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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I know Carl Hiaasen is supposed to be this great comedy writer, and his stuff is mostly set in my home state of Florida, so I should be predisposed to like -- or at least relate to -- the jokes. But I really didn't enjoy any of the intended humor in this book, and a lot of it made me pretty uncomfortable. There's casual racism and stereotyping against Seminole Indians for starters, plus this ridiculous and classist judgment of people for being telemarketers, as though the capitalist need for employment is not a thing. (I was a door-to-door salesman for 6 months when I couldn't find any other work. I am predisposed to hate anyone who lashes out at employees for doing an unpopular job.)
Worst of all, though, is the weird super-sexualization of all the female characters that pervades this novel, coupled with a constant threat of sexual violence. The narrative invites us to laugh at a madcap comedy, while the villain is literally tying up a woman and describing what he's going to do to her body. I kept telling myself it would get better, but it just never did.
All in all, this story gets my strong dis-recommendation. And this first Carl Hiaasen that I've tried is definitely going to be my last as well.
Worst of all, though, is the weird super-sexualization of all the female characters that pervades this novel, coupled with a constant threat of sexual violence. The narrative invites us to laugh at a madcap comedy, while the villain is literally tying up a woman and describing what he's going to do to her body. I kept telling myself it would get better, but it just never did.
All in all, this story gets my strong dis-recommendation. And this first Carl Hiaasen that I've tried is definitely going to be my last as well.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's was a nice fun read but Carl Hiaasen's weird age gap relationships strike again.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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:
Yes
Okay! The plot is there! Obviously Hiaasen is a talented writer. However, this book is WILDLY racist, and not in a social commentary -esq manner. Certainly a product of its time, but it often took me out of the story how bad it was.
I read this book in one sitting on a cross-country flight. Entertaining enough to get me through, keep me awake.
adventurous
funny
reflective
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Klassieke Hiaasen. Vrouw met woede-probleem met een lieve zoon. Natuur goed, wereld slecht. Leest heerlijk weg
The title certainly fits. Honey is almost obsessive about the environment and manners. A sweet and crazy romance peopled with losers. Some of 'em I liked and some of 'em....eeyew... It's scary that there're really people like that out there. An enjoyable read out in the Everglades with a kayak tour of some of the 10,000 islands along with hostages, helicopter rescues, and love.