Rating: 
Summary: Villa Review
Review: After reading many reviews from fellow avid Tom Robbins readers I was concerned that I wouldnt like this novel and ran to the bookstore to see for myself. Granted, I do not think this book has all of the qualities I have come to expect; it did not make me laugh as much or impress me with language---but who's to say all of his books should be exactly alike? I think it was still a very good story and I loved the way all of the characters tied into one another-although I do admit I was afraid I would loose track of who was who in the beginning, but it turned out to be a very satisfying read-one which beckoned to me to continue reading it through the day, which in my view, is always a great sign.
Rating:
Summary: short, but ever so sweet
Review: Though this isn't my favorite T.R. book (Fierce Invalids still hordes all the poker chips), it still offers the literary lunacy and lessons in philosophy and religion Robbins' readers seek. The author's style of character creation and description--not only tossing in the eccentric, but also giving the mundane a nice makeover--makes a clean cut in the reader's memory. Vietnam. MIAs. Drugs. Carneys. And let's not forget the Tanuki. Even the lyrics to the song "Meet Me Incognito" are dazzling--I imagine a backdrop of pentatonic guitar, winds, and the proper combination of percussion to create the most powerful of pla-bongas. Thanks again, Mr. Robbins, for weaving such a beautiful tale and making the lightbulbs in my mind shine a little brighter.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the beef?
Review: I love Tom Robbins. I became a fan after reading Fierce Invalids. That book left me feeling satisfied. This book left me wondering if I had skipped some pages.
Rating:
Summary: Really good, but not great...
Review: I did enjoy this book, and it was still better than most of the drivel currently being published, but I guess I have really high expectations from Tom Robbins, and this one left me kind of flat. Parts of it were actually predictable, and while his prose still flows sweeter than fine wine, I don't think he left his grapes quite long enough on the vine. Also, there was a tease of a past character popping in for a second - my favourite of all his characters - but alas it was only a tease and left me kind of disappointed as I always like to see old friends. Either which way, if you like Robbins then this book is definitely worth reading, but it's no Woodpecker or Fierce Invalids.
Rating:
Summary: ?!? Where's the rest of it, Tom?
Review: Tom Robbins' books are almost always the literary equivalent of a sprawling, sumptuous buffet-style feast representing the finest cuisine of some wonderfully exotic and mysterious place, daring you to run from one end of the table snarfing and snacking on some of this, some of that, until you're sated to the point of nirvanic bliss and unsure if you can get through the door of experience. Even his poorest work is infinitely better than most authors' best. Through seven novels, written throughout the course of my existence on this planet, T.R. has never failed to lay out an impressive table, generous with his wit and philosophy like enormous crocks of Brazilian baked beans and steaming Tibetan Peach Pie (ice cream softening nearby). This time, however, the picnic, while no less enjoyable, is lacking some substance.
The image from Villa Incognito I think most characterizes the novel best is the plain mayonnaise sandwich - not much there but what is there makes you feel like a kid again, like the first time you read a Robbins novel. But the meat is missing, the goofy meandering is far too brief and a whole subplot or two seem to have been forgotten, leaving clueless characters with nothing to do but spout their dizzy quirks at each other. This goes a long way to explaining why the novel is so short: half the story is missing. It's the part of the story that has nothing to do with what the part that is there is about, dealing with Bootsie and Pru in Seattle, and that interesting lesbian clown Bardo Bippie Bop, who for some reason only appears twice and very briefly in the course of the narrative.
Speaking as a T.R. fan, I could have waited another couple of years for him to flesh out the story more. I'm used to the five year gap; when you have to wait a long time, it usually means when it comes, it'll be worth the wait.
Rating:
Summary: a return to his old belly-thumping grounds, pla-bonga!
