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Last of the Red Hot Poppas
"Last of the Red Hot Poppas will make you laugh and it will make you think rather more deeply than will make you comfortable, and in these wildly disjointed times that means this novel is not only a richly enjoyable read but an essential one." — Robert Olen Butler, author of the Pulitzer-Prize winning A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain
“Right-wing flag enthusiasts, big oil power brokers, luckless inheritors of environmental degradation, professional gamblers, sexual profligates, ACLU lawyers, and political hit men—Last of the Red Hot Poppas has all of these and more. Jason Berry, quintessential Louisiana insider and witty chronicler of what passes for morality in the halls of power, has concocted a tantalizing mix of comic misdemeanors and serious criminal activity.” — Valerie Martin, author of Property
"Both wildly entertaining and deadly serious, Last of the Red Hot Poppas is a fabulous read — nobody understands Louisiana politics (and its larger-than-life characters) better than Jason Berry. I couldn't put this one down." — Lee Smith, author of On Agate Hill and The Last Girls
Last of the Red Hot Poppas is part ribald whodunit, part social satire, and part “spiritual comedy,” as Berry calls it. It’s a chaotic romp through the many levels of “Looziana,” but above all, it is a novel about the struggle to maintain one’s integrity in a mad world of politics and power.
“Right-wing flag enthusiasts, big oil power brokers, luckless inheritors of environmental degradation, professional gamblers, sexual profligates, ACLU lawyers, and political hit men—Last of the Red Hot Poppas has all of these and more. Jason Berry, quintessential Louisiana insider and witty chronicler of what passes for morality in the halls of power, has concocted a tantalizing mix of comic misdemeanors and serious criminal activity.” — Valerie Martin, author of Property
"Both wildly entertaining and deadly serious, Last of the Red Hot Poppas is a fabulous read — nobody understands Louisiana politics (and its larger-than-life characters) better than Jason Berry. I couldn't put this one down." — Lee Smith, author of On Agate Hill and The Last Girls
Last of the Red Hot Poppas is part ribald whodunit, part social satire, and part “spiritual comedy,” as Berry calls it. It’s a chaotic romp through the many levels of “Looziana,” but above all, it is a novel about the struggle to maintain one’s integrity in a mad world of politics and power.
305 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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July 16, 2007Much more than a politically satirical mystery, as it has been billed, this book is beautifully written, has deep, complex characters, and is a poignant sanpshot of Louisana in a certain era.
March 26, 2025
I really loved this book! It’s funny, entertaining, satirical and very tense. In its best scenes and dialogues it reminded me of Tom Wolfe.
Why didn’t I give 5 stars? Well, I was not convinced by two of the most important characters, Sophie and Hubbell. Their love affair develops too fast and looks like the author desperately wanted to create a happy end.
Why didn’t I give 5 stars? Well, I was not convinced by two of the most important characters, Sophie and Hubbell. Their love affair develops too fast and looks like the author desperately wanted to create a happy end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2009
It's almost a three star book but not quite. While a rollicking good time, it seemed like a script for TV show or movie instead of a good book. Berry obviously loves Louisiana and I appreciate the noirish story with the Huey Longish Governor. The characters are very colorful, but some of them are a bit obvious/stereotypical. It's got plenty of faults but it was a fun distraction.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews