Native Tongue
What better book to read in the middle of winter than one that takes the reader to the beautiful, tropical paradise of the upper keys? While I read Native Tongue the weather got increasingly cold and wet so it was a nice escape to follow a couple characters around Key Largo. I was reminded of college road trips down island with Marshall, Palmer, and Brian that were less dangerous than the events in the book, but probably just as ill advised.
I have to thank Jerri for lending me this book. I had meant to read this author since I was in collage, but had never gotten around to it. Now, twenty years later, Native Tongue stands up to the passage of time provided the reader remembers the setting is the 1990’s and not today.
Native Tongue
Native Tongue is an awful lot like the Adam Sandler film You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. They aren’t the same in plot points, themes, or setting, but they are remarkably similar in how the characters are portrayed. Sandler’s Zohan is supposed to be 10% more than any other person so he runs faster, has more hair, and has remarkable reflexes. The characters in Hiaasen’s novel are regular people, but are 10% more extreme in their actions. The idealist is a super idealist, the villain is a super villain, the simpleton is a super simpleton… you get the idea. The story follows these characters of extremes and, as one might expect, their interaction results in extreme circumstances.
The outrageous events of the book center on a problem most people who have lived in Florida are aware of: the development of natural spaces. Most Florida residents value the inherent beauty of the place and seek to protect it through a variety of conservation measures, but the people depicted in Native Tongue take drastic measures to reduce the rate at which the state is paved over. It’s essentially an eco-terrorism book.
Do the ends justify the means? The characters in the book answer with a resounding yes as the bad guy will do anything to make more money, the good guys will do horrible evil to achieve the greater good, and the former governor murders his way through the story. The reader, however, must ask if a person’s life is worth preventing the development of the northern tip of Key Largo.
There is a clear ethical problem with the heroes in this story. They value human life too little and their causes too much. One expects such an attitude from the antagonist, but not from every character in the book. In fact, the only individuals in the story who seem to value life to any degree are marginal characters. This isn’t just a problem in the book, but in American society as a whole. People generally see their causes as more important than the lives of others.
Native Tongue is a fun novel that includes such dramatic plot points as burning water slides, whale auto accidents, and dolphin love. The crazy events that take place seem strangely appropriate in a world populated by narcissists. The most enjoyable moments of the book are when these things happen and are seen as everyday occurrences. Perhaps the world is more wondrous than it is given credit for.
On the Shelf
I enjoyed this little break from Harry Potter, but now it’s time to get back to the Wizarding World. The Goblet of Fire is supposed to be one of the best in the entire series so I’m looking forward to Harry’s fourth year.
The Jesus Way, Eugene H. Peterson
The Mortification of Spin, John Owen
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J. K. Rowling
Martin is the Preaching Minister at Glennville First Christian Church and 54% of the Two Bearded Preachers. Click here to listen to his podcast.