Spud

It’s South Africa, 1990. The country still squirms under the iron fist of Apartheid. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson... more
Author:
van de Ruit, John
Format:
Softcover
Edition:
New title
Average customer rating:
 (Reviews)

Delivery:
South Africa Usually within 8 working days.
Seller:
kalahari.com or 3rd party seller
3rd Party:
New from R 25.00  | 19 used from R 15.00
Now:
R117.00
eBucks:
eB1 170
Discovery Miles:
1 170
  • Pintrest

Short description

It’s South Africa, 1990. The country still squirms under the iron fist of Apartheid. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela, and more importantly, it’s Spud Milton’s first year at an elite boys only private boarding school.

Long description

Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has to forge a new life for himself in this foreign and sometimes hostile environment.
Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. (The path, it seems, could be a rather long road.)

Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal nightswimming to the cricket field, from ghostbusting to teacher baiting. He also invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; a boy whose eyes are being opened to love, friendship and complete insanity.

Product details

Imprint:
Penguin SA
Publisher:
Penguin Book Group
ISBN:
9780143024842
Publication date:
September 2005
Length:
0mm
Width:
0mm
Weight:
320g
Edition:
New title
Pages:
389
Readership:
Age: From 12 To 17
First published:
01/01/2005
Audience:
General
Pages:
389

Review

If anyone's capable of portraying hell, it's John Milton. In this case, hell is an elite, all-boys boarding school in Durban, South Africa, in 1990, and Milton is 13-year-old John Spud Milton, his nickname referring to the diminutive private parts of this preadolescent boy, an indicator of the level of humor and behavior (and privacy) at the school. Spud is a good guy, a companionable narrator whose journal captures his first year - classmates Mad Dog, Rambo, Gecko and Fatty, and teachers Sparerib, Viking and The Guv. Spud is a good observer and, unfortunately, his portrayal of boarding-school life rings true. A parallel story line - Nelson Mandela's release from prison - lends depth to Spud's tale as he begins to develop a social conscience. Some readers may tire of 300-plus pages of random acts of meanness and the parade of quirky characters, but those humored by it will be eager for the forthcoming sequel. A bestseller in South Africa, it's likely to be a hit with American readers as well. (Fiction. 12+) (Kirkus Reviews)

awards

Winner of The Booksellers' Choice Award 2006.

Customer reviews & ratings

Write a review for this product.

Rate this product.

 

  DELIGHTFULY FUNNY!
Reviewed by Miss Chuma Banjwa from Cape Town, South Africa on 06 July 2007
1594 of 3176 people found the following review helpful:

Though I suspect he might not like this, I must admit that I found Spud to be somewhat reminiscent of Adrian Mole! A fun and easy to read book with the most delightful characters ever! I don't see how anyone could not enjoy reading this book...it's genuinely hilarious without even trying too hard!

Was this review helpful?    

 

  Buy it!
Reviewed by Michelle from Gordons Bay on 15 July 2010
167 of 347 people found the following review helpful:

A fun, funny, light-hearted read where you cannot help but paw away at the pages! Van der Ruit has created a novel that makes entertaining reading for both youths and adults alike. Once you've finished with it you'll miss the lark of the Crazy Eight so much that you'll instantly feel compelled to buy the next novel (The Madness Continues) as I did. This is refreshing local fiction at its best and in my opinion a big "screw you" to the likes of JM Coetzee whose writing about South Africa is morbid and deeply depressing

Was this review helpful?    

 

  Worth it!
Reviewed by Priscilla Fick from Mossel Bay, South Africa on 15 February 2006
3456 of 6939 people found the following review helpful:

This is probably one of the best books I have read in a long time. Having attended an elite girls' school myself, I was able to identify with the characters in the book. John Milton (aka Spud), Gecko, Rambo, and the other five members of the crazy eight, as well as Spud's strange parents will have you in fits of laughter from the very first page. So too will the antics of his eccentric English teacher, The Guv. Ah and let's also not forget the blossoming of young love, along with all the hormonal confusion it brings... I recommend this book to everyone between the ages of 13 to 100! It really is worth every penny.

Was this review helpful?    

See more reviews

More buying options

Sell yours here
Showing 1-10 of 27 listing(s).
Price Condition Seller Comments Buy from 3rd Party
R15.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Like New Marley

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
03 Nov 2010
Location:
Milnerton, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Add to basket
R20.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Good Book Finder

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
28 May 2010
Location:
Amanzimtoti, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Comments: Slight surface scratching and light folding marks on cover. Faint creasing on spine. Light yellowish spotting on a couple of pages and some browning on thickness of pages. Rest of book in good, readable condition! Please allow 3 to 5 days for delivery.

Add to basket
R25.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Good Vernon D

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
22 Mar 2013
Location:
Johannesburg, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Add to basket
R25.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery New Divillon

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
16 Feb 2011
Location:
Bethlehem, South Africa, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Add to basket
R25.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Good Minette Maré

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
25 Jul 2012
Location:
Woodmead, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Add to basket
R40.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Like New Bleve

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
05 Jan 2012
Location:
Centurion, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Comments: Outside corners damage Pages perfect

Add to basket
R40.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Good Petru-Nell Skryfbesigheid

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
25 Mar 2010
Location:
Kempton Park, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Add to basket
R43.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery New booksagain.co.za

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
31 Jan 2010
Location:
Johannesburg, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Comments: Ships within 3 working days

Add to basket
R43.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery Like New diekhen

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
19 Mar 2013
Location:
Glen Harmony, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Add to basket
R45.00 + R35.00 Post office delivery New ABC Books JHB

Rating:

Ask a question (0)
Member since:
16 May 2010
Location:
Johannesburg, South Africa

Delivery: Dependent on 3rd party seller

Comments: Bulk purchases welcome. Post office allows 1 - 2 weeks for delivery.Courier - must be to street address - 2 Days Gauteng - 4 days to other areas.

Add to basket

Next page

Page: