If I see a Dave Barry book with an alligator on the cover I don’t even need to read the book’s blurb, I’m already all in. Why? The first book I ever read by Dave was Big Trouble (which also featured an alligator on the cover) and it had me laughing my butt off, instantly making me a huge fan. The man is a comic genius and national treasure. Nothing you can say will convince me otherwise. I’m honestly not sure how to explain the plot of his newest book without sounding like a rambling lunatic, lol. But its classic Dave Barry. He takes some the most unique characters (I often wonder if any of his characters are based on real people he knows, lol) and throws them into some of craziest storylines that often don’t seem related and yet by the end everything comes together. If you don’t find yourself laughing while reading this book I suggest you see a doctor, because there’s clearly something wrong with your funny bone. I’d like to thank Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Swamp Story.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2LF4SVNLY0P87/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Swamp Story by Dave Barry was exactly the hilarious reading escape I needed. I knew I was in for a treat when I was only pages in and found myself snort laughing out loud. This book is perfect for summer – throw in your beach bag for when you’re relaxing on a vacation or if you’re stuck at home and it’s 1000 degrees, this is the novel you need.

And let’s be clear. It’s insane. Totally bonkers. Worth it. Barry’s story features hidden treasure, reality TV wanna-be ‘actors’, an emotional support boar, social media sensations, and more. I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know if the characters would actually get themselves out of the messes they had created, and I had to know what funny thing was next. I never had to wait long for the next funny thing. The descriptions of the characters and their actions were so vividly funny that I am still laughing as I type this.

Such a treat. I’m sorry it’s over. Enjoy this crazy Florida caper this summer.

It’s been a long-running joke that if you’re in need of a good laugh, just search for the words “Florida Man,” and you’ll find a treasure trove of outrageously hilarious headlines. As a Florida man himself, humorist Dave Barry is a bit of an expert—and he brings plenty of Florida man chaos to his latest novel, Swamp Story.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

This book was WILD. But so Florida 😂.

Every character in this book is so over the top, and that’s what makes it funny. Like every chapter I was like, this can’t be serious 😂, and the story had this huge buildup and the end was pure chaos, and it was a delight.

The whole time I was cheering for my girl Jesse, because I wanted her and Willa to get away from the NONSENSE that was her life. She got herself into some intense situations and that leads me to the star of the story and that is WILLA 😂😂😂 infant baby Willa, the real MVP.

This baby is going everywhere in a carrier and a car seat and all this nonsense is happening around her and she’s taking it all like a champ 😂. I am #teamevergladesbaby.

This novel was a fun read, super quick, some laugh out loud funny moments, and some moments where you’re like staaaahhhhppp no way 😱. Sometimes I felt like maybe the characters were TOO over the top and maybe the story was TOO ridiculous, but I believe that was the intent of the author, so I think it’s fine. If you’re a Floridian, and even if you’re not, I think you’ll find this novel is a fun time 😎☀️.

This book is out TODAY!! 🥳

✨I did want to note there was some language that popped up in one of the later chapters, once by the politician and another one by the character Phil, I believe, and I feel like it was unnecessary and could have been removed. The characters all swear and that’s whatever, but some of the word choices used by the characters in that section pulled me out of the story and I wasn’t super thrilled with the word choice. I think the actions of the politician were enough to show he was an asshole, and the line from Phil could have been completely removed and it wouldn’t have impacted the novel.

First and foremost, for anyone who has never read anything by the author, Dave Berry is freaking hilarious. He has spent a lifetime writing award- winning humor and telling crazy, funny stories. This book is more of the same, something that he does exceptionally well – from the get-go. The book summary pretty much lays out the two storylines in the swamps of the Everglades where gators and python snakes are also on the hunt for their next meal.

What the book summary doesn’t reveal is the burgeoning attraction between Jesse and Ken Bortle’s brother, Brad. Brad and Jesse are the only MC’s who think that the Everglade’s Melon Monster with the Glades Man stunt is the STUPIEST thing that Ken and Slater (Jesse’s useless, narcissistic, pothead, slacker, baby daddy) have ever come up with and gotten themselves involved with. Brad soon becomes committed to helping Jesse and her baby, Willa, get away from Slater.

Most of the story revolves around Jesse figuring out a way to get the stash of gold she literally stumbled over out of the swamps without Duke and Billy (ex-con brothers who are looking for the gold) getting to her first. The Everglade’s Melon Monster storyline is included as more of secondary storyline, one that provides most of the humor in the story because, honestly, this particular storyline is sooo crazy stupid it’s absolutely hilarious. This was another one of those books that I had to go and read out in the living room because my laughing was keeping hubby awake when I read it at night.

There is also another storyline with Phil, the guy who played the role of the Everglade’s Melon Monster, and his attempts at staying connected to his teenage daughter, who he loves and adores, and who lives with his ex-wife, who hates his guts. The only reason Phil, an unemployed journalist, was getting involved with Ken and Slater was because he needed the money to help support his daughter.

