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Driving to Geronimo's Grave and Other Stories
From the Dusty Great Depression to the far future, to the wild west, to the era of big fin automobiles, soda shops and double features, as well as dark journey on an icy ocean full of ravenous sharks and a fantastic shipwreck that leads its survivors into a nightmarish Lovecraftian world of monsters and mystery, Joe R. Lansdale returns with a pack of stories for your consumption and enjoyment. There's even killer machines, a big ole grizzly bear, and entertaining story notes. Joe R. Lansdale has been writing novels and stories, as well as screenplays and comics, for over forty-five years, and this is his latest concoction, encompassing stories informed by a variety of genres, but not quite comfortably fitting into any of them. The reason is simple. Joe R. Lansdale is his own genre.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
49 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Joe R. Lansdale
818 books3,892 followersChampion Mojo Storyteller Joe R. Lansdale is the author of over forty novels and numerous short stories. His work has appeared in national anthologies, magazines, and collections, as well as numerous foreign publications. He has written for comics, television, film, newspapers, and Internet sites. His work has been collected in more than two dozen short-story collections, and he has edited or co-edited over a dozen anthologies. He has received the Edgar Award, eight Bram Stoker Awards, the Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Grinzani Cavour Prize for Literature, the Herodotus Historical Fiction Award, the Inkpot Award for Contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy, and many others. His novella Bubba Ho-Tep was adapted to film by Don Coscarelli, starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis. His story "Incident On and Off a Mountain Road" was adapted to film for Showtime's "Masters of Horror," and he adapted his short story "Christmas with the Dead" to film hisownself. The film adaptation of his novel Cold in July was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Sundance Channel has adapted his Hap & Leonard novels for television.
He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.
He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.
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July 12, 2018
Driving to Geronimo's Grave: and Other Stories is a collection of tales by Joe Lansdale.
I'm a Lansdale fan from way back so when I saw this on Netgalley, I jumped on it. I've read four or five Lansdale collections but I've never read any of these stories before.
Each tale in the collection is accompanied by an afterword where Joe talks about how the story came to be, which is almost as interesting as the story in some cases. The title story, Driving to Geronimo's Grave, is about a brother and sister driving across depression-era Oklahoma to retrieve the body of an uncle they've never met. It's full of Lansdale's trademark humor and has far more twists than the Oklahoma roads the siblings are driving on.
The second tale, In the Mad Mountains, is a Lansdalian homage to the HP Lovecraft classic, The Mountains of Madness. Joe's tale involves a hole in space and wrecked ships frozen in an iceberg. It's also entertaining as hell and some of the better Lovecraftian fiction I've ever read.
The third story, Wrestling Jesus, is about a young man who learns about confidence and defending himself from an old wrestler. The wrestler, X-Man, wrestles another old timer named Jesus every five years for the love of a dark woman named Felina who has a hold on them. It's pretty much a story of a father-son relationship, told in Lansdale's Mojo style. I texted my wife a few choice lines while I was reading it.
The fourth story, Rapid Robo, is a science fiction tale. Set centuries after a failed alien invasion, a girl leaves her tribe in the desert to find her brother and sister, who were kidnapped by robots. I liked this one quite a bit. I love stories featuring relatively primative people using technology they don't understand and this is one of those. Sheann and Nim's relationship drives the tale, much like in Wrestling Jesus.
The Projectionist, the fifth story, is about the young man who runs the movie projector and the secrets he holds. It's a pretty bad ass crime tale. I know Joe has a few tales that feature movie theaters but this one takes a very dark turn.
The final story, Everything Sparkles in Hell, is about a marshal tracking a quartet of killers in the winter who gets more than he bargained for. This one is a western starring Nat Love, which reminds me I still need to read Paradise Sky.
Driving to Geronimo's Grave was a loaded revolver with a bullet in ever chamber and not a dud in the bunch. It's hard to pick a favorite since I liked all of the tales quite a bit in their own ways. The collection shows that Joe Lansdale can write in a large spectrum of genres and still be the mojo storyteller he's always been. It's an easy four star read.
I'm a Lansdale fan from way back so when I saw this on Netgalley, I jumped on it. I've read four or five Lansdale collections but I've never read any of these stories before.
Each tale in the collection is accompanied by an afterword where Joe talks about how the story came to be, which is almost as interesting as the story in some cases. The title story, Driving to Geronimo's Grave, is about a brother and sister driving across depression-era Oklahoma to retrieve the body of an uncle they've never met. It's full of Lansdale's trademark humor and has far more twists than the Oklahoma roads the siblings are driving on.
The second tale, In the Mad Mountains, is a Lansdalian homage to the HP Lovecraft classic, The Mountains of Madness. Joe's tale involves a hole in space and wrecked ships frozen in an iceberg. It's also entertaining as hell and some of the better Lovecraftian fiction I've ever read.
The third story, Wrestling Jesus, is about a young man who learns about confidence and defending himself from an old wrestler. The wrestler, X-Man, wrestles another old timer named Jesus every five years for the love of a dark woman named Felina who has a hold on them. It's pretty much a story of a father-son relationship, told in Lansdale's Mojo style. I texted my wife a few choice lines while I was reading it.
The fourth story, Rapid Robo, is a science fiction tale. Set centuries after a failed alien invasion, a girl leaves her tribe in the desert to find her brother and sister, who were kidnapped by robots. I liked this one quite a bit. I love stories featuring relatively primative people using technology they don't understand and this is one of those. Sheann and Nim's relationship drives the tale, much like in Wrestling Jesus.
The Projectionist, the fifth story, is about the young man who runs the movie projector and the secrets he holds. It's a pretty bad ass crime tale. I know Joe has a few tales that feature movie theaters but this one takes a very dark turn.
The final story, Everything Sparkles in Hell, is about a marshal tracking a quartet of killers in the winter who gets more than he bargained for. This one is a western starring Nat Love, which reminds me I still need to read Paradise Sky.
Driving to Geronimo's Grave was a loaded revolver with a bullet in ever chamber and not a dud in the bunch. It's hard to pick a favorite since I liked all of the tales quite a bit in their own ways. The collection shows that Joe Lansdale can write in a large spectrum of genres and still be the mojo storyteller he's always been. It's an easy four star read.
July 26, 2018
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
Opening up this book of short stories by Joe Lansdale was like being presented with a handful of magic beans. I didn't know what flavors they were, just that they would be good. And so they were. Lansdale can tell a story in almost any genre, and his characteristic humor is always a pleasure.
Driving to Geronimo's Grave - Uncle Smat has up and died in Oklahoma, lying in repose in a chicken coop, an ignominious death. A brother and his smarty pants little sister are sent to collect the body and bring it back home for burial. Set during the Depression, I would have liked for this road trip to have lasted longer.
In the Mad Mountains - In the cold and dark, what happens when you fall through a hole in your dreams?
Wrestling Jesus - '. . .the mojo, the juju, the black doo-doo. . .' .
Robo Rapid - A sci-fi tale that bodes ill for the future. The weather changes, wars take place, and machines start to do the thinking. Where will that leave the humans?
The Projectionist - 1950's movie theatre and the man who sits in the projection booth and shows the films. Don't sell him short.
Everything Sparkles in Hell - I read about one of these characters in Black Hat Jack. Marshal Nat Love has his hands full here with an irate grizzly mama bear, killer outlaws, and Mother Nature.
Opening up this book of short stories by Joe Lansdale was like being presented with a handful of magic beans. I didn't know what flavors they were, just that they would be good. And so they were. Lansdale can tell a story in almost any genre, and his characteristic humor is always a pleasure.
Driving to Geronimo's Grave - Uncle Smat has up and died in Oklahoma, lying in repose in a chicken coop, an ignominious death. A brother and his smarty pants little sister are sent to collect the body and bring it back home for burial. Set during the Depression, I would have liked for this road trip to have lasted longer.
In the Mad Mountains - In the cold and dark, what happens when you fall through a hole in your dreams?
Wrestling Jesus - '. . .the mojo, the juju, the black doo-doo. . .' .
Robo Rapid - A sci-fi tale that bodes ill for the future. The weather changes, wars take place, and machines start to do the thinking. Where will that leave the humans?
The Projectionist - 1950's movie theatre and the man who sits in the projection booth and shows the films. Don't sell him short.
Everything Sparkles in Hell - I read about one of these characters in Black Hat Jack. Marshal Nat Love has his hands full here with an irate grizzly mama bear, killer outlaws, and Mother Nature.
October 18, 2018
The book hints at where the originals of these stories first appeared, in the event one wants to track them down, here is my attempt to help.
“Driving to Geronimo’s Grave” originally appeared in the anthology “The Highway Kind” edited by Patrick Millikin published October 18, 2016. This is a humorous depression era tale.
We first saw “In the Mad Mountains” in the book “The Gods of HP Lovecraft” which was edited by Aaron J. French and was published December 11th 2015 by JournalStone, and is Lansdale’s take on eldritch horror, Lovecraft style.
“Wrestling Jesus” is lifted from Dangerous Women Vol. 1, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, Published by Tor Books September 30, 2014. This is my least favorite story in this anthology and In my opinion the weakest.
