Chocolate Lizards

by Cole Thompson

Book Overview

When a Harvard-educated aspiring actor loses all of his cash in a poker game, he finds himself stranded in Abilene, Texas. Enter Merle, a hard drinkin', tough talkin', woman lovin' wildcatter who happens to have a job opening. What ensues is a rip-roaring conflagration of unbelievably vibrant characters. In the end, good old Texan gumption wins out, but regardless, Chocolate Lizards is a helluva ride.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312264860
• ISBN13: 9780312264864
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

This book SLAYS me!

Cole Thompson is such a talented writer. I swear I was right there with Merle and Erwin throughout their crazy adventures together. I have read this book about 600 times and I still go into convulsive laughter each time I read it.

"Chocolate Lizards" is thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining.

"Chocolate Lizards" gives life to authentic Texas characters, plus insight into life in the oil fields. My husband was motorman on a rig in the early fifties. This tale makes me feel young again.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

I probably wouldn't have read this book had I just looked at the cover, however, I read the flap and decided it was worth a try. I'm glad I did. The characters are hilarious and the story is suspenseful. The reader might get bogged down by the technical descriptions of oil rigging, but the dialogue between Merle and Harvard are worth it all.

Pulitzer Prize lock

& #65279;Future Pulitzer Prize winner Cole Thompson is unequalled when it comes to creating incredibly eccentric and entertaining characters that are still completely believable. A great, can't put it down, don't want to ever get to the last page, just don't want it to end story, with great characters, dialogue and events...all the stuff I can't get enough of and come back for with tongue wagging. It's a FICTIONAL STORY and a fantastic one, to boot! Give us some more, Cole ! If Chocolate Lizards was required reading in school, (like Romeo and Juliet), the library couldn't print cards fast enough for students coming back for more Cole Thompson. The book is that good. It is the best I have ever read, and I have read quite a few. If you plan to build your own book collection, this should be the first hardback to buy and keep in a special place Although I read and enjoy a wide range of subjects I am very picky about the books I choose to buy. I read the introduction and all the hype, however if it has Cole Thompson's name on the cover, that's all I need to see. What a story teller. He reaches into Texas history and breathes life into his characters. Of all the authors who write about Texans, Thompson is the only one I've read that gets it right. He captured the spirit of West Texas(a different state from East Texas and a different country from the other states.) and that was quite an accomplishment. In fact, most of the people who were enamored with the book were probably enamored with this spirt. It has rarely been captured in print or on film. It is beautiful and wild. The characters are stunningly real. Don't stop with Chocolate Lizards! I can't wait for the movie!

I laughed out loud. Great storytelling.

Merle has become one of our favorite characters. We quote him and tell stories about him at parties like they are part of our families personal history. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Cole Thompson has a gift for dialects and storytelling. Can't wait for the movie!