Nuclear Jellyfish by Tim Dorsey12/07/2008 10:25:13 PMLocation : Cleveland, OH
If you take a look at Amazon.com's Travel books for the State of Florida, you will mostly see books on Walt Disney World, beaches, and Key West. But I submit to you that if you want a real Florida travel book, you might want to consider any novel by Tim Dorsey. His main character, a serial killer with an insatiable appetite for all things Florida, will take to you sites that you won't find in those traditional travel books. And you will have plenty of laughs, which are very hard to find in any other "Florida Travel Guide." Of course, the Florida Chambers of Commerce may not like to see you using a Dorsey book for the basis of your visit.
I was fortunate to be given an advanced readers copy of Tim Dorsey's latest novel, Nuclear Jellyfish. For those of you unfamiliar with Dorsey or his main character, Serge A. Storms, these books are a whirlwind tour of famous and obscure Florida landmarks using a serial killer as your guide. While Serge is a killer, with extremely unique methods of dispatching people, he only kills people that deserve it. Usually. In Nuclear Jellyfish, we find that Serge has embraced the internet. He has created a travel web site and blog. He's been fired from many legitimate travel sites, so now he freelances. But for some reason, his reports from the road haven't gotten him any recognition or money. But that doesn't stop Serge and his sidekick, the always drunk or stoned Coleman; they continue to travel Florida in a two-tone Javelin. When he isn't filing his reviews or blogging, Serge is working on a children's book, enjoying some fame from a hit video on YouTube, and exterminating some very bad people. All the while, trying to stay a step ahead of a very dedicated police officer and a contract killer.
Tim Dorsey has so many things going on in one novel, it is hard to provide a synopsis, but the foundation is built around Serge.What have we here? Dishonest hotel operators and condominium salesmen, a fight between stamp and coin collectors, internet job fairs, a college age stripper tutoring other strippers, diamond couriers, a gang targeting the diamond couriers, skinheads, and a sultry voice on the radio that only says numbers. I realize that Dorsey packs a lot into a novel, but it moves fast and, above all, makes sense. As strange as it may seem, Serge's methods of killing people show real intelligence and a wicked sense of humor. Thankfully, you aren't given any graphic details, you get to fill in the blanks yourself. While there were a few times when I laughed out loud, it didn't seem as though this was one of Dorsey's best Serge books. But it was still very entertaining.
"Florida, a full tank of gas, and no appointments." Get in the Javelin and go for a ride with Serge. You won't forget it.
Technorati tag: book review Tim Dorsey Serge Storm
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