Nature Girl

By: Carl Hiaasen

Narrated by: Lee Adams

Honey Santana, impassioned, willful, possibly bipolar, self-proclaimed "queen of lost causes", has a scheme to help rid the world of irresponsibility, indifference, and dinnertime sales calls. She's taking rude, gullible Relentless, Inc., telemarketer Boyd Shreave and his less-than-enthusiastic mistress, Eugenie, into the wilderness of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands for a gentle lesson in civility.

What she doesn't know is that she's being followed by her Honey-obsessed former employer, Piejack. And he doesn't know he's being followed by Honey's still-smitten, former-drug-running ex-husband, Perry, and their wise-and-protective-way-beyond-his-years 12-year-old son, Fry. And when they all pull up on Dismal Key, they don't know they're intruding on Sammy Tigertail, a half white-half Seminole failed alligator wrestler, trying like hell to be a hermit despite the Florida State coed who's dying to be his hostage.

©2006 Carl Hiaasen (P)2006 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Old fans and newcomers alike should delight in Hiaasen's 11th novel, another hilarious Florida romp [with an] engaging and diverse screwball cast...Hiaasen's humorous touches and his all-too-human characters carry the book to its satisfying close." (Publishers Weekly)

First Hiaasen on audio

I am a big fan of Hiaasen books. This was my first experience with him on audio unabridged. I found that the parts I automatically skip when reading tended to be a bit boring when forced to listen to them. The book was the kind to stick in your mind when not listening to it though, and make you anxious to get back to it.

Just didn’t work

I’m sorry but I don’t think this story is up to Carl Hiaasen’s other outstanding stories. It has all the usual, wacky characters, unusual twists and turns but it just didn’t seem to work.

An enjoyable listen!

I too am baffled by the extreme negative reviews. I can only assume that Carl Hiasen established such a high expectations with his previous novels that they were disappointed.

This clearly isn't his best work but certainly not a flop. I felt it was well worth the time and use of credits.

A Carl Hiaaen "average" is better that most writers best stuff.

Light and funny

Looking for a quick easy listen... this is it. I can totally understand how Honey felt, wanting to get back at one of those telemarketers, especially since she felt personally insulted.

The character development is wonderful and interesting

it's a great book, entertaining story, with adventure and humor. The writer paints a perfect picture.

Not his best

I have read (or listened to) all of Hiaasen's books. While I don't think it is as bad as some of the other reviewer's suggest, it is clearly one of his lesser efforts. The plot is thin and drags at times. The ending is predictable. Some of the humor is forced. Unlike some other reviewer's, I did like the narrator. I think she did the best she could with the mediocre material. I hope this is a temporary detour for Hiaasen, rather than a sign of things to come.

Hiaasen does it again!

Listening to "Nature Girl" has been an excellent experience. It had been many years since I last read a Hiaasen novel, but this was a great way to get reacquainted. The plot is intriguing, with many unexpected turns, and all main characters are well described. Hiaasen goes deep into their thoughts, manners (or lack of them), views on life, and habits. The story is very humorous, but also intelligent. Hiaasen highlights "ordinary people" that reach the point of deciding to deal with annoyances, taking control of their lives instead of waiting for things to happen to them.

Narrator Lee Adams is able to give each character its own personality and "voice", which is a huge achievement given the psychological challenges that some of the characters are facing in the book. She has done a splendid job, it is a privilige to listen to her for the many enjoyable hours of this audiobook.

Fun, fun, fun

What can I say it was FUN!
Good for a credit!
No wast of time here
I have nothing to say

A good HiAsen sfop

Hiaasen amuses and informs
He paints a great picture of Florida
Great fun as you watch the interaction
of the characters with the wild fl natural world

Second Least Favorite

I’ve loved everything from Hiaasen except this and Tourist Season. Loved that a woman performed the story, just didn’t like the portrayal of the characters. Story was just meh and stereotypical.