HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: dkf11@cl.cam.ac.uk (Donal K. Fellows)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.eddings
Subject: Re: EDDINGS AND HIS WORKS
Date: 10 Jan 93 12:12:43 GMT
Reply-To: dkf11@phx.cam.ac.uk
Distribution: news
Organization: U of Cambridge Computer Lab, UK

In article <93009.205310AER107@psuvm.psu.edu> <AER107@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>Actually, Eddings changed the origin of the orb (Cthrag Yaska) when he went
>from the Belgariad to the Mallorean.  In the Belgariad, Belgarath states that
>the Orb was "nothing but an ordinary stone until [Aldur] touched it." So both
>of the relevant statements were "correct."
>

This is probably the case, but now the newer version is correct. (We can
always make up the line that Belgarath thought that Aldur created the orb,
when in fact he only cleaned it up from it's entry through the atmosphere.
Belgarath probably never thought about it very carefully :)

Donal.
--
If the opinions above are anyone else's, that's their problem.
From: starfish@stein.u.washington.edu (Sarah Skovronsky)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.eddings
Subject: Next book?
Date: 11 Jan 93 19:57:19 GMT
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu

Does anyone know when the next book in the latest series (Domes of Fire, etc.,
sorry I don't have the book with me so I can't remember the title of the
series) is coming out?  Has it already appeared in the UK?

-- 
************************************************************************
*            Sarah Skovronsky     starfish@u.washington.edu            *
*      Try Milliways--the Restaurant at the End of the Universe!       *
**********fnord!********furrfu!********hi-keeba!********meep!***********
From: hawleylm@apple.com (Lorin Hawley)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Looking for recommendations
Date: 7 Jan 93 19:52:58 GMT
Followup-To: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Organization: Apple Computer

In article <1992Dec31.134608.5596@doug.cae.wisc.edu>, ward@cae.wisc.edu
(David Ward) wrote:
> 
(deletions)
> 
> So my question is: what next?  Did anyone else have trouble getting into
> Roadside Attraction or Cowgirls?  How good is Jitterbug Perfume?  Do you
> think his first two books would be worthwhile to try again if I didn't
> enjoy their beginnings?

My sentiments echo those of Forrest Smith. I thought "Roadside" was
outstanding and in a class of its own, with "Jitterbug" (an epic love
story, as Forrest says) coming in second. TR was, in my opinion, too
concerned with getting "cute" down pat with Cowgirls and Woodpecker, but if
you love TR's style they are enjoyable.

It seems people are often most strongly impressed by whichever TR book they
read first. That might be because that's when his style has such a strong
impact.

Lorin Hawley
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
From: stone@bradley.bradley.edu (Steve Stone)
Subject: Re: Robbins - a low volume newsnet
Organization: Bradley University
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 19:28:12 GMT

In <C0p8IE.MB6@news.udel.edu> wilhited@brahms.udel.edu (Douglas Ben Wilhite) writes:

>From your own character, along with the examples provided by Robbins himself, and with evidence from Robbins our life theories as purported in his novels, is itpossible to say that a true Robbins fan is the antithesis of a computer, and    news network, literate?

>  Extended use of a computer, in order to gain both understanding and a little  proficiency, requires just what Robbins abhors - to be locked indoors for 
>extended periods.  The computer literate, in exchange for an electronic world
>of simulated interaction, deprives himself of the external, sensual, physical 
>world of contact, danger, and suspense.  

I agree, although hesitantly (in part because I probably _wish_ I were
a Robbins character and I took time to read this). 

Is the electronic world _just_ "simulated interaction"? Aren't we
interacting? Granted, I would pick up more from body language, etc.,
but I might discount you out-of-hand because you happen to be
wearing your Led Zeppelin t-shirt (or Public Enemy or Culture Club
or Milli Vannili) today.

So, a true Robbins character probably is not going to spend a lot
of time net-surfing (would that make an interesting book?), but I
think a Robbins fan can be information literate.

anyway, the snow puts a damper on my mushroom, blackberry & beet
hunting & gathering, but I can still stare at the moon, and
wash my silver spoon in luxurious warm soapy water and work <bing>
on my clock <crash>.

