Rating: 
Summary: Three and a half stars, more or less. . .
Review: "Jackie Brown," or "Rum Punch" wasn't a bad book by any stretch of the human imagination, but it wasn't The Bible, either. I became interested in this book after the release of Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown" film adapatation, and, knowing vaguely of Mr. Leonard's reputation of writing great crime fiction, I decided to give it a try. This is the first Elmore Leonard book I've read, and, though it's not a bad book, I was a little disappointed. The reviews in it were praising it, how cool and action-packed and violent it was. It had violence, sure, and some action, but not the rough-and-tumble crime action I was expecting. It was written rather simplistically (absolutely NOTHING is wrong with that--it's the best way to write, often times, but here it seemed it should have been written less simplistically than it was to really give a feel of the story). The grammar, or structure rather, was a little off--it was difficult to catch discriptions of certain places and events. Often, I didn't feel the story--I couldn't visualize the events too well. Weirder, yet, was that even as simple and vague and largely printed the writing was (not suggesting that large print is a bad thing), he used words like "lavatory." Who says "lavatory?" Just say "bathroom;" you put lavatory in a Star Wars book or something, some kind of book where the word "bathroom" would seem out of place. Here, "lavatory" seemed rather out of place. Leonard's a very good writer, and I look forward to reading "Out of Sight" and "Get Shorty," but "Jackie Brown" was a little less than I expected. I don't recommend it too highly, but try it for fun, I guess.
Rating:
Summary: From the Leonard Reviews: One of his better 90's works
Review: "Rum Punch" is a sequel to Leonard's mid-70's classic, "The Switch," and while not nearly as tight as that taut psychological novel, it's refreshing to see Ordell Robbie, Melanie and Luis Gaza back in action. Robbie is one of Leonard's most appealing black villain-kings (this is not an ethnic slur; from "The Switch" to "Freaky Deaky" you'll see a long string of Leonard African-American heavies who are generally smarter, calmer, wealthier and more resourceful than the white cons with whom they partner), so smooth than he can run a crew while hobnobbing with redneck Nazis. Jackie Burke is the latest a logn line of appealingly pragmatic Leonard female characters. Max Cherry, a burned-out bail bondsman whose interacts beneficially and detrimentally with all the main characters, appeals with his sense of hard-boiled integrity. The only character disappointment in the story is Luis Gaza, so noble and honorable (for a kidnapper) in "The Switch," who comes off as a burnt-out loser, a shell of his former self. Maybe that's the point, but it's an ignoble fate. As for the story, it's pretty standard Leonard fare about crosses, double crosses, money laundering, extortion, redemption and whatnot. It's pretty typical of Leonard's mid-90's work, padded with forced dialogue, a movie-like narrative arc, and the hanging-in-the-air resolution. Not one of his best, but still enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Leonard's top-notch black comedy
Review: "Rum Punch" is Elmore Leonard's top-notch black comedy about a group of people all after the same thing: money. Funny, action-packed and occasionally even heart-pounding, the basis for 1997's "Jackie Brown" is a highly recommended novel.
Rating:
Summary: Leonard's top-notch black comedy
Review: "Rum Punch" is Elmore Leonard's top-notch black comedy about a group of people all after the same thing: money. Funny, action-packed and occasionally even heart-pounding, the basis for 1997's "Jackie Brown" is a highly recommended novel.
Rating:
Summary: Good But Not That Good
Review: A good idea with interesting charcters. Which are certainly a good contrast to one another. The book was well written and his use of his character was good. However the plot lacked the excitment it needed to keep me really hooked. I thought parts of it were unecessary to the plot. It was generally a good read but it wasn't a book I couldn't put down.
Rating:
Summary: A kick ass story
Review: An excellent story and told very well. Elmore Leonard shows his talent for writing and how great he is. Rum Punch is the best of his books
Rating: 
Summary: A fun book
Review: Another fun work from Leonard. Attractive if flawed good guys (and gals) and sociopathic but funny bad guys (and gals). Crackling and amusing dialogue like we expect from Leonard. Lots of 2-dimensional characters, which is one more dimension than most crime writers give you. And the whole thing feels real somehow. I enjoyed every page of this light and easy read.
Rating:
Summary: good book,better movie
Review: another great book by the master of mystery and dialogue.elmore leonard once again creates characters that you care about and villains that are funny.i have to say that this is one of the best leonard books to date along with 52 pick-up and stick.you cant go wrong with rum punch and any other elmore leonard novel.
Rating:
Summary: Great story, as usual...
Review: As has been stated in several other reviews, the book beats the movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie was entertaining, but the book kicks booty, and for me personally, was much more satisfying. Lots of shady but likable characters, tons of action, and a story that really holds you. Before I read the book, I listened to the book-on-tape, and found myself taking the long way home, sitting in the driveway to listen just a little bit longer... If you're looking for a book to make you think, this is not it. If you're looking for a book to give you a rest from *too much* thinking, to give you a grin, and a great ballsy feeling, then you are in luck. Very, very good luck.
Rating:
Summary: Glad to see More Writers Using Women as Main Characters
Review: As the writer of an action/humor novel, it is great to see another writer create such a compelling and interesting female main character as Jackie in this novel. I saw a lot of similiarities between her and the main character in my novel, "Bounties", in that they had to navigate their way through a male dominated world. Jackie faced professional criminals, thugs, federal agents, police, and bail bondsman. My character, a female bounty hunter, faced cowboys, killers, sheriffs, and soldiers in her adventures. I like the way Leonard used Jackie's unique point of view as a woman to give us a different take on the world he writes about in his books. I hope that I achieved something similar in my own book.
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