Alligators in B-Flat: Improbable Tales from the Files o… (2024)

This is the best book I have read so far in 2018. The stories (true stories) that Klinkenberg has unearthed from every corner of Florida are charming and it gives me hope that perhaps right around the corner in my own stomping ground there is probably some memorable character who has something to tell me or show me.

Besides the title story (which is entirely worth the price of admission, and then some) about the bellowing alligators responding to a Tuba pitch of B-flat two octaves below Middle C (and you can actually find footage of this experiment on YouTube), the rest of the book is equally full of revelations.

A female fashion photographer and former model who takes glamour shots of women; another woman photographer who stalks the elusive Florida panther; A fellow who lives on a raft he built, a la Huckleberry Finn; and Worm Grunters-people who employ a method of pounding on the soil which drives all the worms to the surface in a thundering horde, which they then harvest to sell to fishermen--these are just a very few of the unusual people Klinkenberg convinced to speak with him and let him visit their environs.

What exhilarated me about Klinkenberg's book was that in our cookie cutter world, where we see the same fast food outlets, listen to radio stations that all play the same 20 songs, and live in houses, apartments, condos or even mobile homes that all follow the same basic template, here in various pockets of life in mostly-rural Florida are people whose lives seem different; unique. Also, the work they do seems self-motivated.

One of my favorite stories (difficult to have a favorite) is a truck stop cafe called Chiappini's, attached to a true full-service gas station that has been passed down from family members since 1935. It exists in a time warp where no one is encouraged to eat their lunch and move along; rather, "loitering" is the most welcome norm.

In 1994, Chiappini's contract with their gasoline supplier was terminated because their station "was not modern enough to meet company standards." The owners were compelled to switch to a more expensive gasoline supplier and pass that cost along to customers, who did not care, and continue to loiter there as before.

This book is a treasure and a reminder to keep your eyes open and travel out of your usual orbit from time to time.

Just the best: read any of the collected Real Florida columns of Klink, but here, just before he retired from Tampa Bay Times, is a staggeringly wonderful selection. You can sample the wonders by examining the author website at http://www.jeffklinkenberg.com/
Incidentally, an Introduction from the editors makes plain this is the LAST volume in the fine series from University Press of Florida, The Florida History and Culture Series, edited by Raymond Arsenault and Gary R. Mormino. I salute all involved and wonder what series or set of series from University Press of Florida will next appear to document Florida folklife, cultural diversity, history, archaeology, biography, and all such good things. Let's find out: their website is https://upf.com/
Highest recommendation. I'm digging out another volume asap.

Interesting stories, a breadth that covers most corners of the state, and a likable effort to uncover the stark biographies of unassuming subjects. It makes you double-take every retiree and wonder how profound their life story might be. However, very Readers-Digesty writing style, not a lot of depth, borrows heavily from cliche, and the result is very kitschy and glib.

Great stories about what makes Florida special and unique. Have the book if anyone wants it.

Wonderful vignettes of old Florida by an accomplished writer. Lot of fun to read.

A very interesting collection of articles and stories by a St. Petersburg Times writer that seems to cover every oddball and unique place across the state of Florida. The book is a nice mix of current tales with tales of old Florida. My favorite was the story from which the book takes its title and was about alligators at Gatorland responding to notes played on orchestra instruments! A good read whether or not you are a Floridian.

I didn't abandon it partway through, but toward the end I did find myself skipping some of the essays. I don't know if I'd just had enough quirkiness or just enough of Klinkenberg's voice, but I was ready to be done with the book. Definitely captures some wonderful Floridian characters, quirks, and places, but I did not enjoy it as much as I have the author's previous work.

Jeff Klinkenberg visited and met many Floridians who have interesting stories to tell. I really enjoyed "meeting" these people who have added something to our amazing state.

Loved it! Great stories about true floridians!

Brilliant, colorful writing and unique stories that could only come from one of the WEIRDEST places to live in the United States.

Wonderful slices of life from all over Florida that are wildly diverse and interesting.