I almost didn't read this because I found the cover so spectacularly ugly. But being lent a book (thanks, dkpw) adds a wonderful impetus to the reading of it.

(Perhaps the lesson here is to only read books that I've been lent. Imagine how much more I'd read!)

But I'm loving this author very much. And the Lending Guilt. So I delved into it.

This is not the place for a review of it. But be assured that if you ever want to feel as if you're out of your mind on psychedelic drugs, this is probably the best way (I imagine) of doing it without illegally (boys and girls) indulging.

The reference here is being justified as it includes - well, one hundred and one wonderful phrases - if not more - but one particular phrase which captured my easily won imagination.

He's speaking of the Chief, Ken Kesey, he of One Flew and then he of much much much LSD. And he writes:

He has on a hincty washed-out faded tourist sport shirt and balloon-seat pants. He walks like a repertory theater shambles.

How many people - how many over the years - pop unbidden into your head as you read this?

He walks like a repertory theater shambles.

Love it.