Carl Hiaasen's second compilation of his Miami Herald columns continues to show the biting wit which is prevalent in his usually terrific novels.But my guess is that the first book of columns "Kick" was probably designed to be the Best of Hiaasen with no plans for a sequel.Thus the columns contained in "Paradise" are the second cut and thus just not as good, although they are enjoyable to read.Not as many idiotic South Florida politicians this time around, not as many idiotic citizens.I was also disappointed in the way he handled the Florida election fiasco for the 2000 Presidential election.This was a topic just made for his humor, but he chose to use his forum as a soapbox to get a recount and to get Al Gore elected (he doesn't say it, but it was pretty obvious to me).My hope is that he plans to use this as fodder for a future novel and thus wanted to save his material.Hiaasen is a great columnist.I live over 1,000 miles away from South Florida, but he gets his point across pretty well.It would have been nice if each story had a little afterword as to what ultimately happened to the people in the column (i.e. did the politician give up his $15,000 desk that was paid for with taxpayer money voluntarily).
Good for the Hiaasen completest, but the first book "Kick" is the better choice.
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