Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates

By: Tom Robbins

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

"Tom Robbins has a grasp on things that dazzles the brain and he's also a world-class storyteller." (Thomas Pynchon)

In Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates, his seventh and biggest novel, the wise, witty, always gutsy Tom Robbins brings onstage the most complex and compelling character he has ever created.

Switters is a contradiction for all seasons: an anarchist who works for the government, a pacifist who carries a gun, a vegetarian who sops up ham gravy, a cyberwhiz who hates computers, a robust bon vivant who can be as squeamish as any fop, a man who, though obsessed with the preservation of innocence, is aching to deflower his high-school-age stepsister (only to become equally enamored of a nun ten years his senior).

Yet there is nothing remotely wishy-washy about Switters. He doesn't merely pack a pistol. He is a pistol.

And as we dog Switters's strangely elevated heels across four continents, in and out of love and danger, Robbins explores, challenges, mocks, and celebrates virtually every major aspect of our mercurial era.As many readers well know, to describe a Tom Robbins plot does not begin to describe a Tom Robbins novel. Moreover, the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author, with his love of language, nuance, and surprise, is as opposed to story summations as J.D. Salinger.

It is revealing, however, to learn what things Robbins lists as having influenced the writing of Fierce Invalids:

"This book was inspired by an entry from Bruce Chatwin's journal, by a CIA agent I met in Southeast Asia, by the mystery surrounding the lost prophecy of the Virgin of Fatima, by the increasing evidence that the interplay of opposites is the engine that runs the universe, and by embroidered memories of old Terry and the Pirates comic books.

"Robbins also has said that throughout the writing of Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates he was guided by the advice of Julia Child: "Learn to handle hot things. Keep your knives sharp. Above all, have a good time."

Perhaps that is why he has managed to write a provocative, rascally novel that takes no prisoners - and yet is upbeat, romantic, meaningful, adventurous, edifying, and fun.

©2000 Tom Robbins (P)2000 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

2001, Audie Awards, Winner

"In his seventh, and perhaps most complex novel to date, Robbins shines as brilliantly as he has in the past...superb current social commentary." --New York Post

Disturbingly Odd

An odd story about unpleasant characters with disturbing personal vices. Robbins seems determined to portray mankind in only it's most negative light. There's not a likable character in the lot. The style seems forced, always concentrating more on the next clever turn of phrase rather than the plot. The narration is good and the story may well appeal to those who derive enjoyment from peering into the dark recesses of perverse subcultures or tipping over rocks to stare at the gooey masses living beneath.

Inspirational, Provacative, Wickedly Funny

Delicious ramble through the assumptions, pretenses, ironies and often hollow social mores of contemporary historical moments. Frequently laugh out loud funny. Brilliantly written and excellently narrated. Not a good choice for the easily offended however.

Quite unlike any story you would have ever heard!

An absolutely unique story. Completely unexpected, utterly refreshing, just brilliant! some hollarious parts. Very left field moments and very different.

Absolutely laugh out loud, love this book.

A torrent of visuals with such texture and color, Mr. Robbins is constantly entertaining, delivered all inside a refreshing world view.

The Absolute

Best Audible book ever and one if my favorite books ever. More truth in here than any holy book out there. A must read, must listen.

liked book not reader

Didn't get into this book right away because I took a dislike to the main character. I came to realize, however, that it was the tone of the reader not the character or the book. I enjoyed the humor and the out-there perspective of Tom Robbins, but had to concentrate on tuning out the reader.. who sounded cynical and snide to my ear. Have read a few other Tom Robbins books. His ideas stick with me over the years and continue to bring me enjoyment long after the the book is closed.. or, in this case, the 'stop' button is pushed. Wish i had read, not listened, to this one.

Great book but not for kids

the opening says Audible for Kids

this is not kid friendly. please reclassify it

Welcome to Audible Kids (NOT)

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Hey, Audible,
Get with it and take off the cheery chorus that precedes this book, "Welcome to Audible Kids!" I think one of your employees was having fun that day. However, I think that Switters would have approved of the joke, given his obsession with Suzy.

Was Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates worth the listening time?

This was a fun book to listen to. Well performed.

Any additional comments?

To enjoy this book, leave all taboos behind, be ready for some crude humor, and be ready to laugh out loud.

Why must bad men get what they want?

Very male gazey to the point of perversion. Can’t get behind a 35yo using a child and then later acquiring a second more age appropriate lover.

listened to all 16+ hours if this book twice

I listened to all 16+ hours if this book twice! It wasn?t that I loved it so much the 1st time that I had to listen again, but I spent so much time trying to figure out what Switters was saying that it wasn?t until the 2nd listen that I actually laughed out loud at some of his comments. Usually at one of his many off-the-cuff analogys like ?red as a baboon?s butt? or referring to the 3rd Prophesy of Fatima as a ?Papal onion? or an apostrophe as a ?comma on a trampoline? ? all easy to miss the first time around! But don?t get me wrong ? I did not like the constant referrals to his lust for his young step-sister, Susie, or his endless womanizing. For all his machoness he was always looking for a relationship that couldn?t possibly work out. Was he perverted or just scared of commitment? Was he ever really going to read ?Finnigan?s Wake? or was that just one more hopeless project for him to endlessly espouse his opinions on innocent victims? Well, I must admit to a small amount of guilty pleasure with this crazy book ? It was quite a trip ? one that I?d recommend ? but not for the faint-hearted!