31 pages • 1 hour read
Tom RobbinsJitterbug Perfume
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.