In a message dated 1/15/01 2:49:59 AM,
blumenidiot@21stcentury.net writes:
<< It made me think of the Hiaasen book where the
villain winds up carrying a dead fish that that swallowed
much of his arm. I know both Willeford and Hiaasen worked for
the Miami Herald. Were they friendly enough that Willeford
helped Hiaasen in his first few books? Mark >>
No, it's something in the water here in South Florida. Carl's
first two books were co-written with William Montalbano,
another reporter, and were international intrigue or
something.
Then Carl found his own voice, the voice of a
relatively young native Floridian outraged at the changes
that had taken place here in his lifetime and the political
cynicism that makes the yellow bulldozer the state bird of
Florida. There's a hint of latter-day John D. MacDonald in
his outlook. Charles and Carl met only once, to my knowledge,
although safe to say they had great respect for one another.
Charles thought from the first that Carl's humor was way over
the top and at the same time that quality would bring him
considerable success. The University of Florida Presses or
the Universities of Florida Press has published a collection
of Carl's columns, under the fitting title "Kick Ass." And
Carl's nonfiction book "Team Rodent" about the life and times
of Disneyworld combines his journalistic skill and his gift
for antic descriptions. It's gratifying to see his commercial
success, but speaking as a Floridian, I believe his signal
contribution continues to be his journalism. Betsy
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 16 Jan 2001 EST