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Skink #6
Star Island
Meet twenty-two-year-old Cherry Pye (née Cheryl Bunterman), a pop star since she was fourteen—and about to attempt a comeback from her latest drug-and-alcohol disaster.
Now meet Cherry again: in the person of her “undercover stunt double,” Ann DeLusia. Ann portrays Cherry whenever the singer is too “indisposed”—meaning wasted—to go out in public. And it is Ann-mistaken-for-Cherry who is kidnapped from a South Beach hotel by obsessed paparazzo Bang Abbott.
Now the challenge for Cherry’s handlers (über–stage mother; horndog record producer; nipped, tucked, and Botoxed twin publicists; weed whacker–wielding bodyguard) is to rescue Ann while keeping her existence a secret from Cherry’s public—and from Cherry herself.
The situation is more complicated than they know. Ann has had a bewitching encounter with Skink—the unhinged former governor of Florida living wild in a mangrove swamp—and now he’s heading for Miami to find her . . .
Will Bang Abbott achieve his fantasy of a lucrative private photo session with Cherry Pye? Will Cherry sober up in time to lip-synch her way through her concert tour? Will Skink track down Ann DeLusia before Cherry’s motley posse does?
All will be revealed in this hilarious spin on life in the celebrity fast lane.
Now meet Cherry again: in the person of her “undercover stunt double,” Ann DeLusia. Ann portrays Cherry whenever the singer is too “indisposed”—meaning wasted—to go out in public. And it is Ann-mistaken-for-Cherry who is kidnapped from a South Beach hotel by obsessed paparazzo Bang Abbott.
Now the challenge for Cherry’s handlers (über–stage mother; horndog record producer; nipped, tucked, and Botoxed twin publicists; weed whacker–wielding bodyguard) is to rescue Ann while keeping her existence a secret from Cherry’s public—and from Cherry herself.
The situation is more complicated than they know. Ann has had a bewitching encounter with Skink—the unhinged former governor of Florida living wild in a mangrove swamp—and now he’s heading for Miami to find her . . .
Will Bang Abbott achieve his fantasy of a lucrative private photo session with Cherry Pye? Will Cherry sober up in time to lip-synch her way through her concert tour? Will Skink track down Ann DeLusia before Cherry’s motley posse does?
All will be revealed in this hilarious spin on life in the celebrity fast lane.
337 pages, Loose Leaf
First published January 1, 2010
1090 people are currently reading
4766 people want to read
About the author
Carl Hiaasen
99 books9,828 followersCarl Hiaasen was born and raised in Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida, he joined the Miami Herald as a general assignment reporter and went on to work for the newspaper’s weekly magazine and prize-winning investigations team. As a journalist and author, Carl has spent most of his life advocating for the protection of the Florida Everglades. He and his family live in southern Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,355 reviews
March 13, 2012
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
I dunno. Carl Hiaasen used to be one of my favorites, but his recent novels seem awfully light. Carl's schtick is to infuse specificity and detail into an almost endless series of wacky incidents, some plot-related, some thrown in just for fun, like this: "Jack Bogsworth was decapitated in mid-sentence while arguing with a former spouse on an iPhone in the driver's seat of his 2009 convertible Corvette while driving on Interstate 95 by a flying miniature dachshund which had been furiously flung from the cab of a passing White Freightliner by a one-armed hooker named Maude who'd been picked up by the truck driver at a freeway rest area 50 miles north of Miami, who was angry with the dog for chewing a hole in her knockoff Gucci purse." The schtick is getting old. As is Hiaasen's habit of giving all but his most sympathetic characters extraordinary deformities, impediments, or personality disorders. Hiassen's novels are populated with mental and physical mutants to an extent you would never see outside of an institution. I'm not saying Hiaasen isn't a fun read, just an increasingly inconsequential one. It's probably me. I suspect that if I were to go back and read an earlier Hiaasen novel, one that I particularly enjoyed (like Strip Tease), I'd find it very similar to Star Island -- light, contrived, cute, filled with freakish characters. My tastes have changed; I want more meaning.
I dunno. Carl Hiaasen used to be one of my favorites, but his recent novels seem awfully light. Carl's schtick is to infuse specificity and detail into an almost endless series of wacky incidents, some plot-related, some thrown in just for fun, like this: "Jack Bogsworth was decapitated in mid-sentence while arguing with a former spouse on an iPhone in the driver's seat of his 2009 convertible Corvette while driving on Interstate 95 by a flying miniature dachshund which had been furiously flung from the cab of a passing White Freightliner by a one-armed hooker named Maude who'd been picked up by the truck driver at a freeway rest area 50 miles north of Miami, who was angry with the dog for chewing a hole in her knockoff Gucci purse." The schtick is getting old. As is Hiaasen's habit of giving all but his most sympathetic characters extraordinary deformities, impediments, or personality disorders. Hiassen's novels are populated with mental and physical mutants to an extent you would never see outside of an institution. I'm not saying Hiaasen isn't a fun read, just an increasingly inconsequential one. It's probably me. I suspect that if I were to go back and read an earlier Hiaasen novel, one that I particularly enjoyed (like Strip Tease), I'd find it very similar to Star Island -- light, contrived, cute, filled with freakish characters. My tastes have changed; I want more meaning.
September 7, 2013
I've never met a Carl Hiassen book that I didn't like. Star Island was no exception. His books are funny, quirky, and chock full of pop culture references. Some criticisms of his books cite the "sameness" found from one story to the next but I see them as lively variations on a theme. Each Hiaasen book has the same elements: the strong and witty heroine, the overweight slimeball, the fraudulent property developer, a colorful mix of supporting characters, and (of course) "the governor" himself. I look forward to each book to see how Hiassen will take on lottery winners, amusement park owners, hurricane victims, and now the world of celebrities. All of it set in the a Florida that's so crazy, you can't make this stuff up. I think as long as you know what you're getting into, you will always enjoy a romp in the tropical sun with your buddy Carl.
