Customer Reviews

Bad Chili: A Hap and Leonard Novel (4) (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After having read Joe R. Lansdale's beautiful and poignant novel, THE BOTTOMS (everybody should read this!), I decided to back track and try some of the books in his 'Hap Collins/Leonard Pine' series, starting with BAD CHILI. I hate to say it, but after just one novel, I'm now addicted to these two fascinating and utterly delightful characters. I found myself laughing so hard in the first four pages of this novel that I started crying and then got stomach cramps. I can't believe it's taken me so long to finally pick up a book by this fantastic author. I must've had my head buried in a hole of sand for the last seven years. What's BAD CHILI about? Well, it's about Hap Collins and Leonard Pine (a couple of schmucks as Leonard would say of himself and his friend) who find themselves getting caught up in the most outrageous and dangerous situations, usually because they're trying to help someone. Hap is white, in his mid-forties, hates violence, dislikes guns, tries to stay within the law, has a bald spot on the back of his head, and is generally the calmer of the two. Leonard is black and homosexual, trained in the martial arts, tougher than any five guys put together, and the first to lose his temper. When Hap returns home after working on an off shore oil rig for several months, he and Leonard go out into the woods to shoot cans and play catch up on each other's life. It isn't long before a big, mean squirrel with rabies comes bouncing out of the woods and chases Hap around the field before finally latching onto his arm. While Hap goes to the hospital, Leonard attempts to find his boyfriend, Raul, who's left him for another man. Both Raul and his new lover end up dead, and Leonard is blamed for their murders. This leads Hap and Leonard on a quest to find out whom the real killer is, not to mention the person behind a sex/video ring who films homosexuals being beat up by several guys and then sexually abused by them. Hap will encounter one of the most dangerous and biggest men he has ever met'a slightly deranged ex-wrestler who likes to apply electricity to a person's genitals before beating them to death with a baseball bat. If Hap thought the squirrel was deadly, waits till he meets Big Man Mountain! BAD CHILI is the most fun I've had with a novel in an extremely long time. I immediately loved the characters of Hap and Leonard, feeling as if these were two guys I'd like to know in real life. I couldn't get enough of the bantering between the two of them. Both men proved to be tough hombres who knew when to cross the line for payback. These are guys you'd want covering your back, or tracking down the killers after you're dead. They're like dogs with a bone that won't let go, no matter what the cost. Hurt them or one of their friends, and they'll track you down to the ends of the earth to get a little helping of revenge. Brett Sawyer, a... nurse, who long ago bonked her husband on the head and then set him on fire, is Hap's new love interest, and she's just as tough as he is. Then, there's Jim Bob Luke, a professional P.I. who reminded me just a little bit of Steven Seagal in his ability to go in and take out the bad guys in less than thirty seconds with no mercy shown. Mr. Lansdale's writing in BAD CHILI is like a cold Corona going down on a hot Texas day'it makes you sigh with pure happiness when the last drop is finally swallowed. The story has more twists and turns than the Sabine River; and, as my late grandpappy would say, the trials and tribulations that Hap and Leonard go through would be enough to make a preacher cuss. BAD CHILI is definitely the real thing. It's the kind of book that adds a strong sense of joy to one's life and makes a reader glad that he's alive to have these kind of experiences. Needless to say, I've already purchased the rest of the books in the series and intend on reading all of them within the next week or so. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

My husband introduced me to this twisted novelist, his characters are Texan w/ out being hicks, and the mystery has you turned everyway but loose. If you don't find something funny or offensive on every other page, then you aren't human and you don't have a funnybone. If you want a change of pace with 2 captivating characters and incredible storylines, then this book won't disappoint. If you're easily offended by deviant sex, vulgar language and gruesome death scenarios, drop this book and run. Otherwise, "Bad Chili" is the bomb!!!

Wow. Where to begin? If you dont know joe lansdale is I suggest you fly to a bookstore (or website because his stuff is hard to find) and bring your checkbook. Youll need it.

I wouldnt feel right if I didn't review one of Lansdales books. As I think he is the best american writer by far writing at this point-probably the world.

Basically anything you read by this guy is gonna knock your socks off. Bad Chili is better than anything Elmore Leonard is doing, better than anything Tarantino or these kind of suspense, thriller, shock creators is doing.

Simply put his dialogue is so true it hurts, his pacing is faster than the concord, and his plotting is smart and sophisticated.

I just hope Hollywood doesnt get a hold of him because theyll rob the soul of his stuff.

This novel isn't for prudes or people who can't leave politically correctness behind. For those who appreciate a lot of healthy belly laughs and down-home philosophy ("A Texan's idea of a salad is a few bananas and strawberries inside a mold of lime Jell-O"), then, by all means, read BAD CHILI. Joe R. Lansdale is the male version of Janet Evanovich, and if you've had the pleasure to delight in the humor of Ms. Evanovich, you'll get the message.

