OF MICE AND MINESTRONE: HAP AND LEONARD: THE EARLY YEARS by Joe R. Lansdale is the latest collection of Hap and Leonard short stories, and those familiar with the full length novels as well as the television series (that ended much too soon) based on them will find much to like with this collection.

Hap and Leonard’s early days are quite different in the author’s mind than the portrayal of that time period as written in the television series, and I like Lansdale’s version of this part of their lives and the beginning of their relationship much better, as it’s a bit grittier and befitting the setting in rural Texas that the author has firmly established to illustrate the difficult road the pair followed flying in the face of racism and anti-gay sentiments towards Leonard in these stories, along with mistreatment of the two friends as a result of their interracial friendship that only helps to cement their bond even early on.

Lansdale also includes an interesting twist and the end of these short stories by including a section of recipes (along with help from daughter Kasey) that are based on both Hap and Leonard’s favorites that have been handed down over the years; including one from Leonard’s Uncle Chester, and in addition to making your mouth water you’ll laugh reading through the descriptions the two use while laying out the directions.

Enjoyable from start to finish, this should come as no surprise as Joe R. Lansdale writes stories that always deliver a message, and in spite of difficulties and heartaches experienced within, also provide more than enough laughs for fans of the duo’s rough and tumble experiences.

4 stars.

Had never read any of the previous books in the series but still enjoyed reading this. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed reading this.

I never grew up in a small town full of people with small minds and prejudices, but this book made me feel like I was right there with the characters. Hap and Leonard are a pair of ordinary boys trying to do some good in the world and survive.

The way Landsdale writes, I can almost smell the dust and cornbread and sausages. Feel the oppressive dry heat on my skin. The stories are both lyrical and stripped bare slices of life. Though not my usual fare, I really enjoyed this.

I've been a Lansdale fan for a few years now and Hap and Leonard are great characters. This collection really only contains five stories and then recipes. Of the five stories within its definantly a good read for fans of the series. The previous early Hap and Leonard stories focused mostly on Hap and in some cases didn't feel like Hap. This one feels more true to the characters. My favorite is a simple story of the two comparing fighting in Vietnam and being in prison.

Hap and Leonard are the best "buddy" characters of all time. Don't like them, then I might not like you. But I still might like you anyway.

Short stories, way back when Hap and Leonards were "almost" men. It is always a good thing to read about them, but I prefer the complete novels. One star more for the recipes!

Storie brevi che si rifanno all'adolescenza dei nostri eroi preferiti. Per quanto sia sempre molto piacevole leggere Hap e Leonard, le storie lunghe e complete mi piacciono di piú. Una stella in piú comunque, va alla raccolta di ricette in fondo al libro.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

Joe Lansdale is a wonderful writer with a gift for description and characters. This book of short stories is about series characters Hap and Leonard in their early years. If you aren’t familiar with the novels, I recommend reading them too. This book has a bonus of recipes that I will be trying out.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Tachyon Publications for an advance copy of Of Mice and Minestrone, a collection of short stories centring on Hap and Leonard’s early years.

This is a slim volume consisting of 5 stories (one divided into two parts) and a collection of recipes referenced in the stories. There is also a very perceptive introduction by author Kathleen Kent.

I really enjoyed these tales of a young Hap and Leonard and their formative experiences. The stories are all new, except The Watering Shed which has been published before, and cover a variety of experiences from Hap’s point of view. I don’t read many short stories but am always prepared to make an exception for this dynamic duo. I like their chemistry and attitude, tough but fair until they aren’t, and I enjoy their banter which makes me laugh. I especially like the atmosphere of East Texas in the 60s where, despite the racism and poverty there is a certain innocence to life or is it perhaps because the characters are young? Whatever, they gradually lose the rose tinted glasses as they grow up. Hap has a distinctive voice and his way of looking at life lends a warmth to the narrative regardless of the story.

