Another Roadside Attraction (Paperback)

by Tom Robbins (Author)
Key Phrases: mess officer, dog wildlife preserve, perfumed curtains, John Paul, Marx Marvelous, Mon Cul (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
It's clear that when Robbins sits down to write, he has one thing on his mind: having himself some fun. I read Another Roadside Attraction, years ago, then immediately went back to the beginning of the book and read it again. Robbins holds nothing back in this, his first novel. It's a perfect introduction to the Robbins oeuvre of oddness.

Review
"Written with a style and humor that haven't been seen since Mark Twain . . . it is a prize."--Los Angeles Times. -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (April 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553349481
• ISBN-13: 978-0553349481
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,065 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CHANGED THE WAY I THINK ABOUT THINGS, FOR SURE, April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This is my favorite book of all time. I think that the four main characters are absolutely perfect, the way they are written. You can't get more interesting and original. In fact, I consider Amanda to be the greatest fictional character I have ever read about in a novel. Just brilliantly written.

The dialogue is fantastic, and story line and description of the whole book is just perfect. The first time I read this book, I was sitting out front of one of my classrooms with about 15 minutes to kill, so I figured I'd start reading this book that a friend of mine loaned me. When I looked up at the clock after taking a break from the pages, I realized that it was 3 hours later. This book totally captivated me, and I think I have lent that same copy to at least 20 different people over the years, and every one of them agreed with a full heart.

It the single, greatest recommendation I have ever recieved. You have to read it!!!!! Thank you, Mr. Robbins for writing it. I'm totally serious.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digging up Old Gems, August 3, 2000

By	David Lister "Medentheist" (New England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fans of Tom Robbins' more recent work will enjoy going back and taking a look at his first novel, Another Roadside Attraction.

From page one, the reader will note that the author's writing style is fully formed, fat, juicy, and full of snap. There are several little stories going on, but the one I like best goes something like this.

A former college football player, banished from organized football after a carnal episode with his coach's wife, is hiking through the wet wilderness of Olympic National Park. He comes upon a murdered Catholic monk with a letter of introduction. Stealing the monk's clothes and assuming his identity, he continues on the path until he arrives at what was to be the monk's destination: a completely unknown monastary that serves as a training ground for the Vatican hit squad. Passing himself off as the murdered monk, he soon finds himself transferred to duty at the Vatican where, after some time, he is able to use the confusion created by a rather severe earthquake to sneak his way into the lowest, off-limits section of the Vatican catacombs. Who's body he finds, and what happens after that? Read the book.

Five big stars for this one!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite book!, May 2, 2003

By	Heather (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

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.