Rating:  Summary: maximum two and a half Review: ok, so i read "still life with woodpecker" first and that brought the standards up but this book was a real let down. everything that was perfect about "still life" turned "cowgirls" into a painful reading. i expected strange characters but these seemed forced stereotypes of mr. robbins's imagination. i did not buy into any of the characters except the ones on the side-lines. the book is littered with tokens of run-of-the-mill lay-man philosophies which could have been great appetizers but could not become a full-course meal. it all seemed so obvious that even when turning a page, i was surprized, i felt as if i already knew it was going to happen. the chink can say whatever he wants...i did not buy it! endless variations of the same. apart from that, the story was not focused enough...sissy's personal voyage, whooping cranes, the president of the united states, lesbianism, hermits, armageddon, the colonel...each sub-story weakened the main story instead of strengthening it. i'm starting "jitterbug perfume" now...i hope it will bring me back to all that is wonderful and enchanting about robbins.
Rating:  Summary: I have fallen in love with a Jellybean Review: There are some people that live on more than one plane of existence, and Mr. Tom Robbins is one of them. The author has so beautifully expressed the wild dreams of little girls to become Cowgirls, Snake-charmers, and Goddesses of the road. The way in which he so masterfully brings his characters to life enables us to catch a glimpse of these "other planes." Every single person in the book is real. Every page is a surprise. This book will suck you into the hills of the Dakotas, teach you something about love, and show you how to shed your inhibitions and take off. "Ha ha ho ho and hee hee"
Rating:  Summary: Cowgirl Sissy Review: I keep a handfull of books near me (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; The Little Prince; StillLife with Woodpecker; The Velveteen Rabbit, to name a few) because I know when all hell's broken loose, the cows won't come home, the roof's leakin', or I can't afford a roof: I'll need a great story. "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" is serious attitudinal salve for the bruised soul.I've heard several people I've recommended this book to say that it's. . .well, just "too weird". That's only the case if you give up before you get to about page 250. Yea, that introductory homage to the amoeba *could* throw the unsuspecting for a loop right out of the gate, but it's worth it, all you free-spirits/adventuresome souls.... A Five Star "read and re-read" classic.
Rating:  Summary: Thumbs way up, baby Review: what the heck is wrong with you people who hated this book? I mean, this book is the epitome of what a novel should be, sex, drugs, philosophy, humor and a happy ending. This book is the greatest!!!!!! I love what the ... tells sissy at the end about her huge thumbs....i love love love this book.....it got me hooked on Robbins. Hurray for the cowgirls, the cranes and a girl with huge thumbs who has a mind of her own.
Rating:  Summary: I did not care for this one Review: Obviously having read the reviews, this is a love it or hate it book. I couldn't even finish it, though. I got tired of hearing about the thumbs all the time. While initally it was interesting, and Sissy seemed to be a compelling character, once we got to the ranch things went downhill from my point of view. Wish I could give more concrete reasons why, but I have blocked the experience out of my mind. I did skip ahead and read the end, which made me feel a little better, but not one I would recommend.
Rating:  Summary: The Best Tom Robbins Book Review: This is the best of all Robin's books. If you are new to him, do not start with this one, because you'll have to read the others and you'll be somewhat disappointed. Start with Skinney Legs and All or Still Life With Woodpecker and work up to Cowgirls. Also, don't read this book in public. You'll blush and look around to make sure no one is reading over your shoulder.
Rating:  Summary: excellent Review: Simply put, reading Even Cow Girls Get the Blues is fun. Robbin's prose are not only easy to read but a pleasure. While this book has a deeper meaning than the story, and provides many ideas worthy of philosophical reflection, it also provides a comical story that makes the book a pleasant escape from the world. Robbin's humor is undeniable, and created through his masterful use of the language as well as the plot of the novel. While the novel becomes tedious in places, Robbins sometimes discusses his philosophical ideas point blank - directly to the reader - instead of revealing them implicity through the developement of his novel, such digressions are infrequent and rarely last for more than a page. And of course, the idea of Sissy, a maestro in the world of hitchkicking, is so unique and original that it provides a freshness that is both captivating and invigorating. If for no other reason, you should read this book for Sissy's monologues of her experience, and expertise, when it comes to hitch hikking.
Rating:  Summary: Disappointing Review: I have read a couple other of Robbins' books and really liked them. But this book I hated so much that it took me weeks upon weeks to finish it and when I finally did, I flung it across the room in disgust. I was intrigued by the idea of Robbins writing a story that focuses on women's relationships, but slightly apprehensive. The female characters in the other books of his that I'd read (Another Roadside Attraction and Jitterbug Perfume) always struck me as somewhat off -- clearly a male writing what he would like to believe a female thinks, feels, etc. But this one was far worse, because there were so MANY women. (TOO many women -- it was all but impossible to keep track of the cowgirls) I guess the philosophical stuff could be interesting, but it just seemed like Robbins pointing out how smart and witty and thoughtful he is. Not integrated into the story. You could skip most of the non-plot chapters (and my oh my, there are a lot of those!), save a lot of hours of your life, and be A-OK in terms of your reading comprehension. And while I appreciate what Robbins ultimately has to say about female hygiene, overall this book left me feeling kind of unclean for having read it. Ugh.
Rating:  Summary: This book is hilarious! Review: ......not for the narrow minded. Tom Robbins has such a creative, warped sense of humor. I love this book, because the underlying message is having self-esteem and maintaining it. It's amazing to me how Mr. Robbins, wrote this from a woman's perspective--the insecurities, naivete, challenges, and victories of women...and he is obviously a male. Great!
Rating:  Summary: A very fun book Review: Anyone wishing to smile or think should definitely pick up this book! It's insanely creative, and even if there are small flaws, the writing style makes up for it all. This is the only book I have read by Tom Robbins, so I don't know if it's his best, but his style is amazing. You can tell that he actually has FUN while writing as there is never a dull moment. However, this book is only for those with open minds, as it talks about feminism, drugs, American beliefs, plus the author completely disregards all rules for writing a novel.
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