When Twilly Spree, an environmental terrorist who is financially independent, witnesses Palmer Stoat throw trash out of his car window on the freeway, he immediately tails him, determined to seek revenge. Stoat, a political fixer, is involved with a diverse range of characters. There's Dick Artemus, a former car salesman who is now the governor. Then there's Robert Clapley, a crooked land developer with an unusual interest in Barbie dolls, and his goon, Mr. Gash, who enjoys playing his favorite 911 compilations in the tape deck.

Twilly first fills Stoat's car with dung beetles, but when that fails to reform him, he kidnaps both Palmer's dog and his wife, Desie. Twilly discovers a conspiracy to push a bill through the Florida legislature to build a bridge to Toad Island, a wildlife sanctuary. This development would allow the island to be exploited and money to be made by all involved. Clapley wants Twilly silenced and dispatches Mr. Gash to deal with him. Palmer, desperate to get his wife and dog back, asks Dick Artemus to assist in the rescue by manipulating the introduction of the bill.

Trooper Jim Tile is the policeman tasked with finding the kidnapper, along with ex-Governor Clinton Tyree, also known as Skink or the Captain, who lives in the wilds of the Everglades. The story shows development for what it truly is - a destruction of the environment for the benefit of a few. There is a great deal of dark humor throughout. I particularly loved Desie as a character, and it's interesting that she is only a minor one. Some of the other characters were a bit too exaggerated for my taste, but this is a Hiaasen book, and that's what he's known for. It's a weird and strange kind of mystery that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

G4
10.28.10
Sick Puppy Review


Sick Puppy, penned by Carl Hiaasen, is a literary gem that caters to those with a penchant for humor, sarcasm, and a touch of love within a narrative rife with political stereotypes and zealous environmentalists. Twilly Spree, a young man who inherited a fortune from his father, devotes his time to seeking out potential environmental threats. His comical encounters with a prime suspect lead to the forging of friendships and the making of enemies along his eventful journey.

Throughout his adventure, Twilly discovers that the methods he has been employing to educate his victims are not as effective as he had hoped. From the vantage points of numerous individuals, a scandalous tale of crime, kidnapping, and an insatiable appetite for money and popularity unfolds. With the support of unlikely new friendships and a quirky black lab, Twilly comes to the realization that even if his efforts to transform the sick world he inhabits may not always bear fruit, he will unwaveringly continue to fight for what he deems right.

It was my mom who first introduced me to Sick Puppy. When I noticed it resting on her reading chair and learned that the title only scratched the surface of the book's contents, I decided to peruse a page or two to assess its quality. As it turns out, it was a worthwhile read. The book is written in a style that was quite novel to me: although it is divided into chapters, the story is told in a somewhat sporadic manner from the diverse perspectives of politicians, hermits, and even a dog. Nevertheless, this did not detract from my enjoyment.

I would rate this book a 3.5 out of 5. It is a good book with plenty of humorous moments, but it is not universally appealing. The writing style, the ideas it presents, and the presence of some profane language and scenes may not suit every reader. It is not the child-friendly Hiaasen that most people are accustomed to, as seen in Hoot, but that does not mean it is a bad book. It can offer readers an insight into the mindset of environmentalists and perhaps even provide a good laugh. If you are currently without a book to read, then I don't think Sick Puppy would be a poor choice.

George Newbern is the narrator for this audiobook.

His voice brings the story to life in a truly captivating way. With his smooth and engaging tone, he has the ability to draw the listener in and keep them hooked from start to finish.

Whether it's through his nuanced character portrayals or his skillful delivery of the text, Newbern adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the audiobook.

Listeners will find themselves completely immersed in the story, as if they are right there in the midst of the action.

His narration is a testament to his talent and experience as a voice actor, and it makes this audiobook a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a good story.

So, if you're looking for an audiobook that will transport you to another world and keep you entertained for hours on end, look no further than this one, narrated by the talented George Newbern.

Carl Hiaasen is a master at keeping readers on the edge of their seats, constantly making them guess what will happen next. His latest work is no exception.

From the very beginning, the story takes unexpected turns and twists, leading the reader down a path filled with mystery and excitement. The characters are well-developed and engaging, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The plot is complex and multilayered, with numerous subplots and red herrings that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Hiaasen's writing style is vivid and descriptive, painting a detailed picture of the setting and the events that unfold.

