This was an extraordinary purchase.

I had acquired an Omnibus of Carl Hiaasen for merely INR 99 from a Crossword store.

And I had truly struck gold.

The book is a remarkable blend of humor, filled with exciting action, charming elements, and a touch of tragedy.

The author skillfully delves us deep into the captivating world of amusement parks.

The characters, although simple, have a certain allure that makes one easily get attached to them.

It is indeed a wonderful book that offers a unique reading experience, transporting the reader to a world full of surprises and emotions.

Whether you are a fan of Carl Hiaasen or simply looking for an engaging and entertaining read, this Omnibus is definitely worth picking up.

It has the power to make you laugh out loud, keep you on the edge of your seat, and touch your heart all at the same time.

So, don't miss out on this gem of a book.

This was truly weird, but then again, all the Skink books seem to have that certain quirkiness.

In this particular installment, the story takes some rather unexpected turns. It involves the mob, those shadowy figures who operate in the underbelly of society.

There are also phone sex operators, adding an element of mystery and perhaps a touch of the seedy side of life.

The mention of a panther collar brings to mind images of wildness and danger.

And let's not forget the amusement park, a place that is usually associated with fun and laughter, but in this context, it seems to hold some hidden secrets.

Of course, at the center of it all is Skink, the enigmatic and unpredictable character who always manages to find himself in the middle of these strange and often dangerous situations.

Together, these elements combine to create a story that is both engaging and full of surprises, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

My very first encounter with Hiaasen's work. I found it to be an enjoyable experience, yet I'm still somewhat on the fence about whether I'll delve into more of his writings. It kind of sits right in the middle for me.

One aspect that I truly did enjoy was listening to it. The narrator was simply outstanding, capable of producing a wide array of different voices. After a short while, I was completely convinced that there were different people engaged in conversation.

The story itself was rather amusing and had an overall light-hearted tone. I took great pleasure in the setting, as it struck a chord with me. My very first job as a teenager was at an amusement park, and this connection added an extra layer of interest. There was a plethora of characters, and some of them I grew really fond of.

All things considered, it was a nice read or listen. It had its moments of entertainment and charm, but it didn't quite leave a lasting impression that would compel me to rush out and pick up another one of his books right away.

12/28/23 - I could hardly recall whether I had read this book before. However, I obtained the audiobook for my journey and thoroughly enjoyed it. As I listened, a great deal of it came back to me. I truly have a passion for Hiaasen's works.

7/1/15 - Skink is one of my favorite characters in the extensive and diverse history of my affection for book characters. I'm not certain why I had never read Native Tongue, considering Skink is such a crucial character in it. (Sick Puppy remains my all-time favorite Hiaasen novel and, consequently, one of my favorite books ever.) I thoroughly relished this one. Indeed, Hiaasen has recognizable and identifiable patterns and traits in all his books: the destruction of the Florida landscape, the peculiarity of native Floridians, and the tired or burned-out, world-weary ex-journalist protagonist. But I adore all these elements, and they undoubtedly make for some captivating, page-turning reads for me.

I find his writing style engaging and the stories he weaves are always full of excitement and unique characters that draw me in and keep me hooked from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

Another enjoyable read from Hiassen.

What I truly relish about these stories is the vivid and colorful detail that is infused into the fringe characters.

It significantly enhances the insanity of an absurd storyline which lies at the very heart and soul of "Native Tounge".

The way Hiassen crafts these characters and weaves their tales into the overall narrative is simply captivating.

Each character has their own unique quirks and idiosyncrasies that make them come alive on the page.

The absurdity of the storyline only serves to make the book even more entertaining and engaging.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that Hiassen has created and I absolutely loved this book.

It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a bit of madness in their literature.

I can't wait to see what Hiassen has in store for us next.

