Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com at 09:46am on 15/10/2007
LOL! I know China - I worked with his mother, Claudia, in Havana. I'm not a huge fan of his work tbh; it's not my thing, but he's a sweet boy. (o:

OK, I've never read any Tom Robbins - what do you rec I start with?

I just started re-reading Three Men in a Boat for the thousandth time (well, obviously, that's an exaggeration, but you know what I mean *G*) - that book makes me laugh like nothing else.

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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] archaeomom8.livejournal.com at 08:29pm on 15/10/2007
You know him - whew. And his mother (he dedicates books to her and his sister, they've got to be wonderful women)! I wasn't sure I'd like his books - steampunk didn't seem like my thing. Too heavy, dark, strange. Fortunately I began with King Rat and that was just up my alley. I grew into his work. Now I try to read everything he puts out.

As for Tom Robbins, I'd just go into your library or bookstore and see which one looks good to you. They are wild, weird, and wonderful, all, imo. I'm inclined to say start with the first - Another Roadside Attraction. Without giving away too much, let's say one of the characters ends up in the Vatican where he discovers some secrets, including something he brings back to the States to hide while he figures out what to do with it. The characters are drawn from the West Coast hippie years, but each with a twist. It's hilarious and also contains Robbins' signature dive into religion and philosophy. Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates appeals to the anthropological me. I dunno - just grab one and see what you think. You may love him or not. ;)
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com at 08:52pm on 15/10/2007
Claudia's an interesting person; one of the original hippies. I only met his sister once (Jessica? Jemima? Something beginning with J anyway... *G*). Claudia told me his name - China - is totally meaningless; she just wanted something 'different' - no story there, really - China loves it.
It was while we were in Cuba he sold his first book; he'd been rejected so many times till he changed his rather bland, studenty look for that of a shaven-headed thug, sent out his picture with the ms and suddenly became desirable. (o:

I'll defo give TR a go then; sounds very intriguing and pretty much my thing.

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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] archaeomom8.livejournal.com at 05:50am on 16/10/2007
That is such a funny story! One of the earlier photos has him looking menacing and all frowns with arms crossed in front of him. Aah, marketing. I think his sister is Jemima.
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