Status
Checked out
Genres
Collection
Publication
Little, Brown and Company (2006), 528 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Thriller. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:It's not on any chart, but the tropical island of Cayo Loco is the perfect place to run away from all your problems. Waking from a ganja buzz on the beach in Tulum, Tully can't believe his eyes when a 142-foot schooner emerges out of the ocean mist. At its helm is Cleopatra Highbourne, the eccentric 101-year-old sea captain who will take him to a lighthouse on a salty piece of land that will change his life forever. From a lovely sunset sail in Punta Margarita to a wild spring-break foam party in San Pedro, Tully encounters an assortment of treasure hunters, rock stars, sailors, seaplane pilots, pirates, and even a ghost or two.
Media reviews
There is a fine line between fiction and nonfiction, and I believe Jimmy Buffett and I snorted it in 1976. The two of us are among the few musicians in the Western world who make a regular habit of writing prose, which may also explain why this newspaper decided upon me to review this book rather
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than, say, Philip Roth. Maybe it was God who selected me to review Buffett's book. Whoever sent it to me, however, has created a happy circumstance because I think ''A Salty Piece of Land'' is very possibly Buffett's best work to date. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member csayban
3.5 stars
When Montana cowboy Tully Mars looks to run away from his problems, a boat headed for the Caribbean seems like the perfect place to start his life over. The consummate cowboy, Tully brings his horse with him to the tropical island of Cayo Loco to get lost. Instead, he not only finds
In the world of music, Jimmy Buffett requires no introduction. However, A Salty Piece of Land isn’t a song, it is a novel and the standards are much different. But someone forgot mention to Jimmy that this was something different. All he does is go out and write a funny, entertaining, insightful story about one man – Tully Mars – trying to get a fresh start in life and find some peace and happiness. Buffett creates a compelling character at the center of his story, who is all too human and prone to random acts of foolishness. But at his center, he is a kind person who looks out for those around him. This is Buffett’s biggest writing strength – creating compelling, interesting characters. From the rock star to the seaplane pilot, the treasure hunter to the quirky bad guys, everyone in this story jumps off of the page as a unique personality. Nobody is dull.
That’s not to say A Salty Piece of Land is perfect. The plot doesn’t always make sense. There are several “coincidences” that leave you going “uh huh, sure.” The story really could have done with some editing, too. There are sizable chunks of the beefy 480 page novel that slow down to a crawl. If Buffett could have tightened it up by about 100 pages, it might have been a real page-turner. Instead, at times I weathered page after page of scene setting or internal monologue to get to the next amusing section.
The quality of the writing isn’t Tolstoy. There is a pedestrian sameness to it – at least until you get to the dialog. That is where Buffett hits his stride and each character finds their individual voices. A Salty Piece of Land isn’t great writing, but it is good, fun storytelling. I have to make a confession that my enjoyment of this novel may have been fueled by it being the antidote to the bleakness of the previous novel I read, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. Whether because of this or in spite of this, I have to admit that I had fun reading a book that didn’t take itself too seriously. It’s not writing that will have me begging for more of the same, but it was a nice diversion.
When Montana cowboy Tully Mars looks to run away from his problems, a boat headed for the Caribbean seems like the perfect place to start his life over. The consummate cowboy, Tully brings his horse with him to the tropical island of Cayo Loco to get lost. Instead, he not only finds
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himself, but a quirky gang of expatriate friends who not only have his interest, but have his back. But it is the 101-year-old Cleopatra Highbourne at the helm of her 142-foot long schooner who will change Tully’s life forever – assuming his past doesn’t catch up with him first.In the world of music, Jimmy Buffett requires no introduction. However, A Salty Piece of Land isn’t a song, it is a novel and the standards are much different. But someone forgot mention to Jimmy that this was something different. All he does is go out and write a funny, entertaining, insightful story about one man – Tully Mars – trying to get a fresh start in life and find some peace and happiness. Buffett creates a compelling character at the center of his story, who is all too human and prone to random acts of foolishness. But at his center, he is a kind person who looks out for those around him. This is Buffett’s biggest writing strength – creating compelling, interesting characters. From the rock star to the seaplane pilot, the treasure hunter to the quirky bad guys, everyone in this story jumps off of the page as a unique personality. Nobody is dull.
That’s not to say A Salty Piece of Land is perfect. The plot doesn’t always make sense. There are several “coincidences” that leave you going “uh huh, sure.” The story really could have done with some editing, too. There are sizable chunks of the beefy 480 page novel that slow down to a crawl. If Buffett could have tightened it up by about 100 pages, it might have been a real page-turner. Instead, at times I weathered page after page of scene setting or internal monologue to get to the next amusing section.
The quality of the writing isn’t Tolstoy. There is a pedestrian sameness to it – at least until you get to the dialog. That is where Buffett hits his stride and each character finds their individual voices. A Salty Piece of Land isn’t great writing, but it is good, fun storytelling. I have to make a confession that my enjoyment of this novel may have been fueled by it being the antidote to the bleakness of the previous novel I read, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. Whether because of this or in spite of this, I have to admit that I had fun reading a book that didn’t take itself too seriously. It’s not writing that will have me begging for more of the same, but it was a nice diversion.
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LibraryThing member PghDragonMan
Even if you did not read the name "Jimmy Buffett" on the spine, once you read A Salty Piece of Land, you would probably guess he had something to do with it. Many of the scenes, in fact, seem to be lifted straight from his songs. The words have the same flowing quality as his song lyrics and the
The story is the merry misadventures of one Tully Mars, a cowboy fleeing Montana after a messy job-quitting scene, who makes his way to the islands. Buffett has fun with other characters Tully Mars runs into: a shrimp boat captain named Captain Kirk, a Mayan shaman called Ix-Nay and a singer turned adventurer named Willie Singer, to name a few.
