Lucky You

Wow.

I'm truly quite certain that none of the other Hiaasen's books that I've perused thus far had as many warm and fuzzy elements within them.

To be fair, there's also an abundance of the strange and rather mean Florida Man kind of stuff going on.

But still, amidst all that, there are these wonderful warm fuzzies.

It's almost as if Hiaasen has managed to create a unique blend in this particular book.

The combination of the wacky and the heartwarming makes for a truly engaging read.

You never quite know what to expect on the next page.

Will it be another outrageous Florida Man incident or a moment that will make your heart melt?

It keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out.

And that's what makes this book stand out among the others I've read by him.

It's a delightful mix of the strange and the sweet.

This book is an absolute must-read for beach lovers! It is filled with exciting action scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Moreover, the author has a wonderful sense of humor that shines through the pages, making it a truly enjoyable read.

One of the most captivating aspects of this story is the presence of multiple quirky side characters. Each one adds a unique flavor to the narrative and makes the story even more engaging.

However, what really stands out for me is the way the author uses stereotypes but gives them just a little twist. It adds an element of surprise and新鲜感 to the story, making it a refreshing departure from the norm.

In conclusion, this book has all the elements of a perfect beach read - action, humor, and interesting characters. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and entertaining book to enjoy in the sun.

After reading Ivanhoe over the holidays, it was truly a delight to pick up a modern-day book that was written in contemporary English. The story took me on an exciting ride, filled with numerous moments that made me laugh out loud. It provided a wonderful escape from the often "serious" novels that I usually engage with.

The modern-day setting and the use of current language added a fresh and relatable touch to the narrative. It was easy to immerse myself in the story and connect with the characters on a more personal level. The author's writing style was engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish.

Overall, this modern-day book was a great choice for a lighthearted and entertaining read. It offered a welcome break from the heavier and more profound themes found in some other novels. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable literary experience.

I am a huge fan of Hiaasen's work.

However, this particular book was a bit of a disappointment for me.

The story was just so-so, lacking the usual sparkle and excitement that I have come to expect from his writing.

Moreover, it felt like there was way too much of it.

The plot seemed to drag on at times, and I found myself losing interest.

Despite being a die-hard fan, I have to admit that this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I was hoping for a more engaging and thrilling read, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.

Maybe it was just an off-book for Hiaasen, and I'm sure he'll come back stronger with his next one.

But for now, I'll have to look elsewhere for my literary fix.

Interviewer: Hi, I’m Myron Stark from Channel 54 and I’m here today with Jolayne Lucks, the remarkable winner of the Florida lottery as per the book Lucky You by Carl Hiassen. Her lucky numbers brought about a huge payout when she discovered that she and one other ticket had won.

Tragically, two men, the other winners, assaulted her and stole her ticket, which led her on a thrilling chase to track them down and recover her share of the fortune. This whole ordeal sounds completely crazy to me. Oh, and there was also a kidnapping and an alleged terrorist group called “Black Tide”. But, according to my lawyers, we’re not allowed to touch on that anymore because Ms. Lucks and her NDA consider it too private. So, Jolayne, how do you feel now that you’re a millionaire?

JoLayne: It feels the same really. I don’t think it should be any different than before. I’m still the same person at heart. You know, money doesn’t change who you are; it’s the way people treat you that does.

Interviewer: Would you be willing to tell the audience your lucky numbers?

JoLayne: Well, I suppose I could tell you. They’re 17-19-22-24-27-30. I’ve been using these numbers ever since I started playing the lotto 5 years ago. Each of these numbers represents a bad relationship I had in the past, the age I was back then. Funny how those men finally amount to something in this strange way.

Interviewer: How truly interesting. So, your love interests that didn’t work out ended up being the cause of your big payout. Now, what are you planning to do with all this money?

JoLayne: Cooters. I’m saving the cooters up in the woods.

Interviewer: Cooters? What exactly are cooters, as long as it’s okay for the air?

JoLayne: Turtles. Little baby turtles from the woods near my home. I know the local realtor who is in charge of the sale of the land. They want to build on it and make all those critters lose their homes. I want to buy it and preserve it forever so the animals can live there peacefully. It’s just cruel and unfair to plow over it so people can build a mall in a small town that’s only known for a few miracles. Speaking of which, you should visit Demencio’s Virgin Mary statue to see Mary herself cry. Many people come from all over to worship and pray. And for a limited time only, turtle boy will be available for show, sponsored by Demencio.

Interviewer: That’s quite interesting. Now, Jolayne, who would you consider your closest friend?

JoLayne: I’m more of an animal lover than a people lover. But if I had to choose someone, I would say Tom Krome. He’s a journalist I met recently because of my winnings. He... he really helped me.

Interviewer: What has been the biggest issue you’ve faced so far?

JoLayne: Well, being an African American woman is not easy. I was assaulted by the other winners because they didn’t want someone like me to get the other half of the money. They were just crazy kooks.

Interviewer: Do you have a nemesis?

JoLayne: I don’t have one anymore...

Interviewer: What have you learned from this whole experience?

JoLayne: I’ve learned that some folks are out there living in their own little worlds. They have all these made-up beliefs, and you just have to learn how to ignore them.

Interviewer: Who would you turn to if you were in need of help?

