Get Shorty
Get Shorty
Book Brief
384
Novel • Fiction
Miami, Florida • 1990s
1990
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Elmore Leonard's crime novel, Get Shorty, Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark, grows disillusioned with his job and seeks a fresh start in Hollywood, where he attempts to become a film producer. As he adapts to the movie industry's glamorous but treacherous world, Chili's past life of crime threatens to catch up with him, putting his new ambitions at risk.
Humorous
Gritty
Suspenseful
Playful
Reviews & Readership
25,012 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Elmore Leonard's Get Shorty has received accolades for its witty, sharp dialogue and vibrant characters, particularly the protagonist, Chili Palmer. Critics commend the book’s fast-paced and humorous take on the Hollywood scene. However, some find the plot occasionally meandering and complex. Overall, it’s celebrated for its engaging, stylistic narrative and clever satire.
Who Should Read Get Shorty?
Readers who enjoy Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard are typically fans of fast-paced, witty crime novels that blend humor with suspense. Comparable works include Carl Hiaasen's Strip Tease and Donald E. Westlake's The Hot Rock, which similarly feature clever protagonists navigating criminal underworlds with a lighthearted tone.
25,012 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Get Shorty was first published in 1990 and is one of Elmore Leonard's best-known works, praised for its sharp dialogue and humor.
The book inspired a successful 1995 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Gene Hackman, which helped revive Travolta's career in the mid-'90s.
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The story explores the intersection of crime and Hollywood, a theme Leonard revisited due to his fascination with both the movie industry and his crime-writing expertise.
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384
Novel • Fiction
Miami, Florida • 1990s
1990
Adult
18+ years
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