Sick Puppy

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Edward Asner

When Palmer Stoat notices the black pickup truck following him on the highway, he fears his precious Range Rover is about to be carjacked. But Twilly Spree, the man tailing Stoat, has vengeance, not sport-utility vehicles, on his mind. Idealistic, independently wealthy and pathologically short-tempered, Twilly has dedicated himself to saving Florida's wilderness from runaway destruction. He favors unambiguous political statements - such as torching Jet-Skis or blowing up banks - that leave his human targets shaken but re-educated.

After watching Stoat blithely dump a trail of fast-food litter out the window, Twilly decides to teach him a lesson. Thus, Stoat's prized Range Rover becomes home to a horde of hungry dung beetles. Which could have been the end to it had Twilly not discovered that Stoat is one of Florida's cockiest and most powerful political fixers, whose latest project is the "malling" of a pristine Gulf Coast island. Now the real Hiaasen-variety fun begins....

Dognapping eco-terrorists, bogus big-time hunters, a Republicans-only hooker, an infamous ex-governor who's gone back to nature, thousands of singing toads and a Labrador retriever greater than the sum of his Labrador parts - these are only some of the denizens of Carl Hiaasen's outrageously funny new novel.

Brilliantly twisted entertainment wrapped around a powerful ecological plea, Sick Puppy gleefully lives up to its title and gives us Hiaasen at his riotous and muckraking best.

©2001 Carl Hiaasen (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

"Carl Hiaasen once again produces a devilishly funny caper. In Sick Puppy, he shows himself to be a comic writer at the peak of his powers." (Publishers Weekly)

Another funny one

Hiaasen certainly knows how to mold whackos into beloved characters, and he's done it again with Sick Puppy. Good read!

Fun summer read

Always funny with a uniquely Florida twist. This a quick read with a fast moving plot.

Sick Puppy did not describe the book very well

If you could sum up Sick Puppy in three words, what would they be?

worth reading

What other book might you compare Sick Puppy to and why?

Hoot -more of a kid's story rather than adult

What does Edward Asner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

expression and intonation

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Link's talking about being abused and his taking Tuna on his boat

A good comedy with some bones to it

What did you love best about Sick Puppy?

I loved the humor, but also that the protagonists weren't just wacky people, but wacky people with a heart toward conservation.

What other book might you compare Sick Puppy to and why?

I like all of Hiaasen's books. Skinny Dip, Hoot. They are all enjoyable listens.

Not Hiaasen's Best, But Worth A Listen

Any additional comments?

I love Carl Hiaasen. His novel Nature Girl is my favorite book and I've read several of his others that were all amazing. This book however left me wanting. I never felt a real connection to the characters, and although I love a character who's kind of crazy, there were no less than 3 completely certifiable men in the book and it felt like loon overload. The "villians" of the book were interesting and fun to watch crash and burn, and the premise was good. Still, not my favorite of his.

As for the narration, I've listened to one or two of his narrations before and I'm not really a fan. It's a little too droll for me and his voices for two of the guys was very similar so when they were having a conversation I couldn't tell sometimes which one was talking. His female voices aren't very convincing, but he has kind of a gruff voice so I can see why.

Overall, I'm glad I read it, but I won't again.

Another good Hiaasen

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

Hiaasen is always entertaining. Yes, his books are predictable overall, but full of lively and unexpected dialogue and small plot twists.

What about Edward Asner’s performance did you like?

Asner was great - very versatile voice that illustrated the characters well.

CARL STRIKES AGAIN

Carl hit's a home run with this one. He manages to cover all the bases and places in the Florida landscape. This one will be difficult for you to put down.

ABRIDGED!!!

What disappointed you about Sick Puppy?

I didn't realize that this book was only available in abridged form. All the other Hiaasen novels featuring Skink are available unabridged.

What didn’t you like about Edward Asner’s performance?

Ed Asner's narration can't hold a candle to George Wilson's. It's flat and lifeless, and at times barely audible. I kept having to rewind and turn up the volume.