Tom Robbins' women characters have always struck me as the ideal of a certain type of groovy guy. She's hot, she's loose, she's independent -- she's got a little bit of a maternal/domestic streak when he needs it, but she understand when he feels that male need -- you know, that undeniable biological drive -- for "variety."

That said, the books are zany, kooky, silly, and pretty fun, and I can imagine that a husband-wife read aloud would lead to some pretty fun conversations.

I would say that if you like Kurt Vonnegut and the Grateful Dead you'd like Tom Robbins, but if you like KV and the GD, then you've probably already read TR.

Instead, I'll say that if you like trippy, semi-philosophy (the kind at one time enhanced by a toke among friends) mixed with sometimes raunchy humor, you'd have a great time with Jitterbug Perfume. It's crazy-imaginative and secretly smart, and a good antidote for anyone who thinks readers are too serious, or that men and women can't like the same books.