Helpful Score: 3
"Where is Joe Merchant?" reads like a Jimmy Buffett song - whimsical, fun, sometimes hard hitting and often thought provoking. A true 'what if' story that can make you think about our interconnectedness with each other, the universe, and ourselves.
On the surface the story is quite simple, a carefree bloke (and our hero?), Frank Bama, desires a simple life and expects little from it. A former love of his life returns, making his life complicated, both physically and mentally - asking him to help find her famous rock star brother who is supposedly dead. But it's the collection of flavorful characters introduced throughout the book, each more interesting than the previous, that add spice. Then, as he stirs in their interconnectedness, the yarn goes from a fun adventure through the Caribbean to a story of intergalactic proportions.
While I can possibly see how some would say that Jimmy's writing style is simplistic, to me, in the end, this was what held the tale together. By it being simple, you did not have to over think, and therefore are more open to appreciate the whimsy, the spontaneous, the possibility - like Desdemona and the Generators.
Quick, easy read. You may be disappointed if you want a travelogue or serious tale, but otherwise it's classic Jimmy Buffett. Please pass the gumbo!
On the surface the story is quite simple, a carefree bloke (and our hero?), Frank Bama, desires a simple life and expects little from it. A former love of his life returns, making his life complicated, both physically and mentally - asking him to help find her famous rock star brother who is supposedly dead. But it's the collection of flavorful characters introduced throughout the book, each more interesting than the previous, that add spice. Then, as he stirs in their interconnectedness, the yarn goes from a fun adventure through the Caribbean to a story of intergalactic proportions.
While I can possibly see how some would say that Jimmy's writing style is simplistic, to me, in the end, this was what held the tale together. By it being simple, you did not have to over think, and therefore are more open to appreciate the whimsy, the spontaneous, the possibility - like Desdemona and the Generators.
Quick, easy read. You may be disappointed if you want a travelogue or serious tale, but otherwise it's classic Jimmy Buffett. Please pass the gumbo!
Helpful Score: 2
While not thought of as an author, I found this tale enjoyable. Fluffy, Fun, and if you want thought provoking, like most of his better songs.
Think it is one of his best books.
Think it is one of his best books.
