An Arab and a Jew open a restaurant together across the street from the United Nations...
It sounds like the beginning of an ethnic joke, but i... read full description
It sounds like the beginning of an ethnic joke, but i... read full description
reviews
Dec 17, 2009
Reba
rated it: 
After having been recommended this book, I was really surprised at how most everything contained within it boiled down to either a simile or a stereotype. I was disturbed by the racism, not so much in the characters (he uses the racism in his archtype of most of the Southerners) but in the narration. Each of the individuals were invariably described not in terms of their personality (or even their importance within the storyline), but were mentioned only as black, palestinian, jewboy, etc. Contr
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Jul 18, 2008
Austen
rated it: 
I should start by saying that I'm not a fan of Tom Robbins' novels. I don't dislike his work, but you will not find me among the legions of his fanatical fans. I just need to get that out of the way before I begin...
However, I have enjoyed reading two of his books. I almost put down Still Life With Woodpecker, but because of my admiration for the person who recommended it to me, I made it through. I feel much the same way about this novel. In fact, I did put Skinny Legs down for a More...
However, I have enjoyed reading two of his books. I almost put down Still Life With Woodpecker, but because of my admiration for the person who recommended it to me, I made it through. I feel much the same way about this novel. In fact, I did put Skinny Legs down for a More...
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Jul 27, 2007
Mike
rated it: 
I started this book at least three times. Tom Robbins is one of my favorie authors, and this was his only novel I hadn't read. However, each of the times I started it I found myself becoming very disappointed. At the beginning it was too weird, or trying to be too cute, even for Tom Robbins. Ellen Cherry and Boomer driving across country in a turkey. A talking and walking spoon, dirty sock and can of beans. It was too much. I couldn't take it seriously. He was trying to be too 'Tom Robbi
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(6 people liked it)
Aug 18, 2010
Kate
rated it:
this book's jacket description : this book :: funny movie trailer : movie that shot its wad in the trailer
The premise sounds wild and funny and makes you wonder, briefly, how he could pull it off. And then he doesn't.
The premise sounds wild and funny and makes you wonder, briefly, how he could pull it off. And then he doesn't.
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Sep 04, 2007
Rob
rated it:
A passage:
"You are an artist. You know that big picture at the museum midtown, that picture by that fellow Rousseau, it is called The Sleeping Gypsy?"
"Yeah. Sure. That's a very famous painting."
"It ought to be called The Sleeping Arab, that picture. An Arab lies in the desert, sleeping under the crazy-faced moon. A lion sniffs at the Arab, the Arab is unafraid..."
See the painting: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Slee More...
"You are an artist. You know that big picture at the museum midtown, that picture by that fellow Rousseau, it is called The Sleeping Gypsy?"
"Yeah. Sure. That's a very famous painting."
"It ought to be called The Sleeping Arab, that picture. An Arab lies in the desert, sleeping under the crazy-faced moon. A lion sniffs at the Arab, the Arab is unafraid..."
See the painting: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Slee More...
Aug 03, 2008
Greg
rated it: 
I can't think of any other book I've read very recently that left my mind as thoroughly blown as Skinny Legs and All. I'd only read one other Tom Robbins book -- Still Life With Woodpecker -- so I was prepared for his playfulness, humor, intricate (but goofy) language, and overall trippy feel that all come with just about everything he rights.
But I was not prepared for Skinny Legs. This book is so dense with literary magnificence that you could chew it like you had a whole mouth full More...
But I was not prepared for Skinny Legs. This book is so dense with literary magnificence that you could chew it like you had a whole mouth full More...
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Aug 12, 2008
Michele
rated it:
This is the best book I've ever read! Robbins keeps me on my toes with his vocabulary and uses unique characters to provide interesting perspectives on cultural clashes and life in general. I love this guy!
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 17, 2008
Laura
rated it:
I believe this novel was so enjoyable because of its lighthearted mix of the absurd, the everyday, the magical, and the sexual. I consider those the four food groups of fun literature, and they each find a home in this ridiculous tale of self-awakening and revelations of truth. Robbins asserts that patriarchal society has blinded us to a heritage that recognizes and rejoices its feminine deities that embrace expressions of sexuality and the magic of nature. Blinded by “seven veils” of untruth
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(3 people liked it)
Mar 14, 2010
Jess
rated it:
Although I have determined that it is impossible for me to pick a favorite Tom Robbins novel, this one is strong in the running.
Ellen Cherry Charles isn't my favorite Robbins woman, but in many ways, she is his most sympathetic female protagonist. Caught between her art, her stupid husband, and her hypocritical uncle, she made me want to jump into the pages and help her straighten everything out. (That's saying a lot coming from me, a generally unsympathetic person and least of all t More...
Ellen Cherry Charles isn't my favorite Robbins woman, but in many ways, she is his most sympathetic female protagonist. Caught between her art, her stupid husband, and her hypocritical uncle, she made me want to jump into the pages and help her straighten everything out. (That's saying a lot coming from me, a generally unsympathetic person and least of all t More...
