Be forewarned: it’s a collection of odds and ends. So, this book overall lacks the satisfying heft of a novel, but I laughed out loud at the essays that reminded me of his early novels. I encourage you to skip around a bit here. If you start reading a section and it isn’t speaking to you (like the art criticism), just move on to the next one. For me, the highlights were the travel essays, the bios, and the final section of “responses.”

I loved it. I don’t own it and I’m gonna have to get it. I can never get enough of TR. I particularly like that it is, by its nature, more self-revelatory than his novels. I like picturing him in Mexico with Joseph Campbell, getting drunk with Debra Winger, going to the Canyon of the Vaginas with Alexa. I liked the comments he makes that I assume aren’t in the book. I love his accent—it makes me want to kiss him.

Of course, I still like it. It’s by the great Tom Robbins! It just ended too fast and I miss the character developments his books have. Don’t make this a first read of Tom Robbins. Read any of his others, read them all! Beware, you will become addicted…

Some really great stuff.
Like the essay on why he lives in Seattle.

Some stuff that falls completely flat.
Like the opening short story.

Probably best read in the Barnes and Noble cafe.