Lucky You

A Novel

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Edward Asner

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Grange, Florida, is famous for its miracles - the weeping fiberglass Madonna, the Road-Stain Jesus, the stigmata man. And now it has JoLayne Lucks, unlikely winner of the state lottery.

Unfortunately, JoLayne's winning ticket isn't the only one. The other belongs to Bodean Gazzer and his raunchy sidekick, Chub, who believe they're entitled to the whole $28 million jackpot. And they need it quickly, to start their own underground militia before NATO troops invade America.

But JoLayne Lucks has her own plans for the Lotto money - an Eden-like forest in Grange must be saved from strip-malling. When Bode and Chub brutally assault her and steal her ticket, JoLayne vows to track them down, take it back - and get revenge.

The only one who can help is Tom Krome, a big-city investigative journalist now bitterly consigned to writing frothy features for a midsized central Florida newspaper. With a persuasive nudge from JoLayne, Krome is about to become part of a story that's bigger and more bizarre than anything he's ever covered.

Chasing two heavily armed psychopaths down the coast of Florida is reckless enough, but Tom's got other problems - the murderous attention of a jealous judge; an actress wife who turns fugitive to avoid divorce court; an editor who speaks in tongues; and Tom's own growing fondness for the future millionairess with whom he's risking his neck.

The pursuit takes them from the surreal streets of Grange to a buzzard-infested island deep in Florida Bay, where they finally catch up with the fledgling militia - Chub, Bode Gazzer, a newly recruited convenience-store clerk and their baffled hostage, a Hooters waitress.

The climax explodes with the hilarious mayhem that is Carl Hiaasen's hallmark. Lucky You is his funniest, most deliriously gripping novel yet.

©2010 Carl Hiaasen (P)2012 Random House Audio

Just fun

I love this writer. His characters and stories about Florida are spot on. And the good guy always wins and the bad ones always get their lumps.

Not My favorite Hiasson Audiobook.

Carl Hiasson is by far my favorite audiobook author. Audiobboks are abit differenr from reading anovel. I read about 3 books a week. I listen to my audiobooks when I walk my dogs everyday and when I houseclean, run errands etc. Audiobooks demand attention. You need to pay attention otherwise you can drift from any story easily. Don't do it with a Hiasson book or yoy'll be missing a truly great story. You must try them all. Very entertaining and laugh out loud books

Great characters, great story, and quite funny too

Where does Lucky You rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love Carl Hiaasen. His books always have colorful characters that make for a funny adventure. The characters are often simple minded people trying to make the score of their life, but every step of the way they find a way to make the adventure more interesting and funny.

What other book might you compare Lucky You to and why?

It's like an Elmore Leonard novel set in Florida. The comparison is based on the dialog style of writing.

What about Edward Asner’s performance did you like?

Asner does a pretty good job. I've listened to other Hiaasen novels that had better narration, but Asner's reading doesn't detract from the storyline.

Any additional comments?

If you've never experienced Hiaasen, you may want to select an earlier book like Tourist Season, Double Whammy or Lucky Dog.

Hope you are lucky

What did you like about this audiobook?

Dont know

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

No

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Ok

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing. Did I miss something?

Do you have any additional comments?

Did not like as much as earlier books

Oh, yeah, I did read this book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Make it shorter.

Would you be willing to try another book from Carl Hiaasen? Why or why not?

Probably not, just not that great of a read.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Edward Asner?

Probably not, just not that great of a narrator. Made the characters too "southern." Not a believable story and frankly silly (not funny).

Do you think Lucky You needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Nope, characters not that impressive.

Any additional comments?

Better listens out there. Try it before you buy it.