Bad Monkey

Few authors capture a place with the same humor and critique as Carl Hiaasen. Born in 1953 outside Fort Lauderdale, Hiaasen grew up as the eldest of four children, leaving Florida only briefly to attend Emory University in Georgia before completing his degree at the University of Florida (“Carl Hiaasen.” Biblio). Hiaasen’s novels, set against Florida’s distinctive landscapes, blend his love for the state with sharp satire and frustration over its political and environmental issues.

After graduating, Hiaasen began his career as a journalist for the Miami Herald, where he wrote investigative pieces and later a weekly opinion column (1985-2021) critiquing Florida’s politics, corruption, and environmental policies (“Biography.” Carl Hiaasen). His novels draw heavily on these experiences, portraying Florida as both a paradise and a battleground for unscrupulous developers and corrupt officials.

Hiaasen has authored more than 25 books across various genres, but his work consistently reflects his deep concern for Florida’s environmental issues. His 2020 novel, Squeeze Me, satirizes Florida’s political and social climate while addressing the state’s invasive python problem, a growing ecological concern. Although Hiaasen’s adult novels explore Florida’s corruption and ecological challenges, he is perhaps best known for his middle-grade novels, which include