The story line is completely improbable, but it is very entertaining. While summer is drawing to a close, this is good for reading on the beach while sipping on a margarita.
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story, like his music, is pure escapism. This is not to say it is a bad thing. I completely enjoyed A Salty Piece of Land. Just don’t look for any deep meanings in the story, there aren’t any; it is pure mind candy.The story is the merry misadventures of one Tully Mars, a cowboy fleeing Montana after a messy job-quitting scene, who makes his way to the islands. Buffett has fun with other characters Tully Mars runs into: a shrimp boat captain named Captain Kirk, a Mayan shaman called Ix-Nay and a singer turned adventurer named Willie Singer, to name a few.
The story line is completely improbable, but it is very entertaining. While summer is drawing to a close, this is good for reading on the beach while sipping on a margarita.
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LibraryThing member Moobie
I like it a lot, but thought it was harder to get into than his other books. The 1st person perspective felt kind of odd.
LibraryThing member lainieriley
I love the stories Jimmy tells, but this book has too many improbable coincidences to really enjoy. The "suspension of disbelief" is just disbelief. It's still not a bad book to (mentally)take you to the tropics!
LibraryThing member deblet76
I'm only halfway done but I am thoroughly enjoying this book. Who would have thought that Jimmy Buffett could have looked into my wild dreams to create paradise after paradise...
LibraryThing member BoundTogetherForGood
Great fiction! I love the way he gives his characters memorable names that align with their character traits. I really enjoyed reading this.
LibraryThing member PCGator
"Salty Piece of Land" continues the adventures of Tully Mars and Mr. Twain, picking up where "Tales From Margaritaville" left off. This novel has Tully running both from the law and his past as he helps a crusty old lady sea captain attempt to restore a decrepit lighthouse in the Bahamas. Stories
Jimmy Buffett's long been a master of music and short stories as vehicles for his storytelling, and his novels are coming along. I found this a much more polished and cohesive read than "Joe Merchant." Although his tales may never be ranked alongside the literary greats, Buffett's southern-latitude attitude reminds us we don't always have to take our books (and ourselves) so seriously.
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like this one show that no matter where you live, visiting the tropics is as easy and convenient as turning the pages of a book. Jimmy Buffett's long been a master of music and short stories as vehicles for his storytelling, and his novels are coming along. I found this a much more polished and cohesive read than "Joe Merchant." Although his tales may never be ranked alongside the literary greats, Buffett's southern-latitude attitude reminds us we don't always have to take our books (and ourselves) so seriously.
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LibraryThing member burningtodd
Jimmy Buffets’ latest novel. This one is about a farm boy who moves to the islands, gets involved with pirates and a crazy old lady who wants him to rebuild an old light house. a great read and quick. Enjoyed every bit of it. It was fluff, but it makes me want to leave right now.
LibraryThing member DavidLErickson
Very few scenes in a novel ever bring me to tears, but Jimmy Buffet's story did, twice. This is a story about a young man who leaves behind what he knows in search of something that is more intangible. Sometimes the direction our life takes has more to do with luck than choices. Or rather, the
This is one of the moat enjoyable novels I've ever had the pleasure to read.
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choices one makes when life propels you in a new direction.This is one of the moat enjoyable novels I've ever had the pleasure to read.
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all the characters that Tully Mars crosses paths with. The story though is mostly about Cleopatra Highborne and the Lucretia. It's also about the restoration of the Cayo Loco lighthouse and all the people who help make that happen. Buffett often times lets the
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story go on tangents to explore the local tales. Enjoy these tangents and let the story lap over you like the waves on a tropical beach. Show Less
LibraryThing member jimocracy
Unimaginable and typical in its triteness. I read this as a favor to a coworker who is a fan of Jimmy Buffett's music (and apparently his writing) so I listened to the whole book despite my desire to abandon the effort. There were a couple of places in the story that held my attention more than
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others and for that, I bumped the rating up one more star. Show Less
LibraryThing member LauGal
Jimmy Buffett tells a story like a well traveled buccaneer.Each book a journey.This book had it all,the beach,evading the law,a loyal horse and alot of colorful characters.This is a dense read,but quite enjoyable.Great beach or summer read! Probably wouldn't hurt to have a pina colada with you
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while reading.A romp around the tropics! Show Less
LibraryThing member JHemlock
A pothead hippy with no shoes and no responsibility. Never liked this guy or his music. Only reason I have it is because my library is a home to all books good and bad.
LibraryThing member JosephKing6602
Interesting quirky characters; a nice light read!
LibraryThing member Al-G
This is a wonderful read that reminds me more than anything of an extended Jimmy Buffett song. It is a wonderful romp through the Caribbean with a cowboy turned sailor, Tully Mars, who is seeking to avoid complications from the mistakes he has made in life. In the process he discovers a new life,
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wonderful friends and home. If you are a Buffett fan, this is a must read. If you are not a Buffett fan, you will still enjoy the book, and will likely become a fan in the process. The characters are realistic and well developed, the plot has some delightful twists and turns and the story is just fun escapism with a few deep thoughts along the way. Buffett will have you longing for a life at sea with the occasional beach party as you journey with Tully as he seeks his place in the world. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
528 p.; 4.13 inches
ISBN
031601429X / 9780316014298