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tjkory's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chitownbookworm's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chloekg's review
3.0
The world of music, movies, and mobs is ever interesting. Put a few colorful, fast-talking characters into an outrageous escalation of fame and violence, and you get Elmore Leonard's sequel, Be Cool. All the usual beats are hit, and the dialog is charming, as always. There's some fun in its self-aware playfulness. I'd hazard that a more astute reader could pick out some commentary about the production of Get Shorty, but I hadn't read the first book or seen its adaptation. All told, it was a little too slap-dash and tongue-in-cheek for me. The psychology of the characters seemed a little more shallow. Chili is always the coolest guy in the room, and his romance is honorable but flat. There's no love for any of the characters, not enough sincerity that has delighted me in so many of Leonard's pulpy romps.
cemoses's review against another edition
3.0
I did not read Get Shorty. This book very much depends on the person reading the first book.
theflamingopriss's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
amandagstevens's review against another edition
Apparently Leonard is hit and miss for me. I love the character Raylan Givens (the TV show Justified being how I discovered this author in the first place), and I've enjoyed a couple others of his, when I'm in the mood for an over-the-top caper of violence and tension and cool dialogue. But none of the characters here, least of all Chili himself, make me want to keep reading. And though Leonard's craft is always good, my TBR shelf is too crowded to press onward with this one.
brakywaki's review
4.0
It’s interesting to me that this book spends so much time focusing on a lackluster movie sequel, and then it became one. I haven’t seen Be Cool since the theater but I sure as hell remember it was PG-13 and a lot of weird changes were made to the characters. The Rock held it down though. Do you think Elmore Leonard wrote the part for him? I mean even in the book Elliott does The People’s Eyebrow basically. Hmm.
I’m sad that Chili Palmer won’t return. At least not from Elmore Leonard, obviously. He deserved a little more. Maybe a trip into the wild world of book publishing!
I’m sad that Chili Palmer won’t return. At least not from Elmore Leonard, obviously. He deserved a little more. Maybe a trip into the wild world of book publishing!
kandicez's review
5.0
I think I like this more because of the reader (Campbell Scott) than the story. When I stop listening and go about my day, I try to think about the plot and what is going on in the tale. It just isn't that great. I get back in the car, turn it on and am immediately sucked in. Scott's voice is just so lovely. It's deep and a bit throaty. He doesn't "do" voices, but somehow you always know when a woman is talking. To me, that's the real mark of a great reader.
It's a bit unfair to Leonard that I've reviewed his narrator and not his book. This is the sequel to [b:Get Shorty|702539|Get Shorty (Chili Palmer, #1)|Elmore Leonard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330673682s/702539.jpg|2504855] and is only interesting because Chili Palmer is the star. "Look at me..." I love when Chili says that! I try not to, but I see Chili as Travolta in my mind. The young, thin, beautiful Travolta, like he was in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, but with a great haircut and clothes. I may drool for a sec here.
Anyway, the characters are what make this worth the effort. The plot is sort of lame, but Elaine as Chili's love interest is every bit as interesting as Chili himself. I almost wish Leonard would have gone on to write some Who Dunnits with Chili and Elaine as the Tommy and Tuppence of the series. I'd read those!
It's a bit unfair to Leonard that I've reviewed his narrator and not his book. This is the sequel to [b:Get Shorty|702539|Get Shorty (Chili Palmer, #1)|Elmore Leonard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330673682s/702539.jpg|2504855] and is only interesting because Chili Palmer is the star. "Look at me..." I love when Chili says that! I try not to, but I see Chili as Travolta in my mind. The young, thin, beautiful Travolta, like he was in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, but with a great haircut and clothes. I may drool for a sec here.
Anyway, the characters are what make this worth the effort. The plot is sort of lame, but Elaine as Chili's love interest is every bit as interesting as Chili himself. I almost wish Leonard would have gone on to write some Who Dunnits with Chili and Elaine as the Tommy and Tuppence of the series. I'd read those!
justinlarose's review
4.0
Fun, quick romp that certainly shows the age it was composed in but is whip smart with amazing dialogue, the way things build and then come together is immensely satisfying.