The recipes, written by Kasey Lonsdale, are equally amusing, full of helpful hints on how to cook them from Hap’s point of view, like how to adjust to taste. They all seem to be heart attacks on a plate and full of american terms and ingredients so I might not try them out but, on the other hand, they sound yummy.

Of Mice and Minestrone is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I have read a few of the Hap and Leonard books (and loved the show) so I was happy to read more about them. I felt like this gave some needed backstory and context to the earlier novels. While I enjoyed the books, I do feel like they can be a little repetitive and I do feel like the author is often writing about people's lives without really knowing much about them which was true in this book too.

A delicious collection of short stories for Hap and Leonard fans old and new. For the old fans, (like myself) you learn more about the things that made Hap grow into the person he is. For people new to Hap and Leonard, this is a good introduction to a great series.

The stories added depth to the wonderful relationship, and I breezed through them in one sitting.

After the stories, I was pleasantly surprised to find recipes for some of Hap and Leonard's favorite treats. I cooked Hap's - Death by Chili for supper last night and it was delicious. Although, I would recommend putting your toilet roll in the fridge for the morning after!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tachyon Publications for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read most of the Hap and Leonard stories, and Blood and Lemonade is probably my favourite of these. Of Mice And Minestrone is very much on the same lines - short stories from Hap Collins as a youth, giving context and backstory to his life and his relationship with Leonard Pine.

Joe R Lansdale is a phenomenal writer, and the first short story - a simple account of a Collins family dinner - had me tearing up. The writing is simple, heartfelt and evocative. As ever, the relationship between Hap and Leonard is absolute friendship goals, and even teenaged Leonard has enough wit and snark to make you giggle in that inimitable way of his.

Lansdale also adds Hap and Leonard's recipes to the end of the book, for a fully fleshed out experience.

If you love Hap and Leonard, read this book. If you like Hap and Leonard, read this book and fall in love with them.

If you've never read Hap and Leonard, what <i>have</i> you been reading?

Loved, loved this, short shores of ‘the boys’. I don’t normally read short stories because I don’t like short stories BUT Lansdale writes his so well conceived from plot to characters it’s as fulfilling as a novel. I read constantly but I can count on one hand how many authors use language so visually yet tight. Every word is a joy to read in Lansdale’s hands
Thank you publisher and netgalley for allowing me this arc

Some tales from the early days of Hap on his own, then Hap with Leonard, and finally a section with a few down-home recipes. Only one of the stories (The Watering Shed) has been previously published, the rest are new for this collection.

Joe R. Lansdale has a gift for telling a story. Humor, hard truths, wistful might've beens, seriously serious and shockingly irreverent. His stuff conjures up primal images of tribes of wanderers sitting around a campfire listening to the folklore of their people. In this case the primal wanderers are more likely to be something more along the lines of sharecroppers or Dust Bowl refugees but the basics still apply... The man can spin a yarn!

Aside from the introduction, and an extended reminiscence by Lansdale there are five stories in this collection. While all of the stories here are good I was particularly impressed with the story The Sabine Was High which is about the reunion of Hap and Leonard. The first time they reunite with each other after a significant time spent apart - one home from war, the other out of prison. An understated short story that at first seems inconsequential, almost meaningless, but it begins to grow on you and you realize the deeper things that are happening between these two friends. That they have endured great hardship that has changed them as individuals yet, at the same time, bonded them forever as spiritual brothers. It kind of sneaks up on you, such is the power of a Lansdale story.

I'm ambivalent about the recipe section. Presented as if Hap, and in one case Leonard, was sharing some of his favorite foods so that means the commentary is entertaining but I know the likelihood that I'll ever use these recipes is about the same as Leonard settling down and marrying Miss America (Leonard is gay). I didn't figure that section into my rating one way or the other.

End result? Of Mice and Minestrone fills you with a kind of bittersweet nostalgia for a time and place that you may not have ever known... but you sure would have liked to.

