Carl Hiaasen's "Native Tongue", the second installment in the Skink series, presents a highly engaging and delightfully quirky narrative that chronicles the intense battle between developers and a rather unconventional group of environmentalists.

Set against the backdrop of Florida, an amusement park owner is hell-bent on bulldozing a significant section of the Everglades. The aim is to create space for a luxurious golf course and a series of residential lots. Armed with the necessary permits and financing, the developer seems to have a clear path. However, standing in the way of this grand plan are an elderly environmentalist, the former governor of Florida, a press agent for the amusement park, two burglars, and a wannabe actress.

Carl Hiaasen's characters are truly one-of-a-kind. They are quirky, with their own set of flaws, yet they are also highly relatable. The story unfolds at a perfect pace, filled with humorous moments that keep the reader thoroughly entertained from start to finish. It's a tale that not only offers a thrilling adventure but also makes one think about the importance of environmental conservation in a lighthearted yet impactful way.

The amount of time that I spent on completing this book truly reveals a great deal about my level of enjoyment. Hiaasen is indeed a source of great amusement. However, the plot of this specific book failed to capture my interest. It did have its humorous moments, but overall, it was just average.

For my own future reference, I must mention the part where Skink wears a panther tracking collar. That was really hilarious! It made me laugh out loud and added a touch of absurdity to the story.

Despite the fact that this particular book didn't quite meet my expectations, I still appreciate Hiaasen's writing style and his ability to create unique and entertaining characters. I will definitely continue to explore his other works in the hope of finding more gems like the scene with Skink and the panther tracking collar.

Hiaasen has a remarkable ability to capture the minutiae of daily life. He reminds us that our lives are filled with common experiences that everyone endures. However, he then adds an absurd twist that sends us spiraling into his warped adventure. Despite the absurdity, enough of it seems plausible that we can believe in the characters, understand the motives behind their actions, and be entertained by the incongruous events that make us chuckle, smirk, nod, and at times reel in horror.

So, I have embarked on this second book in the Skink series. I first met Skink in a previous book, not realizing that Hiaasen has written some of his works in a specific reading sequence. Having just completed "Double Whammy", which lays much of the foundation for Skink, I couldn't resist delving further into this character's story. In some respects, I believe Hiaasen draws inspiration from "Florida Man" stories in the tabloids to create some of the characters for his novels. At other times, I suspect he simply fabricates his own "Florida Man" stories and posts them on the internet to see which ones gain popularity, which he will then incorporate into his novels. Regardless of the source, I find his novels both humorous and disturbing, and perhaps a bit formulaic. But truth be told, I don't really mind the formula.

When you've delved into one of Carl Hiassen's books, in a certain sense, you've experienced a taste of them all. However, the catch is that if you have a penchant for his work, you'll have an insatiable desire to devour every single one of them. His writing has this magical quality that makes me burst out laughing, and in today's world, that's truly something remarkable. It's not often that a writer can bring such unadulterated joy and humor to the reader. Hiassen's unique style and vivid characters draw you in and keep you entertained from start to finish. Whether it's the wacky adventures or the satirical take on society, his books are a breath of fresh air. So, if you haven't yet discovered the hilarity that is Carl Hiassen, it's time to pick up one of his books and prepare to be thoroughly amused.

I absolutely loved it!

As is the case usually, I was able to learn a great deal about Florida. It was truly fascinating to discover the unique aspects and characteristics of this wonderful place.

Moreover, I had the pleasure of meeting a whole bunch of interesting characters. Each one of them had their own story to tell and their own charm.

Their presence added so much depth and excitement to the experience.

I am now eagerly waiting for the next ones. I just can't contain my anticipation as I know there will be more amazing things to learn and more interesting people to meet.

I have no doubt that the next opportunities will be just as enriching and enjoyable as this one.

I am looking forward to what lies ahead with great enthusiasm.

A bit overlong by 20 - 30 pages... perhaps 50.

Skink doesn't make his appearance until around page 70. At that moment, he saves our lead character's life by brutally battering to death a motley pair of hit-men. Joe Winder, a former investigative newspaper reporter, is currently working as a hack for an imitation Disneyworld amusement park called The Amazing Kingdom Of Thrills.

Parts of this story seem to be a mix of Edward Abbey's style with a tractor-trailer load of Elmore Leonard's screw-ups, involving both bad guys and good guys alike. It's a real far-fetched page-turner of a crime romp that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You simply can't stop cheering for the good guys.

This is a great series. I had the impression that I'd read this 20 or 30 something years ago, but it felt completely new to me.

If you're an Elmore Leonard fan who has gone through all of his works three times or more, this will be a special read for you.

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Bud Schwartz was so preoccupied that he made the mistake of getting off on the wrong floor. To his surprise, he found himself standing amidst throngs of cooing relatives at the window of the nursery. He couldn't believe the sheer number of newborn babies. It truly baffled him, leaving him muttering under his breath while others clucked, pointed, and sighed. In a world that seemed to be turning to shit, he wondered why so many people were still having children. Maybe it was just a passing fad, like CB radios and Cabbage Patch dolls. Or perhaps these men and women didn't fully understand the implications of reproduction.

More victims, thought Bud Schwartz. This was the last damn thing they needed. He gazed at the rows of sleeping infants, their faces crinkly, eyes squinty, and looking blissfully innocent. In his mind, he silently foretold their future. They would grow up to own automobiles, houses, and apartments, all of which would, eventually, be burglarized by lowlifes such as himself.
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I'm making use of my spare time to explore the works of unfamiliar authors, stepping out of my comfort zone. And this particular author is one of them. The way this book is funny is similar to how The Three Stooges bring laughter. So, if you're into cartoon characters and a whole lot of crazy chaos, both literally and figuratively, Hiaasen is the author for you.

