By: Elmore Leonard Publisher: HarperTorch Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: HarperTorch Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 256 Publication Date: February 01, 2002 Release Date: February 05, 2002
They laughed at Roberto Valdez and then ignored him. But when a dark-skinned man was holed up in a shack with a gun, they sent the part-time town constable to deal with the problem -- and made sure he had no choice but to gun the fugitive down. Trouble was, Valdez killed an innocent man. And when he asked for justice -- and some money for the dead man's woman -- they beat Valdez and tied him to a cross. They were still laughing when Valdez came back. And then they began to die...
Leonard Classic I have been on a Leonard spree, just finished Ride the Rap and Out of Sight. I have been wanting to watch Lancaster in Valdez is Coming, but thought I would read the book, since I haven't yet. As usual, it was a page turner.
Even though this came out originally in 1970, it's still a bit ahead of it's time. The lead character -- Robert Valdez is a low key peace officer and former Apache hunter. Leonard is brave enough to have the Mexican warrior-hero getting over on the everyone who wants to just push him off and ignore him. But he doesn't ignore so easy.
Valdez just wants justice for a man's widow but can't seem to find anyone willing to do the right thing on their own. So Valdez has to "convince" them in his own way.
The real value in this story is that Valdez' mores and individuality begin to rub off on the other characters. He earns the respect of the beautiful woman and his enemies who, in the end, find themselves siding more with Valdez than their boss, learn that there is more to respect in a man than his money -- and that there are some things worth fighting for.
In the end, even Valdez has trouble remembering what it was all about. He started off doing something selfless and that turned into finding some things about himself and possibly even a future he never envisioned. But all this did not deter him from enforcing his own code. And finally, it is the code that wins out, even in the face of money and guns.
The ending is more about honor than vengance and is a bit of a surprise. It is a different message than you might find in most pulp westerns. But you have to read the book, I'm not going to spill 'em for you.
Total pleasure. I hate Leonard's books because nothing gets done until you finish it.
Valdez is Coming This was my first Elmore Leonard western. It was very enjoyable, and it kept me interested all the way. The dialogue was wonderful. I'm very close to giving it 5 stars, but will make it 4. I purchased Leonard's Hombre and will be reading it soon.
Elmore Leonard's "Valdez Is Coming." I read Leonard's "Gunsight's", & I didn't really care for it, but I tried this book anyway. It was better than "Gunsights", but I still believe that William W. Johnstone's books are a better read. My advice to any western novel fan is try it anyway, --don't miss out because of someone elses opinion.
Elmore Leonard is awesome! Whenever I'm about ready to start reading an Elmore Leonard novel, I feel like a kid anticipating Christmas morning! Leonard's books are always page-turning thrillers that can make me gasp over a surprising character/plot twist that I wasn't expecting. His novels are always fast-paced, fun, entertaining reads.
"Valdez is Coming" is no differant. Although it is a western,it's a page-turner written in the great Elmore Leonard style. This novel was written years ago, before Elmore Leonard began writing crime thrillers, but it still holds up and entertains.
There's a hero you love to love(Valdez), and there's a villian you love to hate. There's a damsel in distress, and the typical Elmore Leonard twists and turns that keep you quickly flipping the pages because you want to know what happens next!
I often tell people to turn off the damn tv and pick up an Elmore Leonard novel. Try this one, or many of his crime thrillers. You won't be disappointed. In fact, you'll find yourself having a pretty good time!
My favorite Western Movie I started reading Elmore Leonard's crime novels and found them to be easy reading, fast-paced entertainment. Then I discovered that Leonard used to write westerns. While I enjoy his crime novels, his Westerns are even better. "Valdez is Coming" is the best one I've read so far. The characters are well developed and the action keeps one interested. I had seen the movie (Burt Lancaster as Valdez) when I was a teenager and considered it one of my favorite western movies. I wish Mr. Leonard would write a few more westerns because he is a master in this genre as well.
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