¶ … foundations while critiquing reviews of the book. There were four sources used to complete this paper. In the world of literature most authors are known for their fiction abilities or their non-fiction abilities. It is rare to see an author cross over between the styles and try and do both. Now and again, however there are exceptions and Dave Barry is one of them. Barry is most well-known for his sassy smart mouthed columns that have entertained his readers for many years. Recently however, Barry tried his hand at fiction and the result was a wonderful piece of literature called Big Trouble.

Barry has always used humor to diffuse sensitive topics in his works and he followed the same path when he wrote the fictional work. The plot has many instances of abuse from the abuse of a stepfather to a teenage girl to people cheating their bosses and the bosses wanting revenge (Barry, PG). While many of the issues in the book are emotionally sensitive the humor Barry uses to address those issues make it a book that can be read without being left sad and depressed. For those who want a light read it fits the bill, but interestingly those who want some heavy topics touched will also be pleased. Barry unfolds a story of hit men, businessmen, family strife and love. It is a combination that has worked for all of history and he uses his sense of humor to place a new twist in an old genre (Barry, PG). Barry has always used the what if scenarios for his columns and stand up routine (Barry, PG). He doesn't let the reader down in his attempts to write fiction either. Florida prisoners being released because the electrically...

The book makes anybody understand they have a better life than they may have believed and it uses humor to show the reader nothing is forever (Barry, PG).
Many critics fell in love with Barry's novel. One reviewer reminds the reader that Barry studies human nature when he writes. He understands the workings of society and used that understanding to insert humor throughout his novel (Kloer, L15). It is true that Barry understands human nature very well. It is what gives him the ability to write the insightful columns that he does and allows the reader to take his advice because it is delivered in a completely non-judgmental way. Some critics compliment Barry for using thriller leads to entice the reader. He does exactly that and one can almost hear him saying to himself as he writes "What if?" And then running with the idea.

Barry's use of humor comes in handy when Arnold is fired from a newspaper for having integrity. It is a tongue in cheek slap at the very hand that has fed Barry for decades and it is done with such flair no newspaper executive could possibly take offense (Kloer, L15). This is part of what makes the book a success. He follows his column writing strategy when it comes…