In 'Native Tongue' by Carl Hiaasen, the second installment in the Skink series, a pair of blue-tongued mango voles, potentially the last on earth, become the unfortunate casualties of an apathetic heist carried out by two bumbling burglars, Bud Schwartz and Danny Pogue. The two thieves, ignorant of the fact that the small creatures were voles and believing them to be rats, playfully tossed each of the animals into the open windows of rented cars of tourists on the highway while fleeing from the theme park they had burglarized for the voles. Since they grabbed the box without opening it, they were unaware that there were only two voles inside. They assumed their employer, Molly McNamara, wouldn't mind receiving a box of "rats" minus the two that had "somehow escaped from the box." As they drove to her house, they were already devising plans for the money she would pay them.

Molly McNamara, the President of the Mothers of Wilderness, an environmental activist organization she founded, hired the two young men to break into the animal labs at the Amazing Kingdom of Thrills to rescue the voles from the third-rate Florida theme park. The park was owned by a despicable Florida land developer, Francis Kingsbury. Kingsbury had announced his intention to breed the rare animals whose habitat was being decimated by golf courses and houses, ostensibly as an attempt to save the species. The Federal government, naively, provided him with $2,000,000 after processing his paperwork on the breeding effort.

Of course, Kingsbury is actually complicit in the destruction of Florida's habitat. His latest scheme involves adding a new golf course adjacent to the tourist theme park, but he required funds. Scamming the government with a vole-breeding program seemed like the perfect means to raise money for the golf course. Now, however, he has several problems.
Fortunately, Joe Winder, an employee in Kingsbury's park Publicity Office, along with Charles Chelsea, is a master at preparing public relations announcements for the press. The two publicists manage to create a publicity spin out of the disaster of the missing voles by coming up with the idea of a $10,000 reward for their return.
Winder has already determined that he dislikes the falsehoods he is compelled to promote for his boss, Chelsea, and the owner, Kingsbury, despite his proficiency in doing so. He took the job because he needed the money - he was once a reporter, but a previous incident had precluded him from ever obtaining another job as a reporter. Regrettably, he is an honest man in a corrupt state, unknowingly working for yet another corrupt Florida businessman.
There is, however, another honest man in Florida. Skink, the renowned mystery madman of the Everglades, who was introduced in a previous book, Double Whammy, and Joe Winder are now on a collision course of mutual environmental activism. Hilarious hijinks are bound to ensue!
This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone. While there are serious environmental issues driving many of the characters' motives and actions, the book is an absolute delight to read.

Funny; one of Hiaasen's best. This simple yet powerful statement holds a world of truth. Hiaasen has a remarkable talent for creating stories that are not only uproariously funny but also deeply engaging. His unique brand of humor combines wit, satire, and a keen eye for the absurdities of life. Whether it's through his zany characters, outlandish plotlines, or clever wordplay, Hiaasen always manages to bring a smile to his readers' faces. Each of his works is a masterclass in comedic writing, filled with moments that will have you laughing out loud. And this particular piece is no exception. It stands out as one of his finest achievements, a testament to his skill and creativity. So if you're looking for a good laugh, look no further than Hiaasen's Funny; one of his best.

This book is filled with even more hilarious adventures of "Skink", the former governor of Florida.

There are some truly wacky characters in the story. There are two misfit burglars who always seem to be getting into trouble. Then there is an obsessed older woman environmentalist who has a rather extreme way of dealing with things - she shoots people!

Also, we have the owner and various employees of "The Amazing Kingdom of Thrills" amusement park. All of these diverse characters interact with each other in the most unexpected ways, resulting in some truly laugh out loud lines.

The author has done a great job of creating a world full of chaos and humor, where anything can happen. It's a book that will keep you entertained from start to finish and leave you with a smile on your face.

3.75 stars

Two critically endangered voles of a specific type - indeed, the very last ones on our planet! - are shockingly stolen from Animal Kingdom, a renowned theme park/zoo located in the Florida Keys.

