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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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A Good Example of a Book Gone Wrong

There are countless books in the world, but not all of them are successful. Some books fail to meet the expectations of readers, and this can be due to a variety of reasons. One such book that serves as a good example of a book gone wrong is [book title].



The story in this book may have been poorly developed, lacking in depth and coherence. The characters might not have been well-rounded or relatable, making it difficult for readers to engage with the narrative. Additionally, the writing style could have been dull or confusing, further detracting from the overall reading experience.



Another aspect that could have gone wrong is the editing. Spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as inconsistent formatting, can make a book seem unprofessional and sloppy. This can turn off readers and cause them to lose interest in the story.



In conclusion, [book title] is a prime example of how a book can go wrong. It highlights the importance of careful planning, thoughtful writing, and thorough editing in order to create a successful and engaging book that will appeal to readers.

July 15,2025
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In case you didn't know, this book is actually the collaborative effort of several Florida authors.

Each author contributed a chapter, having the freedom to take the story in the direction they desired.

Originally, it was published in a magazine, with each author submitting the next installment of the story.

The first author is Dave Barry, and the final one is Carl Hiaasen, with several other outstanding examples of Floridian writing genius in between.

This book truly covers the gamut of Florida humor. Set in Miami, it features a diverse cast of characters including nature lovers, skin divers, lawyers, police, Castro Impersonators, drug dealers, hit men, famous actors, and of course, Castro himself.

Throw in a couple of severed heads and a manatee with an identity crisis, and you have a highly entertaining 201-page read.

The writing style of this book results in characters undergoing drastic personality changes, some characters not receiving a proper ending, and plenty of laughter along the way.

The writing styles vary from chapter to chapter, with some focusing more on the plot than others.

Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a short, entertaining read that doesn't require a significant investment of time or effort.

It's a lighthearted and enjoyable read that is sure to bring a smile to your face.
July 15,2025
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An interesting concept indeed! It managed to be quite engaging for the initial 6 - 9 chapters or so. The story seemed to have a lot of potential, pulling the reader in with its unique plot and characters. However, as it progressed towards the end, it took an annoying turn. It was quite disappointing to see how the story deviated from what could have been a great conclusion. And even though I have a great love for Carl Hiassen, who was the final author, unfortunately, he couldn't quite rescue what he was left with. Despite his talent and skills, the damage done earlier in the story was perhaps too great to overcome. It's a shame really, as the beginning had so much promise.

July 15,2025
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Like most such serially written books, Naked Came the Manatee commences with great strength. However, as it advances, each preceding writer has an increasingly higher likelihood of penning the next one into a difficult situation. In certain such tales, the conclusion is a foregone conclusion. Thus, the writers don't have to strive overly hard to ensure that the assassination is thwarted, the lovers are united, and so on. But something that commences with an open ending, like this book, paradoxically poses more difficulties for both writers and readers. For instance, Carl Hiassen, the final writer, concludes more by untangling, sometimes ingeniously, sometimes clumsily, many of the previous complications and even characterizations.

That being said, all the writers are acquainted with and have a love/hate/mostly love relationship with southern Florida, and they manage to capture its crazy and corrupt essence. The manatee is an endearing protagonist, and the story is replete with McGuffins of all sorts.

Overall, though, the individual writers are more fulfilling as individuals, and this book is more of a curiosity than a story. It makes one wonder about the creative process and the challenges faced by each writer in contributing to this collaborative work. How did they manage to build on each other's ideas while still maintaining their own unique voices? These are some of the questions that this book raises and that add to its allure as a literary experiment.
July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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Booger the manatee is truly much more fun to follow than Fidel Castro.

Booger, with its gentle and clumsy movements, brings a sense of lightheartedness and entertainment. Watching it swim and interact in the water is a delight.

On the other hand, Fidel Castro is a significant historical figure, but following his story may involve more serious and complex aspects.

This summer read about Booger the manatee provided a refreshing and enjoyable escape. It allowed me to focus on the simple pleasures of observing this unique creature.

I look forward to more adventures and stories about Booger in the future.
July 15,2025
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This was a very disjointed book.

Well, initially, I had high hopes and truly wanted to like it.

The reason being that I perceived it as a unique way of writing a book.

It seemed to offer something different from the ordinary.

However, as I delved deeper into the pages, I found that it was just all over the place.

The storylines and ideas seemed to lack a coherent flow.

There was no clear direction or connection between the various elements.

It was as if the author had thrown together a bunch of random thoughts and expected the reader to make sense of it all.

Despite its initial allure, the disjointed nature of the book ultimately made it a challenging read.

I struggled to stay engaged and found myself constantly getting lost in the chaos.

