The Spud Series Essentially, the Spud series is built around an adolescent¿s coming-of-age experiences. Written like a diary, the books are set in an all-boys¿ boarding school and detail the experiences of young John ¿Spud¿ Milton, so nicknamed because he is a late bloomer. With a narrative that swings delightfully between comedy, angst and sadness, there¿s never a dull moment as the reader is drawn into the lives of Spud, his family and schoolmates. The Spud series is not all fun and games, for van de Ruit captures the ethos of South Africa in the nineties, the struggle against apartheid and political upheavals that created deep schisms within the country. While Spud, with his awkward frame, adolescent angst and shaky love life warms the cockles of one¿s heart, the host of characters who populate his universe are equally engaging. The Crazy Eight are a gang of boys with evocative nicknames like Rambo, Mad Dog, Gecko, Rain Man and Fatty. Spud must contend with a peculiar family too: alcoholic parents, a senile, though encouraging grandmother, and Blacky, their pet dog who¿s trained to bark at black visitors. A large cast of teachers contribute to Spud¿s joys and woes. Debbie (¿the Mermaid¿), Spud¿s first crush, and the five other girls who constitute his rocky love life round off the list of colourful characters encountered through the series. | |
If you¿ve been waiting for a good read, go ahead, buy the Spud series. Even better, gift Spud to a book loving friend. |