Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas

Tom Robbins

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Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins is a whimsical novel that blends fantastical scenarios with social commentary. The book follows a stockbroker named Gwen who embarks on a journey with a mysterious man named Larry Diamond, exploring themes of materialism, spirituality, and absurdity. Robbins' writing style in this novel is described as maniacal, poetic, and hypnotic, with characters that defy Earth's physics and a narrative that mixes magic realism with eccentricity.

Characters:

Characters are quirky and eccentric, with the protagonist, Gwen, navigating her identity and experiences amid chaos, while other supporting characters add to the surreal narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its unique second-person narration and an abundance of similes and poetic language, creating a vibrant yet occasionally overwhelming reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is surreal and absurd, centering on the protagonist's chaotic experiences during a stock market crash. The story delves into themes of materialism and self-discovery through its quirky narrative.

Setting:

The setting is primarily in Seattle, infused with cultural references that reflect late 20th-century America, while also exploring fantastical locations and themes.

Pacing:

The pacing varies greatly, driven by bizarre plot elements and intricate language that some find exhausting, while others appreciate the unconventional flow.

The day the stock market falls out of bed and breaks its back is the worst day of your life. Or so you think. It isnt the worst day of your life, but you think it is. And when you give voice to that t...

Notes:

The entire novel is written in second person, making it a unique reading experience.

The book is rich in simile and metaphor, often described as overwhelming but original.

It features a materialist protagonist who grapples with complex themes like sexuality and spirituality.

The story includes quirky elements like a thieving monkey, a jade enema, and African rituals.

Despite its wild plot, readers find it relevant to societal issues like greed and corruption, even years after its publication.

Gwen, the protagonist, is a stockbroker facing personal and professional crises amidst a market collapse.

The narrative blends elements of magical realism with absurdity, often leaving readers entertained yet exhausted.

Some readers felt the humor and language were overdone and cumbersome to get through.

Robbins has been praised for his poetic style, though it can border on irritating to some.

The book touches on deep subjects but maintains a sense of absurdity and fun throughout.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include existential themes, cultural critique, absurdity, and surrealism that some readers may find unsettling or challenging.

From The Publisher:

When the stock market crashes on the Thursday before Easter, you-an ambitious, although ineffectual and not entirely ethical young broker-are convinced that you're facing the Weekend from Hell. Before the market reopens on Monday, you're going to have to scramble and scheme to cover your butt, but there's no way you can anticipate the baffling disappearance of a 300-pound psychic, the fall from grace of a born-again monkey, or the intrusion in your life of a tattooed stranger intent on blowing your mind and most of your fuses. Over these fateful three days, you will be forced to confront everything from mysterious African rituals to legendary amphibians, from tarot-card bombshells to street violence, from your own sexuality to outer space. This is, after all, a Tom Robbins novel-and the author has never been in finer form.

Ratings (8)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (2)

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About the Author:

Tom Robbins has been called "a vital natural resource" by the Oregonian, "one of the wildest and most entertaining novelists in the world" by the Financial Times of London, and "the most dangerous writer in the world today" by Fernanda Pivano of Italy's Corriere…

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