Blend together the last two blue-tongued mango voles remaining.

They are in a theme park on North Key Largo.

There are also geriatric eco-terrorists and a sleazy land developer hiding out from the Mafia.

Now, add in Carl Hiassen's maniacal insanity.

The result is his novel titled Native Tongue.

This book not only has these strange elements but also includes an appearance by recurring characters.

Florida Highway Patrol Jim Tile makes an appearance, as does a former Florida governor.

The former governor is now living as a swamp rat known as "Skink", and the combination of all these characters leads to hilarious results.

For fans of Florida's native quirkiness, this book is a "Must Read".

It offers a unique and entertaining look at the strange and wonderful world that Hiassen has created.

With its blend of humor, mystery, and ecological themes, Native Tongue is sure to delight readers.

Rating: What? I was too busy laughing to hear you.

Blue-tongued mango voles. Oh, those blue-tongued mango voles! If you've read the book, you've surely collapsed on the floor, howling with laughter as the memories of their absurdity flood back. And if you haven't read the book before, well, it's high time you did.

Mix Hiaasen's trademark hapless idiot criminals, those bumbling fools who always manage to get themselves into the most ridiculous situations. Add in the burnt-out losers, the small-minded grifters, and the slimy real estate developers. Then, throw in a cut-rate theme park, shake it all up with a healthy dose of environmentalist headline-grabbing, and *poof* you have the kind of book that turns summer beach reading into an absolute riot of fun.

What can I possibly add that will make a difference? The book's been out for 20 years, and there's already a gabloozel and six reviews. So, just pick it up! Seriously, there is so much sheer entertainment to be had in Hiaasenland that it would be a crying shame to miss out. He crafts sentences that are as solid as a rock, creates characters that we can all recognize, and has an eagle eye for human nature that cuts right to the core. If you haven't read his work yet, please do; if you have, but weren't amused, give this one a try; and if you have and rolled around on the floor laughing, well, we're soul mates. Will you marry me?

When a couple of endangered voles are stolen, a disgruntled PR guy at a cut-rate Disneyland-wannabe discovers a sinister secret.

Meanwhile, there is an ex-politician hobo, a gun-toting octogenarian ecoterrorist, a couple of bumbling thieves, a phone sex worker turned serious poet, and the mafia, all getting in each other's ways.

This book attempts to be light-hearted and silly, and indeed most of the characters are rather ridiculous. However, it still rubbed me the wrong way.

Don't misunderstand me; there is plenty of humor. But it fails to hide the sometimes obnoxious preaching.

This is only my second Hiaasen book, and the story is very similar: well-meaning environmentalists against corrupt developers.

The thing is, most developers are entirely legitimate. It's as if we're against all this development and destruction of native lands, and lo and behold, they just happen to be doing something illegal. How convenient. How contrived.

It seems that the author is a bit one-sided in presenting the conflict, making it less believable and engaging for me.

Maybe I'm just being too critical, but I expected more from this book.

Skink is the M-A-N!!

Skink is an amazing creature that truly deserves to be called the M-A-N. It has unique characteristics and qualities that set it apart.

Skinks are known for their sleek and shiny scales, which give them a distinct appearance. Their bodies are well-adapted for various habitats, allowing them to move with agility and grace.

These little reptiles are also quite resilient. They can survive in different environments and have developed strategies to protect themselves from predators.

Skinks are not only interesting to look at but also play an important role in the ecosystem. They contribute to the balance of nature by preying on small insects and other invertebrates.

In conclusion, skink is truly the M-A-N in the world of reptiles. Its remarkable features and ecological significance make it a fascinating and worthy subject of study.

I kept picturing Shirley McLaine as Molly Macnamara.

Shirley McLaine is such a talented and iconic actress, and her presence in my mind as Molly added a certain charm and depth to the character.

I could imagine her bringing Molly to life with her unique acting style and charisma.

The way she might move, speak, and express emotions would surely make Molly a memorable and engaging character.

Her experience and versatility as an actress would allow her to capture the essence of Molly's personality, whether it's her strength, vulnerability, or sense of humor.

As I continued to picture Shirley McLaine as Molly Macnamara, I couldn't help but get excited about the possibilities of how she would portray the role.

It would be a performance that I'm sure would leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Basically, it's just the expected Skinky fun!

Skinky is known for its unique and exciting activities that always bring a smile to people's faces. Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a hilarious game, or a creative project, Skinky has something for everyone.

The anticipation of the fun that awaits is palpable. People can't wait to engage in the Skinky experience and create memories that will last a lifetime.

With its diverse range of offerings, Skinky caters to different interests and age groups. It provides a platform for individuals to let loose, have fun, and explore their creativity.

So, get ready for the expected Skinky fun and prepare to be amazed by the wonderful experiences that lie ahead!

Mr. Hiaasen is always an excellent choice for readers seeking engaging and entertaining stories.