It's in the second half of the story that all the different storylines begin to merge including the visit from the Sec of Interiors, who shows up in the Glades to stump for his future presidential run. The culmination of the storylines and the train wreck between the characters makes for a hilarious conclusion to this crazy story.

I want to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

@NetGalley @Simon&Schuster @SwampStory

I'd heard great things about Dave Barry, and the idea of a book about Florida and all its wild wonder from someone who lives in Florida seemed like something right up my alley. I never connected with Barry's style of humor though, and found this book hard to get through. I never found myself caring at all about any of these characters, or what happened to any of them. I ended up giving up 75% in after two characters discuss whether or not to rape an unconscious and bleeding woman that they've been stalking.

Barry's style may be great for some, but I just couldn't connect with it at all.

Happy Publication Day!
Swamp Story is classic Dave Barry hilarity. The story takes place mainly in the seedy Everglades area, west of Miami. The characters get themselves in several unfortunate situations whilst trying to figure out how to make some quick cash. Hilarity ensues.

I grew up in Florida and traveled extensively throughout the state. Dave Barry perfectly sets the place and tone of the seedier side of south Florida.
Want to laugh out loud? Get this book! #Swampstory #Netgalley

A couple living in the swamps of the Florida Everglades along with a sidekick. A failing bait shop owned by two brothers. A couple of e cons searching for gold. An attorney who happens to owe money to the mob. And an alcoholic trying to pay for his daughters trip.
And gold bars found.
What could possibly go wrong?
Actually, everything.
Dave Barry tells a tale with complex stupidity and makes it amusing. I do recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing this ARC to be read by me.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Mr. Barry for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I am a longtime fan of both Dave Barry and (what we in the library business call a) readalike author, Carl Hiaasen. I am also very familiar with the South Florida area, AKA, the setting of this book. Readers of these authors from other states usually leave comments like "zany" and "over the top" and "too crazy to believe."

I am here to tell you that I know people just like these. I have SEEN them in action. There is a *reason* that there was a longstanding syndicated column called "FloriDUH" and a meme known nationwide as "Florida Man." These people, that seem too stupid or crazy or just plain weird to be real, they not only EXIST, they ABOUND. (Sigh.) The events in the book? I've seen most of it on the news myself (granted: not yet with a Dora the Explorer head on, but never say never).

And so, I read this book not as humor but more as realistic fiction. Despite or perhaps because of this, I laughed out loud many times. The boar scene was absolutely hilarious. I have not laughed so hard at a book in probably years (I am giggling a little, just writing this review). The epilogue in which Brad was described as a contractor who shows up when he says he will and does what he promises being a revelation in MD county ALSO made me laugh, because, let's be real, this is practically a revelation ANYWHERE in SFl. Please move to Broward, Brad! We will appreciate you!

In summary: Dave Barry: you are a gem. Thank you for the laughs & please keep the books coming.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this thoroughly enjoyable ARC

I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never read a novel by Dave Barry. I grew up reading his newspaper column, but until now, I’ve never ventured into reading his other works. It’s surprising, given the fact that he shares the title of master of the Florida Man genre with Carl Hiaasen (who I love), and I am, in fact, a born and bred Floridian.

Side note: I read an article referring to the pair as “Florida’s favorite sons” and I felt oddly defensive and territorial. While Hiaasen is from Florida, Barry grew up in New York. Native, life-long Floridians aren’t as common as you’d think. Only 35% of current Florida residents were born here. We have so little to be proud of here. At least let us hold onto the title of “Florida’s favorite son” for ourselves. (Ha) For the record, my husband was born and raised in Miami and totally disagrees, saying Dave Barry has earned it. He even brought up the fact that Hemingway was born outside of Chicago.

ANYWAY. Swamp Story reads like the literary love child of Carl Hiaasen and Chuck Palahniuk and I. Am. A. Fan. It was laugh out loud funny, and I flew threw it in a matter of 24 hours. This novel is all plot driven with very little character development but it works. It features two overlapping plots - one involving Jesse, a new mom living in the Everglades with Slater, her scumbag reality-TV wannabe boyfriend, and the other involving a struggling beer and bait store owned and operated by brothers Brad and Ken.

When Jesse discovers some lost treasure deep in the Everglades, brothers Duck and Billy, fresh out of prison, decide they’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Hilarity ensues. Duck and Billy reminded me of the bag guys from Home Alone. I could have done without the brothers openly talking about who was going to rape an unconscious Jesse first, even if Barry softened the blow with phrases like “I wanna do her” and “have a little fun with her.” It didn’t add anything to the story, it was just disturbing.

I also couldn’t get past the fact that part of the story centered around a couple named Jesse and Slater. I kept picturing Jessie Spano in a diet pill fueled psychosis, and AC Slater with his tragic curly mullet.

