Customer Reviews

Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates

5 star:		(103)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Tom Robbins is the Grand Master of simile and metaphor, capable of incredible invention of unique characters exploring cosmic and comic themes in weird locales. His "Skinny Legs and All" is one of THE must-read books, and "Jitterbug Perfume" is also outstanding. Most of his earlier works richly reward the reader, with the exception of the pitiful toss-off "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas".

Unfortunately, "Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates" isn't quite up to the level of his greatest work. It will still stop you cold with an image, a rhythm, an insight or a laugh, but there's a sense that Robbins had a lot of potential paths he considered following, that he wandered a ways down several of them, and in the end, he decided none of them really led anywhere in particular, so he might as well end it fast. The result is that you're stimulated, inspired, intrigued, amused, and finally thoughtful, but ultimately a bit disappointed. It's like you gave Leonardo paint, canvas, and brushes, and he created the Mona Lisa, but gave her Alfred E. Newman's smile and walked away. It's a comical take with clear evidence of genius, but you feel like a masterpiece got missed.

If you have not read any Tom Robbins yet this would be a brilliant place to start. Tom Robbins has a way of weaving words and images that will have you re-reading pages again and again in amazement. His grasp of the English language and how to use it leaves one in pure delight and relief. You will find yourself laughing out loud on many occasions. This is an amazing vacation book or something to read when you have time to really sit and soak up large sections of what this gifted storyteller has to share with us. Regards

Wow, yet another masterpiece by Tom Robbins. I ADORE the main character and even catch myself occasionally talking like him now! A definite must-read if you like dark, quirky senses of humor.

A poet, a philosopher, a polygon, there are many sides to author Tom Robbins. We see this in his earlier novels: In Another Roadside Attraction, he replaces paranoia and cynicism of Catholism, secret societies and conspiracy theories with humor and fun; in Skinny Legs and All, he spins a prosaic punchline around politics, religion, art and sex; in Jitterbug Perfume, we get a colorful allegory that travels over a period of a thousand years and traces the life of Pan, the god of nature, and a bottle of perfume that's the essence of the universe.

In Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates, Robbins again does a remarkable job of pulling in the secrets of history, religion, and anthropology, adding myth, magic and metaphor to present-day events, without being a heavy-handed preacher. The characters aren't as colorfully absurd and outrageously zany as they were in his previous works, but you won't forget them nevertheless. And his zest for language and life is sure poetry; his message is as sinuous and sly as the line in the yin-yang symbol.

Fierce Invalids lays it out for you clearly, faithfully.

Tom's books represent, literally and figuratively, everything unique and fun about this country. Tom has the uncanny knack of not just pouring you the juice by which to quench your soul's thirst, but also inserting a life line I.V. to ensure it hits its' target. No effort asides from sitting still and allowing the juice to run its' course is required. Needless to say Tom's juice is full of paradox, adventure, laughter, and philosophical meanderings. Simultaneously acting as a stimulant, an aphrodisiac, an hallucinogen, and a guided meditation, this book, like all of Tom's work, is, more than a great story, it's Finnegan's Wake-up call to the cultural malaise of the one true enemy: a mundane existence; a life without curiosity. Also highly recommended would be McCrae's CHILDREN'S CORNER and the great and funny GRAVITY'S RAINBOW.

With a typical tangled, tangy, tawdry, turgid, tenacious, and tantalizing Robbins plot (Oh, dear, should I have said "Robust, rowdy, randy, rambunctious, rollicking?"), the mayor of Far-Fetched Land (uh, that would be Robbins) does it once again. Whew. Now. For those who adored EVEN COWGIRLS, STILL LIFE WITH WOODPECKER, ETC., you will absolutely love FIERCE INVALIDS. Sorry, don't mean to scream at you. If you don't like a good Tom Robbins novel, please, call an ambulance-more than likely you're already dead. Still, that's no reason not to buy this book.

Wacky? You bet. Robbins has a knack for plots that will keep your head spinning, yet somehow, these things he comes up with are believable. Don't ask me how he does it. Please see (what some have termed a "synopsis") of this novel (the book description above is good) because I can't even begin to tell you what it's about. The only other authors who come even CLOSE to Robbins are Boyle (think his WATER MUSIC) and McCrae in his BARK OF THE DOGWOOD. Yes, Robbins is an original, but these three have something in common: great writing, weird-land plots, characters that you'll fall in love with, and a sense of timing that Jerry Seinfield would envy. I was so worried I'd be disappointed in INVALIDS (I had visions of an old-folks retirement home), but I have to say that this is one of the most stellar, startling, strange, strung-out, and sensational reads I've come across in years.

Also recommended: EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES and ANOTHER ROADSIDE ATTRACTION. I'll stop yelling now.

With two exceptions, I can never decide which Tom Robbins book I love more. This is definately up there with the best!
Tom Robbins takes serious subjects (like religion and politics) and makes you laugh. Even more amazingly, his work makes you rethink your beliefs in a critical way. Not even slightly preachy or overbearing, His charaters' observations are educational as well as entertaining.
Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates is yet another example of his brilliance.
I can't really say more without giving away plot. This is a book best read cold. With no preconceived notions about it's plot lines or characters.

Robbins is right on form with this one! My only criticism is that his protagonist is an anarchist CIA agent with child-molesting tendencies. Which is, of course, ridiculous. Anarchists are far too moral to be CIA agents.

Never having reviewed a book before on Amazon...I was appauled, yes, literally appauled, to see that readers have rated this a four star book. Fierce Invalids is without a doubt the best book written within my lifetime, and that's saying something, because I am getting up there, man! Mr. Robbins (Tom, to me) is a spectacular writer, a celebration of life on our planet. My opinion, since you asked, is that Tom is just way too much fun for America; busy folks, important folks, folks struggling to make all their payments resent the fact that he and his characters are having such a great time living and laughing at life.

You know the feeling you get near the end of a song or a movie you love,that you wish could go on and on forever? Well, that's what i feel every time i finish reading one of Robbins' books, including this one. What i loved most about this book(and about Another roadside attraction, for that matter) is Robbins' doubt and questioning towards the "benevolent" intentons of the Catholic church and of all religions and convictions in general. The five Robbins books i've read so far have definitely helped me be more open minded and welcome to any experiece. I feel a grat disappointment knowing that i have only 2 more books to read...