Black Sunshine [Paperback]

S. V. Date (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2003

The wildest-and most lethal-political campaign in Florida history unfolds before the astonished eyes of the country.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After skewering Big Tobacco (Smokeout) and the Disney empire (Deep Water), lefty journalist Date takes on Florida Republican election dramas past and present, vying with fellow Sunshine State satirists like Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen in this thoroughly over-the-top novel of political intrigue. A gubernatorial candidate dies in what appears to be a fishing accident and is replaced by a former governor's son, Bub Billings, a George W.-like clown who "can't read a TelePrompTer" but surges ahead in the polls anyway. When the GOP bosses find out Bub has a mind of his own, particularly on environmental matters, he gets pushed off a yacht (appropriately named Soft Money) and is replaced by his envious, conniving younger brother, Percy. Murphy Moran, a down-on-his-luck political consultant enlisted by the Democrats to get incriminating photos of Bub frolicking with half-clad "Victory Hostesses" on the Soft Money, ends up fishing him out of the water instead. The two then piece together the convoluted GOP plot and try to get the information to the proper authorities. Other characters include the slatternly secretary of state, Clarissa Highstreet, a dead ringer for Katherine Harris; conflicted state finance director Toni Johnson, who helps Murphy and Bud by exposing some major GOP corruption; and eco-friendly vigilante Randy Romer. Along with the politicians, big business (especially a shady company called Petron), a gullible media and a clueless electorate get what's coming to them in this timely farce. Though at moments alarmingly sexist, it should have Michael Moore fans cackling with recognition and glee.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Once again, Date (Smokeout) has laid Florida politics low with a hilarious indictment of that state's electoral process and Republican Party. The plot, as one character says, "is nothin' more than Big, Dirty Oil lyin' and killin' to own the government of Florida." In Date's hands, it becomes the perfect combination of high drama and slapstick comedy, laced with enough truth and innuendo to make the reader think, "it could happen." Two brothers, Bub and Percy Billings, are poised to become Florida's next governor. After Bub wins the primaries, he reveals his stance on offshore drilling and conveniently disappears over the side of a yacht during a campaign fund-raiser. Percy is all too willing to "win one for Bub" until Bub reappears, very much alive and ready to get to the bottom of the fund-raising scandal that earned him the nomination. What ensues is a battle to the death, fought on the high seas, with a hurricane and a love story thrown in for good measure. Black Sunshine is a delicious tale of ambition gone awry and people who should know better, and no public library should be without it.
Thomas L. Kilpatrick, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425192164
• ISBN-13: 978-0425192160
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,282,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The TRUTH about Florida's elections, FINALLY!, October 20, 2002

By 

D.D. (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Sunshine (Hardcover)

This is it, folks. This is the one that puts Date in the big leagues of Hiaasen and Evanovich. As funny as Speed Week, as biting as Smokeout, better paced than Deep Water, Black Sunshine's got it all. A tip: don't read it while drinking a carbonated beverage. It hurts too much coming out your nose. I can't wait for the next one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darned with faint praise, October 20, 2002

By 

Nanci (Lawrence, Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Sunshine (Hardcover)

I had never heard of this author before I read the review in the Kansas City paper last week. Now I can't wait to read all his previous stuff. The reviewer called Black Sunshine a good political thriller, but she forgot to mention just how roll-on-the-floor funny it is! How can a good "thriller" also be hilarious? Darned if I know, but Date has managed to do it!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Florida. Enough said., October 14, 2002

By 

"erecife1994" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Sunshine (Hardcover)

Florida, a rigged election, oil rigs in the Gulf, two politically competitive brothers. What more could you ask for? Democrats who hate the Bushes will love it. Republicans who love the Bushes will love it. Everyone who hates Katherine Harris will especially love it!