Hap Collins, a happy-go-lucky loser, and Leonard Pine, a rowdy, gay Black dude, are buddies who have a penchant for running into trouble. Hap, unlike his pal Leonard, is a gentle sort; but when he or his friends are threatened by chumps who "look like they'd twist the heads off parakeets and suck the neck stumps for entertainment," he forgets his nonviolence creed and goes for blood. They, along with Hap's new girlfriend, Brett, are some of the most likeable, funniest, real-life fictional characters in any modern novel. I won't give the plot away. You'll just have to find out for yourselves why I wanted the book to never end.

I have just completed my search for the rest (3) of the Hap and Leonard novels, all of which are too short. Mr. Lansdale, you are a proficient writer. From an instant fan: I beg you to please devote more of your time to writing more adventures of the likeable duo and, while you're at it if it's not asking too much, please add two or three hundred extra pages to the future books!

One reviewer found the language crude, rude, and tacky. Well, it is.

But for me, who left behind that part of the country years ago, the language, and I'm not refering to obcenities, but rather the methods of expression, provided a nostalgic reminder of things I had almost forgotten. Those old boys know how to use self-effacing irony in a way unique to the geography. Lansdale captures it with fidelity.

You have to suspend disbelief, for most of the action is not really believable, but the fast action and interesting characters keep the reader moving on. I stayed up much too late to finish it.

Lansdale does more in one sentence than most could do in three chapters. It pure mmojo, as only Lansdale can do. Fast, hard and speaks the way we all do in real life. And that's just the title characters. Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. In trouble again and deep in suspense mystery for our amusement and edge of your seat story telling. Buy this book. If you don't like, there is something wrong with you.

I only recently re-read this book after a few years and was struck by how FUNNY it is! Arguably the funniest in the Hap/Leonard series, its also pretty dark in many ways, and quite gory as well. Rabies plays a key role in both the beginning and conclusion to this story, in a weird - and oddly satisfying - circular construct. The plot involves Hap's quest to clear Leonard of possible murder charges. There's also what seems to be an underlying theme - with vivid descriptions of torture, gay-bashing for entertainment, mad animals and a violent storm - of nature, in all of its forms, gone wild. Joe Lansdale is somehow able to convey humor even while proving once again that HUMAN nature is still the baddest mf on the block (okay, that storm is pretty bad. But human nature runs a very close second here, trust me!). A must-read.

Man, I just love the Hap and Leonard series. Lansdale's dialogue is hysterical, and somehow the situations these characters keep finding themselves in doesn't feel forced at all. They're the greatest losers that ever lived (on page anyway).

Once again, our heores must solve a mystery surrounding the death of Leonard's boyfriend, and eek out the source of some gay bashing videos that have been circulating at local video stores. Along the way we deal with a self proclaimed Chili King, an ex wrestler who likes to hook people testicles up to car batteries, a nurse with a penchant for lighting people on fire, a particularly rabid squirrel, and then some.

Perhpas my favorite part of this novel is the introduction of Joe Bob, a gun totin', gun slingin' private Detective who accompanies Hap and Leonard on their quest. I hope he returns in the next novel becuase he's just a great character.

My only gripe about this particular book in the series is that the end falls a little flat. Lansdale goes for reality more than cliche'd entertainment..but you know what, I would have preferred the cliche at the end.

Still, it's a terrif book , and fast paced enough to read in a single day. Lansdale is truly the king of Mojo.

After reading BC, I'm reminded of the reviews that some of Carl Hiaasen's fans gave him over his latest book, "Lucky You." Many complained that he didn't deliver the great funny characters and situations as he'd done in his earlier novels -- characters such as Skink, etc. Perhaps some future nitwit might do the same with Joe's "Bad Chili." I certainly hope their front teeth rot and fall off if they do this idiotic deed. BC is right on target, both with suspense, characterization, and great humor.. Maybe Joe decided not to deliver a great funny line at the onset but he can afford to lay back. The novel is first rate when it comes to a gripping plot and outlandish scumbags. Hap and Leonard are funny but are showing realistic signs of internal growth, so their relationship is not nearly as lively as in the past stories -- a change I find refreshing. Cartoon characters are the ones that never if seldom change. Which is why I enjoyed Joe's changes to his characters. I find the addition of Brett good for the character of Hap, and hope Joe keeps her with the series. I also immensely enjoy the private detective pig farmer. That guy should definitely make more appearances, and hey lets have some really good pig and farm animal jokes to tell too! There's lots of good ones out there that Joe can throw into the mix, like how a big mamma sow, lying in the mud with a dozen piglets clinging on her titties, will make you think she's performing a David Copperfield illusion when she makes that chicken that fell into her pen vanish with nothing left but a few white feathers clinging to her snout. Protein!

Great novel, Joey!

I loved this oddball duo! Hap and Leonard stole my heart with their antics and sharp wit! I was especially interested in the depiction of Leonard...a butt-kicking badass who was not ashamed of his homosexuality or his heritage. The sexual wisecracks and the racial slurs were a bit heavy, so this book may offend some readers. All in a all, a very funny book and a delightful read. Glad to know that the adventures of these two characters continues on.