
The Downhill Lie
A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $13.50
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Carl Hiaasen
-
By:
-
Carl Hiaasen
"What possesses a man to return in midlife to a game at which he'd never excelled in his prime, and which in fact had dealt him mostly failure, angst and exasperation? Here's why I did it: I'm one sick bastard."
And thus we have Carl's foray into a world of baffling titanium technology, high-priced golf gurus, bizarre infomercial gimmicks and the mind-bending phenomenon of Tiger Woods - a maddening universe of hooks and slices where Carl ultimately (and foolishly) agrees to compete in a country-club tournament against players who can actually hit the ball. "That's the secret of the sport's infernal seduction," he writes. "It surrenders just enough good shots to let you talk yourself out of quitting."
Hiaasen's chronicle of his shaky return to this bedeviling pastime and the ensuing demolition of his self-esteem - culminating with the savage 45-hole tournament - will have you rolling with laughter. Yet the bittersweet memories of playing with his own father and the glow he feels when watching his own young son belt the ball down the fairway will also touch your heart.
Forget Tiger, Phil and Ernie. If you want to understand the true lure of golf, turn to Carl Hiaasen, who offers an extraordinary audiobook for the ordinary hacker.
©2008 Carl Hiaasen (P)2008 Random House, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
People who viewed this also viewed...


















Filled with his patented dry wit and self deprecation, he chronicled his journey, which definitely describes golfers at many levels - their superstitions, pursuit of the “next BIG thing” to help their game, etc.
I saw myself and friends in his story. It’s a great read for anyone who #livesoverpar.
One Man’s Hilarious Journey With Golf!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good but not my best read
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What did you like best about The Downhill Lie? What did you like least?
The book was entertaining, and the reading passably good. However, I rather expected the strange and tangential humor of the typical Hiaasen book, and it simply was not present. A good read for a golfer, but not for the mystery buff.What do you think your next listen will be?
Rhys BowenWhat does Carl Hiaasen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
an insider's view of golfDid The Downhill Lie inspire you to do anything?
not reallyA Downhill Lie, not your usual Hiaasen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
My father told me about this book because, like the story it tells, I am a middle aged guy coming back to golf after years away. I had read a novel by Carl Hiaasen before, a light but fun story, and thought this might be fun too. At times it is; Hiaasen is a reasonably good writer and tries to use humor throughout. Parts of the book are quite funny. The only problem is that almost all of the humor is self deprecating, so a lot of moderately funny jokes tend to add up to an overall downer. Anyone who gets to play that much golf on that many nice courses should find a little bit more to be happy about.Hacker Humor
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
funny!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It is the type of book that you can't stop reading/listening with the hope something good will happen to the main character, the author. Bringing in his friends makes it a real experience that can be identified with each swing of his many , assorted golf clubs.
This book is a can't miss from beginning to end.This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to listen to the others.
Not a Bogie but a Birdie !
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Is there anything you would change about this book?
It's a bit dated, being written before the fall of TigerWhat could Carl Hiaasen have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Update itWhat does Carl Hiaasen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
i like his reading, always colourfulWas The Downhill Lie worth the listening time?
SureKina funny
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I am not a golfer... Now I know why!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Hiassen at his best
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Totally relateable
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.