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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
Normally anything by Carl Hiaasen works for me, but this one didn't. Couldn't relate to any of the characters, rather I found them annoying.
3rd Hiaasen, so far the favorite, which is contrary to how others have reviewed it. Maybe due to abridged audiobook? Don't know, but I liked it.
Oddball characters galore and stronger female characters than other books. Followed the Hiaason formula= quirky people + FL environment + comically gruesome comeuppance for the bad guys + good guys come out ahead. Makes for a fast, enjoyable read.
Hiaasen reads:
1. Skinny Dip, 2nd
2. Basket Case, 3rd
3. Nature Girl, 1st
Oddball characters galore and stronger female characters than other books. Followed the Hiaason formula= quirky people + FL environment + comically gruesome comeuppance for the bad guys + good guys come out ahead. Makes for a fast, enjoyable read.
Hiaasen reads:
1. Skinny Dip, 2nd
2. Basket Case, 3rd
3. Nature Girl, 1st
The kids have been reading his kids books on audio on and off so I felt called to try his adult fiction.
I'm only rating this book so low because in comparison with so many of Hiassen books it fell pretty flat for me. I didn't connect with the characters and found them relatively boring and without substance. I'm usual a big fan of his work and the comical Florida world he creates so it was a bummer to not enjoy this one as much.
That being said, I read in one sitting so do what you will with that info.
That being said, I read in one sitting so do what you will with that info.
A over-reactive mother who wants to teach a Texan telemarketer a lesson tricks him and his mistress to come out to Florida on a supposed Eco-Tour she is hosting. There is so much more than that, but that is the main gist of this book. This is one of those books where various characters in various storylines collide.
I can't really tell how much I liked this book, I just know I enjoyed my time with it. All of the characters were equally interesting, and Hiaasen paints an interesting tale. I never knew exactly where anything was headed, and I guess that's what I liked about it.
However, just like the other Hiaasen book I've read, he includes a weird romance between two characters that don't really fit together. At least it wasn't as bad as the one in Tourist Season. Still. It annoyed me just the same.
I did like the happy endings and retributions at the end. Very satisfying.
I can't really tell how much I liked this book, I just know I enjoyed my time with it. All of the characters were equally interesting, and Hiaasen paints an interesting tale. I never knew exactly where anything was headed, and I guess that's what I liked about it.
However, just like the other Hiaasen book I've read, he includes a weird romance between two characters that don't really fit together. At least it wasn't as bad as the one in Tourist Season. Still. It annoyed me just the same.
I did like the happy endings and retributions at the end. Very satisfying.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It reminded me a little of Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins. I have read Hiassen's youth books but this was my first time reading his adult fiction. I will definitely seek out more.
I can't do better than the snippets from the critics printed on the cover, so I'll just copy them here.
"Pure outlandish silliness" -Boston Globe
"An engaging and diverse screwball cast" -Publishers Weekly
"Hiaasen throws his colorful characters into an increasingly frenetic mix." -San Francisco Chronicle
"Pure outlandish silliness" -Boston Globe
"An engaging and diverse screwball cast" -Publishers Weekly
"Hiaasen throws his colorful characters into an increasingly frenetic mix." -San Francisco Chronicle
A reliable entry. A little short on endearing characters perhaps, but still as whacky as he ever is. Always good to read at the beach.
Not one of his greatest. Too many characters, and not enough of them likeable. It did have the requisite Carl-Hiaasen-brand loser/villain who slowly and surely gets maimed and disfigured before finally being offed in a completely goofy and satisfying way, and a recurring theme of women being more rational, capable, and decent than men. I could very much identify with the protagonist Honey Santana, who is so sick and tired of people's bad manners and inconsiderate behavior she often goes off the deep end trying to get revenge. I lived vicariously through her for the duration of the book.