Fat on the Vine by Crazy Carl Robinson

A Scared Stiff Book Review

Reviewed by Geno McGahee - September 15, 2007

The story surrounds Carl, as he tells part of his life story and how two girls have affected him deeply in life: his mother and Julie, the love of his life. The overly religious and class sensitive mother wants the best for her son, financially, but is also overly critical, overly protective, and consistently brings Jesus into the picture, and it is most important what others think of her and her family. There seems to be the love/hate relationship between the two and I wonder just how “Mama” feels about this book and her depiction. On the front cover, it says, “Mama says this book is filth,” but I wonder if she has actually read it.

Carl’s mother sort of installs a mental restraint upon him, where he holds back in situations, especially with women, perhaps out of embarrassment stemming from a childhood incident that I will let you read about. Inadequacy seems to be the theme of this book, as it lingers over Robinson’s head constantly.

Julie proves to be the wrong girl at the right time, as she takes the vulnerable outcast and steals his heart, but proceeds to stomp on it and make Carl’s life miserable. The love turns into obsession to a certain degree and Robinson pulls no punches as he expresses his feelings about the situation and you get the feeling that these are just journal entries that were eventually sculpted and formed into a book.

This book is really captivating. The college experiences, the fraternity hazing, the crime sprees, the drugs, and the World Wrestling Federation, make this a book that you will not put down, unless you have something against profanity…and animal sex jokes…and…well, let me just say that this is not your typical read. Robinson wrote it the way that he felt. He left it raw and didn’t worry about what anyone would think. This is his book and he wrote it the way that he thought it should be done and I’m glad that he did.

Overall, “Fat on the Vine,” is a great read and an impressive effort by Crazy Carl Robinson. At points in the book, you root for him, and at other points, you scratch your head and wonder just how he could say that, but it is compelling and you wonder just what he’s going to say next. This is a great book for the groups that protest and like to get offended. Make your signs and protest and give Carl some advertisement.

I highly recommend this book. I think that everyone, from all walks of life, will be able to relate to Carl in one way or another, and his plight. Crazy Carl’s view on the world and life is certainly an amusing one. I am amazed that he can talk about such depressing things at time in such an amusing way. This book is a must read for all, particularly those that consider themselves the underdogs, the outcasts, and the black sheep of the family.