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Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates Audiobook
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"Tom Robbins has a grasp on things that dazzles the brain and he's also a world-class storyteller." --Thomas Pynchon In Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates, his seventh and biggest novel, the wise, witty, always gutsy Tom Robbins brings onstage the most complex and compelling character he has ever created. Switters is a contradiction for all seasons: an anarchist who works for the government, a pacifist who carries a gun, a vegetarian who sops up ham gravy, a cyberwhiz who hates computers, a robust bon vivant who can be as squeamish as any fop, a man who, though obsessed with the preservation of innocence, is aching to deflower his high-school-age stepsister (only to become equally enamored of a nun ten years his senior). Yet there is nothing remotely wishy-washy about Switters. He doesn't merely pack a pistol. He is a pistol. And as we dog Switters's strangely elevated heels across four continents, in and out of love and danger, Robbins explores, challenges, mocks, and celebrates virtually every major aspect of our mercurial era. As many readers well know, to describe a Tom Robbins plot does not begin to describe a Tom Robbins novel. Moreover, the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author, with his love of language, nuance, and surprise, is as opposed to story summations as J.D. Salinger. It is revealing, however, to learn what things Robbins lists as having influenced the writing of Fierce Invalids: "This book was inspired by an entry from Bruce Chatwin's journal, by a CIA agent I met in Southeast Asia, by the mystery surrounding the lost prophecy of the Virgin of Fatima, by the increasing evidence that the interplay of opposites is the engine that runs the universe, and by embroidered memories of old Terry and the Pirates comic books." Robbins also has said that throughout the writing of Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates he was guided by the advice of Julia Child: "Learn to handle hot things. Keep your knives sharp. Above all, have a good time." Perhaps that is why he has managed to write a provocative, rascally novel that takes no prisoners--and yet is upbeat, romantic, meaningful, adventurous, edifying, and fun.
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"This book / author was recommended to me. Definitely no where near what I usually read ... by a long shot. But, even though it is very dense (to use my friend's word), it was an awesome book. I loved every bit of it ... and even marked certain quotes. Switters is definitely a character and there were many laugh out loud parts. And while I did love this book ... I'm still in deep thought about the end. And I will leave it at that. I am definitely going to have to give this one a re-read to pick up on other subtle nuances that I am sure are imbedded in this book."
— Kirsten (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of Audie Awards, 2001
Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates Listener Reviews
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" Tom Robbins best, in my opinion. His wit and sarcasm are priceless. "
— cheri, 2/15/2014 -
" Another great read from mr. Robbins. "
— Atherton, 2/12/2014 -
" "I've always assumed that every time a child is born, the Divine reenters the world. Okay? That's the meaning of the Christmas story. And every time that child's purity is corrupted by society, that's the meaning of the Crucifixion story. Your man Jesus stands for that child, that pure spirit, and as its surrogate, he's being born and put to death again and again, over and over, every time we inhale and exhale, not just at the vernal equinox and on the twenty-fifth of December." -Switters, as written by Tom Robbins "
— Jess, 1/22/2014 -
" it wasnt his best but still entertainning "
— Nadia, 1/22/2014 -
" this is my favorite tom robbins (well it might be toss up with jitterbug perfume). it's wacky and funny and very entertaining. but people tend to either love it or hate it.... "
— Lyra, 12/31/2013 -
" This book features my favorite protagonist of all time. "
— Chrislane, 12/26/2013 -
" This book had it moments but was mostly an OK book to pass the time while sitting on the beach. As mentioned by other readers I could not get past the pedophile parts. "
— Barbara, 12/12/2013 -
" I named my dog, Switters, after the protagonist in this book. "
— Therk, 11/15/2013 -
" Robbins is a word-smith, and holds nothing back for this adventure. Amazing. "
— Brandon, 10/17/2013 -
