A Salty Piece of Land

Being the consummate "Parrotheads" that we are, Kris (aka beerman) could not resist diving into one of our favorite musician's 2004 contribution to the literary world. He read it while I was off exploring the lighthouses of North Carolina's Outer Banks with a friend one week. With each "check-in" phone call, Kris would tell me I had to read this book when I returned home. Having personally read Buffett's other works: Where is Joe Merchant?: A Novel Tale, A Pirate Looks at Fifty and a portion of Tales from Margaritaville (got distracted and never finished it - but will!), I agreed. And, I did.

"A Salty Piece of Land" is the follow-up book to "Tales from Margaritaville" but they are not mutually inclusive. One does not have to read the first book to enjoy the second. (I know - I didn't finish Tales and had no recollection of its storyline when starting Salty.) It is a tale totally unto itself.

In this book, you will follow the trails, trials and tribulations of Tully Mars, a misplaced "cowboy in the jungle". Mars (and his trusty horse, Mr. Twain) boldly escape their existence, hired hands on a poodle ranch in Wyoming, and soon find themselves tour guides at a fishing resort in the Caribbean. An adventure spurred on by a simple conch shell given to Tully years earlier. (Okay, Tully's horse doesn't become a tour guide but he gets to go to the Caribbean just the same. Lucky horse.) Once there, Mars' life is turned upside-down. He will encounter Cleopatra Highbourne, the 103-year-old captain of the ancient schooner, Lucretia, who ultimately sends him on a life-altering quest. As his journey navigates the Caribbean as skillfully as Cleopatra's schooner, Mars is befriended by some very eclectic characters - all drawn in to help with Tully's cause. If you have a thing for old lighthouses, sea breezes, horses and any number of other things - this is a book for you!

I must admit that Buffett's writing style is a bit simplistic - no better or worse than a mix of Bill Bryson and Carl Hiaasen. (I love both.) It's an easy read but will keep you turning the pages as the main character realizes his goal in life. If nothing else, you'll love Cleopatra Highbourne. Like his songs, Buffett's books are that of a storyteller and that's what makes them interesting.

We also have Buffett's latest book, Swine Not?: A Novel Pig Tale, staring at us from the shelf and hoping we'll open the cover soon.

Isa now leaves to rediscover "Tales from Margaritaville". Hey, "Swine Not?"

You can find this book on Amazon: A Salty Piece of Land