Rating: 
Summary: Robbins' first and one of his best...
Review: Some have said that Tom Robbins hadn't fully tamed his maniacal writing in Another Roadside Attraction, but I rank it alongside Even Cowgirls Get The Blues as one of his finest. No subtlety here, folks, just white-knuckle teeth-baring fun.The story of how a gypsy princess, a free-spirited giant with a bone through his nose, a drug dealer, and a baboon come to possess the mummified body of Jesus Christ at their small roadside hot dog stand and zoo is nothing short of brilliant. Like other Robbins novels, the storyline often derails into monologues, flashbacks, and especially fables or twisted fairy tales. It's always astonishing how close he can come to skirting dated 60's rhetoric without losing his edginess. Despite all of its philosophical meanderings, Another Roadside Attraction is a surprisingly light read. Warmth and humor abound, and it's a great pleasure simply to watch how Robbins performs miracles with words. Genius.
Rating: 
Summary: Last 50 pages are good, but.....
Review: Let me just start out by saying that Robbins is God!!! He is brilliant-but this book isn't. Something about it I found cheesy and marketed. I hated Amanda because I thought she was very fake. It took me three months to read this book. I found it random in a random way; not in a calculated way like other Robbins novels. I don't see why other people like this book. Once it gets into the whole Jesus thing it's good....I wouldn't recomend staring with this one...it doesn't higlight Robbin's genius...
Rating:
Summary: Great writing
Review: While "Cowgirls" is, in my opinion, the best of the Robbins lot, "Roadside" is a close second. I've read them all and love each and every one. He never does the same thing twice in his books, yet manages to have a sense of style and way of writing that lets you know this is a work from Robbins. His characters are at once unbelievable and yet more memorable and real than people we might know in everyday life. Also recommended: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and McCrae's Bark of the Dogwood
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Amanda
Review: I first read this book as a freshman in college--1974. 26 years later, I realize that Amanda (the girl, Amanda) became the role model for the kind of human that I wanted to evolve into. Her grace, humor, lustiness, and cosmic perception of the world blew my 17-year-old mind wide open! That Tom Robbins could so successfully create this great female personna is a wonderful display of his outrageous talent. The other characters in the story are just as vividly portrayed...mysterious, soulful John Paul Ziller; the analytical Marx Marvelous; and Plucky Purcell, the dope-dealing martial artist...but Amanda especially opened my eyes to another way of seeing that changed my life immensely. I do re-read this book for inspiration from time to time--my copy is underlined, cross-references, and annotated!
Rating:
Summary: Great book discussing Christianism from an unorthodox POV
Review: Tom Robbins has an inimitable writing style that could be described as "suculent". Just when you thought you have heard every turn of phrase, Tom finds yet another. As if this wasn't enough reason to read such an original author, Tom raises the ante by discussing the Big Issues in his books: art, religion, meaning of life. But instead of the reverent tone found in most spiritual writing, Tom uses humor. Some of the deeper issues in this book include: Would you believe in Jesus if you discovered he didn't resurrect? Would his failure to resurrect lessen his message? While you may disagree with Tom's conclusions, you'll certainly have fun while dealing with these issues. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Great writing
Review: While "Cowgirls" is, in my opinion, the best of the Robbins lot, "Roadside" is a close second. I've read them all and love each and every one. He never does the same thing twice in his books, yet manages to have a sense of style and way of writing that lets you know this is a work from Robbins. His characters are at once unbelievable and yet more memorable and real than people we might know in everyday life. Also recommended: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and McCrae's Bark of the Dogwood
Rating: 
Summary: Hated This Book
Review: I guess I am in the minority, but I had to force myself to finish this book. I've read so many wonderful reviews of Tom Robbins books. I'm sure I'm in the minority. This book was recommended to me as a good one to read first. It will also be my last.
I just don't like his style of writing. He jumps all over the place. His characters are overly sexed and talk to animals.
I am not an illiterate. I have a graduate degree and enjoy reading contemporary litterature as well as the classics. I Just don't enjoy this very "1960's" style of writing. My advice to anyone that has not read any of Tom Robbins books is to take one out of the library before you invest money in one.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the time
Review: I sympathize with Tom's philosophy, so I don't think I learnt as much as others would from this work (if you are a conformist or a religomaniac you might want to find out what you're missing). It is an interesting work of the imagination that can only increase your own writing and thinking creativity. I like Jitterbug Perfume more than ARA, but this book is still worth the time. This book is also great if you want to find out why the discovered body of Jesus would have no pronounced effect on western religion.
Rating:
Summary: Another Roadside Attraction
Review: Although I enjoyed a couple of Robbins' other books more, this one is an absolute must read for its social commentary. It trancends his other works and steps into the realm of philosophy, but the kind that's read in an arm chair instead of a classroom. Thank you Tom Robbins.
Rating:
Summary: My favourite book!
Review: This is my favourite book ever, and definitely my favourite Tom Robbin's book. Hilarious and entertaining on a surface level, and an insightful and unique perspective into philosophy and sociology (yes, I know it's just fiction). Tom Robbins has a wonderful writing style and a creative mind. If you like unique books (how about ninja assassin Catholic monks or missplaced messiahs?), this is for you. I had this book stolen (hope the thief liked it), but liked it so much I purchased it a second time.
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