" There's really no reason NOT to read this book. Tom Robbins is great. "
— Eradicator, 9/12/2013 -
" I tried to read this book but couldn't get past the beginning at all! It didn't make any since at all. "
— Laura, 8/4/2013 -
" Wacky and frantic, Fierce Invalids swoops along very entertainingly through several continents and unsavory adventures. Not exactly light reading, and yes, I said unsavory and meant it. Wear your funny pants and don't be judgmental. "
— Erica, 7/27/2013 -
" The best of all Robbins. "
— Micah, 6/30/2013 -
" Loved it - great sarcastic humor! "
— Bobbie, 6/23/2013 -
" Not one of his best. "
— Allan, 1/31/2013 -
" This is the first book that i read by Tom Robbins and because of it I have read every other book by this author. It is a fun read, it is an easy read, it is a wild ride. Switters is one of my favorite characters in book, film or TV. It takes you from Seattle to Peru to Syria. Great book. "
— Tad, 1/2/2013 -
" I read this a really long time ago. I remember liking it a lot, and that is about it. I was already a fan of past publications by this author so I was already in the camp of "wanting to like it". "
— Katie, 11/18/2012 -
" he knows lots of words... "
— Andrew, 9/22/2012 -
" so random. smarmy, luxurious and indulgent. i laughed a lot and then did some community service to cleanse myself. "
— John, 8/27/2012 -
" who can resist switters? not i.... "
— Rebecca, 7/3/2012 -
" My favorite Tom Robbins book "
— Joy, 7/1/2012 -
" Hilarious, I think I've read this at least three times. By far my favorite work of his. The main character "Switters" might be Robbins' best. "
— Ethan, 5/21/2012 -
" Tom Robbins is really funny. "
— Dan, 1/30/2012 -
" Another one of my favorite stories by this author. Hillarious and beautifully writen. I would recomend it to anyone who likes this author, and to most people who just like to read. Its awesome. "
— Jesse, 12/11/2011 -
" I just have so much love for Tom Robbins in my heart.<br/><br/>Best line: "The Universe is organized anarchy, and we are lying in the folds of its flag." "
— Malysa, 5/22/2011 -
" Certainly one of the most entertaining and inspirational tomes I have come across. Perfect. "
— Stuigi, 5/16/2011 -
" Robbins books aren't for everyone. I actually laughed quite a bit while reading this one--he has some gems in his commentary about life. "
— Donna, 5/7/2011 -
" The most amazing book I have ever read. "
— David, 4/20/2011 -
" Switters!!! This is tied for the funniest book I have ever read. Robbins has a real hard on for the Catholic Church and pyramids. I can't recommend this book enough! "
— Skaditch, 4/17/2011 -
" Love Tom Robbins, I think this is one of my favorites "
— Rachel, 3/20/2011 -
" Loved it more when read in yesteryears. Last time I glanced at it, the descriptions of South America seemed to Conradian for me. Still, few can craft sentences like Robbins. And the story's damn interesting. "
— Krista, 3/14/2011 -
" Fun book. Robbins writing is exhausting but totally worth it. "
— Wendy, 2/23/2011 -
" Surprisingly poignant, this was one of the most "unique" books that I have read in a while. So glad that someone recommended this to me :) "
— Alex, 2/20/2011 -
" if you like tom robbins in the first place, it's one of the best!<br/>an energy boost, and a fun story, and the usual robbins clever language and interesting new ideas. "
— P.adelie, 2/3/2011 -
" I used to await Tom Robbins' novels with bated breath. Maybe I'm just an old fart now. Or maybe he is. (I couldn't believe he's 73 years old!) I enjoyed this one but it didn't take me on the magic carpet ride the old ones did. Oh well. "
— Michael, 1/18/2011 -
" Hilarious. One of the funniest books I've ever read. Not for the faint of heart. "
— Alex, 1/13/2011
About Tom Robbins
Tom Robbins has been called “a vital natural resource” by the Oregonian, “one of the wildest and most entertaining novelists in the world” by the Financial Times of London, and “the most dangerous writer in the world today” by Fernanda Pivano of Italy’s Corriere della Sera. A Southerner by birth, Robbins has lived in and around Seattle since 1962. He is the author of eight novels.
About Keith Szarabajka
Keith Szarabajka has appeared in many films, including The Dark Knight, Missing, and A Perfect World, and on such television shows as The Equalizer, Angel, Cold Case, Golden Years, and Profit. Szarabajka has also appeared in several episodes of Selected Shorts for National Public Radio. He won the 2001 Audie Award for Unabridged Fiction for his reading of Tom Robbins’s Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates and has won several Earphones Awards.