September 1, 2011
This is another very engaging book from Carl Hiaasen. On the surface, it's hilariously funny, but as is usually the case with Hiaasen's books, lurking just below the surface is a serious dose of moral outrage. As usual, Hiaasen's targets include the real estate schemers, financiers and others who are laying waste to Florida in the name of "progress," but in Star Island, the author also skewers the superficial celbrity culture of the day.
Jailbait Records recording star Cherry Pye (who was born Cheryl Bunterman) possesses virtually no talent, even less self-discipline, and an enormous appetite for booze, drugs and sex. Nonetheless, her determined parents have relentlessly groomed Cherry to be a star from the time she was a tiny child, singing maudlin tributes to Joan Bennet Ramsey in child talent contests.
Sensing something marketable in Cherry, Jailbait Records signed her to a contract at the age of fifteen, but after some initial success, her star is falling and the last, best hope of her parents, her manager, her record label and the retinue of others who have been riding the gravy train along with Cherry, is her comeback CD, "Skantily Klad," which is soon to be released.
The only one not with the program is Cherry herself. She'd rather party endlessly than learn how to lip-synch the lyrics to her forthcoming release. Things are so bad that Cherry's handlers have been force to hire a look-alike to stand in for Cherry at parties and other events, when the star is too blitzed or otherwise unavailable to appear.
Veteran readers will understand what Carl Hiaasen is capable of doing with a setup like that, and he doesn't fail to deliver. The cast of characters is larger than life and there are huge laughs on virtually every page. But there's also a very sober message underlying all the good fun that makes a reader think long and hard about the state of what passes for "culture" in the United States these days.
Jailbait Records recording star Cherry Pye (who was born Cheryl Bunterman) possesses virtually no talent, even less self-discipline, and an enormous appetite for booze, drugs and sex. Nonetheless, her determined parents have relentlessly groomed Cherry to be a star from the time she was a tiny child, singing maudlin tributes to Joan Bennet Ramsey in child talent contests.
Sensing something marketable in Cherry, Jailbait Records signed her to a contract at the age of fifteen, but after some initial success, her star is falling and the last, best hope of her parents, her manager, her record label and the retinue of others who have been riding the gravy train along with Cherry, is her comeback CD, "Skantily Klad," which is soon to be released.
The only one not with the program is Cherry herself. She'd rather party endlessly than learn how to lip-synch the lyrics to her forthcoming release. Things are so bad that Cherry's handlers have been force to hire a look-alike to stand in for Cherry at parties and other events, when the star is too blitzed or otherwise unavailable to appear.
Veteran readers will understand what Carl Hiaasen is capable of doing with a setup like that, and he doesn't fail to deliver. The cast of characters is larger than life and there are huge laughs on virtually every page. But there's also a very sober message underlying all the good fun that makes a reader think long and hard about the state of what passes for "culture" in the United States these days.
February 6, 2013
This is a great novel of intrigue, humor, superb writing all mixed with suspense. One of the best novels of 2010 earns, 10 of 10 stars
July 16, 2015
This book is a hilarious look at the celebrity world. Assorted characters include a drug addict singer, her parents/managers, publicists/spin doctors, a look alike to the singer, a paparazzo photographer, and a criminal body guard all interacting like pinballs. Most of the book takes place in southern Florida. Laughs aplenty. It is book 6 in the Skink series and a solid 4 out of 5 stars
December 14, 2015
Carl Hiaasen still has it! I love this man's work, his voice, and his style of writing so much, I cannot even tell you! this book was another amazing ride through the satirical life of Hiaasen's characters, and one that I will gladly go through again and again. I hated to see this book end, and I cannot wait for the next book to come out!
August 19, 2017
Teen pop sensation Cherry Pye is about to release a comeback CD – her second. Her entire future is riding on its success, however her partying is getting in the way of preparing for the tour. In fact, her family has hired Ann DeLusia, a look alike, to fool the paparazzi. Unfortunately, for Ann, she’s about to be kidnapped. With everything spinning out of control, what will happen?
I’d been curious to try one of Carl Hiaasen’s books for a long time, and when I needed an audio book, I decided this was the best chance. Sadly, I didn’t care for it. Outside of Ann, there weren’t any sympathetic characters. Oh, I get that we are supposed to find them crazy, especially with how whacky some of them are, but I did. Especially since several of them were self-destructing before our eyes. The plot was interesting enough to pull me in, but the characters got on my nerves. I won’t be revisiting this author.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’d been curious to try one of Carl Hiaasen’s books for a long time, and when I needed an audio book, I decided this was the best chance. Sadly, I didn’t care for it. Outside of Ann, there weren’t any sympathetic characters. Oh, I get that we are supposed to find them crazy, especially with how whacky some of them are, but I did. Especially since several of them were self-destructing before our eyes. The plot was interesting enough to pull me in, but the characters got on my nerves. I won’t be revisiting this author.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 5, 2020
Hiaasen’s are just what we need to get us through these testy time. Snarky, swarmy, and highly spiced, they entertain above and beyond. Always great dialogue from in-depth characters that all connect somewhere along the pages. Hooting good time.
I want to meet Skink
I want to meet Skink
December 15, 2017
A ludicrous and outlandish story about a starlet with no talent
and with a suicidal drug habit. In this book, the reader meets some real scum bags. It would be otherwise pathetic but author turns it into a hilarious send up laced with biting sarcasm. If found myself laughing to tears on many occasions listening to this book. The narrator does a fantastic job nailing the character voices and impeccable timing with the humor.
