The Rumigations of Watson the Wotsitt

4.5 Stars for this utterly unique, incredibly clever book. While I’m sure this won’t be a hit with everyone, these stories, told completely in plays on words, were a rare blend of intelligent humor and lighthearted fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Matador Publishing for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of THE RUMIGATIONS OF WATSON THE WOTSITT by Helen Claire. This book is a compilation of nonsensical essays on a wide variety of topics. To create the essays, the author has created words which are similar but just different enough to make you have to sit and read each sentence carefully to understand what is being said. The words are complicated and sometimes, as in the essay about a friend who lost their “D’s”, they are missing a letter or so throughout, so you need to read the entire essay to understand what is being said.
In addition to the essays, the author has included poems or limericks within each essay, either in the body or at the end, that relates to what has been discussed in the essay. The poems are easier to read as they use real words, although the poetry is of a more rudimentary type than you would find in a serious book of poems.
As I read the book, I was constantly trying to determine it’s best purpose. The essays are too disparate and sometimes a little tedious to read, so as to be something a reader would not pick up and read cover-to-cover as you would a novel or a textbook. Judging from the introduction, that is not the intent of the author, either. The book is probably best suited as what I might call a “bathroom book” or a “reception book”, placed where an individual might spend a few minutes and enjoy having something to do with their mind.
This might be a book you chose to give a friend as a gag gift, a “white elephant” gift or use in a humorous gift exchange game. People who would enjoy this book the most are probably those who love to play with words, perhaps creating their own or using letters in different ways to see if they can make something that is nonsensical on the one hand and yet offers information or an opinion on the other; if, that is, you take the time to read it carefully enough.
I read this book in short bursts, reading one or two essays at a time, as trying to read more at one setting became tedious for me. I did appreciate the humor involved in some of the essay. It would seem to me this book as a distinct, but definite,target market.

This was a lovely collection of essays that used plays on words in each one. One essay had no d's. It is a fun light book that will entertain and make you laugh. Highly recommended.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Very well done. This author is very talented and creative and smart. The story with no Ds reminded of one of Steve Martin's books where one of his characters goes a few days without speaking any words with Es (that would really be a challenge!). Anyway, for some intellectual stimulation and humor, check this out.

I really appreciate the complimentary copy for review!!