Review # 269: Healthy Shame... How to Spank your inner Monkey! by Joseph W. Dopp

Description:

     A quirky Christian guide to fighting off life's most taboo temptations, as well as other lapses in self-control.

Review:

     Idea-wise, I have to give Joseph W. Dopp credit for coming up with such an interesting way to get his (and God's) point across to readers. His unique perspective on social and religious issues pulls readers into a metaphor filled "discussion" about life, God, sin, self-control and self-worth; however, the formatting is one of the most nauseatingly confusing set-ups that I have ever witnessed! Opening up the book reveals a jaunty combination of size 8pt font fragments, bold and italicized lettering, mixed lower and uppercase letters (in the same word), quotes, fill-in-the-blanks and random usage of punctuation. His explanation on page five is as follows:

"I will mix metaphors and speak in a Blend of Civil Slang & Christianese;

So as to Establish Humor, Teaching, Biblical Relevance & Deep Convictions!

I will mix in Poetic Rants, that I hope will Crescendo the point Deep into the Heart!

I will use & mis-use CAPS & mince words to ACCENTuate ROOT concepts in words!

Don't be Shallow! If the Church is an inch Deep & mile Wide, Let's DEEPen the pool.

Just because it's punny doesn't mean it's funny! It may just be WORTHy in it's Duplicity!

I will Exclaim, Exclamatory TRUTH throughout this book... suggeSting THAT,

I may be YELLING with the same PASSION for

YOUR SOUL as John the Baptist!"

     This discombobulating blend of characters makes it very difficult to focus on the material being presented, as well as the words themselves. I found myself reading entire chapters and only grasping small bits of information; further hindered by the small text. Ignoring the evident formatting issues, I do believe that Dopp's experience with addiction and counseling has created a refreshing presentation and writing style, much more humorous and biblical-based than I expected. Although long-winded rants are not my favorite kinds of narratives, I can see the appeal of the non-traditional approach. The apes are a nice touch, (no spoilers). Overall, I would have enjoyed and appreciated Healthy Shame more had it seen an editor before being published. 

Rating: DNR (2/5)

*** I received this book from the author (Bostick Communications) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.