Strip Tease

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: George Wilson

Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

No matter what you heard or thought about the movie version of Strip Tease, forget it. Film simply can’t catch the layers of humor, satire, and imagination that author Carl Hiaasen creates in each of his novels.

When a deranged Florida congressman falls for a gorgeous but virtuous stripper, he dedicates himself to pursuing this tasselled princess. Not only is she a real beauty, she’s a damsel in distress. The effects of his quest will ripple through the spotlights of the strip joint, the sugar cane fields of south Florida, and some powerful political careers.

Fueled by innocent lust and dizzy miscalculations, this story will keep you howling with surprise. George Wilson’s colorful narration is the perfect vehicle for Carl Hiaasen’s twisted fairy tale.

©1993 Carl Hiaasen (P)1998 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Rough, raucous, and filled with lovable losers, Strip Tease is a caper novel for readers not afraid to laugh out loud.” ( People)

“Reading a Hiaasen book is always a high-speed boat ride where laughter can turn to horror and disaster at any moment. Hearing the story aloud adds a dose of realism and sensation; these characters really could be driving around the streets …” ( AudioFile)

Carl Hiaasen at his best!

I was listening to this in the lobby at my dr.s office and had to turn it off because I was laughing too loudly. It never ceases to amaze me how Hiaasen can make such terrible events and situations so doggone funny.
The narrator was a little slow so I was forced to listen to this at 1.25x speed. I also found some of his mispronounciations a little annoying. The bad guys name is Herb not Erb! But his charactor voices were all completely on the mark which made the story even more enjoyable. So it all balanced out.

Alternate reality

I found this book an almost perfect combination of believable circumstances exaggerated just a bit in a very funny way, a clever and sometimes informative plot, interesting quirky characters, and a narrator who gets the tone exactly right. Excellent!!

Way Better Than the Movie

If you're old enough to remember the 1990s, you surely remember the movie Strip Tease starring Demi Moore. And you surely remember how bad it was. You probably never associated it with Carl Hiaasen's Florida-based comic crime capers, but yes, it was adapted from his novel of the same name -- one of the few of his many books that have made it onto the big screen, a head scratcher since they seem natural material for film. But don't let any of that deter you -- as bad as the movie was (it was the big winner of the 1996 Raspberry Awards for worst movie), the novel is that good.

One big difference is the vast array of characters in the book, typical of Hiaasen -- his plots are far less important than his characters. Some are over the top, like the Congressman and Darrell Grant, but most are engaging and funny. Hiaasen occasionally shifts point of view to previously unknown characters who hardly if ever reappear in order to show a different perspective on what happens to the more central characters, like the Montana locals who discover the body of Jerry Killian -- a device that adds to the depth and charm of the story. The entire affair is quite humorous -- the movie, if it evoked any laughs, were of derision.

Shad is a stand out supporting character, the tough guy with a heart of gold whom Hiaasen and narrator George Wilson elevate far above that seeming cliche. Although I've blocked the movie version out of mind for good reason, I do recall Ving Rhames being well cast in the role of Shad. Perhaps that positive visualization made this character come to life for me a little more than others. By contrast, the novel's version of Erin, to its credit, is nothing like Demi Moore, the opposite of how she was promoted and portrayed in the film.

Florida itself acts as a major character, especially its corrupt local politics and Hiaasen's omnipresent environmental awareness, all quite typical of his body of work. I'm not from Florida nor, despite numerous visits, am I a Florida-phile, but there is something about its unique landscape and people-scape that makes for good books, especially in the hands of people who know it so well, like Hiaasen (and Tim Dorsey and others).

Wilson's deep gravelly voice is perfectly suited to this material. He captures the right touch of irony as well as enthusiasm in his reading. He is a frequent narrator of Hiaasen books in audio and always acquits himself well.

It's a book and a movie

What made the experience of listening to Strip Tease the most enjoyable?

I really liked the main character Erin, a woman with a purpose. This book had a lot of good characters and several of Hiaasens staple characters make appearances in this book.

Have you listened to any of George Wilson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

George Wilson always delivers good audio

a bit disapointing

I expected more, as I read 'Skinny Dip' and really enjoyed it. This book is not as good.

Not a good narrator

It helps to speed it up to 1.1x. the narrator mispronounced some common words and originally spoke so slowly that I couldn't stay awake. This is my 6th or 7th Carl Hiaasen audio book and is my least favorite so far.

great story - not so great reader.

classic Carl. choosing another book with a different reader. This is my first attempt listening rather than reading this author who has been one of my faves for years.

a great book

I love the book. it held my attention from start to finish. I would rate it among the best.

Why past silly

I know this author writes tongue-in-cheek but this is a little bit too ridiculous. light listening if you’re taking a walk but actually even for that it’s too far fetched for me to enjoy.

surprisingly delightful

This story,, rich with twists and turns, was brought to life beautifully by the excellent narration. very very enjoyable.