"Robo Rapid" was derived from the book “The Weight of Words” from the editors: Dave McKean and William Schafer. The book was published by Subterranean Press December 31, 2017. This is a near future cautionary tale about Man vs. Machine.
“The Projectionist” is originally from the anthology “In Sunlight or in Shadow” edited by Lawrence Block, published by Pegasus, December 2016. This is pretty much a straight forward crime story about is a gang, extorting a movie theater owner.
From a line in “The Thicket” we get - “He said everything sparkles in hell.” And as far as I recall, those words were spoken by Shorty. And thus, this is the only original story in this collection as far as I recall. For fans of Nate Love, further reading can be found in “Paradise Sky” and the novella “Black Hat Jack”.
One of the best things about this book are the original forwards/introductions for each of the stories,
Contents:
009 - Introduction
011 - "Driving to Geronimo’s Grave"
049 - " In the Mad Mountains"
107 - "Wrestling Jesus"
147 - "Robo Rapid"
191 - "The Projectionist"
225 - "Everything Sparkles in Hell"
Cover art Ken Laager
This hardcover edition is numbered 99 of 1500 copies produced and is signed by Joe R. Lansdale.
“Driving to Geronimo’s Grave” originally appeared in the anthology “The Highway Kind” edited by Patrick Millikin published October 18, 2016. This is a humorous depression era tale.
We first saw “In the Mad Mountains” in the book “The Gods of HP Lovecraft” which was edited by Aaron J. French and was published December 11th 2015 by JournalStone, and is Lansdale’s take on eldritch horror, Lovecraft style.
“Wrestling Jesus” is lifted from Dangerous Women Vol. 1, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, Published by Tor Books September 30, 2014. This is my least favorite story in this anthology and In my opinion the weakest.
"Robo Rapid" was derived from the book “The Weight of Words” from the editors: Dave McKean and William Schafer. The book was published by Subterranean Press December 31, 2017. This is a near future cautionary tale about Man vs. Machine.
“The Projectionist” is originally from the anthology “In Sunlight or in Shadow” edited by Lawrence Block, published by Pegasus, December 2016. This is pretty much a straight forward crime story about is a gang, extorting a movie theater owner.
From a line in “The Thicket” we get - “He said everything sparkles in hell.” And as far as I recall, those words were spoken by Shorty. And thus, this is the only original story in this collection as far as I recall. For fans of Nate Love, further reading can be found in “Paradise Sky” and the novella “Black Hat Jack”.
One of the best things about this book are the original forwards/introductions for each of the stories,
Contents:
009 - Introduction
011 - "Driving to Geronimo’s Grave"
049 - " In the Mad Mountains"
107 - "Wrestling Jesus"
147 - "Robo Rapid"
191 - "The Projectionist"
225 - "Everything Sparkles in Hell"
Cover art Ken Laager
This hardcover edition is numbered 99 of 1500 copies produced and is signed by Joe R. Lansdale.
December 20, 2018
GREAT collection...GREAT introduction...and a 5 Star 2018 favorite!
I loved this diversified collection of mystery, coming-of-age, sci-fi and western, but most of all loved Marshall Nat Love in the sixth and final story entitled: Everything Sparkles In Hell. It made Landsdale's compilation a real winner for me; and those informative tidbits behind the writing of each, some based on the author's own experiences, sealed the deal.
1) DRIVING TO GERONIMO'S GRAVE - Poor Uncle Smat; he's gone and flown the coop, but have no fear, you'll discover how he went and where he ends up after his stay in the chicken house....but beware the stranger.
2) IN THE MAD MOUNTAINS - Welcome aboard an ancient 1800's ship and experience a strange and mysterious adventure in a frozen world....with dead bodies. Something is just not right.
3) WRESTLING JESUS - Poor Marvin, he's become a 17 year old punching bag, but not for too long....there's a tough old geezer who knows his way around bullies and evil types.
4) ROBO RAPID - Oh my....be on the look out for the tribe of monster blue and white machines in this post apocalyptic tale of one bizarre futuristic war.
5) THE PROJECTIONIST - A day at the movies back in the 1950's with pretty usherette Sally turns dark when some bullies become worrisome for the projectionist and his boss....but fortunately some people have special talents.
6) EVERYTHING SPARKLES IN HELL - U.S. Marshall Nat Love, a "larger than life" cool black cowboy tracks a band of four nasty outlaws from Arkansas to the Rockies in the dead of winter. "Breathing the air was like swallowing broken glass." With the assistance of his pal Choctaw, the "greatest tracker the west had ever seen", a LeMat pistol that holds 9 rounds + a shotgun load, AND a one thousand pound broken-hearted mama grizzly, this western tale became much more than I expected. (Must now read Paradise Sky) And oh yeah, I wanted to dig that nasty piece of sh*t Duncan up and kill him myself too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the arc in exchange for review.
October 17, 2018
DRIVING TO GERONIMO'S GRAVE: AND OTHER STORIES is a shining example of how skilled Joe Lansdale really is. Not one of these tales is like the others-they're all different, all unique and all showcasing why Mr. Lansdale has been called the Champion Mojo Storyteller.
The title story is the first here and it's set during the Great Depression. A young man and his sister are tasked with picking up the corpse of their dead uncle and bringing it back home so they can bury him with the proper respect. Being that this is a Lansdale story, things don't go quite as planned. I loved this tale, I loved the characters and I especially loved smart-mouthed Terri. 5*
IN THE MAD MOUNTAINS: Mr. Lansdale's homage to Lovecraft was better than most of the actual Lovecraft I've read. I don't even know what else to say because this story was so imaginative-I think each reader needs to have it unfold for them. It had a pulpy feel to it on top of the Lovecraftian base-a unique combination that worked well for me. 5*
WRESTLING JESUS: A bullied boy and a bullied man, (albeit a very different kind of bullying), both come together in this tale of wrestling, love gone wrong, and a relationship much like that of father and son. 4*
ROBO RAPID: This is a pulp adventure-type story set in the future with a delightful young woman, Sheann, as the protagonist. Years after an invasion here on earth, robots have killed her parents and stolen her siblings. She makes it her mission in life to get them back. Along the way, she makes a friend, sees a musical, and learns that she's braver than even she realized. 5*
THE PROJECTIONIST: I first read this story in Lawrence Block's collection IN SUNLIGHT OR IN SHADOW. At first this seems to be a tale about a young man lusting after a beautiful young woman. Then it turns into something else entirely. 5*
As an aside about THE PROJECTIONIST: it's fascinating to me that an author can gaze at a painting and come up with an entire backstory for it. In this case the painting was The Usherette by Edward Hopper and here it is:
The last tale in this book EVERYTHING SPARKLES IN HELL brings us to visit Nat Love. A black cowboy featured in the novel PARADISE SKY and a few other novellas, Nat returns as a bounty hunter tracking down two no-good men. (Based on the real man, yes there were black cowboys, despite their absence from most American history books.) Along the way he meets up with Chocktaw, (a tracker of some renown), and the biggest she-bear either of them has ever seen. I loved visiting with Nat again and he will always hold a special place in my heart.
What I especially loved about this collection are the tidbits from the author himself revealing how the stories came about. In the digital review copy I received, these came after the stories rather than before, and I liked that. (It seems that, in previewing the finished copy online, these are now forewords to the stories, rather than afterwords.) I enjoyed reading them after reading the tales themselves and seeing how the ideas germinated in the head of the author, sometimes sprouting out fully formed, according to him. Once again, I find myself fascinated by Mr. Lansdale's writing process and abilities.
I was pretty sure I was going to love this collection of stories even before I started reading it, and I was right. It's the skilled writing of Mr. Lansdale that gets to me every time. No matter what he writes about, it can be counted on to capture and hold your attention. It can be counted on to contain some humor and real life observations. It can be counted on to satisfy. Because his characters are so true to life- complicated and diverse, they make me feel connected not only to them, but to the world as well. It's a gift and Joe has it. That is all I can say.
My highest recommendation!
*Thank you to Subterranean Press and to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
The title story is the first here and it's set during the Great Depression. A young man and his sister are tasked with picking up the corpse of their dead uncle and bringing it back home so they can bury him with the proper respect. Being that this is a Lansdale story, things don't go quite as planned. I loved this tale, I loved the characters and I especially loved smart-mouthed Terri. 5*
IN THE MAD MOUNTAINS: Mr. Lansdale's homage to Lovecraft was better than most of the actual Lovecraft I've read. I don't even know what else to say because this story was so imaginative-I think each reader needs to have it unfold for them. It had a pulpy feel to it on top of the Lovecraftian base-a unique combination that worked well for me. 5*
WRESTLING JESUS: A bullied boy and a bullied man, (albeit a very different kind of bullying), both come together in this tale of wrestling, love gone wrong, and a relationship much like that of father and son. 4*
ROBO RAPID: This is a pulp adventure-type story set in the future with a delightful young woman, Sheann, as the protagonist. Years after an invasion here on earth, robots have killed her parents and stolen her siblings. She makes it her mission in life to get them back. Along the way, she makes a friend, sees a musical, and learns that she's braver than even she realized. 5*
THE PROJECTIONIST: I first read this story in Lawrence Block's collection IN SUNLIGHT OR IN SHADOW. At first this seems to be a tale about a young man lusting after a beautiful young woman. Then it turns into something else entirely. 5*
As an aside about THE PROJECTIONIST: it's fascinating to me that an author can gaze at a painting and come up with an entire backstory for it. In this case the painting was The Usherette by Edward Hopper and here it is:
The last tale in this book EVERYTHING SPARKLES IN HELL brings us to visit Nat Love. A black cowboy featured in the novel PARADISE SKY and a few other novellas, Nat returns as a bounty hunter tracking down two no-good men. (Based on the real man, yes there were black cowboys, despite their absence from most American history books.) Along the way he meets up with Chocktaw, (a tracker of some renown), and the biggest she-bear either of them has ever seen. I loved visiting with Nat again and he will always hold a special place in my heart.