In the end, I was left feeling disappointed.

July 15,2025
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Before reading this book, I didn't hold high expectations. I had read numerous reviews beforehand that severely criticized this book. However, after completing it, I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised.

It is by no means flawless. With so many authors each penning a chapter in the novel, there are bound to be some issues. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable read.

One of the problems is that between some of the chapters, there are significant time lapses. As a result, the reader has to puzzle out "Okay, what happened to that guy?" For instance, in one chapter, a character might be kidnapped, but by the next chapter, they're suddenly free. Additionally, a couple of characters seemed rather unnecessary. But again, when there are so many authors involved, such things are likely to occur.

The novel appears to lose its focus at times and is somewhat jumbled, causing the plot to end up being a bit confusing. Nevertheless, I still had a good time reading it despite its flaws.

There's crime, humor, and violence, and there's even a manatee that plays a crucial role as a character.

If you're a fan of Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, or Dave Barry's fiction, you'll probably find this book enjoyable. Still, any of their solo novels would likely make for a better reading experience.
July 15,2025
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I like so many of these writers. Their works have always fascinated me with their unique styles and profound thoughts.

However, this particular book is just too convoluted for me. The plot seems to twist and turn in ways that are difficult to follow.

I find myself constantly getting lost in the maze of words and ideas. It's as if the author is deliberately trying to make it hard for the reader to understand.

Maybe it's just me, but I prefer books that are more straightforward and easy to comprehend. This one, unfortunately, fails to meet that criteria.

Despite my admiration for the writer, I have to admit that this book is not my cup of tea. I hope that in the future, they will produce something that is more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.
July 15,2025
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Ugh. Just ugh. The idea of creating a novel where a different author writes each chapter sounds like a really fun concept. However, in reality, it is very rarely successful.

If you happen to be a big fan of Hiaasen or Leonard, then perhaps you'll be able to tolerate this book, and maybe you might even enjoy it to some extent. But for me, it was a completely different story. I was extremely bored while reading it. I found the characters to be one-dimensional and just plain stupid. The so-called "smart-ass" comments that were supposed to be funny were actually not funny at all and were completely predictable.

I also completely don't understand why the manatee was even in the book in the first place. In fact, I probably only needed to read the last chapter (which was written by Leonard) to get the general idea of the whole ridiculous story. The story was about a caper that involved the alleged head(s) of Fidel Castro and a plot to replace him as the leader in Cuba.

Maybe the book is showing its age since it was written in 1995, or perhaps my complete dislike for Miami had an impact on my view of the book. But one thing is for sure, if this hadn't been a book club book, I would have given up after the very first chapter. It definitely doesn't deserve any stars.

Ugh.
July 15,2025
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I read this particular book because I was extremely annoyed with that collaboratively written book about Covid. It suddenly dawned on me that I had read this one at some point during my middle school years. I have somewhat conflicting memories regarding how I came across this book. On one hand, I remember my grandmother, who lived in Florida, lending it to me. On the other hand, I also recall checking it out from the Lockport Public Library. Maybe both scenarios are true.

As you read this book, it becomes evident that the writers are employing different approaches to the task at hand. This is perhaps most comically illustrated in the final section by Hiaasen, where he abandons a significant portion of the manatee anthropomorphism. Additionally, some parts of the book seem like a peculiarly bulgy version of a Hiaasen or Dave Barry novel. However, despite these idiosyncrasies, I still thought it was really cool! It is fascinating to read a sleek genre presented in such a bulgy and unconventional way. More importantly, it showcases a lively and boisterous collection of writing approaches coexisting. I'm sorry to harp on this point, but this was precisely what was actively lacking in the last similar project that I read.

Also, I failed to mention earlier that a major aspect of the plot involves several disembodied heads of Fidel Castro floating around in Biscayne Bay. Now, that's pretty good!
July 15,2025
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A collaboration of several mid-90s Florida authors took place, with each author penning a chapter.

Interestingly, some of these authors have now achieved fame in the literary world.

However, what caught my attention was the fact that some of them wrote "trashy" chapters.

This was precisely what I was seeking to complete my BookTube GarbAugust readathon bingo card.

The combination of different writing styles and the presence of these so-called "trashy" chapters added an element of excitement and variety to the reading experience.

It was like a hidden gem within the collection, waiting to be discovered.

As I delved into each chapter, I was able to witness the diverse talents and perspectives of these Florida authors.

Some chapters were engaging and well-written, while others provided a guilty pleasure that I couldn't resist.

Overall, this collaboration of mid-90s Florida authors proved to be a fulfilling addition to my readathon, allowing me to explore different literary landscapes and complete my bingo card in a unique and enjoyable way.

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