THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505200252
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Book Review
SOURCE: BILL RUEHLMANN
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
FAR BE IT from me to knock any literary genre, being a confirmed fan of detective fiction myself, and having recently acquired renewed respect for the romance. But any established formula opens itself up inevitably to parody, particularly those of broad popular appeal. So I laughed my lungs out at Embarrassed by the Light (Raven House, 133 pp., $8.95) by Virginia Beach writer ``d.v. robbins.''
This is the first book I have come across that lists, under its ISBN as catalog data, the designation: ``Death - Humor.''
``It's time,'' says ``robbins,'' who is Donna Robinson in private life. ``I like to write satire on trendy subjects. Besides books on cats, this seems to occupy a great deal of shelf space lately.''
The 48-year-old mother of three is taking dead aim at such premonitory best sellers as Embraced by the Light, Saved by the Light and How We Die.
Not with a bang, says Robinson, or even with a whimper - but would you believe a ``plunk-plunk''?
``It's just amazing that people have such a preoccupation with death that they'll spend 16 to 20 bucks a book to read about it,'' reports the author.
So lighten up and spend nine on hers.
According to Robinson, that long tunnel with the distant white light we've read so much about is a graffiti-scribbled alley - with Jimmy Hoffa at the end of it, brandishing a blowtorch.
Embarrassed by the Light purports to be the testimony of a ``terminally-dead'' Baby Boomer named Buzzy Bodecker, as channeled through his reluctant New Age cousin, Franny Taylor:
Because this is a story about my own personal experience, and you, the reader, are no more than an insignificant stranger who obviously has an overwhelming fear of death (this is good for me because it means you will believe anything), I feel under no obligation to give detailed specifics about anything that has taken place.
Buzzy is, refreshingly, not in the least concerned that he be perceived as just another dead man trying to make The New York Times best-seller list from the grave.
He simply rears back and lets it R.I.P.
His message: ``The King lives! Not really.''
Which brings me to another Virginia Beach humorist, James Scott, who has raised poetry to new levels.
HOW'S THIS?
Scott, known as ``The LOUD Poetry Guy,'' performs at the top of his voice throughout the state in schools and at children's festivals. His new book, LOUDER! The Official James Scott Loud Reading Poetry Book (Loud Literature, 56 pp., $9.95), is a scream. Here's a sample, suitably titled ``Boom!'':
``If you eat more pie, you'll burst!''
Said John's mom at lunch one day.
``OK!'' said little Johnny.
``Pass the pie and get out of the way!''
Exclamation points abound in the verse of the LOUD Poetry Guy. So do monsters - behind the door, under the bed and, wriggling, in the highchair. They also inhabit the book lavishly in the inspired black and white illustrations of Mary Britt, an animator who resides in Suffolk.
Copies can be purchased at local bookstores or ordered for $10.40 with tax from Loud Lit, PO Box 1994, Norfolk, VA 23501.
Scott, 43, a longtime Hampton Roads entertainer, gives his readers, young and old alike, permission to be as loud as they'd like to be.
``Cut loose,'' he says.
And if you happen to be a kid, Scott suggests you try using your own personal life as material for creative writing.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree;
Unless that tree's on a science test,
Then I would like the poem best.
Make that a rim-shot, maestro.
- MEMO: Bill Ruehlmann is a mass communication professor at Virginia Wesleyan
College. by CNB