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 03, 2007
Jen
rated it:
Tom Robbins is a genius. His use of the English language is so playful and dangerously intelligent that I can't belive he isn't a bigger literary celebrity.
Skinny Legs and All delves into all of life's big issues: religion, politics, love, war, money and so on, though it has a light touch; main characters include a Can 'o Beans and a Dirty Sock, for example. Seven fundamental truths are revealed as a modern day belly dancer named Salome dances The Dance of the Seven Veils - a veil d More...
Skinny Legs and All delves into all of life's big issues: religion, politics, love, war, money and so on, though it has a light touch; main characters include a Can 'o Beans and a Dirty Sock, for example. Seven fundamental truths are revealed as a modern day belly dancer named Salome dances The Dance of the Seven Veils - a veil d More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 27, 2008
Heather
rated it:
I am a Tom Robbins fan, but I was a little disappointed in this book. Fierce Invalids is still my all-time favorite, closely followed by Jitterbug Perfume. Both are MUST-reads.
My whole theory on how Tom Robbins writes a book:
--step 1: find some random unlikely stuff to be associated-- people, places, things, or topics.
--step 2: weave them together using witty humour, a renegade main character, some sort of historical or theological revelation tied into all random people p More...
My whole theory on how Tom Robbins writes a book:
--step 1: find some random unlikely stuff to be associated-- people, places, things, or topics.
--step 2: weave them together using witty humour, a renegade main character, some sort of historical or theological revelation tied into all random people p More...
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Charles
rated it:
this is the only fiction book i've read three times. all of the characters are thinly-veiled representations of specific ideas--a redneck, a stick, a conch shell, etc.. i am not a huge reader, so this book is kind of long for me with a lot of characters to keep straight. it also helps if you have some background about historic monuments and turmoil in jerusalem. overall, though, it's a very satisfying read. if you're looking more for witty banter and action, i recommend another tom robbins
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 31, 2009
Laura
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 27, 2010
Barry
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 26, 2009
Leah
rated it:
I've heard about how good Tom Robbins is for quite a long time, and finally picked up one of his novels at the insistence of a friend. I'm so glad I did. Skinny Legs and All is now officially making it onto my "best reads of '09" list (yes, I do actually keep lists).
I'm not sure where to begin with this one... the book is funny, controversial, and relevant. It can be confusing, but it's the sort of thing the reader has to let slide. I speak from experience when I say that i More...
I'm not sure where to begin with this one... the book is funny, controversial, and relevant. It can be confusing, but it's the sort of thing the reader has to let slide. I speak from experience when I say that i More...
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Apr 06, 2009
Guy
rated it:
I was into my second or third Tom Robbins book before I realized that the guy is more or less a one-trick pony: in each of his books (or at least each of the ones I’ve read), the human race is on the verge of a religious/social/political/sexual awakening that is to be witnessed and/or (to some extent) carried out by his offbeat, usually horny protagonists.
Fortunately for Robbins (and for his readers), it’s a pretty damned good trick. Whether you buy into his thoughts (or his characte More...
Fortunately for Robbins (and for his readers), it’s a pretty damned good trick. Whether you buy into his thoughts (or his characte More...
Aug 05, 2011
Sunshine
rated it:
A guy I briefly dated first introduced me to Tom Robbins. I knew that my seminal interest in his books was genuine when I continued reading him after I stopped seeing the guy. However, there was a catch: it was becoming increasingly necessary for me to be aware of my physical location when reading Robbins. Why? It's impossible to not cry, guffaw, laugh, snort, and generally cause arched eyebrows to be directed your way when reading him in public. After I tried suppressing my reactions, to little
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Jun 15, 2011
No doubt fun to read; rollicks along, and for each wacky metaphor that fails, there's several delightful ones. The non-stop verbal circus is bit overly flashy and self-indulgent for me, but I guess that's his thing and he rocks it. I wouldn't want every book to be written like this, but I'm glad one is. Still I do have some gripes.
First, for a book whose message is 'think for yourself!' it's awfully preachy. It's odd; some of the most interesting ideas revolved around the need for p More...
First, for a book whose message is 'think for yourself!' it's awfully preachy. It's odd; some of the most interesting ideas revolved around the need for p More...
May 15, 2010
Joseph
rated it:
In another version of my life where I'm out playing the academic field, one of the courses I'd be aiming to teach would have a tile something like "1989 to 2001: Literature and Cinema from the Fall of the Wall to the Rise of Terror," and this book would go somewhere between Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and DeLillo's Mao II. Now, when I say that Skinny Legs and All is the perfect primer to Mao II its to the benefit of both novels. For having been published only a year ap
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Aug 19, 2009
Mferg912
rated it:
This is quintessential Robbins. His metaphors and similes are incredibly distinctive and constantly surprising, and the story itself is pretty satisfying. The book is about an artist and her crude, cowboyish fiancee escaping the rural south for New York city. The plot takes you through the art world, Israel, the apocalypse, an Israeli-Palestinian owned restaurant, the Christian right, and the adventures of a conch shell, a stick, a can of beans, a spoon, and a sock, all anthropomorphic and on
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Sep 17, 2008
Cherise
rated it:
Inanimate Objects... make me laugh out of my skin! My 11th grade English teacher recommended this to me because she believed I could appreciate it with her. It became my favorite instantly and held that title for years. I enjoy stories that stem from someone's wildly fascinating imagination-- they're always funnier and more entertaining to me. This was an easy, fun read that inspired my continuation in quirkiness in general, and in my own writing.
