Review: Marsha Volgyi's THE CREWMEMBER

In the midst of some major illnesses and a deep depression, I was given Marsha Volgyi's new novel, "The Crewmember," to review. To say that it was just the antidote for my emotional state is an understatement; to say that I Iaughed out loud at least 500 times while reading the novel is doing the work a disservice. It was a wonderful journey on a cruise ship that propelled me into a state of near hysteria, and I don't laugh that easily.

"The Crewmember" is a slight, but engaging, debut novel about Lana Kramer, a dancer who joins a cruise ship, appearing before audiences either in formal attire, besotted, or just ill mannered. We first meet Lana as she enters her lodging cabin to find her roommate having anal sex, to excursions with her gay friend, Ramon, who seems intent on scoring with every man on board (whether imagined or true), to brief dalliances with some of the ship's officers, most of whom seem to have left their hearts, not to mention their brains, if not in San Francisco, then somewhere in the high seas.

Lana perseveres. Through a performing accident, she's promoted to dance captain of the show, one in which the dancers seem to be in a state of perpetual mental and professional withdrawal. I don't want to give away the storyline but, in the end, all works out, even if I thought that finish was not up to the book's beginning. It doesn't end with the proverbial bang, but with a quiet whimper. I wish I were a ghostwriter. I could have provided a really smashing ending.

"The Crewmember" is at its best when presenting Lana in a continual state of wonderment. And who among us, male or female, has not been is such situations: bad working conditions, burgeoning love affairs that fizzle before they can even flame, nasty roommates and disgusting food, not to mention drinks that seem to have been watered down with a combination of cola and club soda. We can all relate to that. And that is the book's saving grace. It reminds us of our own situations and the travails we have to overcome, if not by sheer determination, then by some ruse we devise to emotionally blackmail the other person. Who hasn't been through that?

My complaint with "The Crewmember" is its slightness. A great deal could be compressed. As I continued reading, I envisioned the book as an excellent movie script. I was even choosing actors to play the different parts, Scarlet Johansson being in the running for Lana. Perhaps Ms.Volgyi could farm this out to different agents or directors. I have a few in mind. Another thought: a play. There would not be need for dialogue, as the novel's structure is one of continuing dialogues between Lana and one of her cohorts. There are gems here, so I hope this review will prompt readers to pick this book up. Perhaps it will bring back memories of your own youth when your travels, both physically and emotionally, played you like a snare drum going awry. We all knew at this time that none of this was pleasurable, but with the distance of years we can now look back and smile.

And smile, and guffaw, I did.

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