This particular work delves into the troubles faced by a Walt Disney wannabe in Key Largo. The narrative is masterfully crafted, filled with humor and charm that captivates the reader from start to finish.

The author's unique writing style brings the characters and their adventures to life, making it easy for the audience to become fully immersed in the story.

Whether you're a fan of Mr. Hiaasen's previous works or new to his writing, this book is sure to delight and amuse.

It offers a lighthearted yet thought-provoking look at the challenges and dreams of an individual striving to make their mark in the world of entertainment.

Overall, it's a well-written and highly enjoyable read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a desire to pick up more of Mr. Hiaasen's books.

My profound love for Carl Hiaasen is truly ineffable and simply cannot be adequately expressed within the confines of a review. His works have an enchanting allure that captivates the reader from the very first page.

The vivid characters he creates seem to leap off the pages and come to life in the reader's imagination. Each story is a masterful blend of humor, mystery, and social commentary, making them not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

Carl Hiaasen's writing style is unique and engaging, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end. His ability to tell a story that is both entertaining and meaningful is truly remarkable.

In conclusion, I would give Carl Hiaasen's books five stars forever. They are a must-read for anyone who loves great literature.

I definitely prefer Hiaasen when he turns his outrage to environmental destruction and Skink is involved.

This particular work is truly one of my favourites. The setting is simply great, transporting the reader into a vivid and engaging world.

The villain is well-crafted, with all the characteristics that make a truly despicable character.

And the demises are suitably black, adding an element of darkness and satisfaction to the story.

Hiaasen's ability to bring attention to the important issue of environmental destruction while creating a thrilling and entertaining story is truly remarkable.

His writing style is engaging and his characters are memorable, making this a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a social conscience.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read that will both entertain and make them think.

I simply can't get enough of Hiaasen! This latest work of his is yet another side-splitting satire.

It is filled with the most outrageously wacky characters that seem to inhabit the wilds of South Florida. I believe this is approximately the 7th Hiaasen novel I have devoured, and I would rank it among his very best.

Some of the other great works I have read by him include Tourist Season, Double Whammy, Strip Tease, Lucky You, Skin Tight, and Nature Girl.

This particular novel is one of his most direct attacks on developers who are wreaking havoc on the beautiful Florida environment. His targets are wide-ranging, including amusement parks like Sea World and Disney, but he also takes aim at phone sex operators and their clients, steroid-pumped bodybuilders, and extreme animal lovers and birdwatchers.

Hiaasen, as always, has come up with some truly unforgettable characters. There's the ex-Mafia snitch who owns a Disney-like amusement park, the bodybuilder security guard who resorts to gnawing off his own foot to free himself from a car that's parked on it, the senior citizen lady environmentalist who doesn't hesitate to shoot anyone who disagrees with her, and the ex-Florida governor who lives in the Florida wilderness and wears a dead panther's tracking collar!

The book also features a few celebrity guest appearances. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Willard Scott was interviewing Robbie Raccoon at the amusement park and told him he was a little overweight. Robbie's response was priceless: “Look who’s talking, lardass.” Overall, I highly recommend this book.

It's a hilarious and thought-provoking read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

An amazing read! This book truly kept my attention from the very start all the way to the finish. It was so engaging that I actually found myself laughing out loud (LOL) at several points. Hiaasen's writing is absolutely hilarious. His unique sense of humor and the way he weaves together the story is truly remarkable. I couldn't put the book down. Every page was filled with excitement and unexpected twists. I can't wait to explore more of his works. I'm sure they will all be just as entertaining and enjoyable as this one. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good laugh and a great read.

By page 320, I was truly prepared to set aside Carl Hiaasen's Native Tongue.

Although Hiaasen's characters are cleverly crafted, it appears that he was extremely reluctant to part with them. Consequently, even 100 pages after I had finished reading, the book finally came to an end.

The story chronicles the experiences of former investigative reporter Joe Winder, who has now become a PR man. His job and the events that unfold around it at the Amazing Kingdom theme park on North Key Largo deteriorate from bad to worse.

After the daytime abduction of two endangered mango voles, the park descends into a state of panic, which spirals into murder, arson, love affairs, and even accidental death resulting from sexual encounters with dolphins.

Throughout all of this, Native Tongue evokes all the best elements of the South Florida mystery. Hiaasen, a former investigative reporter for the Miami Herald himself, peppers all of his prose with the obscure and eccentric journalistic details that make the Miami crime scene so fascinating to follow.

In a sense, the book even made me long to return home, to the mangroves and the warm waters. And this, mind you, is not a sentiment that is often inspired in me, considering how overrun with strip malls, traffic, lack of insurance, and high prices South Florida is nowadays.

Essentially, for a quick and uncomplicated, yet not mind-numbing, read, Native Tongue is an excellent choice. It is definitely an airplane or travel book, the kind you read while journeying from one place to another.