The characters in this book are a diverse bunch. There are the two bandits, and an old woman who is an activist with a rather unexpected penchant for guns! They gradually come to know each other. Then there's the owner of the zoo, who has a past that is somewhat questionable, and several of his employees. One of the main employees is a PR script writer, who decides that he doesn't appreciate all the lies he is instructed to pen and release to the media. And then, a truly disturbing turn of events occurs as people start dying...

Hiaasen's books are always filled with a plethora of action and an abundance of zany characters! I thoroughly enjoyed this particular one. In fact, I might have liked it even more than some of the other novels I've read by him, although it wasn't quite excellent enough to merit a 4-star rating. I really appreciated that Hiaasen brought back a character from a previous novel. Although I can't precisely recall which novel it was, I do have a vague memory of him. I don't think this book was as uproariously funny as some of his others, but that's perfectly fine. I have always been drawn to the environmental themes that are so prevalent in his books.

I just completed reading my very first Carl Hiassen novel, and I am completely hooked.

I have always been intrigued by Hiassen for two main reasons. Firstly, Carl was friends with Warren Zevon and Hunter S Thompson. How incredibly cool is that? Secondly, after seeing him profiled on 60 Minutes a couple of years ago, I thought to myself, 'this is a character.'

It's not overly difficult to understand why Hunter and Warren held him in such high regard. Carl has a unique sense of humor and absurdity that they would surely have appreciated.

Native Tongue was my introduction to Hiassen. I would draw a comparison between him and Elmore Leonard, yet Hiassen's warped sense of humor has a way of pulling me in that Leonard doesn't (and this is in no way a slight to Leonard). The back cover describes the plot as being about "two voles (rats) that are stolen from a Theme Park." For anyone who wishes to read the novel, I won't disclose any more details about the book.

There are numerous surprises, plot twists, and unusual characters throughout, and I believe it's best to let the reader discover them on their own. I will say that Hiassen masterfully captures the humidity and spirit of Florida in a way that few writers can manage to create a palpable feel for their chosen locale.

It's a twisted, hilarious, action-packed, wild ride that will draw you in for all of its 400 pages. Highly recommended.

Joe Winder is hired as a public relations writer for a corrupt theme park.

His background in investigative reporting makes it impossible for him to ignore when some endangered-species voles are mysteriously vole-napped from the park.

Joe, who resents his father's past involvement in the destruction of Florida's flora and fauna, has always been a dedicated conservationist and environmentalist.

As he delves deeper into the story, he uncovers the extensive corruption and anti-environment stance of the park's owner, Francis Kingsbury.

After numerous close calls with death and many strange encounters with thugs and eccentric allies, Joe embarks on a mission to expose and bring down the corruption, including the owner's beloved golf course pet project.

During the investigation, Joe contends with a steroid-crazed freak, loses the patience and love of his girlfriend who writes phone-sex fantasies, forms an uneasy partnership with a man who wears a panther tracking collar and eats snakes in the woods, and has an encounter with a woman in a raccoon costume.

Although Joe may have left investigative journalism behind, it clearly still lives within him.

This story is a wonderful blend of humor and excitement. Hiaasen's talent lies in making the strange elements just strange enough to be uproariously funny and offbeat without coming across as forced or shock value.

It also captures that unique brand of Florida weirdness that I, as a Floridian, can easily recognize.

I thoroughly enjoy seeing the bad guys who have no regard for the environment get their comeuppance, all while still feeling like I'm not watching a simplistic save-the-rainforest infomercial.

Revisiting Skink and the wildness that encircles him in Florida was truly enjoyable.

Even though Skink didn't show up until approximately page 100, the ensemble of supporting characters was simply amazing.

I had a great affection for the PR spin put on the series of misfortunes that occurred at the Kingdom of Animal Thrills park.

The way the story was told, with the build-up and anticipation for Skink's arrival, kept me engaged from the start.

The supporting characters added depth and color to the narrative, making it a rich and vivid experience.

The PR spin on the park's events added an interesting layer of complexity, showing how the situation was being manipulated and presented to the public.

Overall, it was a great read that left me eager to see what else would unfold in Skink's crazy world.