From Booklist Florida is universally known as a popular mainstream destination for spring breakers, retirees, and family vacationers. Yet beyond the Magic Kingdom and sandy beaches, peculiar subcultures bloom and flourish—some playfully kooky, others explicitly kinky. Waddell, who spent two years researching the palmy Florida fringe scene, turns a spotlight on some of the eccentric purveyors who thrive in the remarkably tolerant Sunshine State. One of her legendary subjects is headline-grabbing strip-club owner Joe Redner, a Tampa folk hero and so-called father of the nude lap dance. She cites her background as an alternative beat reporter and her stint as a script researcher for the notorious 1995 sleaze-fest, Showgirls, as proof of her investigative chops in covering offbeat scenes. Waddell also assures readers that she’s no prude, just a voyeur of the unusual, albeit one who would never participate in the swinging or pony play she scrutinizes. Waddell’s reporting is credible, and she possesses a jocose writing style, making Fringe Florida an intriguing guide off the beaten path for those looking to escape life’s winter blahs in any season. --Chris Keech Read more Review Creative Loafing Tampa Best of the Bay Awards, "Best Journey into Florida's Underbelly"Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, Bronze for Travel Essays"A fascinating, mind-opening read."--The Rumpus"An intriguing guide off the beaten path for those looking to escape life's winter blahs in any season."--Booklist"Travelers familiar with the Florida tourist havens of Miami Beach, Orlando, and Tampa will be amazed by what there is to discover by exploring the less familiar towns and byways."--Library Journal"Be forewarned: As an upright citizen, you may be shocked by sections of Fringe Florida, so rush out and buy it right away."--Atlanta Journal-Constitution"Bask in the off-kilter glow of this completely charming and wonky delight. It’s a circus sideshow in a binding, a barrel of fun."--Louisville Courier-Journal"Lynn Waddell lifts up the rug we sweep the really strange stuff under."--Tampa Bay Times"A relentlessly readable travelogue."--South Florida Sun-Sentinel"With dry humor and a keen eye, [Waddell] enters these worlds as an engaged, curious observer."--Creative Loafing Tampa"Waddell has the reporter's eye for odd detail (even amid an abundance of oddity) and the reporter’s knack for getting people with underground stories to tell them anyway. . . . Fringe Florida is a fun tour."--Florida Book Review Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Trustpilot
1 week ago
1 week ago
