Drive by James Sallis is a noir thriller following the story of Driver, a stunt driver for movies by day and a driver for criminals by night. The plot revolves around a criminal job gone wrong, leading to revenge among thieves. The narrative is structured with flash forwards and flashbacks, showcasing non-stop action with cynical dialogue interspersed with literary and music references. Sallis's writing style is described as punchy, concise, and enjoyable, capturing the essence of neo-noir with brutal and beautiful prose.

Characters:

The characters in the story, particularly Driver, are morally complex and often reflect the themes of violence and isolation in noir fiction.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its poetic, sparse prose that effectively conveys intense imagery and emotional depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a stunt driver who is betrayed and turns to revenge, exploring themes of violence and criminality.

Setting:

The setting is primarily urban, focusing on the darker, more corrupt aspects of Arizona and Los Angeles.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and structured with short chapters, creating a sense of urgency but at times feeling disorienting.

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. La...

Notes:

Drive is a novella by James Sallis consisting of only 189 pages.

James Sallis is an American writer known for various novels, essays, poetry, and short stories.

Driver, the protagonist, works as both a stunt driver and a getaway driver.

The book features themes of betrayal and violence, with Driver seeking vengeance against those who double-crossed him.

The writing style is described as lean and poetic, making it easy and pleasant to read despite the unpleasant content.

The book is characteristic of noir fiction, focusing on the darker, corrupt aspects of life and criminals rather than detectives.

Chapters are very short, typically three to five pages long, allowing for quick reading in manageable segments.

The book's narrative shifts in time can be disorienting for some readers, as it does not always indicate changes in time or context clearly.

The ending ties events together but also leaves room for the reader's imagination regarding Driver's fate.

There is a sequel called Driven, but many readers feel the novella stands alone well enough without needing one.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include high levels of violence, themes of betrayal, and existential crises, which may affect sensitive readers.

From The Publisher:

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 , the story of a man who works as a stunt driver by day and a getaway driver by night. He drives, that's all-until he's double-crossed. Powerful and stylistically brilliant, Drive has been hailed by critics as the "perfect piece of noir fiction" ( The New York Times Book Review ) and an instant classic.

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About the Author:

JAMES SALLIS is the author of the popular Lew Griffin novels and over a dozen other books, including the biography Chester Himes, a New York Times Notable Book. He has been short-listed for the Anthony, Nebula, Edgar, Shamus, and Gold Dagger awards. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona. An Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Book of 2005 A Washington Post Best Book of 2005

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Drive

James Sallis

Book 1 in the series:Drive