Steve <boom>
-- 
Steven A. Stone 			Bradley University  
Electronic Services Librarian		Peoria, Illinois 61625
stone@bradley.bradley.edu 		(309) 677-2839
From: Cannam@sc.ZIB-Berlin.de (Chris Cannam)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Robbins - a low volume newsnet
Date: 12 Jan 93 09:53:28
Organization: Konrad Zuse Zentrum fuer Informationstechnik Berlin
Distribution: alt
NNTP-Posting-Host: borodin.zib-berlin.de
In-reply-to: stone@bradley.bradley.edu's message of Mon, 11 Jan 93 19:28:12 GMT


I was amazed when I discovered there was a Robbins newsgroup.  It
sounded like something of a contradiction in terms.  Evidently a
Robbins fan _can_ be information literate, or this group wouldn't be
here; but then, I suppose embracing contradictions is probably the
biggest theme behind the lot of the books...

	"To specialize is to brush one tooth."

							Chris

--

           on sighting mathematicians it should unhook the algebra from their
           minds and replace it with with poetry; on sighting poets it should
               unhook poetry from their minds and replace it with algebra
From: spirit@infopls.chi.il.us (Dahlia van Gelder)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Skinny Legs, read
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 93 13:21:41 CST
Organization: INFOPLUS support, Wheeling, IL

Oh much joy.

Someone who understands something about art and artists.
(breathes a sigh)


Flower...           Bird...              Song...           Garden...
...spirit@infopls.chi.il.us
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 16:00:47 -0500 
From: Andrea Elizabeth Neill <an0q+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: New Question
	<1993Jan11.192812.27750@bradley.bradley.edu>
Distribution: usa

Hey.  Is anyone familiar with the concept of meta-fiction?  I really
believe "Woodpecker" to fall right into that catagory, but the professor
that turned me on to ,meta-fiction refused to listen to my side of it. 
I don't want to go blabbing on if no one knows about it, but if someone
DOES:  I love to learn more about it!

sidney
From: dew@acca.nmsu.edu (Universal Angel)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Looking for recommendations
Date: 6 Jan 93 04:22:45 GMT
Organization: Alternative Collegiate Computing Association

Jitterbug Perfume. it's the only one of his books i've read and it's
GOOD GOOD GOOD. (good enuff to get me to look in on this group.) i'm
afraid i won't be too helpful with specifics, since it's been a while,
but i remember at the time not being able to tell the difference between
the use of fact and fiction in the story, but later finding out to my
delight that things i believed to have been made up were actually real
and existing things. it's nice when the craft of a storyteller is good
enuff to bring these things to life regardless.



dEw

dew@acca.nmsu.edu
From: fls@acpub.duke.edu (Forrest Smith)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re:  Looking for Recommendations
Date: 5 Jan 93 17:38:58 GMT
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.


	I've read the complete Robbins suite.  I just finished Skinny
Legs last week.
	My first exposure was around 1974 or 5.  I was working for a
newspaper and the photographer gave me a picture of a little girl
dressed in a cowgirl suit and looking uphappy.  He wrote the cutline,
"Even cowgirls get the blues."  In my ignorance, I changed the cutline.  Sorry.  But, it did direct me to Robbins.
	I started with Another Roadside Attraction and read them in the
order they were produced.  Another Roadside attraction is a real tour de
force, as it was stylistically innovative and philosophically
provocative.  The plot was positively outlandish, and I mean that in a
positive sense.
	The adventures of Sissy Hankshaw Gich (if my spelling serves me
correctly) were a delight.
	Then came Still Life with Woodpecker.  It was not so bad as to
have to be put away without finishing, but only really because Robbins'
style is so addictive.
	I thought the author must have peaked too early, until I read
Jitterbug Perfume.  Here is an epic love story, no bones about it.  It
is my favorite.
	Skinny Legs is more a return to the other side of the genre.
Robbins is making some serious remarks about the state of civilization.
Unfortunately, I think at least, the story itself is not worth 422
pages.  I mean, I can suspend my disbelief, but 200 pages of prattle
from an androgynous bean can and a hopping spoon is a little much.
Ellen Cherry is too much just another Tom Robbins leading lady.  Sissy
with five fingers.  I've heard complaints about Robbins' portrayals of
women, that they are more like his fantasies of women rather than real
women, and I would be hard pressed to argue the points.
	On the other hand, there is some good history trivia in Skinny
Legs, and it is a rather bold political statement were it coming from
somebody other than Robbins.
	Perhaps I should mention that while I read the other four books
more or less nonstop, I read the first half of this one maybe a year ago
before getting back to the library to check it back out and finish it.
	In other words, all the Robbins books are worth reading.  It
sounds like from this news.group that there are definitely two different
camps.

fls@keynes.econ.duke.edu
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 15:52:11 -0500 
From: Andrea Elizabeth Neill <an0q+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Woodpecker, read.