The main plot of the story is a young woman who managed to make it to stardom by the illusion created to public by her parents, publicists and promoter as being a singer/entertainer. She actually has no talent. She lip syncs her music and just acts outlandish. She just happens to be good-looking and has no moral values when it comes to sex and drugs. To keep her propped up her "handlers" hired an actress (Ann) double looks amazingly like the starlet (Cherry Pie). The main difference between them in appearance is that Ann doesn't have green eyes. Ann stands in
for Cherry when she is indisposed with drug overdoses and to put out a false trail for the paparazzi.
Enter in the paprazzi particularly one named Abbott who has almost obsessive interest in photographing Cherry in a compromised place yeilding a high dollar "money shot" for the tabloids and media. It is hard for me to be sure the great lengths paparazzi go through to get a picture is made up or real. I imagine some the antics described in the book has some factual basis. In any case, this is just another colorful aspect to a zany story.
Star Island is a book that also features a reoccurring character called Skink. Skink is an ecological wild man vigilante who has unique way dealing rich slime balls who want to destroy his precious Florida environment and wildlife. Skink is also a former state governor and decorated Vietnam veteran. He gave it all up to live in the swamp. A subplot in the story is how Skink deals with a real estate scam artist who wants to build condos where a wild mangrove swamp currently exits.
All these characters and story elements add up to a tremendously entertaining, funny (albiet a bit on the crude side) and surprisingly interesting story.
and with a suicidal drug habit. In this book, the reader meets some real scum bags. It would be otherwise pathetic but author turns it into a hilarious send up laced with biting sarcasm. If found myself laughing to tears on many occasions listening to this book. The narrator does a fantastic job nailing the character voices and impeccable timing with the humor.
The main plot of the story is a young woman who managed to make it to stardom by the illusion created to public by her parents, publicists and promoter as being a singer/entertainer. She actually has no talent. She lip syncs her music and just acts outlandish. She just happens to be good-looking and has no moral values when it comes to sex and drugs. To keep her propped up her "handlers" hired an actress (Ann) double looks amazingly like the starlet (Cherry Pie). The main difference between them in appearance is that Ann doesn't have green eyes. Ann stands in
for Cherry when she is indisposed with drug overdoses and to put out a false trail for the paparazzi.
Enter in the paprazzi particularly one named Abbott who has almost obsessive interest in photographing Cherry in a compromised place yeilding a high dollar "money shot" for the tabloids and media. It is hard for me to be sure the great lengths paparazzi go through to get a picture is made up or real. I imagine some the antics described in the book has some factual basis. In any case, this is just another colorful aspect to a zany story.
Star Island is a book that also features a reoccurring character called Skink. Skink is an ecological wild man vigilante who has unique way dealing rich slime balls who want to destroy his precious Florida environment and wildlife. Skink is also a former state governor and decorated Vietnam veteran. He gave it all up to live in the swamp. A subplot in the story is how Skink deals with a real estate scam artist who wants to build condos where a wild mangrove swamp currently exits.
All these characters and story elements add up to a tremendously entertaining, funny (albiet a bit on the crude side) and surprisingly interesting story.
August 10, 2011
This is the first Carl Hiaasen book I've read, and I didn't really enjoy it. I could tell that it was meant to be a biting satire of the celebrity world and our society's obsession with it, but I just found all the characters and situations so ridiculously over the top that it did not appeal to me at all. Even the names were over the top: Cherry Pye, Ann DeLucia, Chemo, that country singer Presley Aaron, who I guess was a nod to Elvis.
I enjoy a story that has interesting characters that I can identify with. Unfortunately, the characters in this book were more like caricatures - there was little depth or complexity to them. I didn't have sympathy for a single one of them - they were mostly people of questionable or no morals just out for money, fame, or power; or they were just crazy.
On the positive end, the plot moves along at a swift pace, so it kept my interest, but for me it just didn't make up for the unlikeable characters or the over the top scenarios.
If this is a typical Hiaasen novel, I think I'll be passing up on his books in the future.
I enjoy a story that has interesting characters that I can identify with. Unfortunately, the characters in this book were more like caricatures - there was little depth or complexity to them. I didn't have sympathy for a single one of them - they were mostly people of questionable or no morals just out for money, fame, or power; or they were just crazy.
On the positive end, the plot moves along at a swift pace, so it kept my interest, but for me it just didn't make up for the unlikeable characters or the over the top scenarios.
If this is a typical Hiaasen novel, I think I'll be passing up on his books in the future.
May 4, 2018
Hiaansen takes aim at the glitterati and the paparazzi in this sixth novel starring Skink. Cherry Pye, a young rock start with all of the troubles of Lindsey Lohan and Brittany Spears, kicks things off as she is struggling with an overdose. Like usual, her entourage is preparing to get her treatment on the downlow. One of the things that makes that easier than you would think is the fact that she has a double. Cherry doesn't know anything about AnnDeLusia, but Ann has gotten her out of no shortage of sticky situations, particularly when Cherry is too wasted to gout in public.
Bang Abbott is a paparazzo who used to be a respected journalist. In fact, he once received a Pulitzer Prize fgor his photojournalism. Unfortunately, that resulted in infamy when there proved to be controversy surrounding the photo in question. That is when he turned to covering celebrities, and he proved to be quite good at it. One of his primary targets is Cherry, which is not totally separate from his obsession with her.
As with most of Hiaasen's books, thinks take a bizarre turn. This time it happens when Ann ends up unintentionally kidnapped by Abbott, who is really hoping to capture Cherry in the hopes of getting some pictures (and special time with the pop star) that will change his career and his life. One would think that Cherry's entrouage would be there for Ann as well, but that doesn't go as planned. Some of that is due to the real bizarre people who make the entourage up:
*the ultimate stage mom
*a dad who only stays involved because of her money
*a record producer who puts his career before the needs of his clients
*a pair of bizarre twins who are her publicists
*A body guard with a weed whacker for one of his hands.
Thankfully, Ann is not totally on her own. After a run-in with former-governor-turned -ecowarrior turned Skink at the beginning of the novel, Ann does seem to have a secret ally that is out to try and save her.
