Out of Sight

A Novel

By: Elmore Leonard

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

World-class gentleman felon Jack Foley is busting out of Florida's Glades Prison when he runs head on into a shotgun-wielding Karen Sisco. Suddenly, he's sharing a cramped car trunk with the classy, disarmed federal marshal, and the chemistry is working overtime - and as soon as she escapes, he's already missing her. But there are bad men and a major score waiting for Jack in Motown. And the next time his path crosses Karen's, chances are she's going to be there for business, not pleasure.

©1996 Elmore Leonard, Inc. (P)1996 Recorded Books Inc.

Absolutely classic Leonard: as good as it gets.

This book is primarily the story of Jack Foley, an endearing guy who only knows how to rob banks, and US Marshall Karen Sisco. You may never read a better romance/hide and go seek. The book was made into a fantastic movie, with George Clooney as Foley and Jennifer Lopez as Sisco. The chemistry between them is amazing. They meet in a scene which only Leonard could have written: Foley breaks out of prison with a small group of Latin guys. Karen is there to serve a warrant. Gunfire breaks out everywhere, and somehow Foley and Sisco both get into the trunk of Foley's getaway car. What then happens between them is a remarkable love story and adventure. George Guidall is, of course, one of the best narrators alive, and he is masterful here. The story jumps from Glades Correctional Institute to the federal prison at Lompoc, California, to Miami and to Detroit. A number of really bad guys get involved, and in the end they plot to rip off a rich guy named Richard Ripley, a fabulously wealthy sleaze ball who made a fortune by marrying rich and then doing filthy things in the markets. As usual, Leonard takes his time setting up the plot, and then he accelerates the pace to something approaching frenzied at the end. I will not spoil the ending. I will say, though, that this is one book for which the movie is just as wonderful. Read the book and see the movie. Some fun.

Classic Elmore Leonard, Fantastic Characters

Where does Out of Sight rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Out of Sight would be close to the top of my list.

What other book might you compare Out of Sight to and why?

This book was somewhat similar to other crime books that are character based, such as Mystic River. And of course very much in Leonard's signature style in books such as Killshot.

Any additional comments?

Many of Leonard's characters are very authentic and relatable, but surprisingly complex. Jack Foley is great as the consummate criminal, a bank robber, yet one somehow with class and grace on his own terms. He doesn't care for the crass crimes of some of the other criminals he falls in with.

Karen Sisco is a great character too. She plays by her own rules and has a great way of asking forgiveness rather than permission. Fatally flawed, yet a very effective agent.

Good, not Great

Would you try another book from Elmore Leonard and/or George Guidall?

I would definitely try another Elmore Leonard book. Not sure I'd do another George Guidall version, though. His female voices were really simpering and annoying.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Not totally satisfied with the ending, but I was in suspense until the very end, which was great.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I didn't care for his style, especially because of the way he did female voices. They were too simpering and the words too drawn out. On the other hand, this book had a lot of dialog, and I know that has to be hard to do without getting too over the top.

Do you think Out of Sight needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Perhaps. Wouldn't mind seeing what happens down the road, but the author passed away, so that isn't going to happen.

Any additional comments?

The book was a pretty fun ride, but I expected it to be wittier. All the characters were well drawn, and I had no idea how the plot was going to play out until the very end. (In my rating system, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=a classic I want everyone to read.)

No Cliches

Elmore Leonard manages once again to create marginal characters that feel so real that the reader finds himself rooting for the lowlife and the crooked. Even though I would have loved to see the protagonist live happily ever after, the unresolved ending ended up being more satisfying than a neatly wrapped up story line.

OK to pass the time.

I'm not going to turn this one back in because I was entertained by the characters, basic story, and of course George Guidall's dependable superb narration. I won't give it a high rating, however, as it just cruised along with nothing to really savor later, and fell rather flat at the conclusion.

Fast paced and never a dull moment!

Leonard writes without wasting words. He has a talent for keeping your interest from beginning to end!

outstanding!

Leonard at his best! Razor sharp dialogue. Memorable characters and a fast moving lot that keeps you locked in. Another great tale by the master.