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)

A fantastic story about the seedy side of life

A fascinating story about lust, greed, and political power, not to mention nude dancing, all told in a delightful humorous fashion expertly by the narrator George Wilson. He kept me listening to every word and held my interest up to the end of the story. It is a humorous look at human weakness and the plight of a dancer caught up in it so she can get her daughter away from her ex husband an addict and small time thief of wheel chairs, using their daughter to pull off his thievery. The story takes you through the plight of nude dancers and corruption. Told in a light and easy tongue in cheek fashion.

Fun

Where does Strip Tease rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 20

What did you like best about this story?

Loved the style, deep and light at same time. very entertaining. Easy easy listen

Which scene was your favorite?

Anything with Shad

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What goes around comes around

always a great story!

not sure which I like best--the stories or the narrator! I am working my way through his whole catalog!

An entertaining break

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not necessarily time well spent but a listen for pure entertainment, analogous to a TV sitcom.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Not sure I had a reaction. It ended as expected.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of George Wilson?

No. To me, a good narrator doesn't take a way from the story; is transparent. George Wilson's style did not distract from the story.

Do you think Strip Tease needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Sure, why not? This is not an award winning book but entertaining. The characters are fun and I would be interested to hear more from them.

One of Hiaasen's Best!!!!!!!!

What did you love best about Strip Tease?

I was hooked by this one within the first minute. No one sets a scene and develops characters quite the way this author does.

While less mad-cap than many of his other books, Hiaasen's wit still shines through in this one. It is so difficult to weave a story featuring such numerous characters, but this author is up to the challenge. The way in which he ties together so many quirky, richly-layered characters is a hallmark of Hiaasen novels. His characters and the events in which they are immersed is simultaneously outlandish and utterly believable.

What did you like best about this story?

Erin is a sympathetic character. I find myself surprised that I can identify with a stripper.

What about George Wilson’s performance did you like?

Wilson's performance was enthralling. He shifts voices between characters flawlessly. This man is a genius! I could see the whole book in my head, thanks to him. Wilson knows how to develop a character just as well as Hiaasen does.

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

Truly this was one of those books, but sadly, I had to stop for little things--like work, and human interaction.

Any additional comments?

Don't let the movie of the same name scare you off this book. This is a masterful work of storytelling.

Better than the movie

Strip Tease is not bad. It did not take to much to become an improvement from the movie. A typical mix of Hiaasen's crazy Florida rednecks, political buffoonery, and high jinks surrounding a mother who has gone to work as a stripper in order to keep her daughter away from her druggie husband, only to have a corrupt Judge turn her employment into rational for putting her child with her husband. I did not like this as much as much as I have enjoyed tales of Skink, but still good.

just fabulous

great satire and dark comedy. the little guy can't stop corruption but there can still be some justice.

Not a bit entertaining

I know his writing style but he is getting a little lazy. Let's get more Elmo Leonard

Fun Times!!!!

I enjoyed this one; this is my send Carl Hiaasen book and it follows his tradition of a zany cast of characters and a lot of humor. I found myself laughing quite a bit during this one, although there were a few times I had to turn the volume down when my car windows were open in order to avoid stares from passersby during the racy parts! The narration was good as well.

Typical Carl Hiaasen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was fairly entertaining. I read the whole book, with a bit of skipping. But I liked it enough to finish it. And I have no qualms about closing a book that does not hold my interest.

What could Carl Hiaasen have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Hiaasen is Hiaasen. I read several of his books in the late 90's and got kind of tired of him. I thought the audible rendition might be better and it was...a bit. I will probably not read anymore of Hiaasen's work.

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

George Wilson did an excellent job.

Was Strip Tease worth the listening time?

I would not have read it through if it were not worth the time in entertainment value.