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nigellicus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
5.0
Perfectly polished stories from Hap and Leonard's younger days, featuring racism, murder, violence, corruption and fighting, but also friendship, family, community, heroic altruism and food. Even the recipes at the back are damn readable and infused with their personalities.
abibliofob's review
4.0
I have always been a fan of Joe R. Lansdale and his Hap & Leonard stories and this is a great addition to the story about them. I must give thanks to Edelweiss, Tachyon Publications, Netgalley and Baker & Taylor. For those that haven't tried any books in this series you better start right now and add this one to your tbr pile.
jugglingpup's review against another edition
4.0
What I was able to read, I enjoyed. My copy was pretty messed up so I missed a great chunk of it. I will have to look into the rest of the series.
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Of Mice and Minestrone: Hap and Leonard, The Early Years is a collection of 5 short early Hap & Leonard stories (4 are previously unpublished) by Joe R. Lansdale. Due out 29th May 2020 from Tachyon, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
Hap & Leonard are a force of nature. The stories are often violent and hysterically funny (often at the same time and with a suddenness which leaves the reader with whiplash). Lansdale is such a capable writer that I can simply go along for the ride knowing that he knows where we're going and I can just look around and enjoy the scenery. And what scenery it is. There's a real-ness and credibility to the settings and characters that *must* be from the writer's stored experiences. He's simply a virtuoso storyteller and I love his work.
These 5 stories are all worthy of the canon. High quality, spare, and fighting fit, they're of Hap alone and then later on teamed up with Leonard. The stories are introduced with an essay by fellow Texan Kathleen Kent and followed by some tie-in recipes (by Kasey Lansdale) taken from the narratives. Even the recipes are written with a wry humor. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet point with American standard measures (no metric). None are pictured, all seem as if they'd be delicious (with the possible exception of texas sweet tea, I think one needs to have been born and raised there for it to be drinkable - though in the recipe collaborator's defense, she does list sugar and lemon as optional).
Delightful collection of stories with interesting introduction and bonus collaborative recipes. 5 stars. For readers unfamiliar with Hap & Leonard, it might be advisable to read some of the earlier books.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Of Mice and Minestrone: Hap and Leonard, The Early Years is a collection of 5 short early Hap & Leonard stories (4 are previously unpublished) by Joe R. Lansdale. Due out 29th May 2020 from Tachyon, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
Hap & Leonard are a force of nature. The stories are often violent and hysterically funny (often at the same time and with a suddenness which leaves the reader with whiplash). Lansdale is such a capable writer that I can simply go along for the ride knowing that he knows where we're going and I can just look around and enjoy the scenery. And what scenery it is. There's a real-ness and credibility to the settings and characters that *must* be from the writer's stored experiences. He's simply a virtuoso storyteller and I love his work.
These 5 stories are all worthy of the canon. High quality, spare, and fighting fit, they're of Hap alone and then later on teamed up with Leonard. The stories are introduced with an essay by fellow Texan Kathleen Kent and followed by some tie-in recipes (by Kasey Lansdale) taken from the narratives. Even the recipes are written with a wry humor. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet point with American standard measures (no metric). None are pictured, all seem as if they'd be delicious (with the possible exception of texas sweet tea, I think one needs to have been born and raised there for it to be drinkable - though in the recipe collaborator's defense, she does list sugar and lemon as optional).
Delightful collection of stories with interesting introduction and bonus collaborative recipes. 5 stars. For readers unfamiliar with Hap & Leonard, it might be advisable to read some of the earlier books.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
chazmo1431's review
3.0
This is not your typical Hap and Leonard story. Instead Joe Landsdale takes the reader back to their early years and lets you peek in on certain events that helped shape their lives. There is encounters with injustice, a few instances of early do gooding, and just hanging out together. Most of the tales are not long, but to make up for the shortness of the tales, their are recipes to help you capture the flavor of the times.
kmk182's review against another edition
4.0
I've been a Lansdale fan for a few years now and Hap and Leonard are great characters. This collection really only contains five stories and then recipes. Of the five stories within its definantly a good read for fans of the series. The previous early Hap and Leonard stories focused mostly on Hap and in some cases didn't feel like Hap. This one feels more true to the characters. My favorite is a simple story of the two comparing fighting in Vietnam and being in prison.
jimbob_luke's review against another edition
5.0
A delicious collection of short stories for Hap and Leonard fans old and new. For the old fans, (like myself) you learn more about the things that made Hap grow into the person he is. For people new to Hap and Leonard, this is a good introduction to a great series.
The stories added depth to the wonderful relationship, and I breezed through them in one sitting.
After the stories, I was pleasantly surprised to find recipes for some of Hap and Leonard's favorite treats. I cooked Hap's - Death by Chili for supper last night and it was delicious. Although, I would recommend putting your toilet roll in the fridge for the morning after!
Thanks to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
The stories added depth to the wonderful relationship, and I breezed through them in one sitting.
After the stories, I was pleasantly surprised to find recipes for some of Hap and Leonard's favorite treats. I cooked Hap's - Death by Chili for supper last night and it was delicious. Although, I would recommend putting your toilet roll in the fridge for the morning after!
Thanks to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
kyrilson's review against another edition
5.0
I have a long history with Joe Lansdale. I've been reading his books since the very early 90's when I ran across Nightrunners in a used book store, and I still have that old beat up paperback. I firmly believe that he is one of the great living writers of today. Don't tell him that though, he'll get all uppity and stuff.
These short stories are in a word, excellent. I particularly enjoyed Sparring Partner and The Sabine was High. His writing style is conversational and makes for easy reading. You don't need to have prior knowledge of Hap and Leonard to read this collection of short of short stories. Highly recommended.
These short stories are in a word, excellent. I particularly enjoyed Sparring Partner and The Sabine was High. His writing style is conversational and makes for easy reading. You don't need to have prior knowledge of Hap and Leonard to read this collection of short of short stories. Highly recommended.
lldavids44's review
4.0
Another great Hap and Leonard
Even though these stories take place when they're younger, they seemed even darker than usual. I love the friendship these guys have though and how they're able to find home in each other
Even though these stories take place when they're younger, they seemed even darker than usual. I love the friendship these guys have though and how they're able to find home in each other
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
First book I read in this series and first book I read by Joe Lansdale, it won't surely be the last because I loved the style of writing and the well rounded characters.
I think it's the perfect book to start the series as you meet the characters at the beginning of their life and you can read about their early life.
It was an excellent read that I loved, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I think it's the perfect book to start the series as you meet the characters at the beginning of their life and you can read about their early life.
It was an excellent read that I loved, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine