Patti Abbott, Mucho Mojo, Joe R. Lansdale (from 2011)
Mucho Mojo is the second installment of the Hap and Leonard series by Joe R. Lansdale and a worthy follow-up to the first one. It concerns the disappearance of a number of eight 10 year old boys over a period of 10 years in a small town in Texas. It was very well done, of course, although I did find it improbable that such a long string of disappearances would get so little attention from the authorities given certain similarities. But all in all, I enjoyed this book immensely.
What I wanted to talk about here are the considerable strengths I found in this novel--almost amazing ones.
This is a novel by a white writer set entirely in the black community of a small town--and it never seems patronizing or inauthentic. Hap is virtually the only white character.
Secondly, Lansdale is able to write, almost obsessively, about sex without it seeming prurient or pornographic. His sex is tender and graceful.
Third-he is able to create believable characters with a few strokes of his keyboard. Truly, he can find a feature or embellishment to give them something to make them stand out.
Fourth-he can insert humor gracefully at even the darkest moments.
Fifth- he can use profanity without seeming crass.
What a writer. I am in awe.
6 comments:
I have to admit, Patti. This is a series I've heard of, but haven't tried. I do admire an author with that much writing skill, though. It looks as though I've been missing out.
Excellent review. You really zeroed in on Joe's strengths as a writer, which are many. His humor always pulls you in even when the story (as here) gets dark.
Joe R. Lansdale writes with his own unique style. Wonderful writer!
One of my favorite writers. Especially like his standalone novels Paradise Sky, The Bottoms, and The Thicket.
Love every one I have read. Especially THE BOTTOMS.
I can still remember the thrill I got when I first read MUCHO MOJO. It led to my firm belief that there is something in the East Texas water.
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