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 places or things.

I'm used to his ways and even though he has a formula of some sort, I love him and it's entertainment and originality every time. But.. a can of beans, a spoon, a sock, a conch shell, an ancient painted stick-- why are these main characters? I got over it, but still. The end was still good and tied just about everything together in a nice little sensical bow.