Remember that interesting thing where a group of people would collaborate and write a chapter of a book each? Do they still engage in such an activity? Well, this is one such instance.

The authors involved are quite diverse. There's Dave Barry, known for his humorous writing style. Then there's Carl Hiassen, who is also a well-known author. Elmore Leonard is another one, adding his unique touch. And there's someone named Carolina Hospital. Is that a name, or perhaps a place? It's a bit of a mystery. There are several other authors as well, names that I'd never heard of before.

The concept seems neat at first. However, the problem that arises is that each author felt the need to introduce a new character, almost as if it was a competition. And in some cases, they flat out contradicted what other authors had written. Guys, what's the first rule of improv? It's don't say "no." Also, if you get Dave Barry to write the first chapter, you end up with a rather unusual character - a manatee named "Booger."

The story is set in the vibrant city of Miami and it involves a whole lot of intrigue. There's Fidel Castro making an appearance, a mysterious box that adds an element of mystery, explosions that keep you on the edge of your seat, and of course, the aforementioned manatee. It's a fun little read, but only if you really don't care about solving mysteries, because as we all know, the first author had no idea what would happen next.

Overall, it's an interesting experiment in collaborative writing that has its pros and cons.

It was okay.

However, it wasn't as laugh-out-loud (LOL) funny as some of the other books I have read from the authors who are involved in this particular book.

It can be considered a good beach read, which means it's suitable for passing the time while relaxing on the beach.

But that's really about all the praise I can give this book.

It didn't have the same level of humor and entertainment value that I was expecting based on the authors' previous works.

Perhaps it's just a matter of personal taste, but for me, it fell a bit short.

Nevertheless, if you're looking for a light and easy read to enjoy during your beach vacation, this book might still be worth checking out.

Just don't expect it to be the funniest book you've ever read.

I really wanted to like this book.

I have a great affection for Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard. Their works always manage to captivate me with their unique styles and engaging plots.

However, I'm not a huge fan of Dave Barry. His chapter didn't do much to change my opinion either. It just didn't have the same charm or appeal as the works of Hiaasen and Leonard.

I had never heard of the other writers before picking up this book. But Tananarive Due's chapter stood out to me in a good way. Her writing was fresh and engaging, and it made me eager to read more of her work.

On the other hand, John Dufresne lost me right from the start of his chapter. His writing style just didn't click with me, and I found it difficult to get into his story.

Sadly, what must have seemed like a good idea at the time - to have multiple writers contribute to a single story - turned into a disjointed mess. There were simply too many characters, and I had a hard time keeping track of them from chapter to chapter.

Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen were the final two chapters, and they were the only two reasons I kept reading. Their writing was, as always, excellent. But unfortunately, it was too little, too late to save this turd of a story. It was already dead on arrival.

Overall, I was very disappointed with this book. I had high hopes for it, but it just didn't deliver.

You'd think that a group of experienced writers would be able to craft a better story than this, wouldn't you? In all honesty, it seemed as if they were more preoccupied with engaging in a game of trying to outwit one another and entertaining themselves in the process, rather than focusing on creating a novel with a smooth flow.

When you view it from that angle, a collection of (otherwise) excellent authors coming together to amuse themselves and play tricks on each other by tormenting certain characters and, at one point, mutilating another character's pet (as if to say, "har-har, I just killed your bunny, so what do you think about that?" - I could almost envision the writer saying or thinking that) with the literal intention of stumping the next author in line (Oh yeah? What are you going to do with this? Haha! Hardy-har-har). Then perhaps you might find enjoyment in it. However, if you are seeking a story with depth and characters that do not change suddenly without any warning or explanation, then I highly suggest you look elsewhere.

It's a real disappointment when a group of talented writers fail to deliver a truly engaging and well-crafted story.

This is a truly strange and highly unique story that consists of thirteen serial chapters. Each chapter is penned by a renowned Florida writer. The tale is filled with absurdity, shock value, and a wickedly funny sense of humor. It takes aim at various targets such as tourists, politicians, developers, gangsters, and even Floridians and Cubans.

I have a great love for reading the books of Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry. So, when I saw that they were working together on this project, I was extremely excited. It seems that the only one missing from this literary group hug was Tim Dorsey.

This book is a very fast read and is highly entertaining. There are an abundance of characters, making it a challenge to keep track of them all. Additionally, the plot is crazy and goes in all directions. However, this confusion only serves to enhance the overall fun of the reading experience. I truly enjoyed delving into this book and loved the collaborative effort that went into its creation. I sincerely hope to come across more books like this in the future.

Interesting quote:

"One of the virtues of age. What you knew well, you knew well. What you didn't, no longer mattered." (pp. 60-61)

New word: fronton - a building or structure used for playing certain sports, especially jai alai.

No payoff.

