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31 pages 1 hour read

Tom Robbins

Jitterbug Perfume

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Tom Robbins's Jitterbug Perfume, the intertwined lives of Priscilla Partido, Lily Devalier, V’lu, Claude, and Marcel span centuries and continents as they unravel the mysteries of immortality, assisted by the ancient king Alobar and his quest for eternal life alongside the erstwhile Hindu girl Kudra. The narrative, combining elements of realism, fantasy, and comedy, follows their efforts to create a timeless perfume, K23, leading to a climactic convergence in New Orleans. The story features culturally sensitive topics related to aging and death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling, vibrant prose, and captivating characters. Critics praise Robbins' humor and the novel's philosophical depth, though some find its convoluted plot and dense narrative style challenging. Overall, the book is lauded for its originality and thought-provoking themes, despite occasional complexity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Jitterbug Perfume?

Readers who revel in whimsical, philosophical narratives reminiscent of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams will delight in Tom Robbins' Jitterbug Perfume. Ideal for lovers of magical realism and existential musings with a touch of humor.

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Setting

Various locations • Multiple eras

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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