What I especially loved about this collection are the tidbits from the author himself revealing how the stories came about. In the digital review copy I received, these came after the stories rather than before, and I liked that. (It seems that, in previewing the finished copy online, these are now forewords to the stories, rather than afterwords.) I enjoyed reading them after reading the tales themselves and seeing how the ideas germinated in the head of the author, sometimes sprouting out fully formed, according to him. Once again, I find myself fascinated by Mr. Lansdale's writing process and abilities.
I was pretty sure I was going to love this collection of stories even before I started reading it, and I was right. It's the skilled writing of Mr. Lansdale that gets to me every time. No matter what he writes about, it can be counted on to capture and hold your attention. It can be counted on to contain some humor and real life observations. It can be counted on to satisfy. Because his characters are so true to life- complicated and diverse, they make me feel connected not only to them, but to the world as well. It's a gift and Joe has it. That is all I can say.
My highest recommendation!
*Thank you to Subterranean Press and to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
September 5, 2023
It’s not any particularly amazing story that make this Joe Lansdale collection stand out. Rather, it’s the startling variety of his talent. Each tale represents a different genre. The title story, Driving to Geronimo’s Grave, is a prime example of Lansdale’s own patented Cracker Noir. In the Mad Mountains is a solid tale of Lovecraftian horror. Robo Rapid takes a shot at post apocalyptic sci-fi, and The Projectionist is a crime story inspired by an Edward Hopper painting. Lansdale took on the Western with Everything Sparkles in Hell, using for his protagonist Nat Love, a real life Black gunman who he would revisit in his novel Paradise Sky. Wresting Jesus is an odd amalgam of father/son story and wrestling tale heavily spiced with a femme fatale.
While none of these stories are spectacular on their own, each is enjoyable and a solid effort. Included with each is the author’s introduction telling a bit of how the tale came to be. Altogether it’s an impressive package — solid 3.5 stars rounded up.
While none of these stories are spectacular on their own, each is enjoyable and a solid effort. Included with each is the author’s introduction telling a bit of how the tale came to be. Altogether it’s an impressive package — solid 3.5 stars rounded up.
September 12, 2018
Review copy eARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Joe R. Lansdale has been on my radar for many years, and always seemed to be an author I’d enjoy. But the shame of it is that until now, I’ve only read one or two short stories of his. This collection was fantastic, and if it’s any indication of a consistent writing style from Lansdale, I’ll certainly be reading more of his work in short order.
“Driving to Geronimo’s Grave” – I had no idea where this story was going as it got started, but wasn’t disappointed. Terri was the best part of this. I really got a feel for the Great Depression setting here.
“In the Mad Mountains” – You know, I don’t think I’ve ever actually read an HP Lovecraft story. But even so, I recognize when something is “Lovecraftian”, and this is certainly it (confirmed by the author’s notes after the story). Besides that, it reminded me of what might have happened if Dan Simmons wrote about the Titanic in the spirit of The Terror, and maybe had some contributions from Stephen King in the vein of “The Langoliers”. And then so much more than all of that. Loved it.
“Wrestling Jesus” – What a fantastic story! I couldn’t see where it was going*, and I was glued to the page from beginning to end. This is a unique take on the “young guy meets old mentor” story and is very well written. *What’s even more amazing is that in the notes, I discovered that I’d actually read this story before, in the Dangerous Women anthology. Looking back at my review, I had flagged it as a favorite.
“Robo Rapid” – and he does science fiction too. This was a great tale of a disturbing post-apocalyptic future.
“The Projectionist” – This was based on an Ed Hopper painting, so I had to look it up online after reading. I would have done so before, but didn’t know that fact until the author notes after the story. Anyway, this fits with “Wrestling Jesus” as a mentor-student bond type tale, though quite different in its execution.
“Everything Sparkles in Hell” – Great title for the final story! Oh, and it’s a Western. Great way to close out an excellent collection. I really liked this one, with the suspense of the hunting grizzly bear. I was also pleased to see that there are other stories out there about Nat Love, so this is just the beginning.
All in all a great collection which left me wanting more. Lansdale is a great short story writer; most authors have a good one here and there but their collections are pretty uneven. This one is rock solid, with every single story being of equal high intensity and quality. I’m looking forward to reading more of his work. I’ll be grabbing more of the short stories, and I look forward to trying a novel as well.
Joe R. Lansdale has been on my radar for many years, and always seemed to be an author I’d enjoy. But the shame of it is that until now, I’ve only read one or two short stories of his. This collection was fantastic, and if it’s any indication of a consistent writing style from Lansdale, I’ll certainly be reading more of his work in short order.
“Driving to Geronimo’s Grave” – I had no idea where this story was going as it got started, but wasn’t disappointed. Terri was the best part of this. I really got a feel for the Great Depression setting here.
“In the Mad Mountains” – You know, I don’t think I’ve ever actually read an HP Lovecraft story. But even so, I recognize when something is “Lovecraftian”, and this is certainly it (confirmed by the author’s notes after the story). Besides that, it reminded me of what might have happened if Dan Simmons wrote about the Titanic in the spirit of The Terror, and maybe had some contributions from Stephen King in the vein of “The Langoliers”. And then so much more than all of that. Loved it.
“Wrestling Jesus” – What a fantastic story! I couldn’t see where it was going*, and I was glued to the page from beginning to end. This is a unique take on the “young guy meets old mentor” story and is very well written. *What’s even more amazing is that in the notes, I discovered that I’d actually read this story before, in the Dangerous Women anthology. Looking back at my review, I had flagged it as a favorite.
“Robo Rapid” – and he does science fiction too. This was a great tale of a disturbing post-apocalyptic future.
“The Projectionist” – This was based on an Ed Hopper painting, so I had to look it up online after reading. I would have done so before, but didn’t know that fact until the author notes after the story. Anyway, this fits with “Wrestling Jesus” as a mentor-student bond type tale, though quite different in its execution.
“Everything Sparkles in Hell” – Great title for the final story! Oh, and it’s a Western. Great way to close out an excellent collection. I really liked this one, with the suspense of the hunting grizzly bear. I was also pleased to see that there are other stories out there about Nat Love, so this is just the beginning.
All in all a great collection which left me wanting more. Lansdale is a great short story writer; most authors have a good one here and there but their collections are pretty uneven. This one is rock solid, with every single story being of equal high intensity and quality. I’m looking forward to reading more of his work. I’ll be grabbing more of the short stories, and I look forward to trying a novel as well.
April 16, 2020
Driving to Geronimo's Grave was a superlative story collection by the ever fantastic mojo storyteller Joe Lansdale. I think if you are a Lansdale fan you will love this book. But better yet I think this collection might be the perfect way to introduce new readers to Joe's work. (I have met Joe in person several times so yes I call him Joe. If you ever have the privilege I promise you'll get to call him Joe too he's just that kind of guy.) The stories here are varied-there are lot of genres Joe is comfortable with and writes well so there is a selection here to please every palate. Historical fiction, horror, science fiction, noir-and all these tales are delights to read.
October 9, 2018
There is a treasure trove of storytelling here with all that makes the heart feel and tremble, characters conjured that have grit, fight, courage, adventure, and truth. He writes with that potent voice of his own, his humour and his fury at times, through his characters, to the injustices dealt to them. A craftsman using the fiction world as a vehicle in ways mirror imagining life struggles, love and war. An artist with his hands and mind, martial artist and word slinger firing at you six memorable nicely put together entertaining short stories.
Sunday 7th October 2018.
Ruminations, during long run after a post-fight major UFC title bout and reading Lansdale’s Stories.
Championships, fame, popularity, this author never wavered, stayed true to form, with grit, to all that he stands for, a writer from American south staying true to his roots, at the same time his potent voice against injustices and prejudices, a heart at battle with it self with all the terribleness in the world, working man, echoing Faulkner, Steinbeck, and Flannery O’Connor stood for, never a sellout to what people want to hear, nor loosing himself in all sound and fury and fame.
This collection starts with Driving to Geronimo’s Grave, in the depression era, of bygone days, on the road with car troubles, with the dead and one particular Geronimo’s grave on the journey.
In the Mad Mountains:
The introduction to this short story has some personal reflections on histories, with authors, people, and hate. These introductions are worthwhile reading and insightful, a warrior with words, with mind and soul.