It was a muddled end that left me completely baffled and wondering what else I could have been doing with my time.

The whole experience seemed rather pointless and unfulfilling.

There was no clear outcome or reward to show for all the effort I had put in.

I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling that I had wasted my precious moments.

As I reflected on it, I couldn't help but think about all the other opportunities that might have passed me by while I was engaged in this fruitless endeavor.

Perhaps I could have been reading a good book, learning a new skill, or spending quality time with my loved ones.

Instead, I was left with this confusing and ungratifying conclusion.

It served as a reminder to be more discerning in the future and to ensure that my efforts are directed towards things that truly matter and will bring some form of payoff.

Nice Try

Nice try! This simple phrase holds a lot of meaning. It can be used to encourage someone who has made an effort, even if they didn't succeed.

We all face challenges in life, and sometimes we don't achieve the results we hoped for. But that doesn't mean our efforts are in vain. Every attempt is a learning experience that brings us closer to our goals.

When we say "nice try" to someone, we are acknowledging their hard work and determination. It gives them the motivation to keep going and try again.

So, the next time you see someone who has given their best but fallen short, don't forget to say "nice try". It might just make all the difference.

Let's always be kind and supportive of each other's efforts, because in the end, it's not about the outcome, but the journey we take to get there.

Nice try! Keep striving and never give up.

This many great authors should create something so unreadable, that I was stupid enough to pay for, still makes me grit my teeth decades later.

It is truly astonishing that so many renowned authors could produce works that are so difficult to understand. I, unfortunately, was naïve enough to shell out money for such unreadable pieces. Decades have passed, and yet the memory of it still makes me grind my teeth in frustration.

One would expect that great authors, with their supposed literary prowess, would be able to craft engaging and accessible works. However, in this case, it seems that they have failed miserably. The texts were so convoluted and晦涩 that it felt like a waste of time and money.

Perhaps this serves as a reminder that even the most respected authors are not infallible. We should always approach their works with a critical eye and not blindly assume that everything they produce is of high quality. It is important to be discerning consumers of literature and to demand better from the authors we admire.

Remember that exciting game where a group of people gather around? One person kicks off a story, and then abruptly stops. The next person then takes over and continues the narrative, and this process goes on and on. Well, this book is precisely what occurs when that group of people happens to be all published authors.

Just like those impromptu group stories, this one is filled with a great deal of fun. However, it also has its drawbacks. The characters sometimes start behaving in a completely unexpected and out-of-character manner. Plot points seem to materialize out of nowhere and then simply fade away. There are even chapters that completely shift genres, which can be quite disorienting for the reader.

Kudos must be given to Carl Hiaasen. He had the unenviable task of attempting to rein in a story that had spiraled way out of control and somehow provide a reasonable conclusion to it. It's no easy feat, but he managed to do a decent job considering the chaos that preceded his part in the story.

The basic premise of this novel is that twelve Florida writers got together and each wrote a chapter.

It was originally serialized in a magazine. So, the process was that the first author penned chapter one, which was published in the magazine.

Based on that, the next author had to carry on the story in chapter two. This continued until Carl Hiaasen had to bring everything together at the end and create a coherent narrative out of it.

While Hiassen did write the best chapter (in my opinion), the way the book was written was a formula for disaster, and this was evident in the plot.

Well, the plot was more or less feeble to start with, and the constant changing of perspectives every chapter made this novel seem a bit lackluster.

It was a quick and effortless read, and I do appreciate most of the authors involved in the project. However, all in all, I wouldn't truly recommend it.

If you have some free time and the book is nearby, sure, pick it up. But, I wouldn't go to great lengths to read it.

Amazing teamwork is truly a sight to behold. When a group of individuals come together with a common goal and work in harmony, the results can be truly extraordinary. It's not just about getting the job done, but also about the process and the way in which everyone contributes.

Teamwork can also be highly entertaining. The interactions, the exchanges of ideas, and the moments of collaboration can create a lively and engaging atmosphere. It's like a well-choreographed dance, where each person has their part to play and together they create a beautiful and memorable performance.

Whether it's in the workplace, on the sports field, or in any other setting, amazing teamwork has the power to inspire, motivate, and bring out the best in people. It's a quality that is highly valued and sought after, and for good reason. So, the next time you witness amazing teamwork, take a moment to appreciate it and all that it represents.

I really enjoy these multiple author books! They offer a unique and diverse reading experience. With different authors contributing their own stories or perspectives, it's like getting a whole collection of mini adventures within one volume. Each author brings their own writing style, voice, and creativity, which makes the book even more engaging and interesting. It's also a great way to discover new authors that you may not have known before. Whether it's a collection of short stories, essays, or a collaborative novel, multiple author books always have something new and exciting to offer. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves to read and explore different literary voices.