Honey Santana—impassioned, willful, possibly bipolar, self-proclaimed “queen of lost causes”—has a scheme to help rid the world of irresponsibility, indifference, and dinnertime sales calls. She’s taking rude, gullible Relentless, Inc., telemarketer Boyd Shreave and his less-than-enthusiastic mistress, Eugenie—the fifteen-minute-famous girlfriend of a tabloid murderer—into the wilderness of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands for a gentle lesson in civility. What she doesn’t know is that she’s being followed by her Honey-obsessed former employer, Piejack (whose mismatched fingers are proof that sexual harassment in the workplace is a bad idea). And he doesn’t know he’s being followed by Honey’s still-smitten former drug-running ex-husband, Perry, and their wise-and-protective-way-beyond-his-years twelve-year-old-son, Fry. And when they all pull up on Dismal Key, they don’t know they’re intruding on Sammy Tigertail, a half white–half Seminole failed alligator wrestler, trying like hell to be a hermit despite the Florida State coed who’s dying to be his hostage . . .
Will Honey be able to make a mensch of a “greedhead”? Will Fry be able to protect her from Piejack—and herself? Will Sammy achieve his true Seminole self? Will Eugenie ever get to the beach? Will the Everglades survive the wild humans? All the answers are revealed in the delectably outrageous mayhem that propels this novel to its Hiaasen-of-the-highest-order climax.
From the Hardcover edition.
Download and start listening now!
"This book didn't have as much of a plot as some of his others but still manages to make everyone in my house just start giggling with his descriptions of characters and their reasoning. If you haven't read anything by him but you like mysteries that make you laugh, they don't get much better."
— SherrieL (4 out of 5 stars)
Hiaasen [is] king of the screwball comedies . . . Nobody escapes unscathed in this web of hilarious stories that intertwine and bisect each other like a nest of vipers . . . The charismatic, animated characters deliver lines that will bring tears of laughter to even the most jaundiced readers . . . This is top-notch storytelling by a truly original comic novelist.
— Clayton Moore, Rocky Mountain NewsA big-hearted and deeply funny book . . . All of Carl Hiaasen’s obsessions are on full-tilt boogie.
— Adam Woog, Seattle TimesA whole lot ‘Survivor,’ a little bit ‘The Tempest,’ with a pinch of Laurel and Hardy . . . Hiaasen is always good for a number of laugh-aloud scenes and lines . . . His ear is pitch-perfect. The dialogue sings in Nature Girl.
— Alan Michael Parker, Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionHiaasen once again makes the case that life in his backyard really is more absurd than in ours . . . Nature Girl deserves the laughs it will get, from sea to shining sea.
— Jane H. Furse, New York Daily NewsA breeze of a read, full of the usual Hiaasen whimsy.
— Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-TelegramHiaasen’s arch potboilers, pitched in the low latitudes of Florida and the lower strata of human evolution, revolve around a few solid observations about the species: in a fallen world, damaged people will sometimes do noble things; and heels will always be heels. Hiaasen’s campfire voice, perpetually amused by the resourcefulness with which his characters reaffirm his opinion of human nature, provides a core of truthiness . . . [His] wasteland is as retributive as Cormac McCarthy’s, but funnier . . . Honey is a classic Woman in Jep, of the sort Hollywood seems to have abandoned . . . Hiaasen’s pacing is impeccable, and the scenes follow one another like Lay’s potato chips . . . I purred warmly through the novels’ twists and further twists . . . An entertaining ride.
— John Leland, New York Times Book ReviewHiaasen isn’t just Florida’s sharpest satirist–he’s one of the few funny writers left in the whole country . . . I think of him as a national treasure [and] I have yet to be disappointed. Nature Girl, Hiaasen’s latest, keeps his string going in fine fashion . . . Hiaasen is not just a good comic writer. He’s just a good writer.
— Malcolm Jones, NewsweekJust sit back and watch as Carl Hiaasen, with his customary flourish, spins a glittering magic wheel and comes up with another set of characters only he could create . . . The book is an island romp.
— Carolyn See, Washington Post Book WorldWhen he’s in good form, Hiaasen, like Elmore Leonard, shouldn’t be missed. Nature Girl is one of his better efforts . . . As usual, Hiaasen throws his colorful characters into an increasingly frenetic mix, and the fun lies in watching how, or if, they’ll manage to extricate themselves. One reason Nature Girl works so well is the fact that much of the action is confined to a single island, allowing the characters to intermingle and weave in and out of view.
