Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates Audiobook By Tom Robbins cover art

Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates

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Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates

By: Tom Robbins
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
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"Tom Robbins has a grasp on things that dazzles the brain and he's also a world-class storyteller."
--Thomas Pynchon

In Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates, his seventh and biggest novel, the wise, witty, always gutsy Tom Robbins brings onstage the most complex and compelling character he has ever created.

Switters is a contradiction for all seasons: an anarchist who works for the government, a pacifist who carries a gun, a vegetarian who sops up ham gravy, a cyberwhiz who hates computers, a robust bon vivant who can be as squeamish as any fop, a man who, though obsessed with the preservation of innocence, is aching to deflower his high-school-age stepsister (only to become equally enamored of a nun ten years his senior).

Yet there is nothing remotely wishy-washy about Switters. He doesn't merely pack a pistol. He is a pistol.

And as we dog Switters's strangely elevated heels across four continents, in and out of love and danger, Robbins explores, challenges, mocks, and celebrates virtually every major aspect of our mercurial era.

As many readers well know, to describe a Tom Robbins plot does not begin to describe a Tom Robbins novel. Moreover, the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author, with his love of language, nuance, and surprise, is as opposed to story summations as J.D. Salinger. It is revealing, however, to learn what things Robbins lists as having influenced the writing of Fierce Invalids:

"This book was inspired by an entry from Bruce Chatwin's journal, by a CIA agent I met in Southeast Asia, by the mystery surrounding the lost prophecy of the Virgin of Fatima, by the increasing evidence that the interplay of opposites is the engine that runs the universe, and by embroidered memories of old Terry and the Pirates comic books."

Robbins also has said that throughout the writing of Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates he was guided by the advice of Julia Child: "Learn to handle hot things. Keep your knives sharp. Above all, have a good time."

Perhaps that is why he has managed to write a provocative, rascally novel that takes no prisoners--and yet is upbeat, romantic, meaningful, adventurous, edifying, and fun.©2000 Tom Robbins; (P)2000 Random House, Inc. Action & Adventure Classics Education Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Funny Witty

Critic reviews

"In his seventh, and perhaps most complex novel to date, Robbins shines as brilliantly as he has in the past...superb current social commentary."
--New York Post
Philosophical Insights • Colorful Characters • Humorous Dialogue • Engaging Adventure • Clever Wordplay

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Perhaps the funniest audiobook I've heard. Add to that Tom Robbins' entertaining use of the language and rich character development, and this is one of the all-time best.

What a riot!

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This was my first Tom Robbins book. I found it well written (content aside) and well read (although there are some lapses in the female voices) and at times quite amusing. My main problem is that is so cliche in its Christian bashing. For someone, seemingly, well versed in religion and philosophy Mr. Robbins either misunderstands or has chosen to, unnecessarily, twist some of the primary points of Christian Theology. He also points to the excesses of those failing to live up to Christian standards as being the defining character/nature of Christianity. I believe that Mr. Robbins needs to get a life (and maybe do better research) before writing any more books pertaining to religion (especially Christianity) and the nature of reality. Most of his views are tired, out-of-date(not to mention mostly wrong) and definitely cliche. I weary of characters who are presented as educated, intelligent, open-minded and with something important to say but in this guise simply present a failed and extremely small-minded view of the world and other people...

Just Another Cliche (That is

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As most of the Tom Robbins novels I have read, this gave me many smiles and chuckles. I love Mr. Robbins's sense of humor, depth of research, and verbal diarrhea. No, not as a steady diet. I have to be in the mood for his ways and stories. The fact that I have owned the hardback for decades is proof of how I must pace my intake of his work.

I waited too long. The last time I tried to read this book I realized the font was too small to enjoy. So I waited until I could afford the Audible version. Even then, I wasn't ready. But this was on my virtual and physical shelves the longest and I wanted to set it free of those bonds.

Audible is such a wonderful system for those of us who need the help. Not only is the story easier to read with the assistance of the narrator, but, I felt, deeply enhanced. Keith Szarabajka seemed to have the innate ability to channel Tom Robbins. He had characterizations for the population in this book. His sexy deep voice gives the main character, Switters, a bit of a 007 quality.

Looking at all the reviews of this book I see that the ratings range from the one star to five. I really think this is due to moods and lack of an audio version to enjoy. For those that couldn't stand the book, please do as I did and put it off until you are ready to enjoy the nuances Tom throws into all his book. Yes, a little crazy helps the read.

Robbins. Not In A Steady Diet!

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Tom Robbins is a master of the language and the quotable phrase. I had to keep stopping the audiobook so I could tell my family about the latest thing I had just heard. If you love good writing you'll enjoy this and all his books. I liked this so well I gave the paperback to my son -- an avowed fan of Vonnegut and <I>Catch 22</i> --for Christmas.

What fun!

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struggled to get thru it. Narrator was good, just had a tough time with the story line

hard to get thru

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