Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen Discussion Questions

1 Why does Max want to go to Miami? Do you think his actions are justified?

2 Why does Skink kidnap Max and put a shock collar on him?

3 Discuss the character of Skink? Is there a method to his madness or is he
Just mad?

4 What motivates Tony Torres and Avila? Are there others like them in the story?

5 How are Skink and Snapper similar? How are they different? Was Snapper influenced by his early upbringing?

6 Why does the author have so many characters? What does this suggest?

7 Do you like Augustine as a character? What about his hobby of skull-juggling?

8 How are Donald and Marla, the dachshunds, important as characters in the book? How about the wild animals and reptiles that are running around loose?

9 Cite some incidents in the book that may be based on fact.

10 Do you feel that Max really loved Bonnie? Did Bonnie love Max? When and how did she begin questioning her choice of a husband?

11 Describe the character of Edie Marsh.

12 Is Jim Tile believable as a Florida state trooper?

13 Do you think Fred Dove’s insurance supervisor, Dennis Reedy, was really fooled by Edie and Snapper’s insurance scam? Why did he write checks to them?

14 What is Carl Hiaasen trying to teach us by using satire and black humor?

15 Do you get any sense of a message from the author about Floridians and also those who show up during a time of disaster?

16 Who was your favorite character? Which character did you dislike the most?