Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins is celebrated for its whimsical and poetic prose, engaging readers with its bold and innovative narrative style. Critics appreciate Robbins' unique humor and philosophical reflections. However, some find the plot meandering and the philosophical digressions excessive. Fans of eccentric storytelling will likely enjoy it.

Readers who enjoy quirky, philosophical narratives blending romance and existential themes will love Tom Robbins' Still Life with Woodpecker. Fans of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five and Richard Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America will appreciate Robbins' whimsical prose and eccentric characters. This book is ideal for those who savor unconventional love stories and thought-provoking humor.

Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins, published in 1980, follows exiled princess Leigh-Cheri Furstenberg-Barcalona, who falls in love with bomber and outlaw Bernard Mickey Wrangle, known as the Woodpecker. Set against a backdrop of fantasy and magical realism, their unconventional romance explores themes of rebellion, identity, and the human condition, culminating in a postmodern fairy tale. The novel features depictions of abortion, miscarriage, and domestic terrorism.

Humorous / Fantastical / Romantic / Adventurous / Contemplative

- Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins was published in 1980 and is known for its exploration of the philosophical question, "How do you make love stay?" 
- In the book, Tom Robbins makes playful use of devices like the scarlet letter Q, which appears multiple times and is even part of the book's typographic design.
- Robbins famously wrote part of Still Life with Woodpecker on an IBM Selectric typewriter, and the book humorously touches on topics including the pyramids and outlaw romance.

**Leigh-Cheri Furstenberg-Barcalona**  
A deposed princess with striking red hair who lives with her parents in Seattle, determined to make a difference in the world and navigate her own path in life.

**Bernard Mickey Wrangle**  
Known as the Woodpecker, he is a fugitive with strong views on societal norms and disrupts the status quo, influencing Leigh-Cheri's perspective and journey.

**Gulietta**  
The elderly servant of the Furstenberg-Barcalonas, whose character subverts the typical nursemaid role and reveals unexpected layers as the story progresses.

**Max Furstenberg-Barcalona**  
A deposed king residing in Seattle, whose loyalty shifts from his lost kingdom to Seattle sports teams as he grapples with his dislocation from power.

**Tilli Furstenberg-Barcalona**  
Max’s wife and a former queen from a prominent royal lineage, who adapts humorously to modern absurdities without fully leaving her old world behind.

**The Author**  
An unnamed character who provides commentary on the narrative, reflecting on the writing process and thematic issues via his electric typewriter.

Tom Robbins

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Prologue-Phase 1

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Phase 4-Epilogue

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Still Life with Woodpecker

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