If a literary legend is living in one’s corner of the country, what might be the best way to celebrate them and their important artistic legacy? If the legend in question is Tom Robbins, might as well declare him royalty.
That’s exactly what some folks in La Conner have done. Saturday, Sept. 2 will be a celebration of the beloved novelist with a “King for a Day” gala featuring a parade, art exhibits, “gifts and gaiety” and a raffle to support reading programs at the local library. Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Tom Robbins character or “as crazy as you want in his honor.” Robbins will not be available for personal photos or signings, and event organizers did not confirm if the author would even attend his celebratory event.
How did it come to this?
Robbins, 91, was born in North Carolina in 1932 and moved to Seattle in 1962, where he began his writing career as an art critic for The Seattle Times — later discovering his authorial voice composing a review of a Doors concert. Robbins eventually wandered north and settled in La Conner in 1970, and has lived perched on top of the hill above town more or less ever since.
In the meditative, moody environs of the Skagit Valley, Robbins crafted most of his novels, including “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,” “Jitterbug Perfume” and “Skinny Legs and All.” They have gone on to sell millions of copies and been translated into many languages, garnering Robbins a worldwide following.
Robbins has also published a collection of short stories and essays with “Wild Ducks Flying Backward,” the novella “B Is for Beer,” and “Tibetan Peach Pie,” a memoir of his storied and often strange life.
My favorite Robbins read is “Another Roadside Attraction” — his 1971 debut that he described as being “composed of zip and zang and zing and zonk” — probably because it was the first Robbins book I discovered, like a gateway drug. I also appreciate that it is set in the Skagit Valley near where I live, and I fell head over heels in love with the main characters John Paul Ziller and especially Amanda.
I was in college and the book opened my mind up to what fiction could do when a playful and inventive mind pushed and pulled at its edges. As a writer, it was eye-opening to witness an author break the rules of writing and invent new modes of storytelling.
Robbins’ books — along with his renegade public appearances and interviews — have always been a reminder to me about not taking life too seriously, while simultaneously taking love, art, and spiritual freedom very seriously.
I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with the author over the past 25 years and strike up a loose friendship. We’ve shared a pitcher of beer at the Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle — where I confessed my Amanda obsession to him — and viewed paintings by the Northwest Mystics at La Conner’s Museum of Northwest Art.
I also interviewed him for a cover story in the Bellingham Weekly and then again onstage in Boundary Bay Brewery’s beer garden. I have a collection of correspondence from him — letters nested in fanciful envelopes with return addresses of “The Union of Mad Scientists” or “Villa de Jungle Girl” — that are among my most valued treasures.
In honor of the upcoming “King for a Day” celebration, I asked a few fans to share what their favorite Robbins novel is and what his writing has meant to them over the years (responses have been edited for clarity and length).
“‘Another Roadside Attraction,’ ‘Skinny Legs and All’ and ‘Jitterbug Perfume’ lead the pack. Tom’s writing blew my mind open to the fact that words on a page of fiction could be equal parts art history, musicology, philosophy, comparative religion, pop culture, political science, esoterica, erotica and acid trip, all at the same time and in no particular order. His fractalized weavings of astute cultural and spiritual observations are rolled up into a madcap literary spliff, leaving the reader in a daze of curiosity and wonder.” — Joe Anderson
Legendary author Tom Robbins talks about art in 2016 in his natural habitat of La Conner. (Photo courtesy of Christian Martin)
“‘Jitterbug Perfume’ touched me deeply in my most tickly and sensual places, as only Robbins can. I found it in my mid-20s when I had leapt off from my Christian upbringing and jumped on the pagan wagon. His absurdly visual, hilariously wise ‘winkings’ and tweakings of linguistic links blew my mind and heart open. He inspired me to cast my own fate’s fishing pole toward the edges of our culture’s gene pool, where marshier memes (see pre-internet definition of meme) and themes mixed. Thanks, Uncle Tom, for crafting a far funkier and freakier cabin for my mind to reside in.” — Jay Darling
“A high school English teacher of mine first introduced me to Tom’s writing, and I was instantly hooked. His writing felt so familiar and comforting — relatable, immaculately constructed, and with enormous wit to boot. My favorite is ‘Skinny Legs and All.’ The dropping of the veils and the dropping of such incredible wisdom throughout the story satisfies me thoroughly. As a wordsmith of unparalleled brilliance, Tom fuels my desire to experiment with the English language. His perfection encourages me to fiddle and fuss until everything is just right; often in zany, deeply satisfying prose of bewildering bemusement and beauty.” — Shawn Speyer
“My partner, Joel, grew up in La Conner as Tom’s neighbor. As a kid in the late ’80s, he had no idea who the fellow next door was — just wondered occasionally about the people showing up at his fence at all hours, fans making scenes to get in. It wasn’t until Joel was a teenager that he learned his neighbor was a cultural icon — when his cousin showed him a picture of TR in a High Times article. ‘Isn’t this your neighbor?’ Young Joel sought out a book and immediately became a fan — ‘Jitterbug Perfume’ is his favorite. His books remained staples on our fishing boat, the F/V Nerka.” — Tele Aadsen
“Feet to the coals, I would pick ‘Jitterbug Perfume,’ a beauty of a book. The theme of ‘floral consciousness’ was enlightening! My old truck’s custom license plate holder reads, ‘I’d Rather Be Reading Tom Robbins,’ and it actually got me pulled over driving through Texas. I adore his playful approach to the mysteries of life and adventure.” — Lucan Benson
Tom Robbins Day kicks off with a parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 in downtown La Conner. Food and drink, arts and shopping and plenty of gaiety will be part of the festivities. Info: 925-487-1848.
