'Much later, as he sat with his back against an inside wall of a Motel 6 just north of Phoenix, watching the pool of blood lap toward him, Driver would wonder whether he had made a terrible mistake. Later still, of course, there'd be no doubt. But for now Driver is, as they say, in the moment. And the moment includes this blood lapping toward him, the pressure of dawn's late light at windows and door, traffic sounds from the interstate nearby, the sound of someone weeping in the next room....'
Thus begins Drive, a new novella by James Sallis. Set mostly in Arizona and L.A., the story is, according to Sallis, '...about a guy who does stunt driving for movies by day and drives for criminals at night.' In classic noir fashion, he is double-crossed and, though before he has never participated in the violence ("I drive. That's all."), he goes after the ones who doublecrossed and tried to kill him.
Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers
ISBN: 9781842437247
Number of pages: 192
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
Sallis creates vivid images in very few words and his taut, pared-down prose is distinctive and powerful. The result is a small masterpiece - Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph
His mysterious background and lack of dialogue really make you fear him, while his actions romanticize his character - Lee Tudor, Beautiful.Bizarre
One of the most rewarding books you can read in one sitting - Mr Hyde
A bloody postmodern fairy tale, Drive will certainly keep you under its spell - Eric Storey, Signature Reads
Sallis's lean mystery and flat-voiced prose are refreshing, even startling. A lovely piece of work - Paul Skenasy, Washington Post Books World - Best Books of 2005
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