It is Barry - it is Florida - it is INSANE!

Where does Insane City rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the funniest stories I have ever had the pleasure to hear! Laugh outloud-funny!

What did you like best about this story?

You never know what is going to happen next- and likely, you could never even guess. Certainly, there is some crudeness and a good bit of cussing (not gratuitous-it all is appropriate for the characters and to what is happening in the story), but, in typical Dave Barry style, it's all worth it! The reading is just fine. If you have heard Dave Barry speak or read his own material, it is no different. He reads matter-of-factly, letting the humor of the phrasing and the insane storyline make you laugh. The characters, their names and personalities, the situations in which they get involved and embroiled and entangled, are the usual wonderful products of Dave Barry's creative comedic mind. And, best of all, this funny and suspenseful, zany book is full of happy endings.

What about Dave Barry and The Gza ’s performance did you like?

Dave Barry did a very good job. The storyline worked well with his rather matter-of-fact style. (The Gza? Never heard him on here.)

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

When Megan kissed Trevor and Trevor, though seriously wounded, followed her.

Any additional comments?

If you like Dave Barry, you will like this book. It is Barry - it is Florida - it is INSANE!!!!!

8 people found this helpful

Dave Barry never disappoints

Usually I try to buy audio books which last several hours - by several I mean more than 15, and if an audiobook is only 15 hours it better be really good. The first time I ever heard a Dave Barry book (Tricky Business) was almost 10 years ago, back when I still used CDs to listen to them. I was driving from Miami (that's why I bought the Dave Barry audiobook) to Iowa with my teenaged daughter.

I had no problem with staying awake while I was listening to it. There were very few minutes of that book which didn't have us crying with laughter. I never thought that I would find a scene with people throwing up so hysterically funny.

But of course, when you haven't listened to an author for a while, you're not sure if it was really as funny as you remembered. Also, they're REALLY short.

But last week I needed something new to listen to while I exercise. Drawing upon past experience, and having faith in Dave Barry, I bought it and listened to it.

Oh, MAN!

Nobody, nobody writes books which have incredibly complicated and unusual plots and situations as Barry. And he is wise enough to keep most of his characters basically normal. Sometimes I wonder if he writes these books because someone dares him to write a novel including an orangutan, an albino boa constrictor, helicopters and a pirate ship.

If you haven't heard any of Barry's books, mazel tov! Audible has several more.

Oh and speaking of mazel tov, he's included retired Jewish parents with only one son and no other children. If my husband didn't have a brother I'd think he'd met my inlaws (they should rest in peace).

But I don't think they'd eat the brownies.

7 people found this helpful

Dave Barry Lives!

I had lost track of Dave Barry, so this was a pleasant surprise.

The BAD: You've read/seen/heard the bare outline of this plot a gazillion times before: the bachelor party just before the wedding that goes awry, the "perfect" wife-to-be, who isn't, the rich father of the bride who wants everything to be perfect for his beautiful daughter etc., and so the novel isn't all that surprising in that regard. These aren't spoilers: they just demonstrate that much of the structure of this novel is utterly predictable. And to some degree, the madcap antics in South Florida are reminiscent of Barry's fellow Floridian, Carl Hiaasen.

The GOOD: It IS Dave Barry, so when it gets funny, it gets VERY funny, laugh so hard the car is shaking funny. And more off-color than his newspaper columns, and appropriately so. I won't reveal the details of the funniest parts--they're what make it worthwhile. It's a bit like having a bunch of little Dave Barry newspaper columns that pop up unexpectedly in the middle of an ordinary novel. That's a good thing, And I would add that the stereotypical bachelor party novels/movies(and even Carl Hiaasen novels) don't feature an orangutan as a major character.

The DELIVERY: I don't know the narrator, but he's just right for this book.

5 people found this helpful

LOL

Would you listen to Insane City again? Why?

No but I'm not a repeater for any book BUT absolutly recommend this book to EVERYONE!

What did you like best about this story?

EVERYTHING!!! Kept me laughing...hijinx and suspens.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!!

Any additional comments?

Couldn't stop listening .... so sad when it was finished!

4 people found this helpful

Fun light comedy

Where does Insane City rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Best, but this is only my second audio book.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, loved guessing how the story was going to end.

Have you listened to any of Dave Barry and The Gza ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first Dave Barry audio book. Was a little disappointed to discover he's not narrating his prior novels. I hope he'll continue narrating his own.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listen to books during my commute to/from work. This one made me happy that traffic was backed up!

3 people found this helpful

Great If You Need A Good Laugh

I loved this book. Dave is great at writing humor, but his character development is excellent as well. He is a master at bringing together a zany group of mismatched characters and events and mixing them into a goofy but fascinating storyline. I highly recommend if you need some upbeat comedy in your life.

3 people found this helpful

Hilarious!

Any additional comments?

This book reminded me of the Hangover movies, but with a twist. I laughed out loud multiple times. Really enjoyed it!

2 people found this helpful

I liked Dave Barry's narration!

Any additional comments?

I'm surprised at the criticism of Dave Barry as a narrator. I thought he did a great job. Anyway, it's a fun story.

4 people found this helpful

Fun Story, needs a different narrator.

What did you love best about Insane City?

The comic send-up of the wedding industry, the super wealthy, Miami club scene and the consumption of "medical" pot brownies.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Dave, Dave, Dave, I adore your work but you, like most authors, should NOT read your own books, please let the voice actors do the job. It makes for a much better experience for the listener and, in this case, would add much to the comic potential for the book.

9 people found this helpful

Not Barry's best work.

I have loved Dave Barry's writing since I started reading his column syndicated in the Tampa Tribune as a kid. This book was slow moving and slapstick. I did not finish it. Would recommend literally anything else by Dave Barry over this book.

1 person found this helpful