This was actually a pretty fun read. It definitely does a great job of highlighting the horrors of the celebrity gossip industry in all of its evilness. With that said, it is all done with no shortage of fun along the way.
Bang Abbott is a paparazzo who used to be a respected journalist. In fact, he once received a Pulitzer Prize fgor his photojournalism. Unfortunately, that resulted in infamy when there proved to be controversy surrounding the photo in question. That is when he turned to covering celebrities, and he proved to be quite good at it. One of his primary targets is Cherry, which is not totally separate from his obsession with her.
As with most of Hiaasen's books, thinks take a bizarre turn. This time it happens when Ann ends up unintentionally kidnapped by Abbott, who is really hoping to capture Cherry in the hopes of getting some pictures (and special time with the pop star) that will change his career and his life. One would think that Cherry's entrouage would be there for Ann as well, but that doesn't go as planned. Some of that is due to the real bizarre people who make the entourage up:
*the ultimate stage mom
*a dad who only stays involved because of her money
*a record producer who puts his career before the needs of his clients
*a pair of bizarre twins who are her publicists
*A body guard with a weed whacker for one of his hands.
Thankfully, Ann is not totally on her own. After a run-in with former-governor-turned -ecowarrior turned Skink at the beginning of the novel, Ann does seem to have a secret ally that is out to try and save her.
This was actually a pretty fun read. It definitely does a great job of highlighting the horrors of the celebrity gossip industry in all of its evilness. With that said, it is all done with no shortage of fun along the way.
February 26, 2013
If you've never read Hiaasen before, then you need to understand: this is exactly what he does. he does not hold back, he ramps up the zany to just short of implausible, he takes no prisoners, and he runs the filth all the way up to 11.
And it's almost always a heck of a lot of fun.
This time out he's got his vicious pen focused right at celebrity culture, paparazzi, the excess of the manufactured and useless people and he loads up on all of them with unrelenting glee. You get all of the horrible archtypes: the sleazy and gross paparazzi, the drugged out and slutty pop star, the stupid and venal parent-managers-leeches, the amoral producer, cold-hearted publicists, etc. And since it's Hiaasen, you also have at least one good guy, a few stone killers, and Skink (the unhinged former Gov. of Florida who has been living in the swamps for the past 30 odd years)
Damn skippy it's fun.
It's a bit more predictable than some of Hiaasen's work, and honestly the targets are a little too easy to be as much fun as they should be. Plus, most of them are such vile people they can't really get what they deserve.
But it's still a hoot and fun to read. Hiaasen knows how to set up a scene and create fascinating characters that should be ludicrous except for that he somehow shades it back across the line to plausible. It's a testament to his skill as a writer that you can get sucked into this world of insanity and buy that it really could all work this way.
And it's almost always a heck of a lot of fun.
This time out he's got his vicious pen focused right at celebrity culture, paparazzi, the excess of the manufactured and useless people and he loads up on all of them with unrelenting glee. You get all of the horrible archtypes: the sleazy and gross paparazzi, the drugged out and slutty pop star, the stupid and venal parent-managers-leeches, the amoral producer, cold-hearted publicists, etc. And since it's Hiaasen, you also have at least one good guy, a few stone killers, and Skink (the unhinged former Gov. of Florida who has been living in the swamps for the past 30 odd years)
Damn skippy it's fun.
It's a bit more predictable than some of Hiaasen's work, and honestly the targets are a little too easy to be as much fun as they should be. Plus, most of them are such vile people they can't really get what they deserve.
But it's still a hoot and fun to read. Hiaasen knows how to set up a scene and create fascinating characters that should be ludicrous except for that he somehow shades it back across the line to plausible. It's a testament to his skill as a writer that you can get sucked into this world of insanity and buy that it really could all work this way.
February 14, 2021
I was in the mood for some laughs and loony tunes escapades. So Carl Hiaasen came to mind. Having enjoyed several of his novels, I had high hopes.
Well, although those hopes were not completely dashed, they were somewhat defeated. Star Island did offer the hijinks that I’d hoped for, but the story seemed disjointed and repetitive. I liked his skewering of celebrity and thought he could have done a better job keeping that tightly woven in the story. But there were just too many needlessly repetitive jokes, making me glance ahead to see how many more pages remained. Never a good sign.
Still, if laughter is that which you seek, you can find it here, especially if you are a fan of this author.
Well, although those hopes were not completely dashed, they were somewhat defeated. Star Island did offer the hijinks that I’d hoped for, but the story seemed disjointed and repetitive. I liked his skewering of celebrity and thought he could have done a better job keeping that tightly woven in the story. But there were just too many needlessly repetitive jokes, making me glance ahead to see how many more pages remained. Never a good sign.
Still, if laughter is that which you seek, you can find it here, especially if you are a fan of this author.
April 20, 2019
A laugh filled biting satire on Americas befuddling obsession with no talent singers who become alcoholics and drug addicts and their money hungry parents. The father of the singer sums up his feelings on p 201, "his daughter was a simpleton, shallow as a thimble." But he never gets her the help she needs. Throw in a body guard with a weed eater for an arm, the crazy paparazzo system and the guffaws never stop- Highly recommended !!
January 21, 2018
Hiaasen is always good for laughs while taking on the wackiness in Florida.
May 24, 2022
STAR ISLAND
Carl Hiaasen
Well, another quirky book by Mr. Hiaasen that stars Skink, the unhinged former governor of Florida living wild in a mangrove swamp. This one also stars Ms. Cherry Pye, a spoiled pop star who is living life pretty high, and her secret double Annie DeLusia who is always more than willing to step in and help out Cherry when she has lived too much life. Until Annie is accidentally kidnapped by paparazzo Bang Abbott who thought he had Cherry. The book is a hilarious spin on how the elite lives their life.
