PITH ON LIFE- I HAVE A LITHP

A retired psychologist tries his hand at turning clever phrases in his debut.

After his professional career as a psychotherapist, Kuka set a goal of writing three books. If his first book is an indication, he has the creativity and inspiration necessary for the task. He writes in his introduction, “My intention is to provoke smiles or laughter with a few choice words.” He succeeds admirably; this book brims with pithy puns and lighthearted expressions, enhanced by the author’s own somewhat primitive yet charming cartoonlike illustrations. They include three goofy characters (one of whom “may be the author’s altered ego”) who voice the occasional snarky comment in speech balloons. This cute editorial technique pokes just enough fun at the text to inform readers not to take any of the book’s content too seriously.

Puns, double-entendres, and the like can cause eye-rolling and head-shaking if not well handled, and can make it challenging to sustain interest in a book filled with wordplay. In this case the author wisely organized the book into sections such as “Catch Phrases,”, “Adjusted Adages,” and “Words Redefined.” This gives some structure to what might have turned into a collection of miscellaneous, random entries. Another smart move: employing graphic design elements to transform phrases into word pictures that have some personality. The author adds interest with simple imagery, various type styles, and graphic signals, such as putting some phrases on buttons or bumper stickers. But the assemblage of the words themselves is the heart and soul of the book; here, Kuka makes it work because his writing is clever and quirky yet thought-provoking. “Catch Phrases” such as “Artists Come from Sketchy Backgrounds,” “Stereotypes Wear Headphones,” and “Deboated to Fly Fishing” range from obvious to obscure but are frequently amusing. “Adjusted Adages” coyly modifies familiar aphorisms into such witty phrases as “A stitch in time requires a second hand” and “Absence makes the heart go wander.” The numerous “Words Redefined” will surely make readers smile, whether an entry involves “APEX—a divorced gorilla” or “Cartoons—Funny Playlist for a Road Trip.” Kuka may be at his best, though, in crafting the section called “Mark My (New) Words.” The concept here will surely be recognizable to language lovers: A word or phrase is manufactured to match a specific definition. Some of these crooked concoctions are more subtle than others, but most are literary gems. They include “SOLITARY REFINEMENT—good taste kept to yourself,” “CLANDESTINED—born to wear tartan” and “REVENGEANCE—getting even twice.” Humor is in the eye of the beholder and some references may elicit winces rather than grins, including the title, which some readers may see as making fun of a speech impediment. Still, Kuka has created an amalgamation of “twisted phrases, humorous quotes and head-scratching wordplay” (as the book’s subtitle promises) that should give even the most straightlaced, buttoned up types a valid reason to laugh out loud.

Deliciously entertaining and very punny.