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oliviamayfair's review
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
junglezee's review against another edition
4.0
I was recommended this book by my partner Sarah, and I originally tried to get through it a year or two ago, but I was smoking a lot of weed at that point and wasn't able to string together all of Tom Robbins' prose/poetry/strange & unique narrative and keep it in my brain long enough to digest any of it. It was washing over me and I couldn't keep up, so I abandoned ship and kept playing video games.
Now, the year is 2021, a pandemic has taken over, and... I've managed to lose a ton of weight (35 pounds to date!), give up smoking weed, and start to build out some better habits. As a result, after finishing my previous book, I decided to give Still Life With Woodpecker another shot, especially because Sarah is so fond of the book and she insisted that I'd enjoy it.
Enjoy it I did. Here are my two primary thoughts:
1. Tom Robbins can write. His prose and voice are unlike anything I've ever read, and I found myself swirling in his unique artistry. This is the book's greatest feature, is that it's woven like an expertly-crafted fabric and his delivery is unique and, for my tastes, super enjoyable. He's funny, strange, and off-beat, and he uses the tools of his trade like an expert craftsman.
2. The plot got a little bit slow at times. When and I really just wanted to get on with the show and see what was going to happen next. At times, it felt like the plot was sacrificed so that Tom Robbins could show off his expert craftsmanship. I'll caveat this by saying that his writing is fantastic, and it is quite acceptable for him to have let the plot drag in areas because reading his words is a refreshing, unique, and enjoyable experience.
I would like to give the writing style 5 out of 5 stars and the plot 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. This book has moments that force you to keep turning the pages, and snoozer moments that require a bit of "slogging" through. The snoozer moments are far outweighed by the incredible writing and unique voice of Tom Robbins, though.
I recommend this book for being a super unique foray into the world of Tom Robbins, and think that anyone can benefit from giving this read a whirl.
Now, the year is 2021, a pandemic has taken over, and... I've managed to lose a ton of weight (35 pounds to date!), give up smoking weed, and start to build out some better habits. As a result, after finishing my previous book, I decided to give Still Life With Woodpecker another shot, especially because Sarah is so fond of the book and she insisted that I'd enjoy it.
Enjoy it I did. Here are my two primary thoughts:
1. Tom Robbins can write. His prose and voice are unlike anything I've ever read, and I found myself swirling in his unique artistry. This is the book's greatest feature, is that it's woven like an expertly-crafted fabric and his delivery is unique and, for my tastes, super enjoyable. He's funny, strange, and off-beat, and he uses the tools of his trade like an expert craftsman.
2. The plot got a little bit slow at times. When
Spoiler
Leigh-Cheri locks herself in the attic, we spend what felt like 75 pages with her mulling over the pack of Camel cigarettes in her attic,I would like to give the writing style 5 out of 5 stars and the plot 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. This book has moments that force you to keep turning the pages, and snoozer moments that require a bit of "slogging" through. The snoozer moments are far outweighed by the incredible writing and unique voice of Tom Robbins, though.
I recommend this book for being a super unique foray into the world of Tom Robbins, and think that anyone can benefit from giving this read a whirl.
lspargo's review against another edition
4.0
I've read two other books by Tom Robbins that I really liked, and this was no different. All three of his books that I've read had some kind of emphasis on inanimate objects, which I thought was interesting. The story was quirky and compelling.
hudiconpollo's review against another edition
3.0
this dude is insufferable but also kind of insightful
regamemnon's review against another edition
5.0
The moon? Redheads? Making love stay? What more can you ask for?
Plus Robbins' language is deliciously passionate and unique. Big fan.
Plus Robbins' language is deliciously passionate and unique. Big fan.
blbdennis's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in the tenth grade, and now I have a ninth and an eleventh grader so it's been a minute. But I still love this book. The secret lives of Red Heads from the planet Argon will live with me forever but Tom Robbins style is always what draws me in. I mean I am fairly certain he was on cocaine through out much of his novel writing, I always come away slightly sweaty and feeling rushed after reading but the words draw you in like bees to honey. He will forever be one of my most favorite authors. Him and Jane Austen, tied...go figure
coffeenamebill's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
fun and creative as hell, thoughtful prose, occasionally pull out a dictionary
mongoosiah's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
spinstah's review against another edition
3.0
This was just bizarre, but in an enjoyable enough way. The story is pretty fast-paced once you get into it, which is good because I'm not sure I would have finished it if it wasn't moving along at a good pace (and if it wasn't for a book club). It's written in a somewhat hyperactive tone that I found jarring at first.
The book is a weird combination of harebrained philosophies and (what seems like) the author's obsession with sex. (There are some things about it that could really push a feminist's buttons if you were to stop and think about it. I chose not to while I was reading in the interest of finishing.)
As for the story itself, it involves a European royal family in exile in Seattle, where they are being watched by the CIA, and a mad bomber type who meets the princess on a flight to Hawaii where they are both to attend (or blow up) an environmental conference headlined by Ralph Nader. Later in the book, the princess becomes obsessed by the packaging of Camel cigarettes.
I think that sums it up in a lot of ways.
The book is a weird combination of harebrained philosophies and (what seems like) the author's obsession with sex. (There are some things about it that could really push a feminist's buttons if you were to stop and think about it. I chose not to while I was reading in the interest of finishing.)
As for the story itself, it involves a European royal family in exile in Seattle, where they are being watched by the CIA, and a mad bomber type who meets the princess on a flight to Hawaii where they are both to attend (or blow up) an environmental conference headlined by Ralph Nader. Later in the book, the princess becomes obsessed by the packaging of Camel cigarettes.
I think that sums it up in a lot of ways.