This narrative loosely based around the Lovecraft story.
The beginning sentences hook you in, “The moon was bright. The sea was black. The waves rolled, and the bodies rolled with it. The dead ones and the live ones, screaming and dying, begging and pleading, praying and crying to the unconcerned sea.”
A narrative with survivors at seas looking for warmth and provisions, who encounter an old boat and scenes of macabre and dread, then other things, beings and a mountain.
A treat of a vivid darkly tale done well, with all the all the strangeness, adventure and mystery Lovecraft conjured, with suspense in what lurks and what passed, and to come, a haunt your sleep.
Wrestling Jesus:
A very personal story of the authors with love and war, bullies, fathers and sons.
A fight in everyone, passing legacies down, fighters, muster courage, fight or flight, and the rest, struggling forward, prose commanding hearts to hope, fight, aspire, and overcome.
A very heartfelt statement left by the author in last sentence of intro:
“One of the greatest gifts my father gave me was confidence and a love for martial arts. In a roundabout way, he gave me this story, and now I give it to you.”
Robo Rapid:
With this one you have kin in the balance, life and death, in the dunes up against machines.
In the flatlands, before, it was humans against aliens, then the machines came with horrific rituals of sacrifice, human ones.
On this he mentions as part of its Introduction:
“Truth is, I write a lot of different sorts of stories, and not many are science fiction in nature. But as I said, science fiction was my first passionate love.”
Everything Sparkles in Hell:
It was winter, and they are in the thick of the snow out on the trail for a band of criminals, warmth was needed, Nat Love, a U.S. Marshal, and is friend and tracker, Choctaw, and one hell of a bear out there too.
Joe Lansdale delivers a swell Short story, with all the thrill and adventure you need in a western tale.
“…was a long way from Arkansas, and well out of my jurisdiction, but I had sworn to myself that I’d bring those four killers in, dead or alive. They were some of the worst there was. I was damn sure armed for it. I had my Winchester, and on my hip I carried a Colt .44 converted pistol, and a LeMat.”
In the introduction he mentions on the character Nat Love:
“There was a real Nat Love, but my character is an amalgam of many black westerners, from cowboys to soldiers to gunfighters to marshals.
Nat Love, however, was the impetus for several stories I wrote about a western hero with the same name, as well a novel, Paradise Sky, which to date is my favorite of all my novels.”
“This story takes place after the events of Paradise Sky. It is not only Nat’s story, but that of Choctaw, who appears at the end of the novel. I liked that guy and brought him back.”
Check out my new Interview with Joe Lansdale on writing, film adaptations, Hap and Leonard show - and new this new fiction @ https://more2read.com/review/joe-lansdale-on-writing-film-adaptations-and-hap-and-leonard-show
Sunday 7th October 2018.
Ruminations, during long run after a post-fight major UFC title bout and reading Lansdale’s Stories.
Championships, fame, popularity, this author never wavered, stayed true to form, with grit, to all that he stands for, a writer from American south staying true to his roots, at the same time his potent voice against injustices and prejudices, a heart at battle with it self with all the terribleness in the world, working man, echoing Faulkner, Steinbeck, and Flannery O’Connor stood for, never a sellout to what people want to hear, nor loosing himself in all sound and fury and fame.
This collection starts with Driving to Geronimo’s Grave, in the depression era, of bygone days, on the road with car troubles, with the dead and one particular Geronimo’s grave on the journey.
In the Mad Mountains:
The introduction to this short story has some personal reflections on histories, with authors, people, and hate. These introductions are worthwhile reading and insightful, a warrior with words, with mind and soul.
This narrative loosely based around the Lovecraft story.
The beginning sentences hook you in, “The moon was bright. The sea was black. The waves rolled, and the bodies rolled with it. The dead ones and the live ones, screaming and dying, begging and pleading, praying and crying to the unconcerned sea.”
A narrative with survivors at seas looking for warmth and provisions, who encounter an old boat and scenes of macabre and dread, then other things, beings and a mountain.
A treat of a vivid darkly tale done well, with all the all the strangeness, adventure and mystery Lovecraft conjured, with suspense in what lurks and what passed, and to come, a haunt your sleep.
Wrestling Jesus:
A very personal story of the authors with love and war, bullies, fathers and sons.
A fight in everyone, passing legacies down, fighters, muster courage, fight or flight, and the rest, struggling forward, prose commanding hearts to hope, fight, aspire, and overcome.
A very heartfelt statement left by the author in last sentence of intro:
“One of the greatest gifts my father gave me was confidence and a love for martial arts. In a roundabout way, he gave me this story, and now I give it to you.”
Robo Rapid:
With this one you have kin in the balance, life and death, in the dunes up against machines.
In the flatlands, before, it was humans against aliens, then the machines came with horrific rituals of sacrifice, human ones.
On this he mentions as part of its Introduction:
“Truth is, I write a lot of different sorts of stories, and not many are science fiction in nature. But as I said, science fiction was my first passionate love.”
Everything Sparkles in Hell:
It was winter, and they are in the thick of the snow out on the trail for a band of criminals, warmth was needed, Nat Love, a U.S. Marshal, and is friend and tracker, Choctaw, and one hell of a bear out there too.
Joe Lansdale delivers a swell Short story, with all the thrill and adventure you need in a western tale.
“…was a long way from Arkansas, and well out of my jurisdiction, but I had sworn to myself that I’d bring those four killers in, dead or alive. They were some of the worst there was. I was damn sure armed for it. I had my Winchester, and on my hip I carried a Colt .44 converted pistol, and a LeMat.”
In the introduction he mentions on the character Nat Love:
“There was a real Nat Love, but my character is an amalgam of many black westerners, from cowboys to soldiers to gunfighters to marshals.
Nat Love, however, was the impetus for several stories I wrote about a western hero with the same name, as well a novel, Paradise Sky, which to date is my favorite of all my novels.”
“This story takes place after the events of Paradise Sky. It is not only Nat’s story, but that of Choctaw, who appears at the end of the novel. I liked that guy and brought him back.”
Check out my new Interview with Joe Lansdale on writing, film adaptations, Hap and Leonard show - and new this new fiction @ https://more2read.com/review/joe-lansdale-on-writing-film-adaptations-and-hap-and-leonard-show
April 23, 2019
4% Done: I'm laughing, should I be laughing? LOL
25% Done: Oh wow, that's nasty...
45% Done: Well damn, that's graphic af lol
25% Done: Oh wow, that's nasty...
45% Done: Well damn, that's graphic af lol
October 30, 2018
Really wasn't going to be anything other than 5 stars. Every single one of these stories is fantastic. My favorites were (in no particular order):
Driving to Geronimo’s Grave
In the Mad Mountains
Wrestling Jesus
Robo Rapid
The Projectionist
Everything Sparkles in Hell
Oh wait, those are the only stories in here?
Every one is different and every one is captivating in a different way. There's plenty of horror and crime and revenge. And it's all 100% Lansdale.
My only tip to people just picking this up: each story has an introduction--a little insight and peek behind the process from Joe. I thought these intros worked better as afterwords. When I read them first, they flavored my read. They lead the witness and tampered with the jury. Read after the story, they were delightful palate cleansers with more than a few interesting after notes.
Driving to Geronimo’s Grave
In the Mad Mountains
Wrestling Jesus
Robo Rapid
The Projectionist
Everything Sparkles in Hell
Oh wait, those are the only stories in here?
Every one is different and every one is captivating in a different way. There's plenty of horror and crime and revenge. And it's all 100% Lansdale.
My only tip to people just picking this up: each story has an introduction--a little insight and peek behind the process from Joe. I thought these intros worked better as afterwords. When I read them first, they flavored my read. They lead the witness and tampered with the jury. Read after the story, they were delightful palate cleansers with more than a few interesting after notes.
April 5, 2019
This may be an unlabeled best of Joe collection, each of the six stories are excellent and vary wildly in genre from straight historical fiction, horror, fantasy and science fiction. They are all fairly dark in tone nor do all have happy endings. I might have read one or two of his short works in the past, though none in this collection, I will have to try some of his longer works. Be careful starting this late at night if you have to get up early the next day.
January 11, 2019
Lansdale is, to my mind, the greatest American writer working today. I'd give him all the publishing money and all the awards, if they were mine to give.
I don't know who to compare him to if you haven't read him. He's as accessible as Stephen King but far the superior prose stylist. He writes (with the exception of the Hap and Leonard stuff) important stories. And here, he shows an impressive range. His Lovecraftian story is quite different than his typical genres, strange and unsettling in the way such stories should be. He GETS so many different kind of people--women, men, white, black, disabled, geniuses, slow people, sociopaths, and decent folks.
And the poor. More than anything, he gets poverty. So much literature is about the upper middle class, and yet I find those comfortable people rather dull to read about. So Lansdale takes me into the minds I care about most. Not in any maudlin way, and not in that horrible "let's insult the dumb rednecks" way that is so in vogue right now. The best comparison I can come up with is to the movie/screenplay Mud, where I could tell how much affection and respect the filmmaker had for his characters. Lansdale has that.