> 
>This is the third book I have read.  I think I liked "Another Roadside.." 
>better but I like all the possible wisdoms in Woody.
 
you know, when I bought "Roadside" the book seller guy told me he didn't
think I'd enjoy it, that usually only men like it.  (I'm a chick w/ a
guy's name).  I told him I doubted it, that I loved all of Robbin's
other stuff.  I was WRONG.  I hated it!  I thought it was bland, boring
and way way too self-indulgent without being amusing.  Kind of like Tama
Janowitz's second "A Cannibal in Manhattan."

sidney "on to McMurtry" Neill
From: gary@buxhed.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Looking for recommendations
Date: 11 Jan 93 13:47:24 GMT
Reply-To: gary@buxhed.enet.dec.com ()
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation



	Well seeing as everyone seems to be jumping in with their
	favourite Robbins I thought I would too. Besides this group 
	doesn't get nearly enough traffic.

	The first book of his I read was 'Still Life...', this is
	still my favourite book of his. Then it was on to 'Jitterbug',
	a great read but it laked the sparkle of 'Still Life...'.

	After a bit of a break I read 'Skinny Legs and all' another
	fine read, about on par with 'Jitterbug' but still laking 
	the certain whatever... Finally I read 'Even Cowgirls...',
	this almost topped the list as my favourite but didn't quite
	make it, definately second though.

	I should proboably add that I don't think Robbins could write
	a book I wouldn't enjoy to some extent. The way he writes 
	makes me laugh, entertains me, even if sometimes the actual
	plot is a bit of a let down.

	On the Non-Robbins thread I've started reading some Vonnegut.
	'Slaughterhouse Five' was mildly entertaining, enjoyable but	
	nothing startling. 'Breakfast of Champions' was an absolute 
	peach of a book, I finished it and read it again a couple of
	weeks later, lovely.

	All my own opinion of course,
	Gary
From: wilhited@brahms.udel.edu (Douglas Ben Wilhite)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Robbins - a low volume newsnet
Date: 11 Jan 93 16:59:01 GMT
Organization: University of Delaware

Someone (I can't remember who) recently commented on the fact that this group isnot very active.  In order to spice up activity a little, and just get some new wavelength beyond, "I just read Woodpecker and loved it," I would like to pose  the following question to our readers...


From your own character, along with the examples provided by Robbins himself, and with evidence from Robbins our life theories as purported in his novels, is itpossible to say that a true Robbins fan is the antithesis of a computer, and    news network, literate?

I have my own thoughts..

Robbins extols, beyond and above all else, the power of freedom.  This is clear in all of his leading characters, male and female, as seen in Sissy, the Woodpecker, and Alobar.  Outdoor experience, physical contact, sex, and adventure are  all considered by Robbins to be aspects of this all powerful freedom.  A true   "Robbins person" is not content to be either inactive or indoors, as most
extremely demonstrated by the imprisonment of Bernard and Leigh-Cheri, which
would have ended in death had it not been for their escape.
  Extended use of a computer, in order to gain both understanding and a little  proficiency, requires just what Robbins abhors - to be locked indoors for 
extended periods.  The computer literate, in exchange for an electronic world
of simulated interaction, deprives himself of the external, sensual, physical 
world of contact, danger, and suspense.  
  My conclusion from these two views is that no Robbins character would find 
him or herself in front of a computer for very long.  Probably not even long 
enough to read this odd treatise.  A fan of Robbins is one who finds in these
novels a pure, brilliant example of what he has in himself.  Robbins' characters
are magic because they are such a true picture of what his readers conceal
within themselves.  A true fan of Robbins would, similar to these characters,
rarely find him or herself in front of a computer, and then only last a few 
minutes until the desire to be outside began to overwelm him/her.  Thus the
idea of a Robbins newsnetwork is almost self-defeating, in that those who would
be most interested in the material are most likely the furthest removed from it.
The only hope to cure this vagary may be the cellular laptop terminal.

  I hope this little note opens up some new talk.

  The beauty of Robbins work is that it, at least, attempts to pass itself off
as applicable to the real world situation.  In a true sense, Robbins is a
philosopher more than he is a writer.
 

  - doug wilhite
Organization: The American University - University Computing Center
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 10:13:57 EST
From: <MCGLONE@auvm.american.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Non-Robbins Books to read

Since Hollywood has decided to produce "Cowgirls", I have been
seeing more book jackets and Tom Robbins recs on book jackets lately.
One book "Fool on the Hill" by Matt Ruff claimed to be a "cross
between Tom Robbins and J.R.R. Tolkien.  I enjoyed the book.  It was a
lot like "Jitterbug" and "Skinny Legs" - an epic.

