COOLEST OFFICE -> Villa IncognitoStart A New Topic | Reply
Post InfoTOPIC: Villa Incognito
Posted By: Maestra

Posted On: Apr 19, 2004
Views: 2557
Villa Incognito

Yes, indeed that was Mr. Robbins, and it was indeed from Villa Incognita. Incidentally, while VI is slightly similar to Jitterbug initially, I found it far more interesting. It's written in a style more similar to Fierce Invalids than Jitterbug, and involves some ragtag rebelious characters, who, while never taking Switters' place in my heart, amuse themselves with pursuits that might have interested him. They're definitely Cowboys, POWs classified as MIAs who've actually gone AWOL living on an virtual island, selling heroin for medicinal purposes, with only a tightrope as a driveway.... Stubblefield in particular amused me- but I digress; you've already said you haven't read it. Which of his works have you read, and who else do you read?


Posted By: Kiki Dee

Posted On: Apr 19, 2004
Views: 2555
RE: Villa Incognito

Did I miss something here?


Posted By: Matt

Posted On: Apr 19, 2004
Views: 2542
RE: Villa Incognito

Go away Maestra, your polls make me wanna shove a sharp object in my ear.


Posted By: itsmecheryle

Posted On: Apr 19, 2004
Views: 2541
RE: Villa Incognito

Wow me too


Posted By: Dr. Zhivago

Posted On: Apr 19, 2004
Views: 2540
RE: Villa Incognito

I have Jitterbug, Fierce Invalids, Skinny Legs and Still Life so far. I loved FI more than the rest, but Mr. Robbins is still the wizard of metaphor park. I also like to read Vonnegut, Joeseph Heller and Wally Lamb to name a few. John Kennedy Toole's two books are amazing and I wish he had lived a longer life. Heller is probably my favorite out of all of them. Michner's 'The Source' is another top 5 pick as well.


Posted By: Kiki Dee

Posted On: Apr 20, 2004
Views: 2519
RE: Villa Incognito

Wally Lamb is my all time favorite author. I wish he would write more.

I was just talking about him the other day with a friend, and I read a while back that someone had bought the movie rights to She's Come Undone, but I've heard nothing of a movie yet. Does anyone have any different information?


Posted By: perv

Posted On: Apr 20, 2004
Views: 2508
RE: Villa Incognito

I know the porn version is in development: She's Cumed on Don.


Posted By: Sure

Posted On: Apr 20, 2004
Views: 2503
RE: Villa Incognito

I can barely believe that Zhivago has even heard of Vonnegut and Heller. Though strange things often happen.


Posted By: Dr. Zhivago

Posted On: Apr 20, 2004
Views: 1610
RE: Villa Incognito

I'm not sure about the movie rights to that one, but the new book by Wally Lamb entitled "Couldn't Keep It to Myself" is out now and it looks good from reviews that I've read. I did forget to leave out one other favourite author: P.J. O'Rourke. There is something about alcoholic authors (Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, etc.) that I find strangely appealing. Granted I do partake in spirited revelries on rare occasion, but I think that 'gin-soaked monsters' have the ability to coalesce ideas in ways that sober authors rarely see. I'm sure you are wondering about my thoughts on Joyce, especially Finnegans Wake. :) I had the unnerving experience of reading that many years ago, before I had the Internet at my disposal. I couldn't take the language barrier and the hidden meanings only compiled my confusion. Once in a while I come across something in my studies which was alluded to in 'Finnigan' and it only makes me want to scour it again with the help of the mighty Interweb.


Posted By: perv

Posted On: Apr 20, 2004
Views: 1416
RE: Villa Incognito

yeah, and it's great for looking at free porn.


Posted By: Kiki Dee

Posted On: Apr 21, 2004
Views: 1380
RE: Villa Incognito

Wow!! I didn't know that Lamb had a new book on the market (I feel like a bad fan)... and after doing a little research, I found that only the intro is written by Lamb. The rest is written by former inmate women to whom he taught Writing. I'll buy it and read it despite the lack of Lamb, but I'm still waiting for the next epic tragedy that comes solely from Wally's pen.


Posted By: Maestra

Posted On: Apr 21, 2004
Views: 1364
RE: Villa Incognito

Good selection, Dr. Z, I've read most of Robbins, ( I highly recommend Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas and Villa Incognito) I've read A Confederacy of Dunces- though not The Neon Bible- I agree with you about his tragic early death, She's Come Undone was a favorite of mine for a while, but I Know This Much is True has been sitting unopened on a shelf waiting for my promised return for about four years. Catch 22 is definitely one of the greatest literary works of all time, I've read it four or five times and never get tired of it, though I've read Closing Time only once. I have to say, at the risk of opening myself up to criticism (ha ha) that I've read Vonnegut, and while I enjoy his books, I feel he's a bit overrated. I find Robbins, and Heller far more amusing, engaging, and interesting. I did enjoy Cat's Cradle quite a bit, but I still prefer FI or C-22 any day of the week. In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, I believe I may have to bypass I Know This Much is True once again for a review of Catch-22, I'm about due. :)


Posted By: Dr. Zhivago

Posted On: Apr 21, 2004
Views: 1361
RE: Villa Incognito

I thought "I Know This Much is True" was amazing. Probably my favorite of the two (from a male perspective as well as an unbiased reader's perspective). I was not a fan of "Closing Time" after the glory of Catch-22. If you really want a good Heller book you have to get "God Knows". It's a phenomenal religious parody written as a King David autobiography. Definitely a must-read. I know that I have to get "Half Asleep..." sometime in the near future but I have a full literary schedule right now with book review deadlines for various journals and next semester's curriculum before the end of May.


Posted By: Kiki Dee

Posted On: Apr 21, 2004
Views: 1355
RE: Villa Incognito

Amazing is an understatement when it comes to I Know This Much Is True.

I didn't like the main character in IKTMIT (I believe his name was Terry? It's been a while since I read it) as much as I did Delores in She's Come Undone. I did, however, like the point of view a lot better. Delores got annoying and whiny at times. There were a few times I wanted to slap her, but mostly, I identified with her and loved her.


Posted By: Maestra

Posted On: Apr 22, 2004
Views: 1345
RE: Villa Incognito

GOD KNOWS! I was trying to think what other Heller book I'd read, but I was drawing a complete blank. Actually, more accurately I read about 1/4 of it and then left it on the charter counter at Logan a couple of years ago, and never got around to picking up another copy. I'm glad you mentioned that, though because I always intended to pick it up again. Now that I've double checked his other titles, I definitely have not read any of them. How about Hunter S. Thompson, have you read much from him? I love Fear and Loathing (as well as the movie, which I thought was excellent). Nothing is worse than walking into a casino and finding lizards everywhere!


Pages [ 1 2 ] Next Page ->