Because he's southern (Texan, actually, and I've probably just insulted all Texans by suggesting they are southern -?) one wants to bring up Flannery O'Connor and Eudora Welty and Carson McCullers. But Mr. Lansdale is not quite them, and he is a writer of today. I can't articulate all of why I love his work so, but love it I do. It's sincere, it's not affected in any sense, and I wish more people wrote this well.
If you haven't read him, this is a good introduction to his range, I think. But do read him. Do.
I don't know who to compare him to if you haven't read him. He's as accessible as Stephen King but far the superior prose stylist. He writes (with the exception of the Hap and Leonard stuff) important stories. And here, he shows an impressive range. His Lovecraftian story is quite different than his typical genres, strange and unsettling in the way such stories should be. He GETS so many different kind of people--women, men, white, black, disabled, geniuses, slow people, sociopaths, and decent folks.
And the poor. More than anything, he gets poverty. So much literature is about the upper middle class, and yet I find those comfortable people rather dull to read about. So Lansdale takes me into the minds I care about most. Not in any maudlin way, and not in that horrible "let's insult the dumb rednecks" way that is so in vogue right now. The best comparison I can come up with is to the movie/screenplay Mud, where I could tell how much affection and respect the filmmaker had for his characters. Lansdale has that.
Because he's southern (Texan, actually, and I've probably just insulted all Texans by suggesting they are southern -?) one wants to bring up Flannery O'Connor and Eudora Welty and Carson McCullers. But Mr. Lansdale is not quite them, and he is a writer of today. I can't articulate all of why I love his work so, but love it I do. It's sincere, it's not affected in any sense, and I wish more people wrote this well.
If you haven't read him, this is a good introduction to his range, I think. But do read him. Do.
July 24, 2018
I’ve become a huge fan of author Joe R. Lansdale. First exposed to him via film I went on to read a book he wrote. Then another. Then another. Then all of the Hap and Leonard books he wrote. I found that each book left me wanting more and anxiously waiting for the next. That remains true to this day.
His latest book is a collection of short stories put together to provide readers with easy access to them. Some have appeared in other publications but as he explains at the beginning, these are some of his favorites. The first story of the title tells the tale of a young teen boy and his sister in Depression times driving up to Oklahoma to recover the body of a dead and unknown uncle who has died and whose remains are currently left in a chicken coop. Another is a science fiction tale in a world where robots that were invented to take out alien invaders turned on their masters with nothing on their minds but killing them off as taught to them by a low budget movie. One story is about a projectionist in the fifties, not the brightest or most desired man in town, who must save the theater he works at from extortionists. And the last tale in the book is a western story of a black Marshall and bounty hunter tracking several men who have since run afoul of a grizzly mama bear with revenge on her mind.
So we’re presented with several stories on wide ranging topics with two things in common. The first is that all were written by Lansdale. The second, which ties into the first, is the style with which Lansdale writes. It’s an easy going style, as if you were sitting on a log next to a raging fire under an open sky listening to the story teller web his tale for you to listen to with intent. The words flow easily off the tongue and onto the page here, transporting the reader to a different place or a different time and depicting it not in the most minute of details but as a living, breathing entity that you can imagine in your mind due to those words.
If you’re unfamiliar with the writings of Lansdale this is a decent place to start though I always recommend people go for Hap and Leonard as fast as they can. Whatever book of his you choose to read, and this one does offer the opportunity to see what you think of his style before investing in an entire novel, my guess is that after the first book you’ll seek out another.
His latest book is a collection of short stories put together to provide readers with easy access to them. Some have appeared in other publications but as he explains at the beginning, these are some of his favorites. The first story of the title tells the tale of a young teen boy and his sister in Depression times driving up to Oklahoma to recover the body of a dead and unknown uncle who has died and whose remains are currently left in a chicken coop. Another is a science fiction tale in a world where robots that were invented to take out alien invaders turned on their masters with nothing on their minds but killing them off as taught to them by a low budget movie. One story is about a projectionist in the fifties, not the brightest or most desired man in town, who must save the theater he works at from extortionists. And the last tale in the book is a western story of a black Marshall and bounty hunter tracking several men who have since run afoul of a grizzly mama bear with revenge on her mind.
So we’re presented with several stories on wide ranging topics with two things in common. The first is that all were written by Lansdale. The second, which ties into the first, is the style with which Lansdale writes. It’s an easy going style, as if you were sitting on a log next to a raging fire under an open sky listening to the story teller web his tale for you to listen to with intent. The words flow easily off the tongue and onto the page here, transporting the reader to a different place or a different time and depicting it not in the most minute of details but as a living, breathing entity that you can imagine in your mind due to those words.
If you’re unfamiliar with the writings of Lansdale this is a decent place to start though I always recommend people go for Hap and Leonard as fast as they can. Whatever book of his you choose to read, and this one does offer the opportunity to see what you think of his style before investing in an entire novel, my guess is that after the first book you’ll seek out another.
November 2, 2018
Another winner from Lansdale
Okay, I am stranded on a deserted (warm) island. There is fresh water on the island, coconuts, and fish in the sea. But day after day that lifestyle becomes mind-numbingly boring. Then one day I wake up and my pleas have been answered because now Joe Lansdale is stranded on this island with me. And, bar none, Lansdale is a storyteller extraordinaire. So, every night, Joe (we're on a first name basis now) tells his stories. My boredom is gone and Joe gets an appreciative audience to hear his tales as he spins them.
Joe Lansdale is one of my very favorite authors. Two of his books - THE BOTTOMS and A THIN, DARK LINE are on my Top Ten list of all-time favorite books.
There are six novellas in this new collection by Lansdale. The title story was my favorite but all of them were grand. No one does dialogue better than Lansdale and his characters come to life on the pages of his stories. I especially liked the introductions that he wrote to each story which gave some insight into his writing process.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all genres.
Okay, I am stranded on a deserted (warm) island. There is fresh water on the island, coconuts, and fish in the sea. But day after day that lifestyle becomes mind-numbingly boring. Then one day I wake up and my pleas have been answered because now Joe Lansdale is stranded on this island with me. And, bar none, Lansdale is a storyteller extraordinaire. So, every night, Joe (we're on a first name basis now) tells his stories. My boredom is gone and Joe gets an appreciative audience to hear his tales as he spins them.
Joe Lansdale is one of my very favorite authors. Two of his books - THE BOTTOMS and A THIN, DARK LINE are on my Top Ten list of all-time favorite books.
There are six novellas in this new collection by Lansdale. The title story was my favorite but all of them were grand. No one does dialogue better than Lansdale and his characters come to life on the pages of his stories. I especially liked the introductions that he wrote to each story which gave some insight into his writing process.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all genres.
October 19, 2018
A collection of short stories by Joe R. Lansdale.
Joe Lansdale is an unusual author, he is somewhat of a throwback to the old time pulp writers in the sense that he writes in a variety of genres and he seems equally adept at them all. He is probably best known for either the 'Hap and Leonard' crime series or as the author of the short story that inspired the cult classic film 'Bubba Ho-Tep'.
In the introduction to 'Driving to Geronimo's Grave and Other Stories' Lansdale describes aspects of the writing process, the inspiration, the day-to-day struggle (or sometime ease) of taking random ideas and forming them into a complete story. In addition, after each story, the reader is treated to the specifics of what inspired that particular story as well as other tidbits about its genesis. It really is quite interesting.
From the author's introduction:"These stories are recent work, and most of them deal with young people coming of age, finding their place in the world, or merely surviving it."
These are the stories:
-- Driving to Geronimo's Grave
During the Great Depression a young man named Chauncey sets out on a road trip with his little sister, Terri, a twelve year old tomboy - in the vein of Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird - to retrieve the body of their Uncle Smat (who they've never met), the brother of their deceased father because it was exactly the type of thing families did in those days. Along the way the trip takes an ominous turn when they encounter an odd stranger with ulterior motives. This is a definite 5-star, out-of-the-park home run! Great story.
-- In the Mad Mountains
Twelve survivors of a shipwreck reminiscent of The Titanic find themselves stranded on a strange iceberg-like island full of mystery and death in this Lovecraftian story. This was my least favorite in the collection for the simple reason I'm not a huge fan of the genre.
-- Wrestling Jesus
A teenage boy named Marvin has lost his father, moved to a new neighborhood, and become a target for the local bullies. An old man formally known in the world of professional wrestling as X-Man grudgingly becomes his mentor. The story evolves towards a grudge match - with unusual consequences - between the old man and his longtime frenemy, a hulking old timer called Jesus the Bomb.
I actually read Wrestling Jesus twice because there seemed to be nuances to the story that I wasn't quite comprehending. I liked it. A lot. But I'm still not sure I completely "got" everything. (This could very well be nothing more than over thinking on my part).
-- Robo Rapid
In a Post-apocalyptic world where war machines have turned against humans and begun to "think" for themselves a young girl embarks on a quest to save her younger siblings from certain death. This story has a sort of War of the Worlds feel to it. Good. Not great.
-- The Projectionist
This story originally appeared in Lawrence Block's anthology In Sunlight or In Shadow: Stories Inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper. The source material (if that is the correct term) was a painting entitled 'New York Movie' featuring an usherette standing in the corner of a theater.
