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A review by junglezee
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins
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.