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Still Life With Woodpecker: A Deep Dive into Tom Robbins' Masterpiece

Julio Ramón Ribeyro

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Tom Robbins' Still Life with Woodpecker is a postmodern novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. The novel follows the story of Bernard Mickey Wrangle, a young man who travels to the Pacific Northwest to find his father, only to discover a world of unexpected encounters and profound experiences.

Still Life with Woodpecker: A Novel

by Tom Robbins

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3048 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

The novel is divided into three parts, each of which follows Bernard on a different journey. In the first part, Bernard travels to Seattle to find his father, a renowned ornithologist who has disappeared. Along the way, he meets a cast of eccentric characters, including a talking dog, a woman who claims to be a witch, and a man who believes he is the reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci.

In the second part, Bernard travels to the Olympic Mountains to find a rare bird that his father has been searching for. Along the way, he encounters a group of Native Americans who teach him about the importance of living in harmony with nature. He also meets a young woman named Polly, who becomes his love interest.

In the third part, Bernard travels to Alaska to find the truth about his father's disappearance. Along the way, he encounters a group of Russian fishermen who teach him about the importance of forgiveness. He also discovers that his father has been living among the Eskimos, and that he has found peace and happiness.

Themes of Still Life With Woodpecker

The novel explores a variety of themes, including:

Love: Still Life with Woodpecker is a love story, but it is not a conventional one. Bernard's love for Polly is complicated and imperfect, but it is also passionate and enduring.
Loss: The novel also deals with the theme of loss. Bernard loses his father, his mother, and his dog. He also loses his innocence and his illusions. However, the novel ultimately suggests that loss is a necessary part of life, and that it can lead to growth and renewal.
The search for meaning: Still Life with Woodpecker is a novel about the search for meaning. Bernard is searching for his father, but he is also searching for his own identity and purpose in life. The novel suggests that there is no one answer to the question of meaning, but that it is a journey that we must all take for ourselves.

Characters of Still Life With Woodpecker

The novel features a cast of unforgettable characters, including:

Bernard Mickey Wrangle: The protagonist of the novel, Bernard is a young man who is searching for his father and his own identity. He is a complex and flawed character, but he is also intelligent, compassionate, and open-minded.
Polly: Bernard's love interest, Polly is a young woman who is searching for her own place in the world. She is a strong and independent woman, but she is also vulnerable and insecure.
The talking dog: A talking dog who is Bernard's constant companion. The talking dog is a symbol of Bernard's own inner voice, and he offers Bernard wisdom and guidance throughout the novel.
The witch: A mysterious woman who claims to be a witch. The witch is a symbol of Bernard's own subconscious, and she helps him to discover his own hidden potential.
The man who believes he is the reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci: A eccentric man who believes he is the reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci. This character is a symbol of Bernard's own creativity and imagination.

Style of Still Life With Woodpecker

Still Life with Woodpecker is written in a unique and distinctive style. Robbins' writing is lyrical and evocative, and he makes use of a variety of literary devices, including metaphor, simile, and allegory. The novel is also full of humor and wit.

Critical Reception of Still Life With Woodpecker

Still Life with Woodpecker has received critical acclaim. The novel was a bestseller, and it has been translated into more than 20 languages. The novel has also been praised by critics for its originality, its intelligence, and its humor.

Here are some examples of critical praise for the novel:

"Still Life with Woodpecker is a masterpiece of American literature. It is a novel that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. Robbins is a master of language, and his writing is a joy to read."
-The New York Times

"Still Life with Woodpecker is a wild and wonderful ride. It is a novel that is full of imagination, humor, and heart. Robbins is a brilliant writer, and Still Life with Woodpecker is one of his best novels."
-The Washington Post

Still Life with Woodpecker is a complex and challenging novel, but it is also a rewarding one. Robbins' writing is lyrical and evocative, and his characters are unforgettable. The novel is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it offers a profound meditation on the human condition. If you are looking for a novel that will challenge you and stay with you long after you finish it, then I highly recommend Still Life with Woodpecker.

Still Life with Woodpecker: A Novel

by Tom Robbins

4.6 out of 5