Book Review: Strip Tease, by Carl Hiaasen

A dancer at a strip club becomes the unwilling nexus of a scandal that endangers her life.

Pan, 1993, 405 pages

No matter what you heard or thought about the movie version of Strip Tease, forget it. Film simply can’t catch the layers of humor, satire, and imagination that author Carl Hiaasen creates in each of his novels.

When a deranged Florida congressman falls for a gorgeous but virtuous stripper, he dedicates himself to pursuing this tasselled princess. Not only is she a real beauty, she’s a damsel in distress. The effects of his quest will ripple through the spotlights of the strip joint, the sugar cane fields of south Florida, and some powerful political careers.

Fueled by innocent lust and dizzy miscalculations, this story will keep you howling with surprise. George Wilson’s colorful narration is the perfect vehicle for Carl Hiaasen’s twisted fairy tale.

( Sugar, snakes, strippers, and lust-crazed Congressmen. )

Verdict: A clever, funny novel that is less sexy but much, much better than the movie. Strip Tease isn't just a humorous tale about a stripper up against corrupt politicians and sugar magnates; it's also humanitarian and satirical and makes me think Hiaasen writes with shades of Vonnegut. 8/10.

Also by Carl Hiaasen: My reviews of Nature Girl and Double Whammy.

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My complete list of book reviews.