Title: Viglets: Ode to Dumbness
Author: Viggo P. Hansen
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1456753231
Pages: 88
Genre: Self-Help / Humor / Entertainment
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Hollywood Book Reviews
A dedication to dumbness, this collection of viglets is aimed at those who have made being dumb a lifestyle look attractive and successful. These charming viglets explore the topic of dumbness. The book delves into the perks of being a dummy such as how they’re exempt from the tribulations caused by other people and society. The delightful odes provide commentary that has a satirical edge and clever language choices. With respectful enthusiasm, the book highlights the glory of being dumb with relatable odes and commentary that will hopefully inspire your own personal viglets. Various themes are incorporated in the different odes featured, such as how easy life is for dumb people, and subtler commentary such as on politicians and society.
This book hits upon a specific topic – dumbness. It is a rather clear-cut concept but Hanson takes the idea of being dumb and breathes a new life into it. There is true joy and happiness in being dumb (but that does not mean being stupid – for that is far too harsh of a definition, according to this delightful read). How to cultivate tolerance (and appreciate) the dumbness seen in others is an almost perfect ideal but is one at the core of this book which takes a humorous approach. Each viglet has fun with dumbness in a way that hasn’t been done before, and even pokes at it by acknowledging, honoring, and treasuring what is called a purely human trait. It’s refreshing to see it not take itself super seriously and maintain a playfulness to the tone while still having a lot to say which is seen in sections devoted to leadership, knowledge, career, and even the afterlife.
A satirical tone is created through humor and word choice that finds the writing clever with phrases such as describing public educational efforts as psychologically maddening and philosophically whacky. The writing uses dummies as a basis for a commentary that is satirical wit which is evident in the perks that dummies have such as driving on whatever side of the road they wish, ignoring scientific evidence, never paying taxes, not dealing with intolerable situations, and dealing with zitzy teens.
Included in this are what is known as The Ten Dumbs (or TTD) which are the reasons that dummies have to rejoice – being dumb is easy, do-gooder organizations thrive on dummies, sporting events freely provide in-depth mental exercise for dummies. This is a clever example of the satirical tone through specific phrases such as stating that dummies enjoy tax-free institutions so they can therefore pay more taxes or how media stations subscribe to the concept presented in Dumb Eight that speaks about shunning advice.
The book has an almost lyrical style in the odes that doesn’t have a rhyme scheme but does maintain a steady rhythm such as we dummies too stand, then on the next line – but on the shoulders of dumber dummies. The style puts effort into keeping the format of odes which creates a unique experience when reading. The use of language is clever with phrases that make great use of specific word choices such as a dumb self-destructive fluke, knurled twig, a special lackadaisical aptitude, and clasping their laptops like a rabbit’s foot. These words are specifically curated to provide you with subtle visuals that are also humorous. Recurring themes include dummies being the happiest people on Earth, dummies never being jealous or worried, and the use of dumbness to comment on things such as politicians and society.
Viglets: Ode to Dumbness will provide you with an easy excuse to poke fun at yourself, laugh a little, enjoy a lot, and perhaps even think a little deeper.