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Jun 28, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
Skinny Legs and All is only the second Tom Robbins novel I've read, and I think it's pretty safe to say that I probably don't need to read any more. All the charm and magic that was Still Life With Woodpecker is just obnoxious here. The weirdness of Robbins' writing style is still funny and entertaining, and I enjoyed if not loved the majority of the characters (major, minor and inanimate objects). Skinny Legs and All showcases a hefty amount of magical realism and absurdism, which is fine by me
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Nov 04, 2009
elisa
rated it:
i hope to live for many, many more years and read each and every day of my life, but i never expect to read anyone remotely like tom robbins. i think it is safe to say that there is no one out there that writes like this man. he's quirky, funny, cerebral, bizarre. but mostly, and most importantly, he's exciting. it's exciting to turn the pages of his book because you know you're guaranteed to read something different than what you've ever read before. he has such a unique way of looking at
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Mar 21, 2009
Millicent
rated it: 
The thing that makes Tom Robbins thrilling is the way he declares absolute truths, bestows significance to the overlooked, and dismisses everything else with complete and unarguable disdain. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues was so right on that my best friend tattooed the pin-up on its cover to her arm. Still Life with Woodpecker caused me to collect empty Camel cigarette boxes for years (the secret to life: choice tobacco). His philosophizing and sexualizing were an essential part of my formati
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 12, 2009
Adam
rated it:
HA!!
What a literary trip this story is! Tom Robbins at his absolute best, whatever that means! Each page is filled with such beautiful prose that I felt as though I were examining a piece or art, not simply reading a book. Ironic in that the book is primarily about the importance of art and the pursuit of all things, well, non-tangible.
Tom Robbins simply has a way with words that I have never come across in any other reading. With each new book I am forced to read wit More...
What a literary trip this story is! Tom Robbins at his absolute best, whatever that means! Each page is filled with such beautiful prose that I felt as though I were examining a piece or art, not simply reading a book. Ironic in that the book is primarily about the importance of art and the pursuit of all things, well, non-tangible.
Tom Robbins simply has a way with words that I have never come across in any other reading. With each new book I am forced to read wit More...
Sep 11, 2009
John
rated it:
This has to be one of the smartest, most creative works of fiction I've ever read. Add to that funny, poignant, deeply philosophical. And for all its frenetic energy, none of it is superfluous.
I honestly don't understand the criticisms of the work. They seem to be either from people who don't understand it, missed its point completely, or were looking for something to criticize. Racist? Please, this is the last book you'd want to play the race card on. Excessive metaphor? It's the s More...
I honestly don't understand the criticisms of the work. They seem to be either from people who don't understand it, missed its point completely, or were looking for something to criticize. Racist? Please, this is the last book you'd want to play the race card on. Excessive metaphor? It's the s More...
Dec 02, 2010
Adam
rated it:
This read a lot like an unfocused, ADD-addled Kurt Vonnegut novel. But the fact that it reminded me of Vonnegut in any way means it's worth a read, if nothing else. The wacky, over-strung cast of characters includes a talking stick, a talking can of beans, and a talking sock. Oh, there are people there too. Kind of.
Robbins' prose is evocative, full of similes and ripe description that sometimes means something. Everything kept happening and little of it meant much to me. The revelations co More...
Robbins' prose is evocative, full of similes and ripe description that sometimes means something. Everything kept happening and little of it meant much to me. The revelations co More...
Dec 17, 2009
brian
rated it:
This book will always have a place in my heart because it is the first Robbins book I read. I've read everything since and know of very few authors who can turn a phrase like Robbins. To say the very least, everything he writes is a true feast in word usage and story.
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Oct 12, 2011
Candace
rated it:
The funniest, yet deepest book I've ever read in my life! I started reading it, got through the first five or so chapters, and started over - this time with the hubs. Sometimes we'll pick a book and read it to each other, and I knew that this one had to be shared! We laughed 'til tears streamed down our faces, laughed so hard we couldn't finish the sentence and had to hand the book over so the other one could read it for him/herself. We laughed until we were gasping for breath while realizing it
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Jan 28, 2008
Cody
rated it:
his best book, in my opinion. spiritually themed, richly philosophical, a little dirty and not afraid to be silly. robbins' language is reliably lush and off-beat. oh, and i loved the commentary about art and art scenes.
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