Copyright ©1976 by Thomas Robbins; Copyright (P)1993 Dove Audio, Inc.
"This is one of those special novels - a piece of working magic, warm, funny, and sane - that you just want to ride off into the sunset with." (Thomas Pynchon)
"Strange, quere, excellent"
My first contact to the work of Tom Robbins. What a interesting and funny story. A sinphony of words where one is tempted to rewind or pause often to comprehend the authors thoughts. Irving meets Djian, meets Kotzwinkle... just great!!
"Even Cowgirls Get the Blues"
This is a GOOD book! It's at least on par with Robbins other writing. I really enjoyed it. If you enjoyed Fierce Invalids ... or Half Asleep ... then you probably enjoy Robbins irreverent prosaic genius and are entertained by the ideas and the depth he includes in his well constructed stories. He delivers all this in this book too. Don't pass this book up. It's worth your time.
"Wake me up when this is over..."
This is not my first Tom Robbins book, I listened to Fierce Invalids first. I will grant that there are a few moments where I get a chuckle, but for the most part this book is a train wreck. I'm just over half way through the book and I am still wondering what the heck it is about. There are points where the author rambles on and on incessantly about some of the stupidest stuff I ever heard. If I hear the phrase "Ho Ho, He He, and Ha Ha" one more time, I'll puke. I've listened to some dull books that eventually picked up, but this one has yet to get me the slightest bit interested in any of the characters or plots (if you can call them that). At least in Fierce Invalids you could piece together the disparate parts and figure out a story line. This book is all over the place. I'm sure I will muscle my way through to the end, just to see if there is a point to any of the story lines, but just like a train wreck, it will be more of a morbid fascination to see where it ends than of a true enjoyment of a story well told.
Tucked away in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico.
"Not my favorite Robbins"
I'm working my way through all of Tom Robbins' books, but this wasn't my favorite. I'll give it an "OK," but "Fierce Invalids..." and "Frog Pajamas..." are the types of books that I will actually listen to more than once. I wouldn't listen to this one a second time.
"Sound quality problem"
There is an annoying echo (kind of a ghostly voice in the background) in quite a bit of this recording; my guess is that it was transferred to digital from an old tape that had deteriorated. When listening through headphones, it was so distracting I had to turn it off.
"A western tale from a more feminist perspective"
This was a good book but simply wasn't a story I was totally captivated by. I enjoyed parts of it but not enough to recommend it highly to others.
Eclectic mixer of books of my youth and ones I always meant to read, but didn't.
"Better than the sum of its parts"
I have always wanted to read this book. I saw the Uma Thurman film. I liked enough of it to get me interested in the book. Ten years later I have achieved this ambition and I'm quietly pleased with the achievement.
The novel is quirky, if not "out there". It is interestingly serious amongst the throw away one liners, clever phrases and plain ribald humour. It may be a bit too racy for some sensibilities and it must have been damn near banned when it was published. But, for all that, it is clever introspective about the pervading social condition in the US of its day and remarkably forward thinking. I think it is still very relevant, today.
It won't appeal to you if you are sensitive about four letter words (including the C word). It won't appeal to you if you think government and authority are always to be respected without question. It won't appeal to you if you are squeamish about birds and animals. It might not even be your cup of tea if you are a serious feminist (because it is feminism from one man's point of view).
On the other hand, I think you will really enjoy the belly laughs, the satire and the insight if you suspend your judgment for, say, the first 10 Chapters.
I thought Michael Nouri did a wonderful job with the text; 31/2 if I could give that rating. I could hear him on the discovery Channel as the cranes came to roost. The story is very clever too. almost a 4. Overall, I thought it was better than just good, hence the Overall assessment.
"Typical Tom Robbins making the amazing"
I would. Tom Robbins is one of my favorite writers and I think that Michael Nouri did a wonderful job at reading it.
Fierce invalides home from hot climates or Jitterbug perfume.
It is a movie and I do intend on watching it now.
"Contradiction at its best!!!"
I would listen to this again if only to memorize and incorporate those amazing existential one-liners!
The Chink! He peddled a majority of the book's philosophy.
Tom Robbins is not for everyone - I could tell Nouri was hip to Robbins style. I actually like his acting as well!
It made me laugh often!
Believe in nothing, everything is sacred! Believe in everything, nothing is sacred. If it gets messy, eat it over the sink!! :)