I wouldn't recommend this one for anyone unfamiliar with the Hap & Leonard series but it's a must have for long time readers.

***Thanks to NetGalley, Tachyon Publications, and author Joe R. Lansdale (recipes from Kasey Lansdale) for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review

Joe R. Lansdale is an author who is not only prolific but consistently adept at whatever genre he chooses to spin his tales. The backbone of his works is the Hap & Leonard series which currently stands at 12 or so books.

How can you not love these guys? Hap is a philosophical white guy with a strong moral code & Leonard is tough, gay black man with an iron will. Growing up as best friends in east Texas, neither should have survived the ingrained racism & prejudice of the Jim Crow era. Lucky for us they did.

This collection of short stories takes us back to their early years. Hap is our travel guide & as he recounts these 5 vignettes, you get the feeling he’s shaking his head in mild amazement. He now grasps the significance of things that his younger self missed. Like the security of family, the mystery of his profound connection with Leonard & the importance of a good hot sauce.

The stories run the gamut. Funny, disturbing, poignant & violent…it’s all here. So grab your iced tea, pull up a chair & sit a spell as Hap reminisces about the good old/bad old days that shaped their friendship. There’ll be pie at the end. With real meringue, not that whipped cream crap.

The Kitchen: Hap is about 6 yr. old & recounts how extended family would gather at his grandmother’s with enough food to feed the county. The tradition of story telling is in the spot light & my God, I was starving by the end of this one (how can I be craving grits? I’ve never even had grits.)

Of Mice & Minestrone: Hap is 16 now & working at the local police station/jail for the summer. The racism is flagrant & it tells of his first brush with domestic violence & how it was “handled” by the cops. (And just as an aside, I may never have soup again 🤢)

The Watering Shed: Leonard comes on the scene & it’s the beginning of a friendship that breaks about a dozen rules of acceptable behaviour at the time.

Sparring Partner: Further adventures of Hap & Leonard in the summer before graduating high school. It highlights the real threat of not acting white enough or black enough but also shows how decency & kindness can pop up in surprising places.

There’s a wry humour that runs through all the stories but this one had some of the best lines. For example, Leonard takes Hap to an isolated old barn where they meet a group of black men. Needless to say, Hap kind of stands out.

“Leonard,” the big black man who had been doing the yelling said. “What the fuck is this?”
“It’s a guy named Hap,” Leonard said.
“He’s white.”
“Oh shit. You’re right.”

The Sabine Was High: Hap & Leonard meet up again after being separated for a time. While Leonard went to Viet Nam, Hap was in prison for dodging the draft. It sets up an interesting dynamic as the two swap stories of their experiences during a day of fishing.


Lansdale's atmospheric style makes for effortless reading. The dialogue is lean & the prose can swing from brutal to tender in a heartbeat. It's clear he loves these characters & you'll be rooting for them too as you fall under his spell. A must read for fans of the series.

Fun collection of short stories (with recipes) covering Hap and Leonard's time as teenagers in late 1960s East Texas, where theoretically the Civil Rights Act has been applied, but where Jim Crow is alove and well in the hands of local assholes, the sheriff's department and southern customs..

Like a pair of old slippers, it’s nice to slip into a Hap and Leonard novel. But in this one we get to reminisce as the protagonists’ tales from the past are shared in a way that make the reader relate past and present. A nice present indeed!

Those familiar with the East Texas legend of Hap and Leonard will thrill to hear stories of their teenage years. For this of us not necessarily that familiar, it's still a worthwhile jaunt. Like an odd couple version of Starsky and Hutch, with one White, one Black, one straight, one gay, Hap and Leonard's Of Mice and Minestrone offer a countrified set of tales that you just enjoy hearing. And they are tales of the pair of them dealing with some of the Jim Crow era divisions, sparring with the champions, and camping out. Told with intelligence and witty humor, all are a joy to read.