Reviews

Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen

jennrocca's review

4.0

So, this was good as any of Carl Hiassen's books and I like his books so that was good. However, it is NOT FOR KIDS. I found that out too late. Because the main character here also appeared in Scat I thought it might be OK for my 8, 11, and 12 year olds. Yeah. It wasn't age appropriate. At all. So my kids received a wild education while my husband and I cracked up. Ay yi yi.

waldowade's review

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

jasmine_paints's review against another edition

3.0

This was recommended to me as a good airport book. It's dumb writing and perfectly entertaining.

book_concierge's review against another edition

4.0

Twilly Spree is a trust-fund baby and eco-terrorist with some anger-management issues. When he witnesses blatant littering by the driver of a Range Rover with vanity plates, he is compelled to teach the litterbug a lesson. Within a few pages the reader is immersed in the usual Hiaasen scenario featuring a dog-napping and peopled with corrupt Florida politicians and ruthless developers; among the characters here are a former Toyota salesman who is now governor, a hunt-trophy-happy lobbyist, a millionaire developer with a fetish for Barbie dolls (yes, the actual dolls), and our favorite “out-there” one-eyed hero, Skink.

It’s typical Hiaasen, with outlandish plot developments and tender young women whose good sense far outshines the idiots they work for (or are married to). Hiaasen has a gift for colorful description, for example: Willie Vasquez-Washington eyed Stoat as if he were a worm on a Triscuit. Of course all the bad guys will get their just desserts in the end – and in colorful, inventive ways. The action is non-stop and the pages turn fast. A fun, enjoyable diversion!

amandamz's review

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lookeeitsmc's review

4.0

it made me laugh

moonmama's review

5.0

I absolutely adored this book! It was incredibly funny, made me laugh my socks off! It has immensely appealing characters, even the evil and/or ne'er do wellers were awesome and highly entertaining! Man, Carl Hiaasen is definitely one of my new favorite authors! I love this guy! And I loved all the extra details about the characters, for example, how Mr. Gash listened to the 9-1-1 tapes and then, put them to (to Mr. Gash's mind, maybe everyone's, I don't know, I'd have to try it out, but I doubt I could take that level of human misery) the appropriate musical accompaniment!

aashuste's review

4.0

Hiassen’s books may be dismissed as a little pulpy (they certainly aren’t Fine Literature), but I enjoyed the heck out of this one and would argue there’s more to it than meets the eye. Sure, it’s a page-turner that hinges on stereotype, sex, and a pretty simplified dichotomy of good and evil. But don’t underestimate the intrigue of the vividly detailed characters, the variety of perspectives/writing styles, and the understated humor. It reminds me of one of my favorite books/movies by another Florida author: Big Trouble. 

emory's review

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Murder, Drug use, and Self harm

azif's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0