Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous!
Review: This is the first Tom Robbins novel I've read, and it was an incredible pleasure from cover to cover. Reviewing a Robbins novel is not so easy though. A simple plot summary surely doesn't suffice. Let me start by saying that it's a vastly entertaining book, and really quite profound. Robbins expounds--through his diverse and bizarre characters--on many topics, particularly organized religion and the middle east (inseparable, when you think about it). He's clearly no great fan of organized religion, and treats the middle east with the complexity and nuance it so surely deserves. It's also a very feminist novel (in my opinion), with multiple strong female characters, and a very purposeful attempt to show the patriarchal origins and underpinnings of the three major mono-theistic religions. Still, the greatest pleasure of this novel is the spectacular wordplay and turns-of-phrase. Robbins prose is wonderfully creative and elegant, and though some readers may find the constant similes and metaphors to be gratuitous, I did not. Every line seems so carefully crafted -- there is not a single throw-away word. On many occasions (too many to count), I found myself saying "I really should write this down." If that happens to me a half dozen times in a book, I would consider it a good read. But 25-30 times?? Remarkable. I don't want to give the impression that this is a preachy or obtrusively political book -- it isn't. It is laugh-out-loud funny and extremely entertaining. But there certainly are multiple layers, and I think it is bound to connect with a reader on at least one, if not many different levels. Overall, just a fantastic read. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Robbins' Finest Work
Review: I don't care what anyone says, this is by far Tom Robbins' finst novel. There is such imagination and absurdity entwined with profound philosophy that you absolutely won't be able to put this book down. The sensuality of Salome, the inner conflicts of Ellen Cherry, and the sheer genius of the course of events will stand out in your mind for many many months following the piece. Upon reading, I actually found myself stopping and pondering each new concept as far as my mind would allow me. Robbins has a well-rounded approach to introducing his thoughts on society, religion, politics, etc. etc. etc. without the typical boredom that comes with this type of philosophical banter.
I've read all of Robbins' work and this is by far my favorite. I recommend reading this before any of his other works. it will seduce, intrigue, and excite you in ways that books legally shouldn't.
Rating:
Summary: Religion and spirituality
Review: I think Robbins' premise here is that religion and spirituality are forces for good when practiced by the individual, but they are transformed to forces for evil when organized or systematized. I'm not sure if I agree or not, but this book certainly made me think about the subject. And, that's what good books do; they entertain you, and they make you think.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully bizarre and touching.
Review: I was convinced to read this book, after many times being told to check out Tom Robbins, when a friend told me that one of the main characters was a can of beans. After she told me that, I knew I would enjoy it. And enjoy it I did. This novel taps into the same waters as epic Greek or Christian mythology, and turns all notions of heroism and destiny on their heads. While the plot is unpredictable and engaging, some of the best parts are when Robbins just goes off on a tangent for pages and pages at a time. They remind me a bit of Douglas Addams's observations on the absurdity of human behavior. These passages are wonderful in that they expose the hypocrisy and arrogance the human race feels regarding their place in the universe. If you, like me, are not a big fan of organized religion, Robbins will hit home with you. In recounting the trials and tribulations of a younng newlywed artist, a can of beans, and those that surround them, Robbins creates a new mythology which brings to light some of the most important spiritual issues people face in this day and age. God (or Goddess) bless him for it.
Rating: 
Summary: fun, sexy, offensive and, patronizing
Review: This Tom Robbins tale is many things at once. He focuses on some big questions regarding civilization on planet Earth and how the Holy Land seems to be ground zero for our growth. He even likens the land of Jerusalem as the vagina from which our civilization is constantly challenged with pain and rebirth. The adventures of our artist heroine are scintillating and wake up the senses while showing that we all need to reexamine what we want out of life and explore why we feel the way we do. While I love the subject matter, Mr. Robbins seems too preoccupied with how many times he can make you haul out the dictionary to look up another big word. I'm all for flexing the vocabulary but he misses completely the idea of modesty or moderation. Anyone can type with a thesaurus alongside them. More irritating was his explanations of the way things are as fact rather than his own point of view. Instead of presenting his position as a possibility to be pondered he comes across as pedantic and preachy; all but calling those who disagree ignorant and short-sighted. If his aim was to entertain AND offend, he did a marvelous job. I would still recommend this book to anyone open-minded enough to listen to his perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps his best work to date (2004)
Review: I have read all of Mr. Robbins' works except Villa Incognito (on its way to me now), and this particular novel is a step above the rest, at least for me. While a bunch of people I know had trouble with the turkey, the sock, the spoon and the bent can, I can't begin to say how much I enjoyed seeing them meshed into a wonderful story that includes a satirical statement on the condition of the NYC art world, the Dance of the Seven Veils vs a football game, and especially a microcosmic view of the neverending conflict in the mideast shown in the gentlest of fashions. For anyone who has a great ability for suspension of disbelief, this gem truly sparkles. And then there is Turn Around Norman...truly inspired, possibly a real guy (is he, Mr. Robbins?) Buy it now.
Rating:
Summary: tom robbin's best
Review: this book is the best of the four of his I've read. it's extrememly funny and is very typical tom robbins in it's type of humor and slant on the world.
Rating: 
Summary: Not For Everyone
Review: I believe I am a spiritual person that understands about religion and the gift of life, but I just couldn't get into this book. There are two stories going on at once, the human world about a woman artist working in a restaurant and trying to make it in New York, and then there is the travels of 5 inanimate objects on a quest to Jerusalam. Lets just for a second forget that the idea of talking, and walking inanimate objects really bothers me, and focus more on their 'characters'. I couldn't get myself to relate to any of the "inanimate object" characters, no matter how much personification was used to portray them. It bothered me because I could relate to the other portions of this novel, but whenever the plot switched over to the the spoon, sock, can, shell, and stick, I was only tempted to read further so that I could get through these parts and on to the better ones.
Rating:
Summary: Skinny Legs and All
Review: This is Tom Robbins' absolute best book and one of my all time favorites!
Rating:
Summary: excellent characters, deep topics, beautiful writing
Review: So why didn't I give it a 4 or a 5? I felt a 4 was a bit too generous, especially considering how readers tend to hand out stars like halloween candy. But, I felt this book was fun, a bit too far out sometimes...yet intriguing. There is such a focus on sex and religion here, that a very important aspect of life was overlooked: the happiness found in the release of firm stool. And what better opportunity had he to expose this joy than to have a Muslim and a Jew own a restaurant together? No mention of how good the food was going in or out...unless I missed it. Ellen or one of the other characters should have had a delightful, insightful, bowel movement. Can-o-beans' survival is a sheer miracle. It will take me years, years, to write my own novel on this. Tom, you have to save us. Well, that's my 2 millicents worth. Ciau my darlings.
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