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The Hot Kid
by Elmore Leonard


4.4

based on 15 reviews
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based on 12 votes
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The author's 40th novel is set during the Prohibition era, in a world of bank robbers, gangsters, lawmen, the women who love them, and the men who write about them.

William Morrow, 320 pages
05/01/2005
$25.95

ISBN: 0060724226

Fiction
General Literature & Fiction

All reviews are classified as one of five grades: Outstanding (4 points), Favorable (3), Mixed (2), Unfavorable (1) and Terrible (0). To calculate the Metascore, we divide total points achieved by the total points possible (i.e., 4 x the number of reviews), with the resulting percentage (multiplied by 100) being the Metascore. Learn more...

Boston Globe Stephen King

You certainly wouldn't expect him to have produced his best novel at the age of 79, but he seems to have done it.

Entertainment Weekly Gilbert Cruz

Leonard shows little sign of losing his ability to write crackling dialogue and create endearing, slightly tainted heroes. [13 May 2005, p.92]

Los Angeles Times Denise Hamilton

"The Hot Kid" brims with the sly humor, spare prose and razor dialogue we expect from the master. [8 May 2005, p.R3]

Library Journal Thomas L. Kilpatrick

A winner in the tradition of Get Shorty and Be Cool. [15 Apr 2005, p.74]

Publishers Weekly

The writing is pitch-perfect throughout. [28 Mar 2005, p.55]

The Onion A.V. Club Scott Tobias

A smooth-running tour through a vibrant period in American history, The Hot Kid hopscotches from one memorable setpiece to another.

Washington Post Patrick Anderson

In The Hot Kid , Oklahoma is his version of Shakespeare's enchanted isle in "The Tempest," a brave new world where maids and monsters, outlaws and oilmen, strange creatures all, act out their dubious destinies.

Daily Telegraph Susanna Yager

If you wonder why so many superlatives have been used to describe his books, you only have to read this one to find out.

Daily Telegraph James Walton

While I've read more straightforwardly thrilling Leonard novels, The Hot Kid is among the richest and most satisfying.

The Guardian Peter Guttridge

It's a straightforward tale, more western than contemporary story, but Leonard's every page sparkles.

Booklist Keir Graff

As always, Leonard's prose seems effortless, his dialogue is perfect, and his humor is as dry as a moonshine martini. If there's anything that keeps The Hot Kid from catching fire, it might be that the Hot Kid is a little too hot. [15 Mar 2005, p.1246]

Houston Chronicle Andrew Dansby

Familiar and strange, The Hot Kid is an expertly crafted, deftly balanced crime novel that engages with its contradictions.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

A quieter, deeper, more sanguine novel than ''Get Shorty'' fans are used to, one with more heft but less hair-trigger repartee than Mr. Leonard usually delivers.

The New York Times Book Review Charles McGrath

Where so much of Leonard's recent fiction has a sharp, almost hyperrealistic quality, ''The Hot Kid'' is noirish and even a little pulpy at times, in the fashion of 30's movies and detective magazines.

San Francisco Chronicle David Lazarus

This is still Elmore Leonard, make no mistake -- the man could write a phone book onto the best-seller list. But there's little sizzle to "The Hot Kid" and precious little emotional clout.

The average user rating for this book is 4.4 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mike M gave it a4:
The author's concise prose lends a Hemingway-esque hipness, but also leads to shallow characters, especially all of the women. Fair climax--a little predictable. The plot weaves between characters, only sometimes settling on the main character. Not much happens other than gunfights and brief sex scenes.

Paul H gave it a10:
Don't listen to the Zeros, their all the same guy, this is a wonderful read for the summer and it's set in a time period i love

matt a gave it a9:
I can't believe that Metacritic twice posted the ranting and ravings of Prudence K who's favorite book is probably "The Cider House Rules". yea this book is not a happy one, but it is brilliant, amazing prose and a totally unique writing style. Not to mention his characters are totally complex and multi-layered. I have only read one other Elmore Leonard book but this one is more fully realized and I can honestly say one of the best books I've ever read. Please, listen to the critics, not Prudence K, and get this book.

Zeyt Z gave it a0:
I can only use one word to desribe this book... YUCK!

Prudence K gave it a0:
Okay. So, I'm one of those people who go to bookstores and just stand there are read the books without paying for it of having any interest in buying it at all. So, yeah. I read it again. Cried at the sad parts. And was asked to leave Barnes and Noble. I went back later. And got to finish it. I still hated it. But, it's like my drug! Terrible book. But, this might be the first book I actually buy!

Donè E gave it a0:
So, reading this book is supposed to make me smarter? No. It was awful! You should feel ashamed author!

The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard

The Hot Kid
by Elmore Leonard