Book Review: Dizzy by Arthur Wooten

Here’s the thing I like about Arthur Wooten’s work (Leftovers, Birthday Pie, Wise Bear William): You forget you are holding a book. Sounds odd, I know, as I am an avid reader, a writer and lover of turning actual paper pages. However… when you are so absorbed in the story, you forget it is a story…that’s a winner.

Wooten’s storytelling ability continues to entertain while reaching into your spirit and soul to share serious topics with "Dizzy" his latest tale.

Spinning the glamour of Broadway, Wooten immediately launches into a warm, likable character with Angie Styles. Opening with the star chatting with her chauffeur – and bodyguard – Jake, the stage performer draws you into her world with a down-to-earth personality, and a touch of fun-diva attitude.

As a success story, with respect and admiration from colleagues and fans alike, Styles’ background is delved into little by little. Stricken by a rare medical condition (which she shares with the author)called bilateral vestibulopathy with oscillopsia. Difficult to pronounce, more difficult to understand and even more difficult to live with, the illness brings the entertainer crashing to the ground – literally.

Unable to walk straight, focus or balance upright, Styles becomes fodder for the paparazzi piranha who make ratings by portraying the ailing star as having an addiction to alcohol. Using her sardonic humour and courage, Styles fights her way back onto the stage and to a new level of “normal” with the aid of her friends and her own courage at facing reality.

Bottom Line: Easy to imagine this story on the big screen, Dizzy reads so smoothly you will not put it down until the last page has been turned and you are applauding the ending.

Buy the book: GalaxisProductions

About the author: Arthur Wooten is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Wise Bear William, Birthday Pie, Leftovers, On Picking Fruit and Fruit Cocktail. He has also written for television, theater and film and currently resides in New York City.

Website: ArthurWooten.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Book review: Birthday Pie by Arthur Wooten

A book, which is enjoyable at the time of reading, might be easily set aside when the last paragraph is absorbed. Others contain characters easy to envision on stage, big or small, live or taped, but definitely worthy of life outside the pages. The reader finds himself, long after the book has been closed, chuckling over an incident, comment or mannerism found within the story.

Such is the case with Birthday Pie, the third novel by Arthur Wooten.

Introducing the dysfunctional Martindale family from Ragland, N.C., Wooten brings to light all the dark secrets each family member attempts to keep hidden. Arriving from all points of the United States to patriarch Bert's death bed, the siblings and grandmother face the stark realities of their lives.

Alexi Lee, aka Lex, a New York City writer, is the favorite of matriarch Trudy Lee. With his own secrets to hide, Lex endures the animosity of his siblings created by the extra attention from their mother. Trudy's desperate determination to bake a pecan pie for her favorite's birthday sets the chaotic pace for the story.

As happens so often when reunited, the siblings revert back to their internal child, and flareups from rivalry and old resentment occur. Truths are told;, burdens are lifted; and relationships are altered with each recognizing that life is as you make it. Families are not perfect, but they are still family.

Arthur Wooten by Galaxais Productions

Capturing the messed-up tales of family members in their current lives, the author traces the history of each back to their point of origin. Interactions between the characters, including great grandmother Anastasia Battles and Mattie Lee, the youngest family member, prove vital to understanding the situations which shaped each of their lives.

Wooten's writing tone is conversational...as if gathered with your friends at a local favorite coffee shop listening to him describe the latest segment in his own family's dramatic saga.

Bottom Line: Arthur Wooten serves up a cast of savory characters remembered long after the last delicious crumb has been devoured from his latest treat...Birthday Pie.


Bio: Arthur Wooten is the author of the critically acclaimed novels On Picking Fruit and Fruit Coktail. He has also written for television, theater and film. Website: ArthurWooten.com


Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine, and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.