However, I have to admit that I just found it tiring. Maybe it's because the style is so different from what I'm used to. Or perhaps it's the constant stream of wild and wacky situations that wore me out. Nevertheless, I'm glad I gave it a try. It's always good to expand our literary horizons and see what other authors have to offer. Even if it doesn't end up being a perfect fit for us, we can still learn something from the experience.

Who knows, maybe the next unfamiliar author I pick up will become a new favorite.

You would think a book set at a cut-rate Florida theme park would be a comical masterpiece. After all, it features an environmentalist granny with an itchy trigger finger, an ambitious phone sex worker, and an ex-governor living in cranky hermitry in the Everglades, who occasionally shoots up tourists' rental cars. There are also bungling cops and robbers, oversexed porpoises, and "blue-tongued mango voles". And indeed, "Native Tongue" is funny, but only in bits and pieces. I didn't think the book as a whole was as hilarious as "Double Whammy", "Nature Girl", or "Strip Tease". Carl Hiaasen's books about the strange state of Florida are filled with equally strange people. He is a master of comic irony and plots that gradually lead to a slightly exaggerated conclusion.

"Native Tongue" will无疑 be enjoyable for Hiaasen fans, but it's not the best place to start. If you're new to his work, I would recommend one of his other books first. However, if you're a die-hard fan, you'll still find plenty to enjoy in this latest offering.

I firmly believe that Hiaasen is an absolute delight. Whenever I engage with his works, people around me often cast curious glances my way as I can't help but burst into unrestrained laughter. The governor, a recurring character in numerous of Hiaasen's books, is someone I would be extremely eager to encounter. I imagine getting mosquito bitten together with him and being handed jars of experimental bug-proof substances. Moreover, I desire to have this man on my side because his energy and demeanor are as unstoppable as Hiaasen's own. I have an intense affection for his characters. They are astonishingly real, with all their neuroses, loves, and failings, mirroring our own human experiences. I have never come across characters so genuine or an author who comprehends mental problems as profoundly as he does. I simply devour his books, racing through the pages with great enthusiasm. And I despise it when they reach their conclusion, yet his writing always manages to draw me back for more.

Yay Hiassen!

Carl Hiaasen has his own unique style, and he executes it masterfully. That's the essence of it.

When you pick up a book by Hiaasen, you can expect certain elements:

a) Sleazy Florida land developers who are up to no good.

b) A protagonist who is often a little person engaged in a seemingly losing battle, yet approaches it with great style and charm.

c) A romantic subplot that usually involves a remarkably competent woman, adding an interesting layer to the story.

d) The recurring theme of 'Don't tear up the everglades / gulf coast', highlighting the importance of environmental conservation.

e) A number of laugh-out-loud moments that will have you chuckling throughout the reading process.

f) An over-the-top bad guy, perhaps addicted to something truly bizarre, like steroids in this particular case.

This book doesn't disappoint in any of these aspects. I'll admit that there were a couple of instances where I felt the story was becoming a bit too predictable, as if Hiaasen was simply following a well-established formula. However, the final chapters managed to draw me in and had me cracking up with laughter, so in the end, all was forgiven. After all, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

I've delved into several books penned by Carl Hiaasen, with a particular focus on several installments of the Skink series. Skink, an undeniably fascinating character, unfortunately doesn't assume a central role in this particular narrative. Instead, that honor likely falls mainly to a reporter named Joe Winder, accompanied by several supporting characters. One such character is a senior citizen who excels at playing a batty old woman but is, in reality, quite astute and proficient with a firearm.

Besides Skink, there's another engaging recurring character who trails him from one location to another. This is a large, black State Trooper named Jim Tile, who gets reassigned whenever Skink relocates. Jim Tile is an extremely cool character. He encounters numerous racists who seem hell-bent on provoking him with racial slurs. However, Jim is adept at outwardly ignoring them until he reaches his limit. At other times, he appears to relish intimidating them, engaging in actions like dining in establishments that are inhospitable to non-whites and taking his sweet time doing so.

The true protagonist, though, is Florida and its tragic environmental degradation at the hands of land developers and corrupt politicians. Skink had formerly been an honest governor of Florida but ultimately threw in the towel and vanished, to the point where most people had given him up for dead. Jim Tile had collaborated with him and assisted in his disappearance.

Really 3.5 stars.

Oh, Florida! What are we going to do with you? Welcome to the wacky (and sometimes disturbing) world of Carl Hiaasen. His novel Native Tongue was published in 1991, and over the years, Florida seems to have become even more eccentric. This is the third Hiaasen novel I've read, and in terms of enjoyment, I'd say it's the middle child.

To be honest, I almost gave up on the book because some rather terrible things happen to a few animals early on. However, I persevered, and I'm truly glad I did because there are some old friends from Stormy Weather in here. Actually, I think Native Tongue came out first, and then Stormy Weather, so I read them out of order, but it doesn't matter - it's not like this is a proper series, after all.

Mr. Hiaasen's books remind me a bit of Christopher Moore's, minus the supernatural elements. We don't need the supernatural to add excitement here - it's Florida! Both Moore and Hiaasen seem to enjoy bringing back characters from other books, which I really like; it's almost like running into an old friend. Hiaasen has a twisted sense of humor (again, like Christopher Moore), which I greatly appreciate.

If you can get past the initial "ick" factor, you'll go on to meet a whole cast of fun, as well as some terrifying, characters. The best part of this trip to Florida? No need for insect repellant! If you're looking for a quick vacation read that practically oozes Florida and summer, then this book is for you. Bye for now, fellow readers!