Told from the first person perspective of a twenty-five year old movie protectionist named Cartwright who is socially awkward and maybe just a little bit mentally slow. While not exactly a coming of age story, it teeters in that direction. Life is good for Cartwright, he has a job he likes, a boss who is nice to him, and a developing crush on the new usherette, Sally. Then one day two tough guys come in to discuss "accident insurance"... it's a shakedown. The owner pays up or trouble comes acalling. That's when the story kicks into gear and we find out a lot more about Cartwright... His past... And his future. Another great one!
-- Everything Sparkles in Hell
For me this was the standout. The crown jewel in a collection of gems.
In the old West a black lawman, Nat Love, runs into unexpected obstacles while pursuing four outlaws from Arkansas to The Rocky Mountains in the dead of winter. The manhunt takes on an almost supernatural quality as the story unfolds. This is a situation where I hesitate to reveal too much of the story... It's not your typical western.
The character of U.S. Marshall Nat Love is loosely based on an actual historic figure of the same name (The author has written at least one full length novel featuring this same character).
I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys coming of age tales, quirky SciFi, short stories that cross genre, or just intriguing stories in general.
I originally rated it 4 and 1/2 stars but decided to bump it up to 5 full stars.
A truly great read.
***Thanks go to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Joe R. Lansdale for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review. This one was a pleasure to read!***
Joe Lansdale is an unusual author, he is somewhat of a throwback to the old time pulp writers in the sense that he writes in a variety of genres and he seems equally adept at them all. He is probably best known for either the 'Hap and Leonard' crime series or as the author of the short story that inspired the cult classic film 'Bubba Ho-Tep'.
In the introduction to 'Driving to Geronimo's Grave and Other Stories' Lansdale describes aspects of the writing process, the inspiration, the day-to-day struggle (or sometime ease) of taking random ideas and forming them into a complete story. In addition, after each story, the reader is treated to the specifics of what inspired that particular story as well as other tidbits about its genesis. It really is quite interesting.
From the author's introduction:"These stories are recent work, and most of them deal with young people coming of age, finding their place in the world, or merely surviving it."
These are the stories:
-- Driving to Geronimo's Grave
During the Great Depression a young man named Chauncey sets out on a road trip with his little sister, Terri, a twelve year old tomboy - in the vein of Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird - to retrieve the body of their Uncle Smat (who they've never met), the brother of their deceased father because it was exactly the type of thing families did in those days. Along the way the trip takes an ominous turn when they encounter an odd stranger with ulterior motives. This is a definite 5-star, out-of-the-park home run! Great story.
-- In the Mad Mountains
Twelve survivors of a shipwreck reminiscent of The Titanic find themselves stranded on a strange iceberg-like island full of mystery and death in this Lovecraftian story. This was my least favorite in the collection for the simple reason I'm not a huge fan of the genre.
-- Wrestling Jesus
A teenage boy named Marvin has lost his father, moved to a new neighborhood, and become a target for the local bullies. An old man formally known in the world of professional wrestling as X-Man grudgingly becomes his mentor. The story evolves towards a grudge match - with unusual consequences - between the old man and his longtime frenemy, a hulking old timer called Jesus the Bomb.
I actually read Wrestling Jesus twice because there seemed to be nuances to the story that I wasn't quite comprehending. I liked it. A lot. But I'm still not sure I completely "got" everything. (This could very well be nothing more than over thinking on my part).
-- Robo Rapid
In a Post-apocalyptic world where war machines have turned against humans and begun to "think" for themselves a young girl embarks on a quest to save her younger siblings from certain death. This story has a sort of War of the Worlds feel to it. Good. Not great.
-- The Projectionist
This story originally appeared in Lawrence Block's anthology In Sunlight or In Shadow: Stories Inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper. The source material (if that is the correct term) was a painting entitled 'New York Movie' featuring an usherette standing in the corner of a theater.
Told from the first person perspective of a twenty-five year old movie protectionist named Cartwright who is socially awkward and maybe just a little bit mentally slow. While not exactly a coming of age story, it teeters in that direction. Life is good for Cartwright, he has a job he likes, a boss who is nice to him, and a developing crush on the new usherette, Sally. Then one day two tough guys come in to discuss "accident insurance"... it's a shakedown. The owner pays up or trouble comes acalling. That's when the story kicks into gear and we find out a lot more about Cartwright... His past... And his future. Another great one!
-- Everything Sparkles in Hell
For me this was the standout. The crown jewel in a collection of gems.
In the old West a black lawman, Nat Love, runs into unexpected obstacles while pursuing four outlaws from Arkansas to The Rocky Mountains in the dead of winter. The manhunt takes on an almost supernatural quality as the story unfolds. This is a situation where I hesitate to reveal too much of the story... It's not your typical western.
The character of U.S. Marshall Nat Love is loosely based on an actual historic figure of the same name (The author has written at least one full length novel featuring this same character).
I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys coming of age tales, quirky SciFi, short stories that cross genre, or just intriguing stories in general.
I originally rated it 4 and 1/2 stars but decided to bump it up to 5 full stars.
A truly great read.
***Thanks go to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Joe R. Lansdale for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review. This one was a pleasure to read!***
August 26, 2018
A collection of six short stories by an author mostly known for capturing the spirit of rural east Texas, both in historical and modern fiction.
In the title story, a brother and sister run afoul of a bank robber in Oklahoma during the Great Depression. This one had an excellent first-person narrator and a great sense of humor. In the Mad Mountains is a surprisingly straightforward Lovecraft pastiche, with hints of the Titanic's sinking and Amelia Earhart's disappearance mixing with the cosmic horrors. There's no twists or revisionism here; you could almost mistake this one for actual Lovecraft, except that Lansdale is much better at writing well-rounded characters. Though that's a low bar.
Robo Rapid is an old-fashioned, surprisingly cozy YA post-apocalyptic story – more Edgar Rice Burroughs than Hunger Games – with a girl heading out on an adventure across a vast and unknown desert. The Projectionist is darker than the other stories; a noir tale of mobsters and unrequited obsession.
Everything Sparkles in Hell is probably my favorite of the six. It reminded me a bit of Django Unchained, having a similar sort of violent humor tucked into a revisionist Western. A black bounty hunter and his Native American buddy track down four murderers, at least until a man-killing grizzly bear and a massive snowstorm complicate matters.
Wrestling Jesus is the only story of these that I'd before; it was published in the Dangerous Women anthology and I have to say that I really disliked it there. A bullied teen is semi-adopted by an elderly ex-wrestler, who teaches him how to fight in between preparing for his own big match – he and another man have a rivalry going back decades where they compete for the attentions of a beautiful woman. Read as a story explicitly about a 'dangerous woman' it's a disaster, since a) the woman only appears in one scene, where b) she's literally a prize to be fought over by men. Read by itself, it's a fine story about a father-son relationship. Or it would be, if Lansdale hadn't included a long afterword complaining about the bad reviews he got for the anthology. Don't write a story that so blatantly misses the point and then get upset when people say you missed the point, dude! I hate it when authors I like act like dingbats in their nonfictional writings.
But with all that said, this is a very nice collection of stories, with a surprising diversity of tones and settings. I've long been a fan of Lansdale's Hap & Leonard series, but this book would make a good introduction for newcomers.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
In the title story, a brother and sister run afoul of a bank robber in Oklahoma during the Great Depression. This one had an excellent first-person narrator and a great sense of humor. In the Mad Mountains is a surprisingly straightforward Lovecraft pastiche, with hints of the Titanic's sinking and Amelia Earhart's disappearance mixing with the cosmic horrors. There's no twists or revisionism here; you could almost mistake this one for actual Lovecraft, except that Lansdale is much better at writing well-rounded characters. Though that's a low bar.
Robo Rapid is an old-fashioned, surprisingly cozy YA post-apocalyptic story – more Edgar Rice Burroughs than Hunger Games – with a girl heading out on an adventure across a vast and unknown desert. The Projectionist is darker than the other stories; a noir tale of mobsters and unrequited obsession.
Everything Sparkles in Hell is probably my favorite of the six. It reminded me a bit of Django Unchained, having a similar sort of violent humor tucked into a revisionist Western. A black bounty hunter and his Native American buddy track down four murderers, at least until a man-killing grizzly bear and a massive snowstorm complicate matters.
Wrestling Jesus is the only story of these that I'd before; it was published in the Dangerous Women anthology and I have to say that I really disliked it there. A bullied teen is semi-adopted by an elderly ex-wrestler, who teaches him how to fight in between preparing for his own big match – he and another man have a rivalry going back decades where they compete for the attentions of a beautiful woman. Read as a story explicitly about a 'dangerous woman' it's a disaster, since a) the woman only appears in one scene, where b) she's literally a prize to be fought over by men. Read by itself, it's a fine story about a father-son relationship. Or it would be, if Lansdale hadn't included a long afterword complaining about the bad reviews he got for the anthology. Don't write a story that so blatantly misses the point and then get upset when people say you missed the point, dude! I hate it when authors I like act like dingbats in their nonfictional writings.
