Naked Came the Manatee

Couldn't put this book down; too many characters and too many Fidel Castro heads!

Carl writes better on his own. Every chapter is written by a different Floridian author. The story is lacking and a little hard to piece together. However, it is a great way to get a feel for some new authors.

I'm afraid I didn't "get" this as much as most other people did. I borrowed this book simply because I liked the idea of a story being written by a bunch of authors (though as I was reading it, I wondered if the authors first had an overall outline to adhere to, like 'Chap 1 is exposition, Chap 2 must be about finding the head... In Chap 6, so-and-so must die......more

I'm afraid I didn't "get" this as much as most other people did. I borrowed this book simply because I liked the idea of a story being written by a bunch of authors (though as I was reading it, I wondered if the authors first had an overall outline to adhere to, like 'Chap 1 is exposition, Chap 2 must be about finding the head... In Chap 6, so-and-so must die... In Chap 10, such-and-such must happen, etc.). I think also that one small reason I didn't latch on this book as delightfully as others is that one of the main characters is Fidel Castro, and for some reason, for me, once there is even a hint of non-fictitious politics, I become alienated. No, this book is not at all political. But, FOR ME, just having a real politician as one of the lead characters makes a difference in my involvement in the story. I suppose if I knew "Naked Came the Stranger", or if I knew at least some of the authors and their works, I would have enjoyed this book a lot more. I'm not saying I didn't like the book - it's great to have a thin book to read, for a change - but I certainly wasn't LOL-ing like some of the other reviewers said they were. I wish WAS able to appreciate the book like they did.   hide

A fun read if you appreciate the concept behind the writing.

It's been awhile since I read this . . . great concept. Authors write a chapter, then pass to the next author to carry on. I laughed so hard - - it was easy to imagine these guys passing along the manuscript and saying, "HA! Good luck with THAT!"

Just a fun little read by some of Florida's greatest writers.

This was a fantastic book! it was given to me as a gift and launched me into several new authors. Highly recommend this book

Read this for pure enjoyment, not literary merit! Imagine a book in which Dave Barry writes the first chapter, then twelve other very authors skilled authors have to write a chapter. Each author has to pick up the plot where the previous author left off. "Naked Came the Manatee" is hilarious, and it's the type of humorous thriller that could only take place in a state where the electric...more

Read this for pure enjoyment, not literary merit! Imagine a book in which Dave Barry writes the first chapter, then twelve other very authors skilled authors have to write a chapter. Each author has to pick up the plot where the previous author left off. "Naked Came the Manatee" is hilarious, and it's the type of humorous thriller that could only take place in a state where the electric chair is named "Old Sparky." It's quirky, it's funny, and it's hilarious. Don't take it to bed to read if you have a significant other, because you'll just keep them up with your laughter. Read it because you want to be entertained, and you won't be disappointed!    hide