanade tapamajja turvameesteks. St isegi mitte tapamajja, tegu on pigem suure tehasega, kus ühest otsast lähevad linnud sisse ja teiselt poolt tulevad nad kenasti külmutatuna ja pakituna välja. Töö ei murra konti, eriti kui Hap mõtleb eelmisele tööle, kus ta oli tissibaaris väljaviskajaks, kus lõpuks oli tal tahtmine kõik need naised õrnalt riidesse aidata ning vaikselt kogu sellest värgist eemalduda.
Igaljuhul. Nagu ma olen miljard korda juba ütelnud - hea raamatu tunneb ära sellest, kui juba esimesest lausest, lõigust, leheküljest ta imeb endasse. Eks ma olen Lansdale'i juba viis raamatut alla ära lugenud, kõik eelmised on olnud vägevad - aga ikkagi ei väsi ta mind üllatamast. See karune tegevus, meeste omavaheline lõõp, kus Leonard kirjeldab, miks ta praeguse boyfriendi kaheksatolline riist on mõnus ning kuidas Hapi jaoks on suured rinnad naise juures olulisemad, kui ta julgeb endale tunnistada. See kõlab ühtepidi nagu lihtsa ja labase raamatuna, no äkki on ka? Ei tea, mind sellised hinnangud väga ei huvita. Minu arvates on H&L lood elust enesest, autor ei seo tegelaste suid kinni ega pane rääkima peenes kõrgklassi keeles. Oh ei, täpselt nii inimesed omavahel räägivad vahel. Naised teavad ju hästi, millest nemad omavahel sookaaslastega räägivad ja mis toonil, millise detailsusega. Siin raamatus saab piiluda teatud nurga alt meeste peadesse. Ütleks lausa, et tegu on peene süvapsühholoogilise romaaniga, eksole.
Hea küll, nali naljaks. Aga jah, meie ennekuulmatute kaptenite raamat on hoogne lugu, mille algus on juba lummav. Põhimõtteliselt lükkab kogu loo käima see, et Hap päästab ühe tüdruku vägistaja käest; see peatükk on muide täiesti vaimustav vägivallajada, kuidas üks julmalt tongis mehepoeg on nii väge täis, et Hap peab teda tükk aega rahustama, vahepeal ka tüübiga asfalti puhtaks lükates... Lansdale oskab muide väga mõnusalt kakelunge kirja panna. Igaljuhul tüdruk on väga tänulik, samuti on tänulik ta isa ning tänutäheks saab Hap sada tuhat dollarit. Selle eest viib ta sõber Leonardi kruiisile, teel on aga sekeldusi ning mehed avastavad end ühel hetkel Mehhikos. No hästi lühidalt ja põgusalt hakkab siis raamat niimoodi peale, sest ega edasi juhtub ja juhtub veel... midagi.
See pole žanrikrimi, küll on aga ühel hetkel siin olemas kõik vajalikud elemendid (kuritegu, uurijad, uurimine jne.), seega julgen soovitada ka krimihuvilistele. Lansdale stiil on toores ja tume, samas see pole ka põhjamaine karm krimka - kuigi kahtlemata see raamat on ka... sarnane. Aga kui põhjamaade autorid oskavad kuidagi eriti häirivalt masendavalt ja rusuvalt kirjutada, siis Lansdale puhul on tihti mängus torkiv huumor, mis muudab kogu loo natuke teistsuguseks. Ning üldse on palav Texas ja Mehhiko juba keskkonnana teistsugused.
Eks muidugi võiks hakata Hapi ja Leonardi lugusid esimesest raamatust peale - nad kõik on ka üksinda loetavad, aga kui järjest minna, siis on see üks pikk huvitav lugu meestest, kes üksi võttes polegi kõige hullemad, kokku saades aga hakkab veidraid asju juhtuma, satutakse pidevalt paraja supi sisse, omamoodi folie à deux.
Miinuspoolele jääb mu silmis seekord see, et raamat on ühel hetkel sarnane eelmise raamatuga, kasutab sarnaseid võtteid, pannes tegevuse teise keskkonda. See pole halb, aga puudu on varasem võlu ja uudsus. Mitte, et ükski H&L lugu oleks väga orignaalne, oh ei. Aga selline sarjasisene taaskasutus kiskus tsutt igavaks.
Lühidalt: järjekordne mõnus sõbraromaan. Mul on hea meel, et Lansdale on neid päris palju kirjutanud (juba romaane on tükki kolmteist hetkel, lisaks peoga jutte ja -kogusid). Samas nüüd mõnda aega pean selle autoriga vahet ka (mis on mugav vabandus, kuna ega teda mul hetkel riiulist pole võtta ka).
June 25, 2020
This was another good entry in the Hap & Leonard series by Lansdale. I have been reading these off and on for a year or two. This is the 6th in the series after RUMBLE TUMBLE which I read last year. These books are filled with off-color humor and over-the-top violence and they really keep you turning the pages! This one was no exception: Hap and Leonard are working at a chicken processing facility as security guards when Hap saves a young girl from being killed as she was being beaten by a hopped up attacker. Turns out the girl's father was the owner of the chicken plant and rewards Hap with $100,000 for saving his daughter. Hap, with some help from friends, decides to use part of the money to take a cruise and of course Leonard goes along with him. But as fate would have it, nothing good comes their way and they end up stranded in Mexico where they are attacked by some off-duty police and rescued by a geriatric fisherman who happens to have a lovely daughter waiting to get entangled with Hap. But the fisherman and his daughter are indebted to the mob and severe consequences follow which also tag along with Hap and Leonard when they return home. One of their best friends ends up dead and so they return to Mexico seeking revenge.
This one was really a fun and bloody romp and I enjoyed it very much. I was also a fan of the Hap and Leonard TV series which unfortunately ended after only 3 short seasons. But the books keep coming and I now need to read the rest of the series hopefully sooner rather than later. Lansdale really knows how to keep his readers interested.
This one was really a fun and bloody romp and I enjoyed it very much. I was also a fan of the Hap and Leonard TV series which unfortunately ended after only 3 short seasons. But the books keep coming and I now need to read the rest of the series hopefully sooner rather than later. Lansdale really knows how to keep his readers interested.
June 23, 2018
Hap and Leonard, two knights in tarnished armour take their particular brand of vengeance to Mexico in this tale of violence, torture and believe it or not ancient Mexican artefacts. Our rag tag gang of righters of wrongs take on the most fearsome foes yet in this fast paced thrill ride where death awaits all who partake.
June 3, 2019
Great As Usual
I can never quite get enough of he exploits of Hap & Leonard. Joe R. Lansdale at his finest, as usual. Enjoyed the tale of death and despair, cleverly interspersed with humor and sarcasm, as only Lansdale can do. Those familiar with his writing style know exactly what I mean.
Buy it,, read it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
I can never quite get enough of he exploits of Hap & Leonard. Joe R. Lansdale at his finest, as usual. Enjoyed the tale of death and despair, cleverly interspersed with humor and sarcasm, as only Lansdale can do. Those familiar with his writing style know exactly what I mean.
Buy it,, read it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
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