"Thou art too damned jolly. Sail on." Herman Melville in Moby Dick
Current book-selection rotation: B, M, J, A, K
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
I heard an interview with Carl Hiaasen on Fresh Air a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed it so much that I bought this book the next day and I can't wait to start it!
Finished. I got this book as a e-book from the library and it has since "expired" so I can't look up my comments on my kindle anymore. (BOO!). Note to self: write comments BEFORE expiration date.
Anyway, it was okay. I liked the premise of the story. Tracking down an arm has some intrigue. But the story seemed to get bogged down with people. There were just too many characters. Finally I made a list and that eased my mind from trying to keep track of everyone so I could enjoy the story more. Plus I got anxious for it to end after the who-dunnit part was done.
The part I REALLY REALLY liked was the side plot with Evan Shook. I looked forward to seeing how the house would meet its next losing sales tactic. Those were hysterical.
I don't usually like detective/mystery books but I enjoyed reading this one. I liked the author's sense of humor. I spent a weekend in the Bahamas years ago and this story brought back memories of the people, food and scenery. There were a lot of characters in the story but I didn't have a problem keeping up with who they were.
Yes the side story about Evan Shook and his too big house was funny.
The Dragon Queen was one weired lady. Wouldn't want to run into anyone like that.
I finished this before my vacation but didn't get a chance to comment. I liked it well enough. I probably won't keep in on my shelves but will look for more books by this author. I didn't mind all of the characters; felt like all of their storylines came together quickly enough that I didn't lose track of anyone.
The Dragon Queen was loosely based on a real person (Hiaasen talked about it during the interview) and the locals were so wary of her that Hiaasen could not find anyone willing to drive him to her house!
Strange title for the book, since it wasn't really about the monkey at all.
I don't know what I think of this book. Initially I didn't care for it because, while it was amusing in places, it seemed to harsh. And I wasn't that interested in the arm. However, then it grew on me. I can't say I'm a big fan by the end, but I did enjoy it.
Like B, I didn't have any trouble keeping track of the people and enjoyed the humor. A few places I wanted to comment on:
Chapter 8: I have a calico cat named Sheba too, who would also probably be freaked out by someone wildly waving an arm.
Chapter 11: I LOVED the description of Yancy looking "like an abused gummy bear." I don't know why, but I laughed for a long time at that.
Chapter 13: I thought the Santeria shrine in the living room of Shook's house was pretty funny. One of the last Reich books I read was about Santeria and other similar religions. It was interesting to see it show up in this book and know what they were talking about.
Chapter 16: Neville (although I always picture Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter): "He wondered if something was mentally wrong with him for being content with what he had..." And yet he had three girlfriends.
Chapter 17: I really enjoyed the part where Yancy was flicking Christopher with the fly-fishing rod.
Chapter 24: I would not pour my cocktail out of a Waterford crystal glass for Ken to pee in. No. Not going to happen.
6 comments:
Finished. I got this book as a e-book from the library and it has since "expired" so I can't look up my comments on my kindle anymore. (BOO!). Note to self: write comments BEFORE expiration date.
Anyway, it was okay. I liked the premise of the story. Tracking down an arm has some intrigue. But the story seemed to get bogged down with people. There were just too many characters. Finally I made a list and that eased my mind from trying to keep track of everyone so I could enjoy the story more. Plus I got anxious for it to end after the who-dunnit part was done.
The part I REALLY REALLY liked was the side plot with Evan Shook. I looked forward to seeing how the house would meet its next losing sales tactic. Those were hysterical.
And I wish there had been more about the monkey.
I don't usually like detective/mystery books but I enjoyed reading this one. I liked the author's sense of humor. I spent a weekend in the Bahamas years ago and this story brought back memories of the people, food and scenery. There were a lot of characters in the story but I didn't have a problem keeping up with who they were.
Yes the side story about Evan Shook and his too big house was funny.
The Dragon Queen was one weired lady. Wouldn't want to run into anyone like that.
I finished this before my vacation but didn't get a chance to comment. I liked it well enough. I probably won't keep in on my shelves but will look for more books by this author. I didn't mind all of the characters; felt like all of their storylines came together quickly enough that I didn't lose track of anyone.
The Dragon Queen was loosely based on a real person (Hiaasen talked about it during the interview) and the locals were so wary of her that Hiaasen could not find anyone willing to drive him to her house!
I agree that Evan Shook was the best part.
I am half done, and will probably have it finished this weekend. Is it K's pick or B's pick next? Is K still active?
Strange title for the book, since it wasn't really about the monkey at all.
I don't know what I think of this book. Initially I didn't care for it because, while it was amusing in places, it seemed to harsh. And I wasn't that interested in the arm. However, then it grew on me. I can't say I'm a big fan by the end, but I did enjoy it.
Like B, I didn't have any trouble keeping track of the people and enjoyed the humor. A few places I wanted to comment on:
Chapter 8: I have a calico cat named Sheba too, who would also probably be freaked out by someone wildly waving an arm.
Chapter 11: I LOVED the description of Yancy looking "like an abused gummy bear." I don't know why, but I laughed for a long time at that.
Chapter 13: I thought the Santeria shrine in the living room of Shook's house was pretty funny. One of the last Reich books I read was about Santeria and other similar religions. It was interesting to see it show up in this book and know what they were talking about.
Chapter 16: Neville (although I always picture Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter): "He wondered if something was mentally wrong with him for being content with what he had..." And yet he had three girlfriends.
Chapter 17: I really enjoyed the part where Yancy was flicking Christopher with the fly-fishing rod.
Chapter 24: I would not pour my cocktail out of a Waterford crystal glass for Ken to pee in. No. Not going to happen.
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