As always, this was an enjoyable read, quite a quirky look at some serious problems.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Carl Hiaasen
Well, another quirky book by Mr. Hiaasen that stars Skink, the unhinged former governor of Florida living wild in a mangrove swamp. This one also stars Ms. Cherry Pye, a spoiled pop star who is living life pretty high, and her secret double Annie DeLusia who is always more than willing to step in and help out Cherry when she has lived too much life. Until Annie is accidentally kidnapped by paparazzo Bang Abbott who thought he had Cherry. The book is a hilarious spin on how the elite lives their life.
As always, this was an enjoyable read, quite a quirky look at some serious problems.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
January 9, 2012
What can I say? When it comes to Carl Hiaasen, things go better with Skink. Star Island is no exception. The somewhat deranged ex-governor is one of the few characters with which, as a reader, I can feel an affinity or any empathy. Although I can’t imagine submerging myself in an alligator-infested swamp to avoid State Troopers or living in a campsite structured around the rusting hulk of a NASCAR automobile, I am attracted to the idea that this marvelous character abdicated his role in society and struck off for the ultimate libertarian lifestyle where he writes his law in actions rather than words. To be honest, one never really knows what kind of justice Skink plans to perpetrate whenever he makes an appearance and his multiple (and very welcome) epiphanies in this novel provide for fascinating chaos and usually justice of the poetic kind.
Hiaasen, a former journalist himself, populates his novels with an assortment of crooked real estate developers (but I wax redundant here), dishonest politicians (I seem to be using a lot of unnecessary adjectives), stoned and stupid celebrities (again with the repetition?), and greedy slimeballs (the main protagonist in Star Island, a paparazzo, comes to mind, as do the parents of a spoiled, lip-synching diva).
Stunt Island is, as one can probably summarize all of Hiaasen’s novels, a story of greed and revenge. In the context of the plot, the story navigates like a drunken celebrity through several story arcs of greed such that paparazzo Bang Abbott, former governor Clinton Tyree (aka “Skink”), and celebrity body double Annie DeLusia have to wreak their revenge on spoiled celebrities, exploitative land developers, and ungrateful clients. And, if their desires for revenge happen to converge, it’s all the better for the reader.
Star Island follows the descending career of a pop-star called Cherry Pye as she keeps fleeing her keepers for wanton orgiastic pleasures which, in turn, are so near to destroying her falsely inflated career that her handlers go to extreme (and cruelly hilarious) solutions. She doesn’t merely do drugs, she does them as indiscriminately as a pig eating slop. She’s like a person who brings her own jug wine to a winemaker’s dinner at a swanky restaurant. She doesn’t even realize some of the extreme means her handlers have had to go to in order to keep her career on track, including the body double who ends up kidnapped in her place.
The interesting new supporting character (and I’ll wager we’ll see him in future novels) is Chemo, the former mortgage writer who towers above mortal men, uses a weed whacker as his prosthetic, and has a skin condition that almost makes one ill to visualize it. Chemo was reputed to have helped one out-of-control musician take the straight and narrow (assuming that becoming a televangelist is “straight and narrow”). Chemo, however, seems to be the only one in the book that has a conscience, albeit said moral voice doesn’t always appear to be operating.
Star Island was funny in the same unnerving sense as it used to be to watch Andy Kaufman perform on Saturday Night Live. One never knew if his performance was going to leave one laughing out of control or simply feeling alienated and slightly nauseous. Great comedy has the capacity to do this. And, most of the way through Star Island, it is great comedy.
Hiaasen, a former journalist himself, populates his novels with an assortment of crooked real estate developers (but I wax redundant here), dishonest politicians (I seem to be using a lot of unnecessary adjectives), stoned and stupid celebrities (again with the repetition?), and greedy slimeballs (the main protagonist in Star Island, a paparazzo, comes to mind, as do the parents of a spoiled, lip-synching diva).
Stunt Island is, as one can probably summarize all of Hiaasen’s novels, a story of greed and revenge. In the context of the plot, the story navigates like a drunken celebrity through several story arcs of greed such that paparazzo Bang Abbott, former governor Clinton Tyree (aka “Skink”), and celebrity body double Annie DeLusia have to wreak their revenge on spoiled celebrities, exploitative land developers, and ungrateful clients. And, if their desires for revenge happen to converge, it’s all the better for the reader.
Star Island follows the descending career of a pop-star called Cherry Pye as she keeps fleeing her keepers for wanton orgiastic pleasures which, in turn, are so near to destroying her falsely inflated career that her handlers go to extreme (and cruelly hilarious) solutions. She doesn’t merely do drugs, she does them as indiscriminately as a pig eating slop. She’s like a person who brings her own jug wine to a winemaker’s dinner at a swanky restaurant. She doesn’t even realize some of the extreme means her handlers have had to go to in order to keep her career on track, including the body double who ends up kidnapped in her place.
The interesting new supporting character (and I’ll wager we’ll see him in future novels) is Chemo, the former mortgage writer who towers above mortal men, uses a weed whacker as his prosthetic, and has a skin condition that almost makes one ill to visualize it. Chemo was reputed to have helped one out-of-control musician take the straight and narrow (assuming that becoming a televangelist is “straight and narrow”). Chemo, however, seems to be the only one in the book that has a conscience, albeit said moral voice doesn’t always appear to be operating.
Star Island was funny in the same unnerving sense as it used to be to watch Andy Kaufman perform on Saturday Night Live. One never knew if his performance was going to leave one laughing out of control or simply feeling alienated and slightly nauseous. Great comedy has the capacity to do this. And, most of the way through Star Island, it is great comedy.
October 26, 2010
Okay, the reason many people, myself and my wife included, read Hiaasen's mysteries is because he creates interesting, often unique, characters, his writing is seriously funny, and he often addresses human stupidity, crassness, scams, and ecological issues. His writing is also light and fast to read. The stories vary in their complexity, but that is not usually the overriding point in selecting to read a Hiaasen mystery.
