Ness names Jitterbug Perfume, Tom Robbins' comical philosophical fourth novel, published in 1984, as a particular favourite.

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"The national situation is definitely fluid, " said Tom Robbins, Missouri's director of adult education and high school equivalency, noting that other states plan to use the GED for now and bid later.

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" Though Mr. Robbins's dance version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was one of the most memorable pieces of choreography ever created for the Broadway stage, Mr. Robin's miniature ballet is a lovely piece of work in its own right, and I liked his "Shall We Dance?

WSJ: The King and I | Walnut Street Theatre | A 'King' That Is Full of Aces | Theater Review by Terry Teachout