Reviews

Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins

amberhayward's review against another edition

3.0

This is the second Tom Robbins book I've read and it was only slightly disappointing because Even Cowgirls Get the Blues is just so wonderful. But this one is pretty great to. The best part of Tom Robbins, it seems, are the quirky and eccentric characters. You can chalk them up to just being weirdo hippies due to the era of the novel, but they are so much more than that. They are charming and enlightening and absurd which is what everyone should strive to be.

thematinee's review against another edition

3.0

A pretty beginning

A muddy middle

A wonderful ending

I'm interested in reading more TR, but this was an uneven introduction to his work.

loves_nurse's review

adventurous challenging funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

allisonjpmiller's review against another edition

2.0

Don't get me wrong: the writing is unquestionably brilliant. It's just not my style. Ultimately, the characters weren't characters. They were vessels for satire and social commentary. That's all well and good if that's your intention, but it makes the narrative something less than true fiction to me. I'm reminded of what G.K. Chesterton once said: "A good novel tells us the truth about its hero, but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author." I certainly knew a lot about Tom Robbins after finishing this; didn't know much about his hero and heroine.

While I agree with the distinction Robbins makes between spirituality and religion, I think he makes his points rather sloppily, and somewhat dishonestly at times. I have read too many other books on the subject, I guess.

I can see the appeal of this guy. He can put together a sentence like few other people I've read. But there's not enough behind those perfectly-chosen words to compel me, in this case.

altarwall's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

liam_5murphy's review against another edition

4.0

The Tarzan scene is one of the best things I’ve ever read

tyedyepie's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

ephemeralbison's review against another edition

4.0

Another Roadside Attraction, through a rather meandering narrative, asks several poignant questions. What makes us happy? Is absolute truth always in society's best interest? Are there really fleas in that little circus?

blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition

1.0

Maybe I was just tired of Tom Robbin's writing pattern (see my review of Still Life with Woodpecker) but this book was so boring and predictable. Couldn't finish it, wish I hadn't started it.

patmole's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5