That said, Star Island, has all of the good points noted above. Fun characters, whether they were nice or not, interesting situations, and interesting dynamics between the characters. It basically revolves around the machinations to keep a vacuous, teen-age singer who is a cross between Lindsy Lohan and Amy Winehouse (but with virtually no singing ability) from totally crashing before a new tour and CD. A murder or two occurs, but they are entirely peripheral to the plot. For those who read Hiasson, the always enjoyable "governor" has a limited role.
It's a usual good Hiassen read until the end when he seems to have gotten tired of writing the book and quickly and unsatisfyingly dribbles out the last chapter. And what happens to all the protagonists is wrapped up in a series of vignettes in an Epilog. So, disappointing in the end, but, otherwise, a fun Hiasson read.
That said, Star Island, has all of the good points noted above. Fun characters, whether they were nice or not, interesting situations, and interesting dynamics between the characters. It basically revolves around the machinations to keep a vacuous, teen-age singer who is a cross between Lindsy Lohan and Amy Winehouse (but with virtually no singing ability) from totally crashing before a new tour and CD. A murder or two occurs, but they are entirely peripheral to the plot. For those who read Hiasson, the always enjoyable "governor" has a limited role.
It's a usual good Hiassen read until the end when he seems to have gotten tired of writing the book and quickly and unsatisfyingly dribbles out the last chapter. And what happens to all the protagonists is wrapped up in a series of vignettes in an Epilog. So, disappointing in the end, but, otherwise, a fun Hiasson read.
October 18, 2010
Carl Hiaasen creates memorable characters, weaves a farcicial plot, and continues to share his love for Florida's vanishing wetlands and wild places. Cherry Pye is a teenage talentless celebrity who's gone off the rails with drugs and alcohol. Her parents have hired Anna DeLuisa, a body double and actress, to take Cherry's place at publicity events when Cherry is too trashed to make an appearance. Claude Abbott is a paparazzo trying to get the money-maker shot. Enter Chemo, Cherry's new body guard who's arm was chewed off by a barracuda. His prothesis is a weed-whacker and he takes his mission to keep Cherry clean seriously. Clyde Tyree, aka Skink, is a former Florida governor who walked off the job one day to live in the Everglade and singlehandly tries to get revenge on those who try to despoil the vanishing Florida landscape. The lives of all these characters get tangled up when Anna has a car accident and she's rescued by Skink who holds up a real estate developer's tour. After she gets back to Miami safely, Anna then gets mistaken for Cherry and is promptly kidnapped by Claude. The complications that ensue kept me giggling. If you've never read Carl Hiaasen, you're in for a treat.
February 6, 2011
Carl Hiaasen is one of my favorite writers and while Star Islands fits Hiaasen's normal formula, wacky characters in ridiculous circumstances somewhere in the wilds of South Florida, this story lacked heart.
Characters from previous books are brought back and save the story. Chemo, last seen in Skinny Dip and if you haven't read it, read it before Star Island or Chemo's place in this story and his unusual appendage don't make sense and Skinny Dip, it's Hiaasen at his absolute best.
Skink, the former governor of Florida, once again gets his revenge on a corrupt Florida developer and happens to be the best part of the book, unfortunately it happens early and we are left with a bunch of shallow major players who this reader hoped would all die a quick and painful deaths so that more pages could be devoted to Skink and his attempts to save Florida and her environment from greedy developers.
I'm sad to say that even Skink has lost of bit of his edge.
Cherry Pye, her parents, the Larks, are missing from this review because they are not worth mentioning. Unfortunately these characters get way too much page time.
I feel bad only giving Star Island three stars but in all honesty had it not been for Skink the story wouldn't have rated two stars.
Characters from previous books are brought back and save the story. Chemo, last seen in Skinny Dip and if you haven't read it, read it before Star Island or Chemo's place in this story and his unusual appendage don't make sense and Skinny Dip, it's Hiaasen at his absolute best.
Skink, the former governor of Florida, once again gets his revenge on a corrupt Florida developer and happens to be the best part of the book, unfortunately it happens early and we are left with a bunch of shallow major players who this reader hoped would all die a quick and painful deaths so that more pages could be devoted to Skink and his attempts to save Florida and her environment from greedy developers.
I'm sad to say that even Skink has lost of bit of his edge.
Cherry Pye, her parents, the Larks, are missing from this review because they are not worth mentioning. Unfortunately these characters get way too much page time.
I feel bad only giving Star Island three stars but in all honesty had it not been for Skink the story wouldn't have rated two stars.
August 9, 2019
I picked up my copy of this novel at an author signing in Manhattan on 7/27/10. I know this for certain because Mr. Hiaasen dated his autograph. I have a vague recollection of someone asking him during the QnA before the signing where he gets his ideas. He may have simply brought the subject up himself. But his reply was along the lines that living in Florida supplies him with more ideas than he can ever use- and for that I am thankful- keep the novels coming CH! I also remember mentioning to Mr. Hiaasen, this while he inscribed my copy, that Tool (Skinny Dip) was still out there. On that topic he agreed and said, “Yes, he is still out there.” And for that, I remain hopeful.
June 8, 2022
Star Island isn’t one of Carl Hiaasen’s best books, but it’s still funny and very readable.
This time the target of Hiaasen’s satirical eye is talentless celebrities and those who work to keep them popular by lying, fabricating and obfuscating. The talentless singer in this case is teenage Cherry Pye, whose parents employ an actress called Ann as a double to stand in as a decoy or fake presence whenever Cherry is too drugged, drunk or otherwise incapable to appear in reality. The plot is the usual Hiaasen mayhem, with sleazy, deluded paparazzi, homicidal bodyguards, kidnappings, fake kidnappings...and, of course, the Captain.
I think my reservations are really that, apart from Ann, there are almost no decent characters to stand against the scumbags and that the Captain is not in his natural element in the swamps, but negotiating the big, bad city, which doesn’t work so well for me.
That said, it’s still great fun. Even Hiaasen not at his very best is still well worth reading and I can recommend Star Island.
This time the target of Hiaasen’s satirical eye is talentless celebrities and those who work to keep them popular by lying, fabricating and obfuscating. The talentless singer in this case is teenage Cherry Pye, whose parents employ an actress called Ann as a double to stand in as a decoy or fake presence whenever Cherry is too drugged, drunk or otherwise incapable to appear in reality. The plot is the usual Hiaasen mayhem, with sleazy, deluded paparazzi, homicidal bodyguards, kidnappings, fake kidnappings...and, of course, the Captain.
I think my reservations are really that, apart from Ann, there are almost no decent characters to stand against the scumbags and that the Captain is not in his natural element in the swamps, but negotiating the big, bad city, which doesn’t work so well for me.
That said, it’s still great fun. Even Hiaasen not at his very best is still well worth reading and I can recommend Star Island.
October 2, 2022
Like most books by Carl Hiaasen, this is a wild ride, full of eccentric characters. A famous singer doesn’t really have much talent, but who makes up for it with spoiled self destructive tendencies. A bodyguard with a weed eater attached to his arm (where his hand used to be. An obsessive paparazzi who will do anything to get a picture he can sell. A likeable actress who has to stand in for said singer who has her work cut out for her. A mysterious hermit who claims to have once been the Governor of Florida, and a host of sleazy low life hangers on complete the ensemble.
What could possibly go right?
I highly recommend this one!
What could possibly go right?
I highly recommend this one!
July 16, 2025
who came first: skink or the florida man
April 17, 2022
carl hiaasen never disappoints! this book was funny and investing, i loved ann’s character and wit. definitely recommend!
December 22, 2019
Light and fluffy (which is just right for certain times), hilarious but with social commentary on the cult of celebrity and Florida (Hiaasen's specialty). Fun and funny!
March 11, 2011
Lauded for the past two decades as the quintessential Florida writer, Carl Hiaasen didn't have any competition for a long, long time. There were a few other locals toiling on the edges of obscurity. Some guy in Tampa named Tim Dorsey trying to gain traction with a sociopathic serial killer named Serge Storms as a main character. A little farther south, near Sanibel, a gent by the name of Randy Wayne White was beginning to flex his literary muscles with a character, Doc Ford, who must have been the illegitimate half brother of Travis McGee. Then there always has been Elmore Leonard, but he's not a true Florida guy.
So for nigh on 20 years, Carl Hiaasen has ruled the roost as King of the Quirky Tropical Novel. Heck, I was introduced to the concept when I stumbled across Strip Tease in 1993, about the same time I figured out who Jimmy Buffet was. For a solid ten-year stretch there was no better day than when a new Hiaasen release hit the shelves. In my humble opinion, no writer had ever quite captured the sheer weirdness of the state and then managed to translate it into mass consumption.
Having taken two full paragraphs to say I love the man's work, his latest release, Star Island, sees the great man slipping back to the pack a bit. In my humble opinion, his adult work has been in decline for a period of time that squarely coincides with his decision to alternate young adult books. Can't blame the guy that he now has a family and kids and feels pulled in different direction, but the change clearly shows in the writing. It seems the edge has been worn slightly thin. In the old days, readers could rely upon at least one character worth liking while the crazed cast of whackos and misfits went about their daily business.
With Star Island, I hate to say, I'm still trying to find a character to like. The closest I can come is the giant, ex-con with the bad complexion and weed whacker limb prosthetic, Chemo. At least he sees the vapid, little twits around him for what they are. Perhaps the greatest failing with Star Island is the subject matter. Is there anything remotely interesting about the tabloid subjects and paparazzi who follow them? I can't even generate any genuine dislike - I simply don't care enough to hate. Even the reliable ex-governor turned swamp rat, Skink, seems to only be going through the motions in this tale.
Mr. Hiassen was at the top of his game when he was killing tourists, eviscerating Disney, exposing pro bass tour corruption, and chasing down lottery winners. Star Island seems sort of, beneath him, though King Carl operating at 75% is better than most writers running ahead at full steam. The vicious and hilarious turns of phrase are still there, as is the spot-on dialogue, and strange twists. The only problem is - who really cares about these people? Judging from the Amazon reviews, which are running at about 3.5 / 5, I'm not the only one slightly underimpressed.
Come on, Carl. Give up the kiddie books. They're killing your bread and butter.
So for nigh on 20 years, Carl Hiaasen has ruled the roost as King of the Quirky Tropical Novel. Heck, I was introduced to the concept when I stumbled across Strip Tease in 1993, about the same time I figured out who Jimmy Buffet was. For a solid ten-year stretch there was no better day than when a new Hiaasen release hit the shelves. In my humble opinion, no writer had ever quite captured the sheer weirdness of the state and then managed to translate it into mass consumption.
Having taken two full paragraphs to say I love the man's work, his latest release, Star Island, sees the great man slipping back to the pack a bit. In my humble opinion, his adult work has been in decline for a period of time that squarely coincides with his decision to alternate young adult books. Can't blame the guy that he now has a family and kids and feels pulled in different direction, but the change clearly shows in the writing. It seems the edge has been worn slightly thin. In the old days, readers could rely upon at least one character worth liking while the crazed cast of whackos and misfits went about their daily business.
With Star Island, I hate to say, I'm still trying to find a character to like. The closest I can come is the giant, ex-con with the bad complexion and weed whacker limb prosthetic, Chemo. At least he sees the vapid, little twits around him for what they are. Perhaps the greatest failing with Star Island is the subject matter. Is there anything remotely interesting about the tabloid subjects and paparazzi who follow them? I can't even generate any genuine dislike - I simply don't care enough to hate. Even the reliable ex-governor turned swamp rat, Skink, seems to only be going through the motions in this tale.
