Best. Driving. Audio. Books. Ever.(Especially of you live in Florida.)I got introduced to Tim Dorsey's books because he did a book signing at my local small town book store in Florida. Having lived here over twenty years, I'm a sucker for the weirdness of the state I live in. [FARK TAG: Florida].The smartest thing I ever did, though, was realize that I could listen to Tim's books in the car. I drive around the Sunshine State for business fairly regularly. On any given weekend, I find myself stuck in the Mustang somewhere between Orlando and Miami - and listening to the adventures of Serge and the motley characters in the Dorseyverse make for a great way to pass the time.You can tell, through his writing, that Tim Dorsey drives around Florida since his details of the obscure locations throughout the state are so vivid. Pure touristy awesomeness.Now that I've fed you all my audio book and Tim Dorsey propaganda, let's talk about the book.There are two key things needed to enjoy Atomic Lobster (and all of Tim's books, for that matter):1. YOU MUST LOVE FLORIDA AS IF IT WERE THE GOOFY STEPCHILD OF THE FIFTY STATES.2. YOU MUST THINK THAT OVER-THE-TOP ULTRA-VIOLENCE CAN BE REALLY FUNNY.If you think you fail either of those, then Serge and the crew aren't for you. I'm honestly surprised when I talk to people outside of Florida about these books and the get them. I'm not surprised, though, when Quentin Tarantino fans LOVE these books.Yep. I digressed again.The other thing about Atomic Lobster and other Dorsey books? The writing tends to go all over the place... jumping subject to subject. Much like this review.In closing, Atomic Lobster isn't Shakespeare. It's a good book and a great way to take out some pent up aggression through the eyes of a road tripping psychopath.
Usually this is the place where a reviewer would discuss a little bit about the plot of a book. With Atomic Lobster that’s just not going to happen. The plot points are so convoluted, and the story is told in such a non-linear way that it would be impossible to do without major spoilers. This is one of those books that the reader just has to pick up and read for themselves without relying on a review to tell them what the book is about. Let’s just say it’s got Florida, and cruise ships, and a Clowns vs. Mimes version of Fight Club, and tourist statues, and the world’s biggest bong and if that doesn’t grab you I don’t know what will.The 10th in a series of books featuring Serge Storms and his sidekick Coleman, Atomic Lobster can be read as a stand alone novel but it does refer to past events so it can be a little confusing if you aren’t familiar with Dorsey’s previous works and repeat characters. Serge is a spree killer, a nice enough guy, but he has problems with anger management and if crossed the offender will likely end up dead in any number of ingenious and inventive ways. How does one choose between pulling off one’s own head or being hit by a speeding train? This book is hilarious, it’s one of those books where you’ll have the urge to read out the funny bits to your spouse, partner, guy sitting next to you on the train. Expect to get a lot of weird glances where people are wondering why you’re making those choking noises when trying not to burst out laughing at inappropriate moments. Reviewed by Sarra Borne (Hectaizani)
Well here we are again, cruising along through Florida's rapidly vanishing historic sites, with Serge Storms and a cast of thousands of zany, improbable Floridians. His buddy Coleman is along for the ride, ever vigilant in pursuit of that which can be snorted, chugged or smoked. We have a repeat performance of the self-effacing, amiable Jim Davenport, trying desperately to avoid Serge's gestures of friendship, which thus far have gotten him mugged, beaten, robbed, held at gunpoint and in big trouble with his wife. The E-team, a quartet of nonagenerian cruisers named Edna, Eunice, Edith and Ethel are ballroom dancing, snacking and smuggling, not to mention backseat driving. It's an unrelenting, snort your soft drink up your nose laugh fest. I can't begin to describe the plot twists, but you'll need to hold tight to your seat. Dorsey never fails me. He provides regular big fat belly laughs, so what's not to like?
—Libby
Once again, Serge Storms and his permabuzzed friend Coleman end up on a madcap spree. Most of "Atomic Lobster" takes place in and around the Tampa Bay area. They even had breakfast at Skyway Jack's, my favorite diner and a Bay Area landmark.This tale brings together all sorts of Serge's old cohorts: the Davenports, Johnny Vegas, Lenny, and even more representatives from the evil McGraw family. Like any of Tim Dorsey's Serge Storms novels, there are a lot of laughs. Still, I didn't feel especially drawn into the story. It reminded me of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." An entertaining enough caper story, but not the best story ever told.
—Tom
good reads summary: Serge A. Storms is back with a bullet, torn between homicide and souvenirs, cranking up the fevered action as the pot boils over on a street called Lobster Lane. It's reunion time in the Sunshine State, and we're not just talking the family jamboree of the blood-soaked McGraw criminal clan, whose nastiest, meanest member, finally released from prison, is heading south bent on revenge. Serge's drug-addled bud Coleman's here as well, torn between getting hammered and getting more hammered, while trying to construct the biggest bong ever. Meanwhile the government is covering up a growing list of mysterious victims across Florida who may or may not be connected to a nefarious plot being hatched against national security. Something has set the Non-Confrontationalists off on a rampage. And everyone is rushing to flee Tampa on a cruise ship to hell.
—Joyce
