Llio Maddocks looks at the inspiration behind this week’s biggest box-office hit, Savages: it’s the book behind the film. 

Savages storms through Mexico and California, a suspense-filled novel about drugs, loyalty and decapitations.  Recently adapted into an action-packed film by Oliver Stone, this is perfect material for an entertaining, quick and thrilling read.

Ben, a botanist turned philanthropist, grows designer weed and wants to save the world. His business partner, Chon, is an ex-marine with a passion for etymology and is unfazed by the most violent of violence. Ophelia, or O, is their mutual girlfriend, a typical OC girl with a shopping addiction and sex addiction to match. They are all beautiful, smart and seemingly untouchable.

Then the Mexican Baja Cartel turns up, demanding a slice of the profit. A badly-timed threesome sees O kidnapped by Elena, the cartel’s queen, and a game of chase unfolds as the two entrepreneurs set off to defend their patch and their playmate.

It was a fun read. Short chapters and witty quips make sure you turn the next page, but the characters, despite being a colourful ensemble, fail to break out of superficial stereotype; a corrupt cop, a tough Mexican hit-man, a pretty, sarcastic blonde. Despite Winslow’s effort to ensure each character is teemed with their own back-story, their one-dimensional elements remain making plot lines obvious and twists unremarkable.

Winslow’s style of writing, however, is original and his prose occasional breaks into haiku style rhythm. Acronyms dot the pages and as a result the novel flits between states of poetry and text-speak and it seems as though a few chunks of script are thrown in for good measure. Although adding to the energy of the book, it really is more style than substance.

This drug-fuelled, sexually charged novel is, despite its subject matter, an amusingly light read for anyone already bored with textbooks: exciting enough to keep you reading, but not substantial enough to be un-put-downable, it’s a perfect break for the start of term.

Savages is available now from Random House