" 'Be careful what goes into your mouth and what comes out of it.' The advice [from the I Ching] was so good--so simple, wise, and encompassing--that I've never felt the need to consult the I Ching again. It was quite likely the best advice I've ever received. I can't help but wonder what my life would have been like if I'd actually followed it."
-Tom Robbins, from Tibetan Peach Pie
My husband describes some of the books I read as "chick lit." What do you call one more suited to guys? This seemed to be one of those, although I did enjoy most of it and found myself giggling pretty often, even laughing out loud at times. Tibetan Peach Pie is a memoir/biography/personal narrative with the subtitle A True Account of an Imaginative Life might be an understatement. Ricky Martin's song "Living la Vida Loca" might be very appropriate. It was actually hard to believe one man lived so many unusual, exciting, even dangerous, life episodes---until he confesses he is now in his eighties!
Apparently Mr. Robbins is a prolific writer of considerable note, although I had never come across his work before. I saw a review of this book in the newspaper which piqued my curiosity. The author uses something of a stream of consciousness style to recount his amazing life from his childhood, when he knew he had a passion for words at age 5, to the writing of this book, his latest endeavor. He relates fascinating and amusing stories about his school days, moves, travels, his career as an art critic and journalist, his process of becoming a novelist AND a series of girlfriends and/or wives. A few highlights were his experiences with cannibals, hippos and elephants. Even descriptions of plane trips and book signings were entertaining.
As a wannabe wordsmith myself I was so impressed with the writing. This man surely knows how to turn a phrase! Robbins has a voluminous vocabulary and great felicity of expression. As I hinted at the beginning I would recommend this book to the guys in my circle of friends more than the gals. Such things as the 5th grade "peeing contest," the mention of "penis envy" and numerous notations about female anatomy helped form that opinion. Fortunately he used only a smattering of obscenities, usually in quoting someone else, and any sexual encounters were suggestive, not graphic. Robbins writes that his novel Even Cowgirls Get the Blues is his best-known book and has been highly acclaimed by women. Perhaps I'll read it one of these days.
I am still curious about the significance of the title. I also wondered about his self-given nickname, Tommy Rotten. Could it have come partly from the expression tommyrot or just a derivative of his first name with an adjective sounding similar to his last?
If you are looking for some light reading with lots of laughs, by all means give this one a go! My rating is a 4.
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