This is a blog I wrote approx. two years ago and the sentiments still resonate, maybe more so.

Albert Camus wrote that the only serious question is whether to kill yourself or not.
Tom Robbins wrote that the only serious question is whether time has a beginning or end.
Camus clearly got up on the wrong side of the bed and Robbins must have forgotten to set the alarm.
There is only one serious question and that is: Who knows how to make love stay?

These quotes from a book that I reread over the weekend will have enabled the more intrepid reader to identify the title but more of that later. Imagine a book that investigates, the question, in depth over history, philosophy, cosmology, mythology, symbology as well as female sexuality just exactly: Who knows how to make love stay?

There are some of the greatest one liners in English literature as well as a heroine of sorts and an anti-hero. There are allusions to all kinds of possible answers and even some possible solutions to the ultimate question but the book actually revolves around the images and imagination of one of the greatest writers of the last quarter of the twentieth century.

“Outlaws are not members of society. However, they may be important to society. Poets remember our dreams, outlaws act them out.”

“Those who shun the whimsy of things will experience rigor mortis before death.”

” …most lovers don’t work at it hard enough, or with enough imagination or generosity, ..”

“When you put the blame on society, then you end up turning to society for the solution.”

“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won’t adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honour and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words “make” and “stay” become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.”

“Love lasts. It’s lust that moves out on us when we’re not looking, it’s lust that always skips town – and love without lust just isn’t enough.”

I haven’t told you yet about the Camel box or Choice, but enough for now. To end off, a quote before the prologue from Erica Jong herself. “Here should be a picture of my favourite apple. It is also a nude & bottle. It is also a landscape. There are no such things as still lifes.”

The author was described by a British critic as writing like Dolly Parton looks.

Of course it is Tom Robbins and STILL LIFE WITH WOODPECKER. It is a metaphysical ramble, joyride and bungee. Go out and buy it, now.