David Grant, Dumbstruck

Dumbstruck

David Grant

BookSurge, LLC, Sep 2006,

ISBN: 1419636731

Neuro-psychiatrist Dr. J.M.J.J. Watson first saw his newest patient Creighton Dumbstruck in Clara's Coffee Emporium in the historical district of Charleston, South Carolina. They sat at adjoining tables where they began a discussion on geography. Watson quickly realized that Dumbstruck was the perfect specimen as the retired military man preaches on anything and everything, claiming in each case to be the world's greatest authority (Professor Irwin Corey aside), but never gets it quite right. The psychiatrist plans to use Dumbstruck's musings as the basis of a book on mental disorder that will make him renowned and wealthy.

Since both of them love geography, they agree to do a walking tour of the South Carolina barrier islands. However, as Watson dreams of grandiose fame on a level of Freud, Dumbstruck continues his dissertation on whatever strikes his fancy. However, Watson becomes dumbstruck when his patient introduces him to M. Hirsute and the members of the American Lycanthropic Association who are holding their annual convention nearby. Dumbstruck explains that their family histories intertwine with his. While Watson fears being the main course at the gala, Dumbstruck explains how the lycanthrope are misunderstood by the normals. As they move on, the psychiatrist wonders how to explain what he has seen, but the tour has just begun as Dumbstruck is an author of note amongst those living outside what Watson can perceive and accept.

This is an interesting, entertaining-but-not-easy book to read as the character-driven plot lives up to the cover statement that "sanity is not all its cracked up to be." Readers will wonder just who is crazier as the doctor and patient tour together while also deciding whether the various "people" they meet are real or imaginary. Fans who want something wildly different will want to peruse David Grant's satirical paradox look at sanity from an insane focus.

Harriet Klausner