"Ein altes ukrainisches Sprichwort warnt: Eine Geschichte, die mit einer Roten Bete anfängt, endet mit dem Teufel." In Pan Aroma lauern noch ganz andere Gefahren auf den Leser: Wohlgerüche schlagen um in infernalischen Gestank, Dematerialisation birgt das Risiko einer Reise ohne Wiederkehr, und die Flüchtigkeit des Parfüms als Quelle ewigen Lebens wird zum Ausgangspunkt einer abenteuerlichen Jagd nach einem göttlichen Parfümfläschchen. ( )

This is my third Tom Robbins book. I liked it, but I'm starting to get the feeling that if you've read one Tom Robbins book, you've read them all. He even repeats phrases from book to book.

After I read "Another Roadside Attraction" (my first book of his) I remember wishing it was longer because it was so enjoyable. Then I read "Villa Incognito]"and again, wished it was just a little longer....

With this, I think I've been sated for a while. Maybe it was the way Robbins used a letter written by one of his characters right at the end of the book to seemingly break character a bit and throw a heavy dose of his (Robbins') personal philosophy on the reader. Up until that point, I believe I could have been looking for another of his books. But for now, I'll wait a bit before I take another trip with Robbins. ( )

Tom Robbins is funny, period. The characters and situations this guy comes up with are full of sacarsm, wit, cleverness, and imagination. My favorite part of his humor is his use of hilarious similes. Two of my favorites from this book are "He'd had more fun than an electric eel in a public bath," and "Finding herself stunned and upended by that knowledge, like a myopic houseguest who has walked into a patio door, Pris groped for sturdy furniture with which to right herself."

I didn't like the ending very much. Also, he can get a little vulgar sometimes. Besides that, the story lines were clever, the characters full of life, and it was a fun read.

Synopsis: The book has four distinct storylines. It starts with Alobar, an 11th century king who is about to be killed because he is too old. He escapes, and begins his quest for immortality. Alobar meets the immortal god Pan, who is slowly fading with the spread of Christianity. He then meets his reincarnated wife Wren in the form of a beautiful girl named Kudra. They marry and discover the Bandaloop practices for staying young.

In Seattle, Priscilla is an intelligent waitress looking for the perfect taco. She is also a perfume maker trying to discover the base to the next best perfume.

In New Orleans, Madame and V'lu are perfumers looking for a mysterious bottle.

In Paris, we meet two cousins who also run a successful perfume business, Claude and "Bunny" who has an exceptional sense of smell.

All of the characters are intertwined by perfume and scent. And beets. An unknown person is leaving them beets during the night.

Pros & Cons: For the first 80 pages or so, in typical Robbins style, I had no clue what the book was about. Robbins writes in a way that is captivating and seductive enough that, although I am completely bewildered, I am not bored. I am glad that this was not my first experience with a Robbins book because I may not have fully enjoyed the ride that he sends a reader on. It was thoroughly enjoyable by I liked Still Life with a Woodpecker better. ( )

Jitterbug was titillating. Never having read any of Robbins books before I have to admit I have not been a fan of the contemporary novel. Characters in them often seem bored with themselves and I'm left wondering: "If your character is bored with himself and you sound bored with your character, why should I be interested?" This novel, though, is different. Personally, portions of it were an affront to my sense of morality; yet, I realized "Erleichda, Erleichda" was meant for me too. You'll have to read the book to know what that means. (Robbins doesn't appear to be a fan of Christianity). I am; however, one can't fail to appreciate the completeness of what Robbins creates. It's nice to read something with an actual point of view. His characters operate outside the bounds of morality--that's the point. "The universe does not have laws. It has habits. And habits can be broken." There could be too much of a good thing in reading his novels one after the other, but I will return to Robbins in due time. ( )