— David Lazarus, San Francisco ChronicleWinter reading needn’t be without comic hijinks . . . Nature Girl is a hilarious romp through the Everglades led by a bipolar divorced mom named Honey Santana, who cooks up a baroque plan to get back at a rude telephone solicitor.
— Jonathan Miles, Men’s JournalAs depicted by the deft pen of Carl Hiaasen, ecoterrorism is not only justified, it’s hilarious . . . He’s at it again in his distinctive, madcap style . . . [A] breakneck narrative.
— Clea Simon, Boston GlobeHilarious . . . A lifelong resident of the Sunshine State, [Hiaasen’s] novels have always addressed the state’s ecological and social ills with scathing satire, ironic comeuppance and an ever-evolving sensibility . . . Everybody’s airport-reading favorite flies high again.
— Dan Lopez, Time Out New YorkZapped during dinner by a telemarketer peddling Florida ‘ranchettes,’ Honey Santana doesn’t just go postal, she devises a get-even scheme of demented brilliance . . . in the kind of Floridian follies on which Hiaasen owns the franchise . . . The writing is never less than amusing.
— Pam Lambert, PeopleUsing his trademark dry, wry humor, Hiaasen shows how bad behavior tears the fabric of society . . . Nature Girl is typical Hiaasen, with a brisk story overflowing with satire, wisecracks and the fear of what society is becoming. The cast is one of his most accessible . . The main characters are as real as your next-door neighbors–with a few quirks . . . Highly entertaining.
— Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun-SentinelOld fans and newcomers alike should delight in Hiaasen’s eleventh novel, another hilarious Florida romp [with an] engaging and diverse screwball cast . . . Hiaasen’s humorous touches and his all-too-human characters carry the book to its satisfying close.
— Publishers Weekly" Humorous situation with some interesting passages. Otherwise, it sounds like a repro of a Shakespearean farce, with people wandering aimlessly around in the woods on a tiny Florida island and getting together in small, differently arranged groupings to milk whatever comic potential from the arrangement could be milked. The book probably should have ended sooner. "
— Mr.B, 2/20/2014" Very funny, different, odd and entertaining. "
— Katy, 2/16/2014" Typical Hiassen, who I admire for his style. None of his books are memorable unless you're in the midst of reading one, and (I suppose) if you haven't already gotten used to Hiassen's humor. In other words, not memorable at all, but who cares? "
— Gordon, 2/15/2014" Started really enjoying these crazy characters on their bizarre adventure about half-way through. Reminiscent of Tom Robbins. "
— Suzanne, 2/11/2014" The story of a mildly psycho trailer-park mother enacting elaborate revenge on a telemarketer. Good if you're into Carl Hiassen, the end drags on a bit but well worth it. "
— Daniel, 2/10/2014" Beware of being too passionate about causes, esp lost causes like annoying telemarketers. Funny and deadly, wonderfully adventureous. Brought me to the natural beauty of the Everglades w/o a single bug bite! "
— Mary, 2/4/2014" Outrageously funny. "
— Rebekah, 1/31/2014" A really funny book. I loved it. It managedto deal with some pretty thorny issues with a light touch.In some parts I just had to laugh out loud. "
— zenbren, 1/2/2014" Hiassen's wonderfully weird plots and wacky characters kept me listening to this audiobook. However, the reader left a lot to be desired. Since when does a middle school boy from the Florida Everglades sound like a Valley Girl? Wonderful story but disappointing in the execution. "
— Jean, 12/31/2013" Horrible book: sexist, racist and a ridiculous plot. Don't waste your time. (I only did 'cause it was on CD.) "
— Josie, 12/31/2013" Ok it's not high literature but it is highly entertaining. And the good guys come out ok. "
— Janet, 12/30/2013" A real mess of a story. Picked this up after reading Double Whammy, which has a similar narrative structure, but it is nowhere near as clever or memorable. Best to skip it, unless you're hardcore for Hiaasen. "
— Chip, 12/27/2013" Breezy Hiassen--screwball characters and plotting, with some memorable lines along the way. I don't find it laugh-out-loud funny, but it is clever and diverting. "
— Rodney, 12/20/2013" So far this book kind of blows. I'm only in the 3rd chapter. I find that I'm having to force myself to keep reading it. I really don't see how this book is considered funny. I haven't laughed yet. Seems really stupid to me. We'll see when I'm done. "
— ♥adrienne♥, 12/16/2013" If you are looking for a book that is intended to be wacky, funny, silly and what I like to call "brain candy" - then you will like this book. Sometimes we just need to laugh, and as usual, Carl Hiaasen gave me some much needed laughs with this book. "
