With happiness being one of the most written about themes in recent years, this novel remains absolutely relevant. Like a delicious, spicy gumbo, he leaves the reader satisfied but still wanting more–it’s a book to look forward to reading and to dread finishing.Īlong with the imaginative story told in such a highly entertaining fashion is a lot of great information on how to live and be happy. There’s not the usual drag of having to get involved with a new set of characters.Īt the end of the book, Robbins pulls together the ingredients of each character in an extremely satisfying and surprising way with vivid stew set in New Orleans. Each section is so enjoyable from its very first sentence that interest is easily maintained. The book jumps section to section from one set of incredibly well-drawn and likable characters to another, but I never had the feeling of disappointment when the shifts between characters happened like I do in other books written this way. Robbins’ fourth novel features his usual verbal gymnastics, but unlike Another Roadside Attraction, the puns and metaphors don’t seem stretched and unnatural like a Chinese contortionist but fold almost seamlessly like an energetic yogi into the story. Basically, I was in prime position to enjoy Jitterbug Perfume to the fullest. I was experimenting with food combining, hiking mountains, meditation, sage burning and dabbing amber on my wrists. Jitterbug Perfume was the perfect fictional companion to Campbell’s non-fiction. He was most definitely a righteous representative of Robbins’ work.Īt about the same time (1988) I’d discovered Joseph Campbell and was soaking up his book Myths to Live By. He had a gorgeous Georgia drawl and a gold dragon ringed around his right index finger.

I remembered it as a life changing book that I first encountered at the age of 24 when it was recommended to me by a man twice my age who, wearing a sweatshirt with Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice on the back, also introduced me to wine and food pairing (Chateau d’Yquem with magic mushrooms). After my recent reread of Tom Robbins’ Another Roadside Attraction, I was apprehensive about rereading Jitterbug Perfume.

Jitterbug perfume audible