Christopherseelie's review
Villa Incognito
by Tom Robbins
Christopherseelie's review
Villa Incognito by Tom Robbins
Christopherseelie's review
rating:
recommended for: freethinkers, nonconformists, environmentalists
I read this book on the recommendation of my little brother. Since he's never been much of a lit-lover, I thought the recommendation strange enough to elicit a try.
The narrator reminds me a lot of my brother. A gleeful anti-authoritarian with a penchant for humorous similes is the best way to describe the style of narration. The story itself is remarkably fresh. It involves the mythical Tanuki of Japanese folklore, the tanukis of today's endangered environment, Vietnam POWS that choose to stay MIA, the mysteries beyond everyday existence, and 9/11 (near the end). Robbins gives special attention to describing Bangkok, and conversely, the modern American mindset.
The characters are either fully developed and lovable, or charactatures that you love to hate.
In no way is this a dense book. The reading comes easy and with pleasure. It touches heavy subject matter lightly, but firmly enough to make you think.
The narrator reminds me a lot of my brother. A gleeful anti-authoritarian with a penchant for humorous similes is the best way to describe the style of narration. The story itself is remarkably fresh. It involves the mythical Tanuki of Japanese folklore, the tanukis of today's endangered environment, Vietnam POWS that choose to stay MIA, the mysteries beyond everyday existence, and 9/11 (near the end). Robbins gives special attention to describing Bangkok, and conversely, the modern American mindset.
The characters are either fully developed and lovable, or charactatures that you love to hate.
In no way is this a dense book. The reading comes easy and with pleasure. It touches heavy subject matter lightly, but firmly enough to make you think.
