This English-dubbed Mexican show about a group of desperate friends and frenemies coming together to find lost Spanish treasure, turned out to be a comedy gem.
Full of action and fun, this one had me laughing at the group’s antics as they try to outwit the bad guys and get to the treasure first. All-in-all, a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the Mexican countryside.
Joe Lansdale’s western, THE THICKET, is wickedly smart, funny, vulgar, violent, philosophical and yes, even at times, a little whimsical. All in part due to the wonderful, quirky cast of characters and, of course, Lansdale’s own voluble prose. Prose prickling with acute observations, jibes, laconic wit, and snappy dialogue that reflect the era and characters, perfectly.
Lansdale also manages to sketch out an opening scene that’s akin to free-crack to a drug-addict: irresistible. I mean, come on, our young hero’s life is turned up side down and sideways within a heartbeat, and who does he end up going on a quest with? A philosophical-spouting dwarf (and circus escapee) who knows how to pistol-whip, a black ex-slave who has a perchance for digging up the dead when he’s not paid, and a wild boar who’s taken a liking to him. Throw in a love-interest for Jack who persuades him to help her escape the brothel were she works, and you have a recipe for explosive action, humorous antics, and a fast-paced plot that delivers right up to the end.
Each character in this western is finely detailed with their own distinct quirks and failings that add layers of depth to this story of rescue and redemption. Each is taking up Jack’s quest for their own personal reasons, and all looking to leave their pasts behind them, with a hope they can find a better future. Lansdale doesn’t hold back on the gritty details, so much so, you can almost taste and smell the grit, grim, and rot. But he also tempers the pervading darkness with plenty of snarky humour and lighter moments.
It takes a great deal of skill as an author to find just the right balance in what could have been a dark, brooding story, but Lansdale pulls it off with remarkable aplomb.
THE THICKET is a riveting, funny, darkly droll read, with a cast of characters you’ll be rooting for. I know I was.
#016/365
#015/365
Following on from last weeks inaugural post, I feel like these Little Things posts are reminding me just how many little things I have to be thankful for each week.
First up:
I got to pick up my citrus MacBook Neo earlier than expected, which made me inordinately happy. Everything about the Neo is a joy. Yes, I know, I need to write up a separate post about what I think so far. Later.
Of course, I then though about what else I would need to make Keanu (yes, I went there) happy, and bought him his own Magic Mouse as of this morning, and, this afternoon (from Redbubble) his own mouse mat. I even have a messenger bag (almost new) that I can use to bring him outside to play when I go walkabouts this summer. How organised am I?
Yesterday saw me at the hairdresser (finally) to get my dandelion hair trimmed (short) for the coming apocalypse summer. I can now feel the breeze on my ears and neck.
Yesterday also saw us go to the Opera to see the premiere of La Boheme, by the Quebec Opera. It was a lively, fun, and slightly modern interpretation with minimal sets. The focus being on the music and the singing. Which was amazing. Poor Mimi, she sang her last … wait, what? I gave the ending away?
Finally, the weather went from rain, rain, rain, to rain for half the day to, this weekend, full on summer sunshine and temperatures. And I say, bring it on. I’m ready for it … eh, I think?
Till next week, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
