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Content snapshot
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Violence
Some
Some violence in the spy thriller register; the CIA context provides occasional action
Language
Some
Strong language woven into Robbins's characteristically exuberant prose
Sexual Content
A lot
Explicit sexual content; Robbins treats sexuality as spiritually significant, which doesn't reduce the explicitness
Substance Use
Some
Drug use and drinking as part of the protagonist's countercultural lifestyle
Emotional Intensity
Some
Robbins's philosophical provocations can be psychologically challenging, particularly for readers with strong religious commitments
What this book is about
Tom Robbins's picaresque novel follows Switters, a CIA operative who travels from the Amazon jungle to an Algerian convent, acquiring a prophecy and an inability to touch the ground along the way. Robbins's trademark maximalist prose and gonzo philosophy are present throughout, along with explicit sexual content and his customary indifference to conventional morality. The novel celebrates sacred and profane in equal measure and contains passages that will offend religious readers. For fans of Robbins who know what they're getting into.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Explicit sexual content
Irreverent treatment of religion
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