Overall, this book is a thrilling read that will not disappoint fans of Carl Hiaasen or anyone who enjoys a good mystery. It is a must-read for anyone who loves to be kept guessing and entertained.

If you've ever delved into Edward Abbey's Money Wrench Gang and found yourself passionately cheering for Hayduke, then Sick Puppy is the book that will surely capture your interest.

The protagonist/anti-hero/loveable eco-terrorist in Sick Puppy, Twilly Spree, is almost as vividly portrayed and just as righteous as Hayduke.

Now, it's important to note that this book may not possess a great deal of literary merit in the traditional sense. But that's not its intention. Instead, it is designed to be纯粹的乐趣. And on the fun scale, I wholeheartedly award it an enthusiastic 4 stars.

The zany characters and the over-the-top storyline work together to create a captivating reading experience that will keep you turning the pages.

I've had the pleasure of reading several of Hiaasen's other works, but this one stands out as my absolute favorite by a wide margin.

It's a book that offers a unique blend of humor, adventure, and a touch of social commentary, making it a truly enjoyable read from start to finish.

**Title: A Decent Experience with 3.5 Stars**

I recently had an encounter that I would rate as 3.5 stars.

It wasn't perfect, but there were definitely some亮点. The service was generally good, with the staff being friendly and helpful.

However, there were a few areas that could use improvement. For example, the waiting time for our food was a bit longer than expected.

The quality of the food was also a bit inconsistent. Some dishes were delicious, while others were just average.

Despite these drawbacks, I still had an overall pleasant experience. The atmosphere was nice, and the prices were reasonable.

I would probably recommend this place to others, but with the caveat that they might encounter some of the same issues that I did.

All in all, 3.5 stars is a fair rating for this establishment. It has its strengths and weaknesses, but it's still a place worth checking out.

Yes! This is the exact type of Hiaasen book that I have a great fondness for!

Hiaasen has a distinct template that he employs in the majority of his works. This template encompasses elements such as Florida, pollution, corruption, zany characters, and rather strange sexual undertones, all of which combine to create great satirical fun. Having just completed 'Lucky You', which deviated from this pattern, I was eager to see what would come next for Mr. Hiaasen. Fortunately, it's a return to the same old, same old goodness.

World: According to Hiaasen, Florida is a crazy place, and we're even crazier if we desire to visit there. The Florida he描绘的 is strange, exaggerated, and filled with unique characters. It's a character in and of itself. This time around, as with all of his excellent books, we have the same kind of world-building. We have a new area of Florida for corrupt officials to plunder and a cast of characters to inhabit it. It's both enjoyable and nuts. I don't want to spoil it for you; just read it and you'll understand why Hiaasen's worlds are hilariously crazy.

Story: This book adheres closely to his tried and true formula, and that's a great thing. There are authors that I enjoy who do the same thing repeatedly, and it's fine because they're already at the top of their game in that genre. Messing around with the formula would simply be foolish (Brian Jacques and Terry Pratchett come to mind). The story is straightforward and similar to his previous works, but it's the characters that inhabit this tale that make a Hiaasen book special. So, what can I say about the story? Well, it's funny, it's absurd, it's dark, satirical, and you'll laugh out loud during the finale. It's just good black comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's great.

Characters: Oh my, where do I even begin with the characters?! There are so many great ones this time around, from Palmer to Twilly. The list of crazy, nuts characters goes on and on, and they're a microcosm of the human condition. Sure, these people are insane, but at the core of these oddball characters are truths about the human condition and the way we interact with each other. Plus, there's the dog, which is awesome. I don't want to say anything more except that this is a character development and creative feast, and it's truly amazing.

Go in blindly. You can start here if you like; you don't need to read the rest of the books in order, except for Skink. But you've got to read at least one Hiaasen book just to experience the craziness that makes him so good.

Onward to the next book!

I don't even have a particular fondness for dogs. However, I found myself really liking this book. Fortunately, I had a hunch that the sick puppy mentioned in the title was related to one of the characters. And boy, was I spot-on. In fact, it could potentially refer to almost any one of the characters. They all seemed like sick puppies in their own ways. I'm glad that I don't know any of these people in real life, but they are all so entertaining to read about. I have read one other excellent book by Hiaasen, I believe it was "Double Whammy", but "Sick Puppy" is even better.