While there were a couple of issues that bothered me, I did find the novel hilarious, engaging, and almost too accurate to be considered satirical. (Florida fans totally, absolutely would give their undying affection to a standout nose tackle who bit off the pinkie finger of a Georgia offensive guard. See, e.g. Aaron Hernandez. Cough cough.) It’s worth mentioning that this novel came to a very satisfying conclusion, which is something I haven’t said about a book in a long time.

So. Um. As a Floridian, I have to ask. Is this how the rest of the world sees us?

Wait. Stop. Don’t answer that.

Swamp Story is a fun read, with crazy characters who engage in equally crazy antics. While not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, it brought a smile to my face as I read it. The protagonist, Jesse, is a beautiful young mother whose narcissistic boyfriend is more concerned with showing off his muscles than anything else. Jesse makes a serendipitous discovery leading to interactions involving swamp dwellers, organized crime, employed and unemployed reporters, organized crime, and even a Cabinet member and his staff. Everything that happens is both improbable and yet somehow believable. Personally, I think this would be a great movie and hope some film company buys the rights. One warning: Because of the language and some descriptions this book merits a “soft” R-rating.

Swamp Story is more insanity from Dave Barry.

"Jesse is living in the Everglades with her wannabe reality star ex-boyfriend. She stumbles across a long-lost treasure which could solve all her problems. But some bad people are also looking for it and they know Jesse has it. Meanwhile, Ken Bortle of Bortle Brothers Bait and Beer has come up with a way to lure tourists to his shop. His brother, Brad, thinks it's stupid, but stupid is what works now. The plan involves an out-of-work newspaperman named Phil wearing a Dora the Explorer costume head and becoming the "Everglades Melon Monster" Incredibly hordes of TikTokers head to the Everglades in search of the Monster - in addition to villians hunting for the treasure and a presidential hopeful. Nothing goes as planned..."

There are so many hilarious moments in this book. I miss the days of Barry's observations of the silliness and ridiculousness of society. In this book it's over the top, but you find yourself thinking - "Yeah, I can see someone doing that. And Skeeter and his Therapy Boar - so funny.

A wildly entertaining story from Barry. You will not be able to put this book down (except when you're laughing out loud) Take this to the beach with you this year.

Hilarious! A crazy bunch of
mis-matched people who end up in the Everglades either spent of all their money, spending money, making money, trying to kill for money and otherwise on a search for money or a get rich quick and make your mark for money. Each on a different quest but how will
they collide and how will they end up?Read it and find out! This would make a great Adam Sandler movie only which part would he play?
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book at my request and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author,publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Enjoy!

A very quick and entertaining read. Taking place in the Everglades and potentially inspired by ripped from the headlines "Florida man" type stories it starts and never stops. It's not perfect (Jesse, you make so many bad choices) but it's well written by one of my favorite writers and I enjoyed it as much as I enjoy my Hiaasen books. Any for all the lunacy that takes place the refrain is "It's Florida".... Truer words. Recommended.

I was smiling on the first page, giggling on the second and laughing my patooty off by the third. Add to this an interesting plot and engaging characters and you’ve got exactly the sort of very enjoyable book you’d expect from Dave Barry

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for my review.

Swamp Story is what you would expect from Dave Barry. It's funny and cheesy and over the top. You will laugh. You may cringe. You'll enjoy it, though.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Every time I see one of those viral "Florida Man" stories, like the man who threw a gator at a drive-thru clerk, I think is it really like that in Florida? Apparently, it is.

Dave Barry's book is laugh-out-loud funny. It's always tricky to follow multiple "main" characters but since the stories overlap so well, it isn't difficult at all to be sympathetic and enjoy the hijinks. It starts out rather mellow with three people - Jesse, Phil (who is less mellow than the others, tbh), and Ken - who are hopelessly stuck in their ordinary lives (or stuck in the Everglades, or stuck working kids' birthday parties) and want something more. Their paths cross in incredibly interesting ways (that include hitting scumbags with a machete, a former linebacker turned drug dealer who drives possibly the only Tesla in the state, a slimy lawyer and the loan sharks he owes money to, the reigning champion of the Python Challenge with his emotional support boar, and the Secretary of the Interior, to name just a few).

This is not a book for everyone: this is a book for people who like to laugh and read some funny stories. But I am that person and I loved it.

Barry weaves together a large collection of characters - mostly buffoons - in loosely related threads, then pulls them all tightly together so we can enjoy watching chaos ensue. A fun, madcap romp through the swamp.

This book is bananas - in such a good way. This is in the style of "Florida-man" humor, where all the characters seem to be in the extreme. The book is humorous without being cringey. Dave Barry does a good job of introducing lots of characters, having lots of intertwining plots, and keeping the book engaging. There are several "down on their luck" partners in crime and characters (Jesse, Ken and Brad at the bait shop, Duck and Billy, Phil, etc) There's also plenty of social commentary here, without being horribly in your face. My only criticism is that everything felt quite over the top and divorced from reality, but that ultimately is part of the charm. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I hvelong been a Dave Barry fan. I loved his newspaper column and fatefully read it. This book is equally entertaining and funny. I recommend it for light reading