I received a book for Christmas called "Reality is What You Can Get Away
With" by Robert Anton Wilson.  It is "an illustrated screenplay" that
has a quip by Tom Robbuns on the cover.

Has anyone read this yet?  I haven't started it yet.  I am a little
leary, since my mother hasn't had a great track record for her
choice of books she gives me.

Can anyone recommend any other books that are Robbins-esque?

Colleen McGlone
The American University
Internet: MCGLONE@AMERICAN.EDU    Bitnet: MCGLONE@AUVM
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
From: s0522457@let.rug.nl (L.E. Plat)
Subject: Re: Looking for recommendations
Organization: Faculteit der Letteren, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, NL
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 14:43:49 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.175713.1@eagle.wesleyan.edu> gvacano@eagle.wesleyan.edu writes:
>Subject: Re: Looking for recommendations
>From: gvacano@eagle.wesleyan.edu
>Date: 7 Jan 93 17:57:13 EST
>In article <hawleylm-070193114837@hawley.apple.com>, hawleylm@apple.com 
>(Lorin Hawley) writes:
>
>> It seems people are often most strongly impressed by whichever TR book they
>> read first. That might be because that's when his style has such a strong
>> impact.
>
>There's probably a lot of truth in this statement. 

Well, I don't know. The first TR novel I read was Jitterbug Perfume, but I 
think that Even Cowgirls Get the Blues was a lot better (equalled, 
perhaps, by Skinny Legs & All). Still, as an introduction I always advice
Jitterbug Perfume, which is, I think, the most accessible of his novels.

>"Jitterbug Perfume" is my second favorite, though it is closely followed by
>"Even Cowgirls get the Blues". Both books have some of the best characters I've
>encountered in fiction, namely "Pan" and "the Chink". When books have
>characters that interesting and colorful, what could you want?
>
Hear, hear.

>I thought "Another Roadside Attraction" was weird, yet pedestrian, and the
>style seemed overly enthusiastic and cumbersome. Sure it was
>peopled with odd and enigmatic characters, but they had nothing more
>enlightening to say than the dime store philosophy you can get from any 
>dope-inspired Deadhead. The plot was even less interesting. "Jitterbug 
>Perfume" is (IMO) a far more enlightening experience.
>
Agreed. The structure of the story was rather cumbersome, somewhat 
streched, and the plot was an anti-climax. 


Bert Plat
bplat@rugrcx.rug.nl
From: jesse@picasso.ocis.temple.edu (Jesse Davis)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Non-Robbins Books to read
Date: 10 Jan 93 03:48:27 GMT
Organization: Temple University
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

: I received a book for Christmas called "Reality is What You Can Get Away
: With" by Robert Anton Wilson.  It is "an illustrated screenplay" that
: has a quip by Tom Robbuns on the cover.
: Has anyone read this yet?  I haven't started it yet.  I am a little
: leary, since my mother hasn't had a great track record for her
: choice of books she gives me.
If your mother's giving you RA Wilson for Christmas, it surprises me that
her track record in the past is bad...:)

: Can anyone recommend any other books that are Robbins-esque?
Well, I'll offer some of the obvious suggestions:
	Thomas Pynchon's _The Crying of Lot 49_
	The absolutely, drastically, tragically unknown
		_Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me_ by Richard Farina

: Colleen McGlone
: The American University
: Internet: MCGLONE@AMERICAN.EDU    Bitnet: MCGLONE@AUVM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Well, you may see me tonight with an illegal smile |    Jesse Davis     |
 It don't cost very much but it lasts a long while  |jesse@picasso.ocis. |
 Oh please tell the man I didn't kill anyone,       |       temple.edu   |
 Well I'm just trying to have me some fun."--J Prine|     215-545-3724   |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: hawleylm@apple.com (Lorin Hawley)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Non-Robbins Books to read
Date: 9 Jan 93 00:34:38 GMT
Followup-To: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Organization: Apple Computer

In article <93008.101357MCGLONE@auvm.american.edu>,
<MCGLONE@auvm.american.edu> wrote:
> 
(deletions)
> 
> Can anyone recommend any other books that are Robbins-esque?
> 
> Colleen McGlone
> The American University
> Internet: MCGLONE@AMERICAN.EDU    Bitnet: MCGLONE@AUVM

On the cover of a collection of Angela Carter short stories is the quote:

"Angela Carter is my favorite drug.
- Tom Robbins"

Lorin Hawley
Newsgroups: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Subject: Re: Looking for recommendations
From: gvacano@eagle.wesleyan.edu
Date: 7 Jan 93 17:57:13 EST
Followup-To: alt.fan.tom-robbins
Organization: Wesleyan University

In article <hawleylm-070193114837@hawley.apple.com>, hawleylm@apple.com 
(Lorin Hawley) writes:

> It seems people are often most strongly impressed by whichever TR book they
> read first. That might be because that's when his style has such a strong
> impact.