This would be an ideal book to give to someone who is reluctantly traveling to Florida by plane for some reason. It will surely make them laugh and put them in the right frame of mind to land in the swampland that is the state of Florida. It can help lighten their mood and make the journey and the arrival in Florida a more enjoyable experience.

Carl Hiaasen remains one of my favorite authors, particularly when I'm in the mood for some humorous storytelling. As always, this latest offering was another uproarious satirical adventure set in Hiaasen's beloved Florida.

In this novel, he zeroes in on the politics surrounding the development of what was once pristine Florida. Naturally, the story is populated with the typical zany characters that grace his novels.

The focus here is on Twilly Spree, a young man incensed by those who disregard the environment and wish to concrete over untouched land in Florida. His ire is ignited when he witnesses a litterbug on a Florida highway throw trash out of his car window. The litterer turns out to be Palmer Stoat, a powerful lobbyist in the state. Twilly retaliates by dumping a load of garbage on Palmer's wife, Desie's BMW convertible. He then fills Palmer's Range Rover with dung beetles and kidnaps his black lab, Boodle. He even pries out the glass eyes from Palmer's taxidermied collection of hunting trophies obtained from a local illegal safari ranch. Sadly, Boodle swallows some of the glass eyes, leading to the titular "Sick Puppy." Palmer's wife, Desie, accompanies Twilly to safeguard Boodle and ultimately comes to agree with his views on Florida. Twilly decides to rename the dog McGuinn after the Byrds guitarist. Then Desie informs Twilly about Toad Island, which is slated for development, and this becomes Twilly's bane. What can he do to prevent it?

All of this draws in the developer, Robert Clapley, who still harbors an adolescent fixation on Barbie dolls; the governor, Dick Artemus; and one of the most despicable characters to emerge from a Hiaasen novel, Mr. Gash, Clapley's hired killer who collects recordings of 911 emergency calls involving people who are killed. And then there's Skink, the former governor who lives in the wild and is attempting to protect the Florida environment. He is called in to try and stop Twilly. Skink has appeared in several of Hiaasen's works and is one of my all-time favorite characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It had a wonderful cast of characters and the entire premise was a delight to read. I especially took a shine to Twilly, who is like a younger version of Skink. Hopefully, he will make more appearances in Hiaasen's future novels. McGuinn the dog also played a significant role in the story, and in the end, he was the one who managed to exact justice against the corrupt politicians and developers. Unfortunately, I only have a few of Hiaasen's novels remaining to read, but I'm eagerly anticipating them.

The movie started off quite entertaining, with its engaging plot and humorous moments.

However, in the second half, it really took a turn for the worse. It seemed to jump the shark way too often, with some scenes feeling completely out of place and ridiculous.

Overall, while it did have its moments of diversion and humor, it just didn't hold up well in the latter part of the film. It was a bit of a letdown, really.

I would say it's an average movie at best, with some good points but also some major flaws that prevent it from being truly great.

Maybe if they had toned down the over-the-top elements in the second half, it could have been a more enjoyable and memorable experience.

As it stands, it's just a meh movie that you might watch once if you're in the mood for something light and humorous, but it's not going to be a classic or a must-see.

I recently picked up a couple of Hiaasen novels from the thrift store, with the intention of giving good old Carl another chance. I had read a few of his books during my high school days and thought they were quite good. However, this particular book is really bad. It fails to engage me from the very beginning. The plot seems disjointed and the characters lack depth. The writing style, which I once found charming, now appears to be rather forced. I'm really disappointed. That's about all I have to say, except for one strong piece of advice: don't read this.

This was my very first Carl Hiaasen book, and I have to say that I found it extremely funny.

It is a captivating tale that follows the adventures of a young eco-terrorist who has various encounters with lobbyists, politicians, fat cats, and thugs.

The story is filled with a couple of interesting plot twists that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Adding to the charm of the narrative is an adorably dim black lab.

The combination of these elements makes for a truly entertaining read.

Hiaasen's writing style is engaging and humorous, making it easy for the reader to become fully immersed in the story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable read that also has a bit of substance.

Overall, I was very impressed with this first foray into the world of Carl Hiaasen's literature.