But with all that said, this is a very nice collection of stories, with a surprising diversity of tones and settings. I've long been a fan of Lansdale's Hap & Leonard series, but this book would make a good introduction for newcomers.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
May 1, 2019
Bubba Ho-Tep being my introduction to the work of Joe R. Lansdale, I've come to expect the outrageous as a matter of course, and he never disappoints. (Once you've encountered nursing home residents Elvis and JFK battling a murderous mummy, what far-fetched plotline are you going to quibble with?)
This collection of six stories is vintage Lansdale, many featuring his trademark earthy humor ("...smelled worse than a family of skunks wrapped up in cow shit.") and graphic violence presented in a casual, matter-of-fact manner (a giant grizzly biting off a man's head then spitting it out). My favorites were the title piece, a depression-era road trip by a young man and his sister to recover the body of a hardly-known uncle, and the oddly-titled western "Everything Sparkles in Hell." I have had "Paradise Sky" on my to-read list for a while now, and reading this story makes me determined to move it to the top as quickly as practical.
"The Projectionist" and "Wrestling Jesus" were my next favorites, both featuring young men coming of age in an environment of violence and learning how to handle themselves from older mentors. There are also love stories interwoven with the action in these two - the one in "Wrestling Jesus" a very unconventional love story.
"To the Mad Mountains" is not merely an homage to H. P. Lovecraft, it reads as if Lovecraft wrote it himself. In the introduction, Lansdale reveals that although he reveres Lovecraft for his extensive influence on the world of speculative fiction, he doesn't particularly enjoy reading Lovecraft's writing. I couldn't have said it better myself. I struggled through this story, much as I've struggled through the limited number of Lovecraft's stories I've made myself read.
I didn't care that much for the sci-fi entry "Robo Rapid". I like Lansdale better when he's in down-home East Texas (Hap and Leonard) or the Old West.
What detracted significantly from my enjoyment of this collection was the unforgivably sloppy editing. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it in mainstream book publishing. There were many sentences with missing words. There were multiple sentences containing an adjective that should have been an adverb ( ..."could have been reasonable expected..."). In all cases, context allowed the reader to see what was meant, but it made for an awkward read and interrupted the flow. The topper, to me, was in the last story when the marshal went to check on his prisoner and found that the prisoner's "hounds" were still securely tied.
Lansdale needs to either find a new editor or insist on a skillful human proofreader rather than an inadequate software context checker.
This collection of six stories is vintage Lansdale, many featuring his trademark earthy humor ("...smelled worse than a family of skunks wrapped up in cow shit.") and graphic violence presented in a casual, matter-of-fact manner (a giant grizzly biting off a man's head then spitting it out). My favorites were the title piece, a depression-era road trip by a young man and his sister to recover the body of a hardly-known uncle, and the oddly-titled western "Everything Sparkles in Hell." I have had "Paradise Sky" on my to-read list for a while now, and reading this story makes me determined to move it to the top as quickly as practical.
"The Projectionist" and "Wrestling Jesus" were my next favorites, both featuring young men coming of age in an environment of violence and learning how to handle themselves from older mentors. There are also love stories interwoven with the action in these two - the one in "Wrestling Jesus" a very unconventional love story.
"To the Mad Mountains" is not merely an homage to H. P. Lovecraft, it reads as if Lovecraft wrote it himself. In the introduction, Lansdale reveals that although he reveres Lovecraft for his extensive influence on the world of speculative fiction, he doesn't particularly enjoy reading Lovecraft's writing. I couldn't have said it better myself. I struggled through this story, much as I've struggled through the limited number of Lovecraft's stories I've made myself read.
I didn't care that much for the sci-fi entry "Robo Rapid". I like Lansdale better when he's in down-home East Texas (Hap and Leonard) or the Old West.
What detracted significantly from my enjoyment of this collection was the unforgivably sloppy editing. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it in mainstream book publishing. There were many sentences with missing words. There were multiple sentences containing an adjective that should have been an adverb ( ..."could have been reasonable expected..."). In all cases, context allowed the reader to see what was meant, but it made for an awkward read and interrupted the flow. The topper, to me, was in the last story when the marshal went to check on his prisoner and found that the prisoner's "hounds" were still securely tied.
Lansdale needs to either find a new editor or insist on a skillful human proofreader rather than an inadequate software context checker.
May 26, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
DRIVING TO GERONIMO’S GRAVE: AND OTHER STORIES by Joe R. Lansdale is a collection of short stories with both the first and last being very much in the style fans of his writings are familiar with, but with a few more along Science Fiction lines (“In the Mad Mountains” & “Robo Rapid) , one other involving a young man taken in by an aging wrestler who comes to his defense with local bullies (“Wrestling Jesus”), a short story involving Nat Love from “Paradise Sky” titled “Everything Sparkles in Hell”(which made this even more interesting), and in the middle a short story about a somewhat challenged young loner who works at the local theater, as the title suggests, “The Projectionist”.
“Driving to Geronimo’s Grave” is a story of young Chauncey being sent with his smart-ass little sister to pick up their late uncle “Smat”, or what is left of him with instructions to return home with him.
Great fun reading these, and also something I like is how the author tells after each story how they developed, as well as sharing details on his writing process, he also never fails to add humor to everything he writes in such a way that I’ll always be on the lookout for his next book, especially if it takes place in rural Texas.
4 stars.
DRIVING TO GERONIMO’S GRAVE: AND OTHER STORIES by Joe R. Lansdale is a collection of short stories with both the first and last being very much in the style fans of his writings are familiar with, but with a few more along Science Fiction lines (“In the Mad Mountains” & “Robo Rapid) , one other involving a young man taken in by an aging wrestler who comes to his defense with local bullies (“Wrestling Jesus”), a short story involving Nat Love from “Paradise Sky” titled “Everything Sparkles in Hell”(which made this even more interesting), and in the middle a short story about a somewhat challenged young loner who works at the local theater, as the title suggests, “The Projectionist”.
“Driving to Geronimo’s Grave” is a story of young Chauncey being sent with his smart-ass little sister to pick up their late uncle “Smat”, or what is left of him with instructions to return home with him.
Great fun reading these, and also something I like is how the author tells after each story how they developed, as well as sharing details on his writing process, he also never fails to add humor to everything he writes in such a way that I’ll always be on the lookout for his next book, especially if it takes place in rural Texas.
4 stars.
July 22, 2018
Driving To Geronimo's Grave and Other Stories by Joe R. Lansdale- Six stories of differing genres that have appeared previously but are collected here and never fail to please. 'In The Mad Mountains" is a Lovecraftian inspired story( think "At The Mountains of Madness"), long and spooky. "Wrestling Jesus" is about a retired wrestler taking a young boy to train him and teach him how to defend himself and finding a valuable life-lesson the boy is able to teach him. The title story is a road trip set during the great depression in which a young boy and his upstart sister have an adventure and manage to stay alive in tough times. This was an enjoyable collection to read with, to me, no real barn-burners, just great fanciful story-telling from an ace writer. After each story, Lansdale talks about how the yarn came about and where it was first seen, and why he did it the way he did, also throwing in some historical background, especially on Lovecraft. I loved reading his info almost more than the stories. A great addition to Joe R. Lansdale's ever growing cannon.
August 5, 2018
I was drawn to this book by the cover, which gives off strong 1930's Americana vibes, and was glad to find that many of the stories inside share the same characteristic. Landsdale writes authentic, down to earth people who tell their stories vibrantly. Besides the title story, Wrestling Jesus and In the Mad Mountains were particular standouts. Landsdale is clearly a writer who understands his characters and the unique human connections to others that bring them to life. He concludes each story with a commentary that offers insight into how and where and what he draws inspiration from. These sections provided context that enriched the stories, and were just as fun to read. If I have one criticism, it is that sometimes the dialogue felt repetitious. There were also a few times when a character seemed to speak longer than a person could in a single breath.
This book was provided through NetGalley.
This book was provided through NetGalley.
October 30, 2018
Joe R. Lansdale’s short story collection pleases him as well as the reader. This author goes where he wants and takes the reader along for an adventurous ride. He strides through genres and time periods, making each story a gem. Between stories he muses, sometimes about his process, his beliefs, his life. A few times I thought his musings were even more compelling than the story that preceded it. My two favorite stories were “Driving to Geronimo’s Grave,” a Depression era tale where a young teen and his precocious little sister go to retrieve a relative’s body, a bleak errand that becomes even bleaker; and “Everything Sparkles in Hell” based on the cowboy Nat Love in pursuit of evil men in the Old West. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2021
Driving to Geronimo's Grave ****
A Depression-era road trip with some bumps along the way.
In the Mad Mountains ** (A very high two star, I very nearly awarded three)
A Lovecraft-inspired tale of unsettling imagery.
Wrestling Jesus *** (story previously read in a different anthology)
A father/son story about an alluring woman.
Robo Rapid ****
A pulpy science fiction adventure.
The Projectionist ***
A soft-boiled crime story.
Everything Sparkles in Hell ****
A follow-up western tale following the exploits of Nat Love, the hero from my favorite Lansdale novel, Paradise Sky. Bear included.
A Depression-era road trip with some bumps along the way.
In the Mad Mountains ** (A very high two star, I very nearly awarded three)
A Lovecraft-inspired tale of unsettling imagery.
