Fever Beach

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Fever Beach is a “good versus evil” story, in which Twilly and Viva work to overcome a cast of villainous characters. When you finished the book, were you satisfied that the “evil” characters all got what they deserved?

2. Which elements of the book’s satirical humor appealed most or least to you? How does your reaction to its sense of humor impact your overall enjoyment of the story?

3. Twilly Spree also appears in a few of Hiaasen’s other novels, including Sick Puppy (2000), Skinny Dip (2004), and Scat (2009). Have you read any of these other novels? How would you compare Twilly’s role and characterization in these novels with his appearance in Fever Beach?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Do you agree with Twilly’s environmental stance? How do you feel about his vigilantism? What issue do you feel a similar passion about, and how far would you be willing to go to seek justice on this issue?

2. Do you think Viva is right or wrong to continue living at Figgo’s after she discovers his beliefs? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt it necessary to make a moral compromise in this way?

3. Viva and Twilly are still only loosely “together” at the end of the novel. What are your views on their relationship, and how do they express your own beliefs about romantic love?

4. The novel is intended to satirize Floridian culture and politics, but many of the narrative’s events and perspectives could be set anywhere. What elements of its satire could you apply to your own surroundings?

5. Many of the characters in this novel are morally complex people. Which character’s morality feels most similar to your own? Were there any characters whose moral choices made them seem completely exaggerated and unrealistic, or did all the characters’ moral choices remind you of real-world people?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. What was Figgo’s path toward right-wing extremism? How is his experience and perspective a part of contemporary conversations about extremism and radicalization?

2. Clure’s actions are extreme, but in what sense are they based in reality? What are some real-world examples of politicians caught up in scandals over voter suppression, campaign finance fraud, involvement with extremists, drugs, or sexual improprieties?

3. How does Fever Beach exploit Florida’s reputation for extreme culture and politics? Does factual evidence suggest that Florida’s culture and politics are actually more extreme and eccentric than the culture and politics found in other US states? Would the book work in the same way if it were set in another US state?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Figgo, Onus, Clure, and Claude all die at the end of the novel. Which character’s death is most ironic? What makes this death especially ironic?

2. Do any of the characters in the story show significant growth? How does their growth—or lack of growth—contribute to the book’s overall tone and meaning?

3. What aspects of Floridian culture and politics does the book satirize? What techniques does it use to do so? Is there any evidence that this satire is also meant to apply to America more generally?

4. Consider the novel’s representation of sex and sexuality. How is it used to characterize people in this narrative? What messages about sex and sexuality does the story convey?

5. Discuss the novel’s treatment of violence. Which characters are willing to use violence to reach their own goals? Are the text’s messages about violence always consistent?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were turning Fever Beach into a film, what are the three scenes you would most look forward to filming? What filming techniques, set dressing, costuming, and music would bring your vision to life?

2. If you were writing a sequel that brought Twilly and Viva back together to right another injustice, what would the injustice be? In what ways would you preserve their tactics and worldviews from Fever Beach, and what might you change? What messages would your choices convey?