- Hardcover
- Publisher: Bantam Press (1 Oct 2004)
- ISBN-10: 0552769363
- ISBN-13: 978-0552769365
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Why has it been three full years since Hiassen has written a novel for adults when he can churn out stuff this good?
The story of Joey, Stranhan, Chaz and Tool is right up there among the best that Hiaasen has ever produced, with a great set of characters who make an everlasting impression on the reader. The initial plot is almost (but not quite) farcical but works brilliantly because of Hiaasen's characterisation and humour. A novel about how to get revenge on those who wrong us; brilliantly executed as only Hiassen can.
I couldn't wait until October for this to be published in the UK and bought a copy from the United States... I'm so glad I did. It's my book of the year! Buy it!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I strongly encourage you NOT to read either the jacket blurb or most reviews of this book. For some reason, people seem to want to give away most of this story to nonreaders. If you do read the spoilers, you will probably only think this a three or four star book . . . yet it is really a tour de force if you let Mr. Hiaasen work his magic without any preconceptions about the story.
As the book opens, Chaz and Joey Perrone are enjoying their second wedding anniversary by taking a cruise that is about to return them to Port Lauderdale. But there's a problem! Despite experiencing great sexual energy, Joey finds herself unexpectedly not enjoying the bliss that such a trip might suggest. Clearly, something's very wrong with her marriage . . . and she doesn't have a clue!
The rest of the book develops for her the reasons why Chaz married her and why the marriage suddenly soured for him. Once she realizes what's been going on, she also wants revenge. What ensues is one of the funniest and most original turning-of-the-tables you can imagine. In the process, Joey learns a lot about herself and what she really wants from life.
As usual, Mr. Hiaasen draws imaginatively on the themes of how greed and self-interest cause people to lead artificial lives that threaten both the environment . . . and ultimately all of us. There's a brilliant symbol involving a deformed snake that makes this book haunting as well as humorous. Snakes also play symbolic roles in other parts of the story. Remember the garden of Eden whenever you read about a snake in this book.
The book does a superb job of helping many of its characters develop and grow based on their experiences. I thought that the evolution of the character named "Tool" was especially well done. Tool goes from being someone who blindly follows orders to someone who takes responsibility for his choices, and makes better ones than those who have been ordering him around. Joey, Ricca, Corbett, Karl, and Chaz also experience meaningful changes as they come to appreciate what they have done.
For long-time fans of Mr. Hiaasen's writing, you will be pleased to meet two old friends in this book.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am on the penultimate audio tape of this great story and I can't wait until the end to tell you how happy Carl Hiaasen has made me, listening to this story, the last few days.
Problem is I keep laughing out loud; I'm wondering if people around me think I'm as bonkers as some of the people in Carl's story. I'm sure my husband is cursing at night when I'm listening to this story in bed - am I keeping him awake?
You know the world is a sad old place sometimes and we all, eventually, have a lot to bear as we travel through life. To have the ability to make people laugh, and be as happy as I feel listening to this story, is a great reward, I hope, for Carl Hiaasen.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hmmmm
I stopped reading Hiaasen a few years ago when I became a bit bored with the style, which I felt was becoming a bit hackneyed. What do you call his books? Novels? Thrillers? Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Mcgregor
Very funny!
This was the first Carl Hiaasen book I ever ready, and was hooked. Its excellent, and I have gone on to read almost all his books to date, so if you have never read one of his... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Scroff The Bad
Quite good yarn
I have not read a lot of Carl Hiassen and approached this audio version of "Skinny Dip" with great anticipation. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. W. Platt
Less Hectic, No Less Funny
Skinny Dip is less hectic than some of Hiaasen's novels but no less worth reading for that. Still funny, absurd, well-paced, great characters. Read more
Published 17 months ago by paul.ward395
My first Hiaasen - It will not be my last!
August 11, 2004
This was my first Hiaasen and what a great funny read (just what I needed after a stressful period in my life). Read more
This was my first Hiaasen and what a great funny read (just what I needed after a stressful period in my life). Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kate Willard
mildly entertaining at best
I bought this book in English after having seen a French translation at a bookstore in Paris. While the idea behind the plot is very original (and made me buy the book in the first... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2009 by Patrick Jeanne
skinny dip
this was not as entertaining as some of the later Florida books, but I did enjoy it
Published on 24 Nov 2009 by Ms. I. Fraser
Fun summer read
I had never read any of Carl Hiassen's novels and was 'teased' into buying the book by a Waterstones quarterly sampler. Unputdownable from first chapter.
Published on 18 Nov 2009 by Jim Warrilow
You wouldn't want to swim in this swamp...
I think it'd be easy to be critical of the oft repeated messages in the Florida books, but each time I read a new one, there appears to be some new desecration that can be visited... Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Stuart Mcmillan
I love this guy, all his books are brill, funny crime capers!
Carl Hiaasen is a comedy crime genius with a conscience.
I have adored his books ever since I read 'Native Tongue' years ago. Read more
I have adored his books ever since I read 'Native Tongue' years ago. Read more
Published on 23 April 2008 by grr
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