Helpful Score: 11
It has been two days since I finished this book and I am still unable to describe it. Part Japanese folktale, part Zen philosophy, and part political, social, and religious satire. this book is just staying with me. Perhaps, I, too, am incognito.
It is both humorous and serious. Robbins uses masterful metaphors and verbous statements that have left me thinking. I would like to hear from anyone who has read this book, to talk about some of the many quotes I have put into my Reading Journal.
I leave you with the words of a Zen Buddist abbot. Words that ultimately shape the lives of the characters and left me wondering, "It is what it is, you are what you it, and there are no mistakes."
It is both humorous and serious. Robbins uses masterful metaphors and verbous statements that have left me thinking. I would like to hear from anyone who has read this book, to talk about some of the many quotes I have put into my Reading Journal.
I leave you with the words of a Zen Buddist abbot. Words that ultimately shape the lives of the characters and left me wondering, "It is what it is, you are what you it, and there are no mistakes."
Helpful Score: 3
People who have studied philisophy more than I would probably 'get' the deeper messages of this this more than I did. Plot alone was enough to keep me interested though. Imagine a much cheerier Heart of Darkness.
Helpful Score: 3
I have never read a book like this one. It is interesting and bizarre, but a fun story overall. It kept me reading the whole book in just a few days. By far my favorite book by Tom Robbins.
Helpful Score: 1
Tom Robbins cannot write a bad book. While this is not my favorite by him, it is still typically brilliant.
Helpful Score: 1
Tom Robbins is a master story-teller and this novel is no exception.
Helpful Score: 1
Zelie Nic from Pittsburg says:
It seems to me that Tom Robbins books are hit or miss. This book is one of the more polarizing titles. However, I think its gotten a bad rap. Considerably shroter than most of his books, I think its enjoyable as a quick read. I guess some people want and expect something longer from Robbins.
I was a little set-off by the beastiality scenes early in the story. But you really have to check a lot of things at the door when reading a Robbins novel, because he always has weird things abound.
It seems to me that Tom Robbins books are hit or miss. This book is one of the more polarizing titles. However, I think its gotten a bad rap. Considerably shroter than most of his books, I think its enjoyable as a quick read. I guess some people want and expect something longer from Robbins.
I was a little set-off by the beastiality scenes early in the story. But you really have to check a lot of things at the door when reading a Robbins novel, because he always has weird things abound.
Helpful Score: 1
Tom Robbins at his usual irreverent, crazy and witty self.
Helpful Score: 1
Although I give the author points for being intelligent and having a vivid imagination, I didn't even finish the book. Life's too short to waste my time on such fanciful nonsense. This would probably appeal more to men.
It's good to hear from Tom again, but not quite up to his best.
Imagine MIA's who chose to remain missing...a family of 4 generations of strong alluring women sharing a mysterious connection to an outlandish figure from Japanese folklore....But no matter how hard you imagine, you'll never imagine what you'll find inside the Villa Incognito....a novel only Tom Robbins could create.
This is a strange but very funny book and quite typical of Robbins. I loved it and laughed a lot.
Typical Robbins with zany characters and wild word play. This one features guys who never came home from Viet Nam. Is there really such a creature as the Tanuki?
Tom Robbins is great. Again. Mythological (or are they?) animals live among us and endlessly affecting our lives in often unseen ways. Classic Robbins stuff.
The book was marvelous, as are all of Tom Robbins' books.