Wrestling Jesus *** (story previously read in a different anthology)
A father/son story about an alluring woman.
Robo Rapid ****
A pulpy science fiction adventure.
The Projectionist ***
A soft-boiled crime story.
Everything Sparkles in Hell ****
A follow-up western tale following the exploits of Nat Love, the hero from my favorite Lansdale novel, Paradise Sky. Bear included.
December 18, 2018
Another great collection of Lansdale stories. I think my favorite is the Nat Love story in which he and Choctaw face off against a couple of scumbags and the biggest grizzly bear ever. Another really good one is the one about the projectionist and his mentor. I don't want to say too much about it, as I don't want to ruin it for anyone. There really isn't a stinker in the lot. I was kind of suspicious of the SF story, as Lansdale doesn't have many of those up his sleeve, but it turned out to be really good. If you can afford the book (I got mine at sixty bucks), you should really pick it up.
February 25, 2019
There's (far) more Joe R. Lansdale that I haven't read than I have, and one day I'll catch up with everything. This is a nice little collection, and the usual Subterranean packaging makes it that much nicer. I liked all of the stories inside, but if I had to pick one, it would be "Wrestling Jesus" (which feels -to me- like a Lansdale version of "The Karate Kid"). The introductory notes from Lansdale for each story are a nice bonus, and his thoughts on HP Lovecraft (from "In The Mad Mountains") are a worthwhile read all on their own.
May 13, 2022
Kudos to my brother-in-law, Noosh, for putting me onto Joe Lansdale. I had never heard of him before. Though I wouldn't call the book scifi, fantasy or horror (in fact, the scifi effort was one of the weaker stories), I really enjoyed his writing in general. The flow was easy to read and made it hard to put down (which is, I think, the best compliment one can give to an author). The dialogue was done well, as were the descriptions for visualizing what I was reading. I will definitely be trying another Lansdale effort in the near future. Thanks, Noosh!
January 9, 2019
This is a fantastically varied collection of novellas from Joe R. Lansdale. Horror, Science Fiction, Crime, Western and more. It's all bound together with Lansdale's signature wit. This book is worth it for Joe's story introductions alone. They are almost as good as the stories.
I am currently host to a mutant virus that won't go away. I couldn't ask for a better collection of stories to distract me from my discomfort. This is a great book for the sick and healthy alike. Give it a shot!
I am currently host to a mutant virus that won't go away. I couldn't ask for a better collection of stories to distract me from my discomfort. This is a great book for the sick and healthy alike. Give it a shot!
January 9, 2019
Joe R. Lansdale brings us 6 different stories, with introductions as to how these came about!
My favorite was Everything Sparkles in Hell. Loved the western scene and the Mama Bear stalking the killers of her cub. In the Mad Mountains he brings us adventure, strangeness with a hint of mystery. Robo Rapid is a post apocalyptic, science fiction story that has a rather great ending!
I enjoyed all these stories and as I have heard before, Mr. Lansdale is his own genre!
My favorite was Everything Sparkles in Hell. Loved the western scene and the Mama Bear stalking the killers of her cub. In the Mad Mountains he brings us adventure, strangeness with a hint of mystery. Robo Rapid is a post apocalyptic, science fiction story that has a rather great ending!
I enjoyed all these stories and as I have heard before, Mr. Lansdale is his own genre!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
I expected Joe Lansdale's collection of short stories to be historical fiction based on the first title, "Driving to Geronimo's Grave." Unfortunately, for me, they didn't fit that genre. They were entertaining, each one different in subject, ranging from bizarre to sci-fi with rambling plots and undeveloped characters. Each story reminded me of comic books and graphic novels of my youth. I may try a Lansdale novel again, in the future, now that I know what to expect.
June 5, 2020
I place Joe R. Lansdale among the top three short story writers working today, alongside Ted Chiang and Joyce Carol Oates. Five of the stories and novelettes in this new collection are strong efforts that showcase his versatility and unique style. As Lansdale himself might put it--they are "heaven on a buttered biscuit".
My favorite is "Everything Sparkles in Hell" because I enjoy the Nat Love character so much. The only story I did not care for was "Robo Rapid".
"Driving to Geronimo's Grave" -- Chauncey and his plucky little sister drive from East Texas to Oklahoma to collect the dead body of their Uncle Smat. Set during the Great Depression, this story has all the hallmarks of Lansdale's historical fiction--redneck humor, double-crossing small time crooks, casual violence, and unerring belief in the power of family.
"In the Mad Mountains" -- When their cruise ship mysteriously sinks in polar waters, Gavin and Amelia find themselves explorers in a frozen landscape full of surrealistic horrors. The tension in this adventure story is palpable and visceral and almost unbearably constant. While I am not usually a fan of Lovecraft pastiches (even though every major horror and fantasy writer seems to try their hand at it at least once), this is perhaps the best I have read. It surpasses what Harlan Ellison, George R. R. Martin, and Charles Stross did with the mythos. It is at least on par with Kij Johnson's Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe and Lansdale's own earlier "Bleeding Shadows".
"Wrestling Jesus" -- Marvin is having trouble with school bullies until a foul-mouthed elderly Mexican wrestler known as X-Man teaches him to defend himself. The two bond while X-Man prepares to fight his old enemy Jesus the Bomb, part of a lifelong feud over a beautiful but evil voodoo queen.
"Robo Rapid" -- Humans won their first war against an alien invasion, but the second war against their own AI robots nearly wiped out mankind. In this post-apocalyptic future set on an climate-changed Earth, one girl sets out across the desert to save her siblings from murderous robots who eternally follow their last instructions. This is a rare pure sci-fi story from Lansdale, who is usually more comfortable with horror. It is written in the mode of a Heinlein juvenile, or one of Robert Silverberg's pulps from the 1950's. It begins as an engaging adventure tale but the world-building suffers from too many trite clichés and the plot unexpectedly veers into satire towards the end.
"The Projectionist" — Based on Edward Hopper’s lush 1939 painting, which focuses on a sad (bored? lonely?) usherette standing in the aisle of a New York movie theater. The short story is from the viewpoint of the movie projectionist who falls in love with her. Both a coming-of-age tragedy and a gritty crime tale, Lansdale captures the faded glory and heart-sickness of Hopper’s work. The ending is perfect.
"Everything Sparkles in Hell" -- Nat Love, the protagonist of Black Hat Jack and Paradise Sky, tracks a band of desperadoes from Arkansas to the Rockies. He and his friend Choctaw must not only avoid death at their hands but also a thousand-pound grizzly bear with a nearly mythic hatred of humans.
My favorite is "Everything Sparkles in Hell" because I enjoy the Nat Love character so much. The only story I did not care for was "Robo Rapid".
"Driving to Geronimo's Grave" -- Chauncey and his plucky little sister drive from East Texas to Oklahoma to collect the dead body of their Uncle Smat. Set during the Great Depression, this story has all the hallmarks of Lansdale's historical fiction--redneck humor, double-crossing small time crooks, casual violence, and unerring belief in the power of family.
"In the Mad Mountains" -- When their cruise ship mysteriously sinks in polar waters, Gavin and Amelia find themselves explorers in a frozen landscape full of surrealistic horrors. The tension in this adventure story is palpable and visceral and almost unbearably constant. While I am not usually a fan of Lovecraft pastiches (even though every major horror and fantasy writer seems to try their hand at it at least once), this is perhaps the best I have read. It surpasses what Harlan Ellison, George R. R. Martin, and Charles Stross did with the mythos. It is at least on par with Kij Johnson's Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe and Lansdale's own earlier "Bleeding Shadows".
"Wrestling Jesus" -- Marvin is having trouble with school bullies until a foul-mouthed elderly Mexican wrestler known as X-Man teaches him to defend himself. The two bond while X-Man prepares to fight his old enemy Jesus the Bomb, part of a lifelong feud over a beautiful but evil voodoo queen.
"Robo Rapid" -- Humans won their first war against an alien invasion, but the second war against their own AI robots nearly wiped out mankind. In this post-apocalyptic future set on an climate-changed Earth, one girl sets out across the desert to save her siblings from murderous robots who eternally follow their last instructions. This is a rare pure sci-fi story from Lansdale, who is usually more comfortable with horror. It is written in the mode of a Heinlein juvenile, or one of Robert Silverberg's pulps from the 1950's. It begins as an engaging adventure tale but the world-building suffers from too many trite clichés and the plot unexpectedly veers into satire towards the end.
"The Projectionist" — Based on Edward Hopper’s lush 1939 painting, which focuses on a sad (bored? lonely?) usherette standing in the aisle of a New York movie theater. The short story is from the viewpoint of the movie projectionist who falls in love with her. Both a coming-of-age tragedy and a gritty crime tale, Lansdale captures the faded glory and heart-sickness of Hopper’s work. The ending is perfect.
"Everything Sparkles in Hell" -- Nat Love, the protagonist of Black Hat Jack and Paradise Sky, tracks a band of desperadoes from Arkansas to the Rockies. He and his friend Choctaw must not only avoid death at their hands but also a thousand-pound grizzly bear with a nearly mythic hatred of humans.
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