Mr. Hiassen was at the top of his game when he was killing tourists, eviscerating Disney, exposing pro bass tour corruption, and chasing down lottery winners. Star Island seems sort of, beneath him, though King Carl operating at 75% is better than most writers running ahead at full steam. The vicious and hilarious turns of phrase are still there, as is the spot-on dialogue, and strange twists. The only problem is - who really cares about these people? Judging from the Amazon reviews, which are running at about 3.5 / 5, I'm not the only one slightly underimpressed.
Come on, Carl. Give up the kiddie books. They're killing your bread and butter.
May 30, 2012
Carl Hiaasen returns to form by switching up. Star Island gives the author's despoliation-of-Florida theme a rest by providing him with another target for his considerable store of outrage: pop celebrity.
The chief offender is Cheryl "Cherry Pye" Bunterman, a teenage Britney manque with a singing voice "like a sack of starving kittens" and a dysfunctional entourage that enables (and covers up) her many assaults on common sense. Her perfect foil is overweight, self-deluded paparazzo Bing Abbott. Together, they'll make you fear for the future of the species.
Hiaasen has plowed this turf before (ten years ago, in Basket Case), but here he lets out the stops. He doesn't need to condemn Cherry, her clueless parents, conniving twin PR gurus, or the "maggot mob" of paparazzi; he simply gets out of their way and through pitch-perfect portraits lets them hang themselves with their own words and actions. A few stock Hiaasen characters show up -- the grotesque sociopathic thug, the venal real-estate developer -- but at least there's no obvious stand-in for the author, which relieves the plot of some of the fantasy wish-fulfillment tropes that have marred some of his more recent works.
Star Island is crazy, profane, nasty fun. If you've had your fill of reality-TV "personalities" and marginally talented "entertainers", you should enjoy watching them get skewered in this book. If you're already a Hiaasen fan, you'll enjoy seeing him break out of his formula and regain his satirical mojo. Either way, enjoy the ride.
The chief offender is Cheryl "Cherry Pye" Bunterman, a teenage Britney manque with a singing voice "like a sack of starving kittens" and a dysfunctional entourage that enables (and covers up) her many assaults on common sense. Her perfect foil is overweight, self-deluded paparazzo Bing Abbott. Together, they'll make you fear for the future of the species.
Hiaasen has plowed this turf before (ten years ago, in Basket Case), but here he lets out the stops. He doesn't need to condemn Cherry, her clueless parents, conniving twin PR gurus, or the "maggot mob" of paparazzi; he simply gets out of their way and through pitch-perfect portraits lets them hang themselves with their own words and actions. A few stock Hiaasen characters show up -- the grotesque sociopathic thug, the venal real-estate developer -- but at least there's no obvious stand-in for the author, which relieves the plot of some of the fantasy wish-fulfillment tropes that have marred some of his more recent works.
Star Island is crazy, profane, nasty fun. If you've had your fill of reality-TV "personalities" and marginally talented "entertainers", you should enjoy watching them get skewered in this book. If you're already a Hiaasen fan, you'll enjoy seeing him break out of his formula and regain his satirical mojo. Either way, enjoy the ride.
October 31, 2014
It's been a very long time since I first read Tourist Season, but Hiaasen's viciousness towards the venal and corrupt stupid infesting his beloved Florida has not abated one bit. Now his ire is focused on wild celebrities and the people who prey on them. No, it's not really Hiaasen at his best, but it's a polished, scabrous romp through a particularly repulsive underbelly.
We have a corpulent, sweaty paparazzi; a spoiled, out-of-control, barely talented pop star; her put-upon stand-in whose existence she is blissfully unaware of; her mother, who thinks all her drug-overdoses are food-poisoning; her skeevy manager; her plastic PR people and her ex-con, facially disfigured, cattle-prod wielding bodyguard. When the paparazzo accidentally kidnaps the stand-in, she has to be gotten back without alerting the police or the pop-star.
And so a weird, dysfunctional farce begins, wherein the disfigured sociopath with the weed-strimmer for a hand is one of the more sympathetic characters. It's funny, well-written, on-target, and if it's not quite as wild and weird as you might want it to be, well it's still a lot of fun.
We have a corpulent, sweaty paparazzi; a spoiled, out-of-control, barely talented pop star; her put-upon stand-in whose existence she is blissfully unaware of; her mother, who thinks all her drug-overdoses are food-poisoning; her skeevy manager; her plastic PR people and her ex-con, facially disfigured, cattle-prod wielding bodyguard. When the paparazzo accidentally kidnaps the stand-in, she has to be gotten back without alerting the police or the pop-star.
And so a weird, dysfunctional farce begins, wherein the disfigured sociopath with the weed-strimmer for a hand is one of the more sympathetic characters. It's funny, well-written, on-target, and if it's not quite as wild and weird as you might want it to be, well it's still a lot of fun.
October 7, 2010
Although this latest outing from Carl Hiaasen is not as biting as his earlier books, he still packs more humor than many other comedy writers. His experience as a reporter in Miami has provided a wealth of material and lowdown characters to adapt into his storylines, and where this one unfortunately falls short is that there is no real villain of the caliber we've come to expect between his pages. He's admitted that he couldn't make up some of his bad guys, that he lifts some ideas right out of the police files. But in this book he returns to his primary passion of the rape of Florida's natural world, with his one and only recurring character, Clinton "Skink" Tyree, renegade former governor and Viet Nam vet, once again performing his own brand of vengence on unscrupulous developers. The idealization of pop stars and price for fame is an easy target, and Hiaasen handles it with his usual skill and hilarity. If this book doesn't rollick as much as his earlier ones, it is only because he is one writer who fails on a level higher than some writers attain at their peak.
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