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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Klassieke Hiaasen. Vrouw met woede-probleem met een lieve zoon. Natuur goed, wereld slecht. Leest heerlijk weg
I love this author's books - especially since they are all set in Florida
I don't usually read pulp fiction, but only because I feel like time with books is a precious resource that must be carefully allotted; if I only read one book in a month, it should change my life, right?
Maybe I should change that attitude, because this book was a lot of fun. Honey Santana stands at the center as one of the most over-the-top characters in a cast comprised almost entirely of over-the-top characters, and Hiaasen does a great job building anticipation throughout the first half of the book; the reader knows these personalities are going to collide, and keeps reading to find out when and how. I was especially endeared to Honey for her indignant, righteous, and endless letter-writing. As someone who diligently tries to opt out of all the junk mail I receive, I share her indignation (if not its intensity), and I enjoyed cheering her on. Though Honey herself is not the best example to follow in terms of technique, it also reminded me of the importance of writing letters and speaking up and taking action for what you believe in on matters more important than junk mail, especially in the times we find ourselves living in.
Maybe I should change that attitude, because this book was a lot of fun. Honey Santana stands at the center as one of the most over-the-top characters in a cast comprised almost entirely of over-the-top characters, and Hiaasen does a great job building anticipation throughout the first half of the book; the reader knows these personalities are going to collide, and keeps reading to find out when and how. I was especially endeared to Honey for her indignant, righteous, and endless letter-writing. As someone who diligently tries to opt out of all the junk mail I receive, I share her indignation (if not its intensity), and I enjoyed cheering her on. Though Honey herself is not the best example to follow in terms of technique, it also reminded me of the importance of writing letters and speaking up and taking action for what you believe in on matters more important than junk mail, especially in the times we find ourselves living in.
Excessive swearing aside, I really enjoyed Nature Girl! The plot was just absurd enough. The characters were just absurd enough. The coincidences were just absurd enough. Oh good hecking times.
I just love Hiaasen’s books. I’ve read almost all of them and I get quite excited when I hear about his next one coming out. Some are better than others and this one is pretty darn good. But regardless, his stories are always filled with plenty of humor and excitement, though not without losing sight of its roots as a mystery. This time, the “mystery” part deals with just one aspect of the story…Hiaasen’s stories are also usually chocked filled with many characters and many different subplots. The “mystery” in this case is the death of a tourist and a Native American who covers it up. The Indian did not kill the man, but he didn’t exactly go to the police either. I know – doesn’t sound like much of a mystery. But, they rarely are in Hiaasen’s novels. The mysteries (or lack there of) are similar to what director [b:Alfred Hitchcock|2014794|The Thirty-nine Steps.|John Buchan|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JYVWNH8DL._SL75_.jpg|2422487] used to call “the MacGuffin,” which Hitchcock described as a mechanical element that serves as some sort of motivation. The mystery pushes the story along…who will find the body?….will the Indian be accused?…etc. But, the core of the book is the characters, most of whom have NOTHING to do with the mystery at the beginning of the book. As the book goes on, each of the subplots edge closer and closer to uncovering the mystery. But, the talent of Hiaasen shines since the mystery is not “solved” until all of the subplots converge.
This is my second Carl Hiassen book, and while it was amusing, it didn't make me laugh as hard as Bad Monkey did. I've been told that the ones involving Skink are better, so I won't give up on him just yet. I do enjoy all of the crazy Floridians that Mr. Hiassen cooks up, though.
While the plot was as interesting as Hiaasen's other novels, the characters were not up to par. I did not sympathize with or even connect with a single character in this novel- and typically the characters are what I really appreciate from this author. I will definitely approach other of Hiaasen's books but perhaps with a little more care in the future.
His books are always fun. This one is no exception. Wonderful to read between some of the true crime and horror that I usually am reading.
One of my two favorite Hiaasen books. Made me laugh aloud. Thanks Carl!