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pictusfish's review
5.0
It's one of those books that you'll keep thinking about just for the interesting ways it talks about things.
book_concierge's review
3.0
This is an "interesting" read ... it was a book club selection or I don't think I would have chosen it for myself. He has some very interesting, strong female characters, but his writing is NOT for everyone. I haven't read anything else by Robbins, but I wouldn't rule him out.
cpainter7's review
2.0
I adored Jitterbug Perfume in all its cosmic madness and can be forgiving of the less than good parts (namely, Robbins’ difficulty writing women’s and often POC dialogue). It even has a special place on my To Read Again shelf. This one, however, left me cold. The main character and his best friend are pedophiles and I just couldn’t get past it or all the quasi-philosophical moral relativism of it all. I hated pretty much every character in this book except the nuns. I do have a very handy list of new vocabulary words to digest, which I am thankful for. Some of the concepts were also fascinating, but it was never long before they were flattened by page upon page of diatribe that never really served the story or added to the dimensions of the main character. I appreciate Robbins and have also been recommended Still Life, but it will be some time before I’m ready to pick him up again. Think I’ll read a Vonnegut next.
hayleyemily's review
4.0
I feel like I only started speaking his language 1/3 of the way in, and it only got crazier from there :)
vorpalblad's review
4.0
Robbins may only put out a book every ten years but the wait is worth it and the growth is evident. The slowest parts of his earlier books were often the most creative, the talking, moving inanimate objects. Nice idea, not interesting. Since "Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas" I have not felt a misstep.
A book that makes me think, then talk (hopefully think first) and want to explore ideas presented. Yet, it isn't just ideas; the wordplay and language are brilliant.
A book that makes me think, then talk (hopefully think first) and want to explore ideas presented. Yet, it isn't just ideas; the wordplay and language are brilliant.
mindynoel's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship