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apatrick's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a big Tom Robbins fan, so I couldn't miss his memoir. It's pretty decent, good turns of phrase. Makes me want to read all his books again.
starness's review against another edition
4.0
I could listen to Tom Robbins’ stories all day, he’s just gifted with words and humour and unlike any other writer I’ve come across. A master wizard of words magical and wonderful with plenty of the bizarre. I’d love to have an inch of his talent. Part memoir part imaginative recollections I loved being inside his wonderful mind. I’ve only ever read one Tom Robbins book before which I read as a teenager and I just know I’d appreciate it today way more than I did back then. Also top props to the narrator who nailed the audio on this! A match made in heaven.
thinker_j's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
5.0
Tom's life is as interesting and crazy as his books. I'm a fan.
sharonskinner's review against another edition
5.0
It was really great to get a glimpse inside the life of one of my all-time favorite contemporary authors.
katrinky's review against another edition
2.0
his books meant a lot to me as a teenager, especially ARA and Cowgirls, for reasons that are obvious in hindsight and that largely involve body hair. I'm glad he wrote about his life and his experiences, but he is extremely Of His Era and thus traipses into some very disappointing territory writing about a 1970 trip to Japan.
a good time capsule of a book; definitely captures the ethos of a particular kind of freewheeling, privileged troublemaker that thrived in the art & literary world between the 60s-90s, and which is both mesmerizing and infuriating.
a good time capsule of a book; definitely captures the ethos of a particular kind of freewheeling, privileged troublemaker that thrived in the art & literary world between the 60s-90s, and which is both mesmerizing and infuriating.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
4.0
The most enjoyable thing about reading Tom Robbins is his love of word play. The words jump around, bump into each other, do somersaults and let out big wahoos! He loves metaphor like some people like their favorite salad dressing. Never one to fall into the crush of conventional sayings or common aphorisms, Robbins' imagination shines when he is describing his world with hyperbolic abandon.
While none of the stories in this non-memoir retelling of his life were particularly earth shaking, it was interesting to learn about his years as a performance artist, art critic and journalist. His attitude towards women is cavalier and at time heartless. He doesn't seem to have much of a connection to his children, but wants to reassure the readers that each of his children have fond regard for him and choose to live nearby.
While none of the stories in this non-memoir retelling of his life were particularly earth shaking, it was interesting to learn about his years as a performance artist, art critic and journalist. His attitude towards women is cavalier and at time heartless. He doesn't seem to have much of a connection to his children, but wants to reassure the readers that each of his children have fond regard for him and choose to live nearby.
savannahlaughlin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
3.75
It took me a while to really get into this but once he gets to his early twenties it really picks up and the stories become more interesting and funny. I genuinely enjoyed most of his stories and learning about his life and how varied it has been. There were a few references from some of his novels that I've read that I appreciated. Overall just a really cool look into the life of one of my favorite authors.
erinequalspeace's review against another edition
4.0
I loved reading Tom Robbins' books when I was in high school 20+ years ago because they engaged life's deepest questions via kooky characters in situations simultaneously mystical and earthy. Reading this memoir of sorts, I was reminded what a great storyteller he is and how he exults in the perfect turn of phrase. Lucky for us, the guy has lived a pretty interesting, well-traveled life. Also, you might think because he was born in 1932 his stories would be old-fashioned, or he might be disconnected from contemporary culture, but his references are surprisingly current and relevant. I really enjoyed reading this book.
bill_flanagan's review against another edition
4.0
This may be one of the most entertaining autobiographies I've read and one of the best books Tom Robbins has written. I'm not sure I believe all of it, but he sure can tell a tale!