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Summary: Tom Robbins is a God
Review: Tom Robbins is the best writer I've read in a long time. For those who are looking for a book that can be analyzed and categorized with other books, you will be sorely disappointed. But if you are willing to read a book that will make you think, this is a classic. His books don't seem to me to take stances for or against, but rather they provoke you into rethinking YOUR stances, as any good book should. And on top of all that, he's simply the most impressive master of the English language that I've read. Kudos to Tom, and let's just pray he keeps writing for as long as he lives.
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Summary: Frogs From Mars
Review: This was the most fun I have had with a book since "Skinny Legs and all". Set once again in the Seattle area the books covers the universe from Timbuktu to Sirius C. All in all a good book to curl up with on a cold and rainy fall day. Which most fall days in the northwest are like.
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Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was a big fan of "Another Roadside Attraction" and "Cowgirls," and wish that Robbins could rediscover the empathy and affection he had for the characters in these books. Gwendolyn, the stockbroker heroine of "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas," is fairly unlikeable, which is okay with me. A much bigger problem is what a thin character she is. And why on earth Robbins decided to use the second person voice to tell this story is completely beyond me since he so frequently slides out of Gwendolyn's perspective to deliver lengthy musings that seem far more in character with the author's sensibility than with hers. By the end, I became a weary of Robbins showing off at the expense of his characters.
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Summary: Once every 1,000 novels will you be this blown away
Review: This many people can't be wrong. I picked up the book because I happen to like Frogs, Sleeping and Pajamas-- I'd never even heard of Tom Robbbins. Since I read this book, I've bought every single one of his books and notice mention of him practically everywhere (check out the inside of the Kerouac tribute for a fore word). This guy writes forewords for EVERYTHING that I happen to be interested in. Crazy things happen, and you NEED to read this. If you can't afford to buy-- rent it from the library.
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Summary: What a whirlwind ride!
Review: At first, I was turned off by reading a book about a stockbroker. But after the first chapter I was once again dazzled by Robbins' story telling ability. If you are a Tom Robbins fan - this book will not disappoint you.
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Summary: Off The Wall
Review: Tom Robbins and his off-the-wall imaginations have done it again. This is another outstanding book with some off the craziest situations that a person can run into in life. "Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas" is one of the more enjoyable books i've read. I recommend reading it to anyone with a good imagination.
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Summary: If you think this is a great book, you need to keep reading
Review: Not a bad book, by any means. Don't get me wrong. It's okay. In fact, Robbins' style is hip and slick and easy to read. He's a craftsman when it comes to twisting cliches into something that is appealing and original. But make no mistake, his style should not be mistaken for substance. Appreciated and celebrated now, Robbins will not be remembered in later generations (unlike that of Jay McInerney who does a better job of using the second person point of view in his BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY). Worst of all, Robbins characterizes Seattle by that which is hip and obvious and stereotypical. The truth is, there is more to Seattle than Starbucks, Microsoft, and "alternative" music. I would hope this author would in the future use his mastery of metaphor to expose an image with more literary hootspa. And so I would suggest to those of you who think this guy is the cat's meow to read one of two Johns: either Updike or Irving. Or, if you'd like a less hip (and more authentic) representation of the Northwest, pick up David James Duncan's THE BROTHERS K or anything by Sherman Alexie.
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Summary: As Buddha sits on lilly pad, T. Robbins fancies his pen.
Review: Open your heart, open your soul, step outta the tank, and into the fish bowl. Tom Robbins is magician with an endless stream of colorful metaphors up his sleeve in "Half-Asleep in Frog Pajamas." He will transport you across the galaxy and zip you along time's pointed arrrow. Larry Diamond and Gwendolyn will have you contemplating the mysteries of life and laughing out of your knee-high socks. Enjoy the trip.
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Summary: Sleep is impossible
Review: Almost 400 pages (in trade paperback) accounting one woman's weekend seems a tedious task. Especially since that woman, Gwendolyn Mati, is a half-Philipino, half-Welsh prissy green-eyed republican with deep rooted family problems. Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas is light entertainment, yes, but it is exciting, silly, and full of mysteries that perversly draw you in to read another page... and another... and another. Robbins' use of 2nd person narration instead of traditional styles is incredibly startling, yet very intriguing. It is clear, after only a few chapters of Half Asleep, that Robbins was put here on this earth (possibly from another planet) to show us thousands of twisted metaphors to perfectly describe everything, and I am only left with the feeling of "Gee, I never saw it THAT way before..." Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas is one of those little things I like to call a "cult classic". Live with it. Read it.
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Summary: A 386 page comic book
Review: I wonder if Tom Robbins holds his readers in utter contempt. First there is the gimmicky use of second person narrative which adds nothing whatsoever to this book, which is already mostly devoid of any serious content. If Robbins is trying to thumb his nose at literary convention, his method of doing so fail utterly. Not that this book is meant to be taken seriously. Obviously this is not the case. However, hidden among the various hilarities (and the book IS funny, after all) are hints of subtleties, things left unsaid, real social commentary. But just hints, and Robbins never bothers to flesh them out. And most of those turn out to be merely bawdy jokes anyway. It seems as if Robbins is either teasing his readers or perhaps doesn't quite know what it is he's trying to say. If you're merely looking for a light, fun read, look no further. But if you expect anything else you will be disappointed.
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