Drive, James Sallis
Drive, James Sallis
2 Rating(s)
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Drive

Author: James Sallis

Narrator: Richard Powers

Unabridged: 3 hr 28 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/01/2006

Synopsis

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” (New York Times Book Review) and an instant classic.

About James Sallis

James Sallis has published more than a dozen novels, several books of musicology, multiple collections of short stories, poems, and essays, and more. His works have been short-listed for the Anthony, Nebula, Edgar, Shamus, and Gold Dagger awards. Sallis is best known for his novel Drive, which was made into an award-winning motion picture.

About Richard Powers

Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Overstory, and Bewilderment was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Reviews

Goodreads review by James on January 21, 2025

This is an excellent contemporary noir novel in which a character becomes caught up by circumstances largely beyond his control and must then struggle to somehow survive. The main protagonist, Driver, is a stunt driver for the movies, and there's none better. But he also moonlights driving for robber......more

Goodreads review by Gabby on March 22, 2016

Long story short: I saw this book at the library and I wanted to read it. I saw the movie a few years ago and it's one of my favorite movies and I wasn't even aware that it was a book, and the book is only 150 pages with pretty big font so I was able to finish it in a little over an hour, but wow th......more

Goodreads review by Lou on May 01, 2012

Driver did not want to know the details of the job he was on, all he did was drive. He was on the streets in the beginning without a penny to his name then a fate encounter in a bar hooked him up with the stunt car driving world. You won't find this great story telling but a biography of one man's p......more

Goodreads review by Heather Adores Books on September 28, 2022

Featuring ~ single 3rd person POV, stunt driver, violence, murder, crime, noir This was just okay for me, not really my thing. All "Driver" does is drive. And did I miss his name or is it really Driver? That was kind of annoying. It was a quick read so that was nice. Luckily, I was able to picture Rya......more

Goodreads review by Trekscribbler on May 01, 2011

There's an old adage amongst some of us online reviewers that kinda/sorta goes like this: if you have to resort to frequently using words like "perfect," "riveting," "startling," and "stunning," you're more than likely describing what the story isn't for the average person because the average person......more

Quotes

“[The] perfect piece of noir fiction.” New York Times Book Review

“Full throttle…Sallis’ riveting novella reads the way a Tarantino or Soderbergh neo-noir plays…Drive is one lean, mean, masterful machine.” Entertainment Weekly

“Full of sly humor, poetic details, and plenty of rude violence…a terrific ride.” Los Angeles Times

“One stark and stunning tale of murder, treachery, and deceit…[Drive] packs a wallop…Sallis injects so much meaning and emotion into his carefully selected words that the power of his prose exceeds its volume…For those who have not yet had to chance to read one of crime fiction’s most underappreciated writers, now is the perfect opportunity. ” Boston Globe

“Imagine the black heart of Jim Thompson beating in the poetic chest of James Sallis and you’ll have some idea of the beauty, sadness, and power of Drive…Has more thought, feeling, and murderous energy than books twice its length.” Chicago Tribune

“Sallis won’t disappoint fans who enjoy his usual quirky literary stylings…Sallis gives us his most tightly written mystery to date, worthy of comparison to the compact, exciting oeuvre of French noir.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Sallis has a bloodhound’s nose for noir…One crisply written, spot-on scene after another…[A] hypnotic little story about driving circles around your life.” Booklist (starred review)

“Dark and gripping, Drive packs a powerful punch.” Bookmarks

Awards

  • Washington Post Best Book
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