Here it is, last question...

If you had to summarize the theme(s) of Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates for someone, what would you tell them?

(If you all have any topics that you would like to bring up that we haven't covered, please start a new thread beginning tomorrow!

Last question!

I would just have to summarize it as a long strange trip! It's about everything. Life, love, lust, the CIA, the Catholic Church, religion in general, philosophy, curses, music, disability, transformation - you name it! I think one of the reasons so many of us found the ending less than satisfactory was because it left this question so difficult to answer - there seems no core meaning, no central message that you can come away with. So I would just have to say that it's a strange and hilarious trip full of linguistic gymnastics that will make your head spin!

Once again, my profound thanks to you, DITHOT and Liz, our fearless and tireless leaders. (Hope you are feeling better today, Liz - sorry to hear about your relapse!). Thanks for the great discussion! The hard work you put into the ONBC is obvious, and we are truly grateful for it. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

It's about how to value experience more than innocence, and how to live without faith until you can take a final leap for someone you really love.

Lumineuse, I am feeling better today, thank you.



Endora, I think I'll explain it that way when I inform my hometown book club that it's my pick in April. And that makes me think I want to add another question to the last question:

Would you recommend it to your friends?

We do it because we love it and because we have such wonderful discussions with you guys. You guys need to pat yourselves on the backs for contributing as you do to the discussions. Afterall, what would I do without you to answer the questions I didn't know the answers to?

Hmmmm.... I didn't really get that message I guess. It seemed to me that nothing had really changed for Switters.

Ah, but he had made his choice. He could have stayed inthe convent I suppose, but he moved on.

Endora I agree with that, but he didn't stay with Domino, at the first chance he took off for Bangkok, the Patbong girls and the C.R.A.F.T. Club. It seems he ended up pretty much where he started. Maybe a little wiser and with a slightly different perspective, nothing much really changed for him.

I would recommend this book to younger people than me and I think someone with no family or big responsibilities would understand Switters and his journey far better than me!
axelsgirl

There are a lot of themes running amok here, eh? Free will, the invasion of the media in our lives, religion and my favorite, not taking ourselves so seriously (Plus I wanted to use Sairlor Boy one more time!) This was my first Robbins book and I loved his writing and his humor. I haven't really laughed out loud that many times while reading a book in a long time. When it all comes down to it, I guess I have to agree with Sailor Boy!







I always end up getting so much out of our discussions, including like Liz said, the answers to questions I had or seeing something in an entirely new way. Whenever we end a discussion I feel like one of my good friends is moving away. I know I can go visit but it just won't be the same every day. Thanks for another great effort Noodlemantras!

I agree wholeheartedly, lumineuse. I've been working too much lately and only had time to check on the discussion every other day or so. Although I missed participating, y'all outdid yourselves. DITHOT, I think we should all remember Sailor Boy as we move through our daily grind. "Peeple of zee wurl, relax" is as good a motto as any, I say. Thanks again, everyone.

I agree, DIDHOT. It is like letting a friend go. Fascinating how we can agree about a book and yet focus on different things. For me, one theme was, living life rather than just maintenance. A lot of other themes seemed to be an exploration of what makes life worth living and a human being worth knowing. He comes up with quite a list, I think.
Thanks for a wonderful discussion!

Themes running amok? That's for sure! I also loved the theme of not taking ourselves too seriously. We need to remember that one! This was also my first TR book, although I've since read Villa Incognito and have a couple of others that were recommended...looking forward to more thought-provoking reading and laughs!
Thanks for the great discussion Liz and DITHOT ~ looking forward to CATCF! :bounce:

I know I will, Scarlett. There have been many times I've wanted to come out with those words around my friends but stopped myself, realizing they would probably think I was nuts, being that they haven't read the book.

Just popping in to add my gratitude to the moderators and to everyone who contributed to the discussion. I wish I had more time to participate, but I've thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's insights. This was a blast! Thanks again Liz and DITHOT!