Skinny Dip

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

When Chaz Perron's wife discovers that he is running a scam (posing as a marine biologist to doctor water samples so that an agribusiness tycoon can continue illegally dumping fertilizer into the Everglades), he pushes her overboard from a cruise liner. Unlucky for Chaz, Joey survives clutching a bale of Jamaican pot. Rescued from the Atlantic by a former police officer, Mick Stranahan, she decides not to report him but instead haunt and taunt him, with Mick's help, by playing dead. As a result, Chaz becomes increasingly erratic and inept, a fact noticed by his ruthless and cold-blooded coworkers. Also, the six-time-married Mick rediscovers the thwarted romantic in him, believing that the seventh time might be the charm.

©2004 Carl Hiaasen (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"At this point in his career as a comic novelist, Carl Hiaasen did not need to get any better. He has long been writing smarty, fizzy Floridian escapades that amount to pure reading pleasure. But Skinny Dip, his latest, is something more: a screwball delight so full of bright, deft, beautifully honed humor that it places Mr. Hiaasen in the company of Preston Sturges, Woody Allen and S.J. Perelman....Mr. Hiaasen writes with finesse." (The New York Times)
"Hiaasen's signature mix of hilariously over-the-top villains, lovable innocents and righteous indignation at what mankind has done to his beloved Florida wilderness is all present in riotous abundance in his latest....Hiaasen's books are so enjoyable it's always a sad moment when they end." (Publishers Weekly)
"No reprobate escapes the satirical eye of Hiaasen, who writes like the love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Evelyn Waugh....Like Hiaasen's nine previous novels, this one's a corker, chock-full of belly laughs and blistering truths." (Booklist)

Hilarious

This didn't sound to me like my kind of book, but I went with the judgment of the marketplace (it was top seller at Audible for so many weeks). I laughed out loud all through the book (and I "read" while walking the dog, so heaven knows what my neighbors think). Superbly written comedy.

Hilarious!!

This was my first download from this author but not my first from this narrator. Hoye also narrated <i>The Killer Angels</i> (which should have won some kind of award by the way). Anyways, after hearing Hoye's stunning narration of that classic Civil War novel I took a chance and downloaded this screwball comedy. Glad I did! Hoye does a fantastic job with these characters. First rate narration. Ten Stars.

Fantastic novel. What a classic. The best way to describe this novel is to compare it with the movie <i>Something About Mary</i>. Yes, it's THAT funny! Crazy novel. Ten stars.

Worth reading: B+ book, outstanding reader

Echo the comments of other reviewers. Wld rate as consistently amusing but not killer funny. Good story with some good twists and charming moments. The real gem in this offering is the reader who is outstanding! Definitely one of the best ever. Really makes the story come to life with an incredible array of completely distinct characters -- different accents, ages, genders, personalities.

Very engrossing and funny

I suppose it takes a certain sense of humor to find this book hilarious, and I happen to have that sense of humor. I don't remember so thoroughly enjoying the previous Hiaasen books I've read, so this one must have that little something extra. I think that something is wit/sarcasm blended with a knack for making the outrageous seem plausible. Every character has such a ridiculous and over the top background it seems to me that Hiaasen is making fun of the whole concept of chartacter development. Didn't you ever notice how ridiculously contrived the watershed moments in character's lives are in some books (like all Dean Koontz books)? Since Joey's parents dying gives her character depth, why not make them die in a plane crash with a doped up bear in the co-pilot seat of the plane? Since we need to see the bodyguard is completely whacked - why not make him collect roadside fatality markers and have such a hairy pelt he needs to shave it to put on his drug patches? Completely ridiculous, yet cumulatively hilarious.

If you are not one to rush through audiobooks you will appreciate the comedy throughout. If you don't get - or care for - the humor, the book will probably drag for you. However, the narrator's performance alone makes this worth a listen. He is absolutely hilarious.

Skinny Dip follower

I truly loved the book.. I could not put it down. Sometimes in the middle of my cramped office space, I would let out a laugh, to my co-workers surprise. I would then have to stop to explain.

Title of Book Somewhat misleading

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I recommended the book to my daughter. It is concerned about a serious environmental problem but it is written in a captivating way that is humorous yet intense.

What about Stephen Hoye’s performance did you like?

The reader added significantly to an already outstanding novel.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I didn't but I could have.

Fun Read

Where does Skinny Dip rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I had fun with this....although the narrator confused me at first and I had to go back and listen again. Fun Story...

Very Well Done, Start to Finish

This book is one of those easy listens that keeps you laughing and intersted all the way through. It's a funny enough story on its own, but the narration takes it right to the top. If they gave out Oscars for narration, he would win. The weird 'quirks' of the characters and situations make it humorous (in a twisted kind of way) that I found hilarous. If you only need one good reason to listen to this book, here it is....Tool. Trust me, once you get there, you'll realize that he is the true gem of this book.

Perfect

The always biting and hilarious Mr. Hiassen has created another bunch of unique characters and turned them loose in the Everglades. he has an unmatched eye for detail and an ear for perfect dialogue. This may be his funniest book yet.

Stephen Hoye's flawless narration, complete with different voices and accents, brings out the best in what is already the best. Who could ask for anything more?

2nd Hiaasen Book and Still Pleased!

I loved it from the beginning to the end. This is my second Hiaasen book and I'll be choosing a 3rd as soon as I finish this. Kept me engaged the whole time and was hilarious. All strings tied together and it all ended well, in my opinion. Definitely recommend if you like witty and humorous books.