Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates

By: Tom Robbins

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"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.

Critic reviews

2001, Audie Awards, Winner

"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

Robbins. Not In A Steady Diet!

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.

What fun!

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.

hard to get thru

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

one of my favorites

4th time read. hear something new each time. Listening to the book added to the fun

Absolutely must have in your collection

Keith Szarabajka does for Tom Robbins what film maker Peter Jackson did for J.R.R.Tolkien. It's the original but Szarabajka brings ever so much more depth, pacing and characterization to the novel that just reading the book yourself (which I did years ago) seems drier and less fulfilling by comparison. Tom Robbins fans, rejoice! Encore! Encore!

Best book ever

Would you listen to Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates again? Why?

I listen to this book at least once a year. It is brilliantly written, the characters (Switters in particular) have character, weaknesses, humor, and believable interactions. The more times that I read this book the funnier it gets because you know the character and personalities.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates?

I think the most memorable moment for me was when Switters came back to the monestary and put on his huge stilts and walked in circles scolding the Vatican representatives. The whole event was comical and written so perfectly. Even when Domino prevents Switters' feet to touch ground. Robbins shows Switters' vulnerability and strength at the same time.

Which character ??? as performed by Keith Szarabajka ??? was your favorite?

Obviously my favorite character was Switters. I loved Bobby Case and Domino and Maestra as well. This narrator moves swiftly and presicely and his voices for each character are what I hear when I read the book myself.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can't say I was ever moved to anything but laughter.

Just get atleast a 1/4 wat through.

First part of the book is weird. It gets really great after the first 1/4.

Joyously awesome word juggling

Tom Robbins is such a delightful and genuinely clever word juggler. His protagonist Switters, one can honestly say, is a unique character and it's a pleasure to journey with him. The novel's feels like it's quotable from the first to the last sentence ... the story itself, however, feels like a biproduct for Robbins' joyous excursions on any number of topics.

As the book jacket says: Robbins explores, challenges, mocks, and celebrates virtually every major aspect of our mercurial era." There's good reason to read this book and spend time with the one and only Switters, but the story is not one of them.

listened to all 16+ hours if this book twice

I listened to all 16+ hours if this book twice! It wasn?t that I loved it so much the 1st time that I had to listen again, but I spent so much time trying to figure out what Switters was saying that it wasn?t until the 2nd listen that I actually laughed out loud at some of his comments. Usually at one of his many off-the-cuff analogys like ?red as a baboon?s butt? or referring to the 3rd Prophesy of Fatima as a ?Papal onion? or an apostrophe as a ?comma on a trampoline? ? all easy to miss the first time around! But don?t get me wrong ? I did not like the constant referrals to his lust for his young step-sister, Susie, or his endless womanizing. For all his machoness he was always looking for a relationship that couldn?t possibly work out. Was he perverted or just scared of commitment? Was he ever really going to read ?Finnigan?s Wake? or was that just one more hopeless project for him to endlessly espouse his opinions on innocent victims? Well, I must admit to a small amount of guilty pleasure with this crazy book ? It was quite a trip ? one that I?d recommend ? but not for the faint-hearted!

A treat for me!

If you enjoy the eclectic I don't see how you wouldn't love this. The improbable plot is secondary to the amazing jumble of observations, ideas, and theories. I found myself laughing out loud to hear a few oddball ideas that I thought were my own echoed in this book. Our hero is flawed and full of contradictions and weirdness, just as real people are. This book requires you to spend a long time in Tom Robbins' world as he meanders through life, the universe, and everything - so I suggest listening to the entire audio sample, and if you find it more intriguing than annoying, go for it!