There's probably a lot of truth in this statement. The first TR book I read was
"Still Life with Woodpecker", which really bolstered my spirits during a
particularly miserable point in my life. I have read all his other books,
except for "Skinny Legs and All", which I put down after 40 pages, and I think
"Still Life" is unquestionably the best of the lot. That book took me into
another world, giving me a much-needed vacation from the one I usually reside
in :-).

"Jitterbug Perfume" is my second favorite, though it is closely followed by
"Even Cowgirls get the Blues". Both books have some of the best characters I've
encountered in fiction, namely "Pan" and "the Chink". When books have
characters that interesting and colorful, what could you want?

I thought "Another Roadside Attraction" was weird, yet pedestrian, and the
style seemed overly enthusiastic and cumbersome. Sure it was
peopled with odd and enigmatic characters, but they had nothing more
enlightening to say than the dime store philosophy you can get from any 
dope-inspired Deadhead. The plot was even less interesting. "Jitterbug 
Perfume" is (IMO) a far more enlightening experience.
From: jont@castle.ed.ac.uk (Jonathan Tams)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.asprin
Subject: Books
Date: 12 Jan 93 11:03:35 GMT
Distribution: alt
Organization: Edinburgh University

Probably a repeat question, but my news-reader has expired everything on
the group that I haven't had a chance to read over the vacation....

Has the next book in either the MYTH or the Phule's series been
published yet, and if so, are they available in Britain yet?

(By the next books I mean... Sweet little MYTHtery of Life
                         and the book after Phule's Paradise )

Cheers

Jonny

"Forgive me Charlie Parker, wherever you are!" - Zoot
Organization: Freshman, CIT general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: alt.fan.asprin
Date: Wed,  6 Jan 1993 15:00:58 -0500 
From: Geoffrey Spear <gspear+@CMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Tylenol?
	<HiLkwB2w165w@infopls.chi.il.us>

Here's the complete list as of September (from the cover of The Cold Cah War)
As far as I know, he hasn't released anything since this one.

The Myth Books:
Another Fine Myth
Myth Conceptions
Hit or Myth
Myth-ing Persons
Little Myth Marker (the one with "The Axe", I believe)
M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link
Myth-Nomers and Impervections
Myth Directions
M.Y.T.H. Inc. In Action

Other Books:
The Thieves' World series (editor)  I won't list all of these...

Phule's Company
Phule's Paradise
Tambu
Mirror Friend / Mirror Foe
The COld Cash War

Listed as "coming soon" is The Bug Wars.  I haven't seen it in book stores
yet, but I hope to see it soon.
From: dugan@wpi.WPI.EDU (Robert Francis Dugan)
Newsgroups: alt.colorguard
Subject: Instrucors and WGI
Date: 4 Jan 1993 22:16:32 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: wpi.wpi.edu

This isn't my account, it's my fiance's and he lets me borrow it from
time to time.  I still haven't gotton the hang of posting so ignore
the last post you saw from here.
I am interested in chatting with anyone who enjoys colorguard.
If you marched or you teach I'd love to chat.  Now that the season is
here we should all have a lot to say.
Since I just got onto this network, 'd like to know who is
out there.  Where did you march?  If you teach now, who are you
teaching?  
I'll start...
I marched in Admiral Guard from Poughkeepsie NY 1986-1989.
Anyone remember us?  Two years in evening gowns, one year
doing Rhapsody in Blue, one year doing the Parade theme...
Prior to 1986 I marched in my High School guard, but unless you are
from the land of Metro you wouldn't have heard of my high school.
And Now I teach a little guard from Woodstock NY called Q.E.D.
I think teaching a new, young, small class A guard was harder than
marching most of the time.  At least it is more stressful.
Any comments?

Mary C. Krembs
***************
These opinions are my own...Don't blame the accounts owner
************
From: dugan@wpi.WPI.EDU (Robert Francis Dugan)
Newsgroups: alt.colorguard
Subject: Instructors
Date: 4 Jan 1993 21:52:19 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: wpi.wpi.edu
Keywords: WGI

*****
These views are mine...don't blame the owner of this account!