— Kit, 12/15/2013" I'm not impressed and won't read anything else by this author. "
— Holly, 12/5/2013" What a hoot. A really great read for a day when you don't feel well. If you need a laugh read this. "
— Delindap7, 11/12/2013" This book was decent. Humorous dialogue, funny characters, but rather predictable plot. I'd still recommend it if you're bored though. "
— Rosslyn, 9/30/2013" It's a little wacko but entertaining. "
— Karissa, 9/22/2013" Harebrained, zany and fun. "
— Saintseester, 7/28/2013" Yet another one that I can't help but read cause its based in Florida!!! SSSSOOOOO FUNNY!!! "
— Meredith, 5/7/2013" This book is for anyone that's got lost there own world of whimsical mishaps and follies. Hiaasen weaves together three story lines to a crashing point of hilarity. "
— davejones, 4/13/2013" Not one of his greatest but still laugh-out loud funny "
— Paul, 4/12/2013" Wanted to try one of the Carl Hiaasen books. The book was Ok but did not inspire me to read more of his stuff. "
— Pam, 1/12/2013" Dark. Humorous. Ending that isn't trite but gives you what you want. LOVED it! "
— Tara, 7/5/2012" Referal by librarian when researching Janet Evanovich who was refered to by friend; the mystery was how this was a mystery novel "
— Becky, 5/20/2012" Fun. Much better than Native Tongues. This one is almost plausible, if that's a meaningful word to apply to Hiaasen's universe. "
— Deb, 4/22/2012" Another fun romp through Florida with Hiaasen! "
— Mark, 7/13/2011" FILTH!<br/><br/>I am on a roll... I have a question, though. At what point did the F-bomb become an acceptable adjective? "
— Dawn, 6/29/2011" Not my favorite of his, but I do love Carl! Still a fun read filled with crazy characters and lots of fun. "
— Lisa, 6/27/2011" Read this book in one night if that's anything to go by.. Not his best. Enjoyed the first 3/4's of this book but found the end a struggle to get through.. "
— Rohan, 6/24/2011" This book was definitely a strange read. However, I liked the quirky characters and the funky plot. Never read a book like this, but I did like it for the most part. Not a fave, but a decent book. "
— Jacquelyn, 6/20/2011" Good, light reading. The story kept my attention for sure. "
— Rebecca, 6/20/2011" This was the best book listened to book on tape. The reader was so convincing to not only an array of characters but to men and women as well bayou accents and all. By the way the story is great too! "
— Lori, 6/15/2011" An entertaining, quick read with quite a few laughs. A great summer poolside book. "
— Libby, 6/14/2011" this was my first hiaasen and i have been hooked ever since. truly funny story told beyond well. "
— bobby, 6/8/2011" Again, another really good read. I'm telling everyone, if you want a book full of crazy characters and crazy situations, you have to read Carl's books. The story lines are great, the books don't drag because there is always something going on. I promise you won't be disappointed. "
— Terry, 6/4/2011" It got one star off for coarse language and overflowing carnality. However the plot is great and the characters are well-developed. "
— Jeanette, 5/26/2011" Hiaasen's books are always enjoyable, but if you've never read his work I suggest starting with "Lucky You" "
— Maeve, 5/25/2011" Loving it. Only Hiaasen can write about Florida like this. Makes me miss my old stomping ground. <br/> "
— Deborah, 5/22/2011Carl Hiaasen is a successful journalist and novelist. He is a writer and investigative reporter for the Miami Herald, and his work has appeared in Time, Life, Esquire, Playboy, Gourmet, and Sports Illustrated. His earliest novels—Powder Burn, Trap Line, and A Death In China—were cowritten with fellow journalist Bill Montalbano. Since then, he has written books in a variety of genres. His novel Strip Tease was made into a movie in 1996, and his young adult novel Hoot, a Newbery honoree, was made into a movie in May 2006. A number of Hiassen’s works have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, including Star Island, Chomp, Sick Puppy, and Scat. In addition to being a writer, Hiassen is also a public speaker. He lives in Florida with his family.
Jane Curtin, award-winning actress and comedienne, was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live. She left after five years, moving on to the successful comedies Kate and Allie, and later, 3rd Rock from the Sun. Among her many other credits are the films Antz, Coneheads, The Shaggy Dog, I Love You Man, and I Don’t Know How She Does It. Her stage credits include George Bernard Shaw’s Candida, an off-Broadway musical revue Pretzels, which she cowrote, and Love Letters. Curtin has also appeared on the television crime drama Unforgettable and has worked as a UNICEF ambassador. She and her husband, producer Patrick Lynch, live in Connecticut.