(8) TOM ROBBINS –

ANOTHER ROADSIDE ATTRACTION (1971)

“Real courage is risking one’s clichés.”

Writer of comic novels, “often experimental in form and subject”, with “satirical, political and erotic elements”. Also fantasy or literary magical realism.

Another Roadside Attraction essentially – but entertainingly – meanders through musings on religion from the lens of the 1960’s.

The plot is too convoluted to encapsulate here without spoiling it, but it does indeed involve the titular roadside attraction – or at least attempt at one by an archetypal sixties couple, with Amanda Ziller or the female member of the couple resembling a pagan goddess figure. Things heat up when one of their friends smuggles out of the Vatican a certain mummified corpse that shouldn’t have been there – or anywhere if certain books are to be believed.

POETRY (DRAMA & ESSAYS)

I’m not sure if he’s written any poetry but he certainly has a lyrical prose style.

“When he starts a novel, it works like this. First he writes a sentence. Then he rewrites it again and again, examining each word, making sure of its perfection, finely honing each phrase until it reverberates with the subtle texture of the infinite. Sometimes it takes hours. Sometimes an entire day is devoted to one sentence, which gets marked on and expanded upon in every possible direction until he is satisfied. Then, and only then, does he add a period.”

As for drama, at least one of his books – Even Cowgirls Get the Blues – has been adapted to film

FANTASY & SF (COMEDY)

Did you not see my reference to fantasy and magical realism? Definitely one of my top ten entries that wanders more into fantasy than most.

Also did you not see my reference to writer of comic novels – not the most comedic entry in my top ten but definitely one of the more comedic entries.

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)