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Villa Incognito (Paperback)

by Tom Robbins (Author)
3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 17.99
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Product Details

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Donald Barthelme once said, "Those who never attempt the absurd never achieve the impossible." Robbins (Still Life with Woodpecker; Jitterbug Perfume; etc.) has made a career of attempting and achieving both, and in this, his eighth novel, he pulls it off again. Here we have weirdness personified, a quirky, outrageous concoction that is a joy to the imagination. The novel begins with the story of Tanuki, a badgerlike Asian creature with a reputation as a changeling and trickster and a fondness for sake. Also part of the cast is a beautiful young woman who may or may not have Tanuki's blood in her veins (but definitely does have a chrysanthemum seed embedded in the roof of her mouth), and three American MIAs who have chosen to remain in Laos long after the Vietnam War. Events are set in motion when one of the MIAs, dressed as a priest, is arrested with a cache of heroin taped to his body. In vintage Robbins style, the plot whirls every which way, as the author, writing with unrestrained glee, takes potshots at societal pillars: the military, big business and religions of all ilks. The language is eccentric, electrifying and true to the mark. A few examples: "The afternoon passed more slowly than a walnut-sized kidney stone"; "He crooned the way a can of cheap dog food might croon if a can of cheap dog food had a voice"; "Dickie's heart felt suddenly like an iron piano with barbwire strings and scorpions for keys." While the ending is a bit of a letdown, this is delectable farce, full of tantalizing secrets and bizarre disguises.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


From AudioFile

Once upon a time, a satyr-like Japanese badger-spirit seduced and impregnated a mortal. Many generations later (two or so years into the present century), an infant descendent arrives in the U.S., promising a more joyful, mystical, nature-loving future for all Americans. This is the story of how the child/creature got here with the unwitting help of three Vietnam-era Army deserters living in the title Laotian villa, where they traffic illegally in medicinal heroin. These nefarious smart-asses are heroes, according to our author, who invests them and his narrative with mischievous, sexy, and subversive humor. Crisp-toned Barrett Whitener totally buys into the romp, unintimidated by the overrich vocabulary and mystical esoterica. He does an astonishing job impersonating the Asian characters. When the text runs out of steam near the end, he perks it up. Thanks to Whitener, staying tuned through the end is a pleasure. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

71 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (22)
3 star:
 (19)
2 star:
 (9)
1 star:
 (9)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.3 out of 5 stars (71 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Villa Supreme, Mar 27 2005
Tom Robbins has managed to weave a tale that is both entertaining and engaging through his use of characters such as Viet Nam MIA's, armed forces officers, and well researched Japanese folk lore. I am of the opinion that this is one of his best creations and have to wonder what the man must do to get five stars from his readers! If you enjoy the writings of Tom Robbins as much as I do, then, by all means read this book. It is as great as Tom Robbins gets. Bravo T.R.

Also recommended: Children's Corner by McCrae or Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

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4.0 out of 5 stars Like sex or pizza, Jul 23 2004
By A Customer
A Tom Robbins novel is like sex or pizza: even when it's bad it's still pretty good. Not that "Villa" is bad, but I didn't feel it was up to his "Jitterbug Perfume/Even Cowgirls/Another Roadside Attraction" level of writing. With limbs flying, plots twisting, and characters cavorting all over the page, this one is still good for laughs. If you're a fan of laughter, dark comedy, great plots that are at once believeable and yet fantastic, this is the book for you. Also try "Bark of the Dogwood" and Vonngeut's "Welcome to the Monkey House." Hoot.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Rather Disappointing, Jul 11 2004
By "ncosgray" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Villa Incognito (Hardcover)
Well, I'd just read "Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates" after many years spent with no Tom Robbins books at all. I suppose I had basicallly forgotten about the man, although when I consider it now "Still Life" and "Skinny Legs & All" were mightily enjoyable reads. Anyway, I moved to Seattle and that, for obvious reasons, fueled a reinterest/rediscovery of Robbins. "Fierce Invalids" is certainly one of the best books I've read this year. On the other hand, soon after (perhaps too soon after) "Invalids", my curiousity piqued, I purchased "Villa Incognito". Yesterday, I finished the book. Today, I feel compelled to review it. I did like reading of the tanukis, and the first half or so of the novel was quite engaging. There were two main problems, I felt. A tiny smattering of the characters held some level of interest for me (namely, Madame Ko), but, all in all, I found the book to lack character development or even character definition. The other problem was the ending, which happened about 300 pages immature. I have a theory about this. It seems that Robbins was in the process of writing "Villa Incognito" when the 9/11 attacks happened. I think this affected his writing, because on September 11th (in the book) everything basically falls apart. We lose the plot, and the characters get lost too. Some die, some run away, but very little is actually brought to a point of closure. So I believe that on 9/11 he simply gave up on this book. That he just needed to wrap it up and go on to something else, a post-9/11 novel, at "Villa Incognito"'s (and the reader's) expense. Unfortunate timing, as well, because I do think the novel had great potential. And so I say: Rather Disappointing.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Even sub-par Robbins makes me laugh
Modern readers are not used to intrusive narrators, a device that hearkens back to the earliest forms of the novel--Tom Jones, Tristram Shandy, for example. Read more
Published on Jul 11 2004 by C. Myers

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Robbins' best. Not his worst.
Comparing this book to his other work, I'd place it near the bottom. It's not as uninspired as Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, but not as vibrant as the rest of them. Read more
Published on Jul 4 2004 by A. White

3.0 out of 5 stars light weight, entertaining, but somewhat disappointing
I agree with other reviewers who have suggested this not be the first Robbins book you read--start with Skinny Legs and All (my personal favorite), Jitterbug Perfume, or Still... Read more
Published on Jun 22 2004 by James J. Lippard

5.0 out of 5 stars pla-bonga, pla-bonga, pla-bonga
In typcial Robbins style, he gives voice to the animal and inanimate with humor and vivid descriptions. Read more
Published on Jun 22 2004 by Heather

2.0 out of 5 stars An arrow in the bullseye of a tired target...
Robbins earlier works are much better and as he continues with his retreaded themes his efforts are becoming increasingly bathetic. Read more
Published on Jun 21 2004 by D. Bannister

2.0 out of 5 stars lite Robbin's snack till his next Big Thing
Not Tom's best by a long shot (I've read'm all), though I liked it better than Fierce Invalids. This is due more to a prurient self-interest in Japanese mythology, South East... Read more
Published on Jun 21 2004 by Fudo Myo

5.0 out of 5 stars Please don't start with this book!
Tom Robbins is a very smart, funny writer with no apparent end of inspiration. His humor can be sweet or raunchy. He puns shamelessly. And yet... Read more
Published on Jun 4 2004 by G. Barnett

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit lightweight, but thoroughly entertaining nonetheless.
Tom Robbins has moved through his career from the "small" novel (Another Roadside Attraction, Even Cowgirls get the Blues, Still Life with Woodpecker) to the "epic" novel... Read more
Published on May 18 2004 by David J. Gannon

5.0 out of 5 stars Different, but good
While this novel is different from Tom Robbin's former works, it is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking piece. Yes, he does deal with some politics in it. Read more
Published on April 20 2004 by Maura Cooney

4.0 out of 5 stars pla-bonga!
Tom Robbins is the kind of writer that manages to get under your skin and ferment there until he becomes a way of life. Read more
Published on April 12 2004 by A. Hook

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