JoLayne: I’m a strong, independent woman who doesn’t really need anybody to help me. But if I had to, I would use Tom Krome. Like I said, he helped me when we barely knew each other. At first, he was just searching for a story, but then he was just there for the heck of it.

Interviewer: If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?

JoLayne: I would preserve more forests and wildlife. Critters can’t fight for themselves.

Interviewer: That’s truly wonderful, Jolayne. I’m afraid we’ve run out of time for this segment. Now, on to you, Wendy Winters, with live updates on the forest fires.

Producer: That’s a wrap, everyone!

Interviewer: If you don’t mind, Jolayne, would you answer one more question, off the record?

JoLayne: Off the record? Why?

Interviewer: What does a perfect world look like to you?

JoLayne: That’s a funny question to ask someone. I guess a world where everyone was equal and animals didn’t have to fear nobody plowing down their forests. Fewer people, more animals. Why do you ask?

Interviewer: Everyone has a different perspective on the world, and I ask everyone who comes on the show. The best answer I ever heard was that for every day to be Halloween so they could dress up in costumes every day and not have to be themselves for once.

JoLayne: What’s your answer?

Interviewer: One where I have my own talk show called Myron’s Morning, where I host the biggest celebrities and win awards. I would be the king, the ultimate ruler whose legacy would live on forever. Everyone would love me. Everyone, er, never mind.

JoLayne: Hhm, interesting. Bye, Myron. Thanks for having me.

Interviewer: Bye, Jolayne. I hope one day you get a part of your perfect world.

Lucky You by Carl Hiassen is a book filled with unpredictably outrageous plot twists throughout the story. If you’re searching for a wild novel with a strong female lead, this book is definitely for you.

JoLayne Lucks hits the jackpot when the lottery stakes reach an astonishing 28 million. Coincidentally, Chub and Bode, two washed-up wannabe white supremacists, also win. The fact that JoLayne is black is not the sole reason they target her for theft, but it doesn't hurt their cause. No, their real motivation is to form an army to repel the UN's impending invasion. After stealing her ticket, JoLayne enlists the help of Tom Krome, a cynical and largely ineffective reporter, to track them down.

Soon enough, a motley crew of characters gets involved to varying degrees. There's a Hooters waitress, a surly gas-station clerk, Tom's supervisor, a crack ATF agent, a Mafia money launderer, Tom's estranged wife who refuses to give him a divorce, the wife of a judge with whom Tom had an affair, the angry judge who now wants to teach Tom a lesson, and half a dozen people involved in roadside miracle shows.

The humor in the story mainly stems from Bodean and Chub's attempts to form their army and various Florida wildlife incidents. The same can be said for the danger and thriller elements. Since the lottery winnings at this stage are just a pair of tickets, there are several tense moments when you realize that a heavy downpour could potentially destroy $28 million. The first two-thirds of the book maintain enough momentum to keep you engaged. However, the last third feels like a letdown, with very little more than a simple wrap-up that lacks the excitement of what came before. Even the climactic stare-down has less impact than a message scrawled on a wall.

This is the first Hiaasen book I've read. I've had it for about five years, along with a small stack of others I bought at a discount store. It took me three or four days to read, which seems a bit long considering the length and density. The book features a fairly large cast and several subplots, but many of the characters are just there for comical asides, and most of the plots seem scripted for potential movie cutaways. Still, it's not a bad read. I only laughed out loud once and quietly chuckled a dozen times, but it kept me interested until that final third when the story lost its steam. I'm only giving it three stars because several of the "keep you interested" subplots went nowhere and took strange detours, and I think I would rather read something by Elmore Leonard or something even darker, like the humorous but dark writings of Joe Lansdale. I will read another Hiaasen book (likely Strip Tease), but if it follows the same pattern as this one, I'll probably give away most of the others and only keep three or so in my collection.

Just finished reading one of Carl Hiaasen's earlier "crazed and crazier in Florida" novels: "Lucky You".

In this novel, a drama and epic comedy unfolds, involving the winners of the state's lottery.

It's a wild ride through the eccentric and freaky world of Florida.

Now, the question arises: who is the winner of this literary lottery, pitting Hiaasen against Randy Wayne White?

Both authors have their own unique styles and fans.

Hiaasen is known for his satirical and humorous take on Florida's quirks and characters.

White, on the other hand, offers a more gritty and realistic portrayal of the state.

Voting is not obligatory, but it's an interesting debate to have.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Some may prefer Hiaasen's light-hearted approach, while others may gravitate towards White's darker and more intense stories.

Regardless of who you choose, both authors have contributed to the rich tapestry of Florida literature.

The racism and misogyny present in that particular context was simply overwhelming.

The so-called humor appeared to be firmly rooted in these very things, and for me, it was far from being the kind of humor that I could appreciate.

Admittedly, there were a few isolated situations that had a hint of funniness to them. However, these were completely spoiled by the numerous negative aspects that pervaded the entire atmosphere.

It's disheartening to see that such inappropriate and offensive elements are being passed off as humor. It not only undermines the dignity and respect of certain groups but also creates a rather uncomfortable and unwholesome environment.

As individuals, we should strive to promote a more inclusive and positive form of humor that doesn't rely on demeaning others.