NPR's Book of the Day New books by Carl Hiaasen and John Seabrook tell distinctly American stories
Jun 20, 2025
John Seabrook, author of 'The Spinach King,' dives into the cutthroat world of his family’s vegetable empire, revealing the ruthless dynamics that fueled its rise. Meanwhile, Carl Hiaasen discusses his novel 'Fever Beach,' a satirical take on political extremism inspired by his Florida roots. The conversation balances humor with serious reflections on white nationalism and familial legacies, illuminating the complexities behind success and the often-ignored struggles of marginalized groups in America.
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Satire Meets Reality in Florida
- Florida contributed more January 6 defendants than any other state, influencing Hiaasen's story in Fever Beach.
- Satire must balance between reality and exaggeration as events evolve rapidly.
Inspired by Real Hate Flyers
- Carl Hiaasen experienced a real incident where anti-Semitic flyers were thrown on his driveway ziplock-bagged and weighed down.
- This incident inspired his novel Fever Beach where similar events occur in the storyline.
Power of Satire Against Extremism
- Satire lets people laugh at painful realities for the right reasons by taking extremists down a peg.
- Laughing with awareness can be a powerful tool against dangerous ideologies.
