Reviews

Drive by James Sallis

ghamblock1's review against another edition

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4.0

If I could do the chef’s kiss meme, that’s what I’d do. Just a perfect little book.

brandongryder's review against another edition

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3.0

A quick, straight forward read. I enjoyed the writing style: clipped dialogue with no wasted words. Call it 3.5 stars.

spikers's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-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

mreads379's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.0

posies23's review against another edition

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5.0

This in an excellent minimalist noir. Nothing is wasted, and there are sections of pure poetry. Think Richard Stark meets Jim Thompson, with a bit of Sallis's usual brilliant wordsmithing. I have a feeling you'll either "get" this one or you won't, but I loved it.

wyll's review

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mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.5

Nicholas Windig Refn really did a good job of taking the good parts of this book and then translating the rest into something beautiful in his adaptation. it's not that the book's bad, because it really isn't, it's just that Sallis' writing is so particular, and at times, hard to decipher, at others, just downright pretentious. the non-linear format is definitely unique in its set-up, but somewhat hard to follow, and really pulls you out of the story, making it hard to enjoy.

alixjack's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

georgiehar's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition

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3.0

I found this a bit confusing the way it jumped around between present, almost present, just past.

julesdc's review against another edition

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3.0

An interesting read. I have to say after loving the film the book was a tad disappointing, with the characters and plot playing out far more engagingly on screen. Sallis' minimalistic prose lends well to the mystery aspect of the novel however, complimenting its structure well. 3.5 Stars.