Heat (Goldman novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | William Goldman |
| Products | Novel |
Heat is a 1985 novel authored by William Goldman that centers on a soldier of fortune based in Las Vegas.
Plot
The story revolves around Nick Escalante, known as "the Mex," who advertises his services in Las Vegas not as a traditional mercenary or bodyguard but under the title of "Chaperone" in the Yellow Pages. Eschewing firearms, he relies on his expertise with bladed weapons to handle threats.
Nick aims to accumulate enough funds to retire comfortably in Venice, Italy; however, his addiction to gambling repeatedly jeopardizes this plan. After intervening on behalf of a woman mistreated by the mobster DeMarco, Nick receives a substantial reward, only to squander it quickly at the blackjack table. Subsequently, he is employed by Cyrus Kinnick, a timid millionaire who does not seek protection but rather desires training in resilience and self-defense techniques.
Background
Goldman developed the novel beginning with this protagonist and initial scenario, drawing inspiration from his frequent trips to Las Vegas—a setting known for its difficulties faced by compulsive gamblers attempting to earn a living.
Reception
Bruce Cook of the Chicago Tribune observed a decline in the quality of Goldman's novels since his transition into screenwriting. He characterized Heat as written in a casual style resembling a screenplay, organized into sequences instead of conventional chapters. Nonetheless, Cook recognized its entertainment merit, describing it as "cotton candy all the way."
The Philadelphia Inquirer commended the book's dynamic action and sharp dialogue while emphasizing Goldman's talent for gradually unveiling multifaceted characters, which distinguishes Heat from standard genre works.
In the New York Times, David Mamet praised Goldman as an exceptional storyteller who crafts an engaging world inhabited by memorable figures—honorable criminals, steadfast companions, and vivid personalities—that readers find captivating.
The novel attained bestseller status.
Adaptations
- Heat (1986), directed by Dick Richards and Jerry Jameson
- Wild Card (2015), directed by Simon West