Where Is Joe Merchant? A Novel Tale by Jimmy Buffett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Where Is Joe Merchant? A Novel Tale
Book Review: Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I like Jimmy Buffett - I really do; and I wanted to like his book, Where is Joe Merchant? Unfortunately, the book wasn't very good. The plot was labored and the story itself did not hold my interest. It was not a good sign when midway through the book I couldn't care less if they found Joe Merchant or not. (The search for an allegedly deceased pop who is regularly sighted? Where have I seen THAT headline before?)While the hero, Frank Brown's mis-adventures were mildly entertaining, and the sly allusions to characters in old Buffett songs was clever, it was not enough for me give it a higher rating. As other reviewers have mentioned, perhaps Jimmy was trying too hard. Buffett's first effort at writing is by far the better book.
Book Review: Ouch.
Summary: 3 Stars
"Where is Joe Merchant" is a professional enough work, but one that doesn't have the wild inventiveness and manic spark of Carl Hiaasen's work or the sweet charm of Jimmy's other works. It's clearly an attempt to marry the two worlds, but if such an attempt can succeed (and I imagine someone will do it at some point), this book ain't it.In "Tales from Margaritaville," Jimmy showed that he understood the short story form, infusing his tales with characters and situations that also appear on the album "Off to See the Lizard." Lightning doesn't strike twice, though, with this work. The settings and characters seem forced rather than charming, which is a shame, as Jimmy is certainly capable of creating settings and characters to rival the TV shows "Northern Exposure" or "Ed." This time around, though, Jimmy fails to put such on paper.
This is only a book worth reading by the Parrothead completist.
Book Review: Carl Hiaasen he ain't...
Summary: 3 Stars
Sorry Parrothead fans everywhere. I found the book disjointed and the plot hard to follow. Buffett should stick to short stories and music. A novelist he's not. A sporting attempt, however. If you really like novels with whacked-out offbeat and oddball characters, I suggest trying Carl Hiaasen. Try "Stormy Weather" or "Tourist Season" for starters. Nobody depicts the wackiness of South Florida quite like Miami Herald columnist and novelist Hiaasen.Book Review: Let's not get carried away
Summary: 3 Stars
I've been looking at the reviews written by others and I have to believe people are carried away by their love of Jimmy Buffet. I wish I were him after reading A Pirate Looks at Fifty, and I wish I were him again now that I see how much everyone liked his book despite the fact that it was just average. I love the quick and easy type of 'light' reading where this book fits, but the plot was disconnected. At times I began to forget the fact that the book even had a plot. What I really did enjoy was living vicariously through the the characters in the Jimmy Buffet lifestyle. I also will admit to being surprised by the ending, whiich made the book enjoyable in the end. But the storyline itself was not that great. I continued reading just to stay close to the water and the airplane.Book Review: finding Joe Merchant
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I received this book from my 10 year old for mother's day and I am searching for Joe myself! My daughter is a parakeet as I am the true parrothead! I loved his book "A Pirate Looks at Fifty" and this one is very easy to fall into! Yes it is a good summer reading and beach book. Just try not forget to turn over while sunbathing! Could be painful!