Skinny Dip
3 journalers for this copy...
This book is disposable literature. Not because it is trash, per se, but because it makes numerous pop culture allusions which are bound to have a short shelf life (if they are understood at all). That's what makes the book bad--instead of creating a self-contained world, the author takes a shortcut to character development by describing his antagonists vis a vis recent headlines and comparisons to, of all things, television programs and advertising. This in itself would not be an unforgivable sin if he took the time to explain the comparisons, but it becomes inexcusable when Hiaasen assumes the reader's familiarity with the mass media effluvia he cites.
I would rate this book lower, but for some reason it kept me moving forward. There is a certain appeal to the style and some mild curiosity about what happens next, but there is no gripping suspense or genuine connection to the characters, all of which are well-drawn but lack true human depth.
To its credit, the book does address some timely environmental issues regarding the Florida Everglades. It's basically a morality play which seems to have been written with motion picture adaptation in mind--maybe that's why it's so two-dimensional.
What's it about? A dim but good-looking sex addict creep tries to kill his wife of two years because he wrongly suspects she knows more about his shady business dealings than she does. She survives the murder attempt and plots her revenge--with the improbable assistance of her accidental savior, a tough older dude with a dark past... et cetera. A good friend mailed this to me. He thinks Hiaasen is funny, but for me the attempted humor does not work.
I would rate this book lower, but for some reason it kept me moving forward. There is a certain appeal to the style and some mild curiosity about what happens next, but there is no gripping suspense or genuine connection to the characters, all of which are well-drawn but lack true human depth.
To its credit, the book does address some timely environmental issues regarding the Florida Everglades. It's basically a morality play which seems to have been written with motion picture adaptation in mind--maybe that's why it's so two-dimensional.
What's it about? A dim but good-looking sex addict creep tries to kill his wife of two years because he wrongly suspects she knows more about his shady business dealings than she does. She survives the murder attempt and plots her revenge--with the improbable assistance of her accidental savior, a tough older dude with a dark past... et cetera. A good friend mailed this to me. He thinks Hiaasen is funny, but for me the attempted humor does not work.
Journal Entry 2 by Zowee at Fremont Coffee, 459 N 36th St in Fremont, Washington USA on Friday, December 17, 2004
Released on Friday, December 17, 2004 at about 2:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Fremont Coffee, 459 N 36th St in Seattle, Washington USA.
RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I'm a great fan of Hiaasen--just check my bookshelf! I suspect I'll give this more stars than Zowee did.
I'm giving this fewer stars than I have past Hiaasen novels because I'm coming to think that his novels are a bit formulaic. Also, his bad guys are totally reprehensible, with no redeeming features, which isn't good characterization.
Having said that, the book is a really enjoyable black-comic romp, like everything else I've read by the author. And his record of making me laugh out loud at least three times per book is still intact! In my book, that covers a multitude of sins! I don't think it's necessary to get the pop culture allusions to get the plot--but then I said that Zowee and I would probably have to agree to disagree! The friendship that develops between Maureen and Tool is an interesting element that I haven't seen in Hiaasen's past books.
A few years ago I heard Hiaasen speak at the University of Washington when he was on a promotion tour for his then-current book. At one point, someone in the audience asked, "Do you ever get an idea and then think, `No, this is too weird?'"
Hiaasen said, "Every time I think an idea is too weird, South Florida proves me wrong."
Having said that, the book is a really enjoyable black-comic romp, like everything else I've read by the author. And his record of making me laugh out loud at least three times per book is still intact! In my book, that covers a multitude of sins! I don't think it's necessary to get the pop culture allusions to get the plot--but then I said that Zowee and I would probably have to agree to disagree! The friendship that develops between Maureen and Tool is an interesting element that I haven't seen in Hiaasen's past books.
A few years ago I heard Hiaasen speak at the University of Washington when he was on a promotion tour for his then-current book. At one point, someone in the audience asked, "Do you ever get an idea and then think, `No, this is too weird?'"
Hiaasen said, "Every time I think an idea is too weird, South Florida proves me wrong."
Journal Entry 5 by 
Staxman
at Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave. SW in Seattle, Washington USA on Friday, December 31, 2004
Staxman at Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California Ave. SW in Seattle, Washington USA on Friday, December 31, 2004
Released on Saturday, January 01, 2005 at about 1:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Beveridge Place Pub, 6451 California Ave. SW in Seattle, Washington USA.
RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I found this book on the book shelf at the Beveridge Place Pub located at 6451 California Ave. S.W. Seattle Washington 98136, and I will be reading it shorty. What a great pub and great beer.
CAUGHT IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON KING
CAUGHT IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON KING