Review: Better than Fierce Invalids, not as good as Skinny Legs and All or earlier work. Repeats many of the refrains that appear in previous novels (in wonderful, silly language), and perpetuates a somewhat limited idea of women (combination madonna/slut and enigmatic possessor of mystery/mystical knowledge - I wonder if this is a reflection of his real view). Still, many of his themes make sense to my soul, and it's always good to "hear" his crazy, lyrical voice. I may not appreciate the squalor of the human condition with his reverence, but he certainly shines amazing light on ideas that often go unspoken or unthought.
Rating: 
Summary: Saki, Sex & Folklore with a side of ex-patriotism.
Review: "It has been reported that Tanuki fell from the sky using his scrotum as a parachute," and so starts the tale of the Saki drenched antics of the mythologized Tanuki, which leads the reader on a an amusing adventure. Knock, knock? Who's there? Vietnam Vets who opt to stay in Lao's with a penchant for philosophy, cultivating and dispersing opiates. Knock, knock? Who's there? Three generations of asian woman who um...carry on a magical tradition of sorts..let's say they bloom. Robbins is a master of language and storytelling. The reader goes back and forth from Laos to Seattle. You get a dash of politics, mythology, some 9-11 and the circus, what more could you ask for? It's a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: still waiting
Review: Out of love and respect for Tom Robbins I write this, please remember that. If you have never read a Tom Robbins book before please do not begin with "Villa Incognito". Start with any other of his titles; they are all great, five star material, some I would give six or seven if the scale allowed. For those who know Tom Robbins' writing:
I await each new book by Mr. Robbins with great anticipation. So much so that I place orders for his books as soon as I hear that they are coming into existence ' I then wait in a state of giddy anxiety, like a child staring into the dark, and experiencing what seems like eternity waiting for the sun to rise announcing ones thirteenth year. This was my situation a week ago (I live in a remote part of the world'delivery is slow). I have now received the new book and have read it, and'I am now under the impression that Tom Robbins' new novel, the one to follow "Fierce Invalids...", has yet to be written. I do not know what happened, perhaps I am not getting something, perhaps I am not of mind to understand, but "Villa Incognito", in my opinion, is a bad book. Not a bad Tom Robbins book, but a bad book. The emperor is nude. I feel bad for pointing this out, but naked flesh is naked flesh'Tom Robbins wrote a bad book. Granted, his past books have raised my expectations of what to expect from his hand. However, I have consciously taken this fact into account. Not only did I struggle through this book, I barely cracked a smile, and I am not one who finds laughing difficult. The characters were two dimensional, bland, and uninspired; the story was completely lacking to the point where I find it difficult to even use the word 'story;' and the beautiful art of subtleness with which Mr. Robbins has so expertly imbued within his books was shot in the forehead with a point blank bullet. Again, I am sorry'I still love his words and his wonderful view of the universe, but I must contend that I was left out in the dark matter for this particular foray. I now sit and eagerly await his new novel'
Rating:
Summary: Not up to par
Review: I'd have to call this Robbins's weakest book. First of all, it was too short. Instead of letting events run their course, he chose to end things rather abruptly and tack on a couple of half-baked epilogues. Secondly, the characters lacked depth. This was partly due to the length of the book. There wasn't time to develop any of them fully, and consequently I didn't get to know them well enough to care about them. Thirdly, the writing wasn't as colorful as it has been in his previous books. There were only a couple of passages that made me chuckle out loud, and very few creative turns of phrase. Most seemed forced. And finally, his other books have always left me with some new perspectives on life. This one was fluff. Rated in general, this book gets 2 stars. Rated against other Tom Robbins books, it gets one.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo T.R.
Review: Tom Robbins has managed to weave a tale that is both entertaining and engaging through his use of characters such as Viet Nam MIA's, armed forces officers, and well researched Japanese folk lore. I am of the opinion that this is one of his best creations and have to wonder what the man must do to get five stars from his readers! If you enjoy the writings of Tom Robbins as much as I do, then, by all means read this book. It is as great as Tom Robbins gets. Bravo T.R.
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