Rum Punch

Rum Punch is a novel by Elmore Leonard, published in 1992. The story revolves around a flight attendant, Jackie Burke, who becomes embroiled in a smuggling operation and a subsequent sting operation by law enforcement. The novel is notable for its intricate plot, rich character development, and Leonard's signature dialogue style.

Plot Summary

The protagonist, Jackie Burke, is a middle-aged flight attendant for a small airline. She supplements her income by smuggling money into the United States for Ordell Robbie, a gunrunner. When Jackie is caught by the ATF with a large sum of money and some drugs, she faces serious charges. To avoid prison, she agrees to cooperate with the authorities in a sting operation to catch Ordell.

Ordell, suspicious of Jackie's loyalty, sends his associate, Louis Gara, to keep an eye on her. Meanwhile, Jackie devises a plan to outsmart both the law enforcement and Ordell, with the help of bail bondsman Max Cherry. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival as Jackie navigates the dangerous waters of crime and law enforcement.

Characters

• Jackie Burke: The main character, a flight attendant who becomes a key player in a smuggling operation.
• Ordell Robbie: A gunrunner who employs Jackie to smuggle money.
• Max Cherry: A bail bondsman who becomes Jackie's ally.
• Louis Gara: Ordell's associate, tasked with monitoring Jackie.
• Ray Nicolet: An ATF agent involved in the sting operation.

Adaptations

The novel was adapted into the 1997 film Jackie Brown, directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Pam Grier as Jackie Brown, Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie, and Robert Forster as Max Cherry. The adaptation remains largely faithful to the novel, with some changes to character names and plot details.

Themes

Rum Punch delves into themes such as:

• **Loyalty and Betrayal**: The characters frequently face dilemmas that test their loyalty to one another.
• **Survival**: Jackie Burke's journey is one of survival, as she navigates the treacherous world of crime and law enforcement.
• **Morality**: The novel explores the gray areas of morality, where characters often operate outside the bounds of the law.

Reception

Rum Punch received positive reviews for its engaging plot and well-developed characters. Critics praised Leonard's ability to create suspense and his skillful use of dialogue. The novel is considered one of Leonard's best works and has a lasting impact on the crime fiction genre.

See Also

• Elmore Leonard
• Jackie Brown (film)
• Crime fiction
• Quentin Tarantino