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Spud: The Reunion

John van de Ruit

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      It is 2003 – ten years since Spud Milton’s class of 93 matriculated and the boys went their separate ways. Despite their seemingly unbreakable bond, the Crazy 8 – Rambo, Mad Dog, Vern, Fatty, Garth Garlic, Boggo, Simon and Spud – have not kept in touch. Or at least, not as far as Spud knows. When he receives an invitation from the school to attend the Ten-Year Reunion weekend, Spud is determined to avoid the event at all costs, but he hasn’t reckoned with the bombardment of intrusive messages and threatening phone calls from his former dorm mates. No one is going to bend his arm, not this time; he is immune to peer pressure and wise to Rambo’s devious manipulation techniques. Spud has moved on. And, anyway, he has enough to worry about on the home front. At 28 Spud is stuck in a one-third life crisis. Reflecting on a decade of spectacular non-achievement, at a point where he’s coming to realize that his glittering stage career might have stalled before it’s even begun, casts him into deep gloom. For the former scholarship kid, the prospect of once again having to measure up to his blue-blooded school friends – and be found wanting – has him riddled with anxiety. Not only that. Spud still doesn’t have a serious girlfriend, which has seen him resort to a questionable international bath-sexting relationship with an old flame. Not to mention that circumstances have forced him to move back in with his parents and his senile grandmother, Wombat, whose walks never end where they began. After a wildly unsuccessful fishing trip with his father, as well as a return to his old way of figuring things out – writing in his diary – to his own surprise, Spud finds his reunion resistance crumbling. Curiosity and courage win the day. It’s just a weekend, after all … what could possibly go wrong?

      CONTRIBUTORS: John van de Ruit EAN: 9781770108981 COUNTRY: South Africa PAGES: WEIGHT: HEIGHT: 234 cm
      PUBLISHED BY: Pan Macmillan South Africa DATE PUBLISHED: CITY: GENRE: FICTION / Humorous / General, FICTION / Coming of Age, FICTION / Friendship WIDTH: 156 cm SPINE:

      Book Themes:

      Republic of South Africa, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Humorous fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging

      It is 2003 – ten years since Spud Milton’s class of 93 matriculated and the boys went their separate ways. Despite their seemingly unbreakable bond, the Crazy 8 – Rambo, Mad Dog, Vern, Fatty, Garth Garlic, Boggo, Simon and Spud – have not kept in touch. Or at least, not as far as Spud knows. When he receives an invitation from the school to attend the Ten-Year Reunion weekend, Spud is determined to avoid the event at all costs, but he hasn’t reckoned with the bombardment of intrusive messages and threatening phone calls from his former dorm mates. No one is going to bend his arm, not this time; he is immune to peer pressure and wise to Rambo’s devious manipulation techniques. Spud has moved on. And, anyway, he has enough to worry about on the home front. At 28 Spud is stuck in a one-third life crisis. Reflecting on a decade of spectacular non-achievement, at a point where he’s coming to realize that his glittering stage career might have stalled before it’s even begun, casts him into deep gloom. For the former scholarship kid, the prospect of once again having to measure up to his blue-blooded school friends – and be found wanting – has him riddled with anxiety. Not only that. Spud still doesn’t have a serious girlfriend, which has seen him resort to a questionable international bath-sexting relationship with an old flame. Not to mention that circumstances have forced him to move back in with his parents and his senile grandmother, Wombat, whose walks never end where they began. After a wildly unsuccessful fishing trip with his father, as well as a return to his old way of figuring things out – writing in his diary – to his own surprise, Spud finds his reunion resistance crumbling. Curiosity and courage win the day. It’s just a weekend, after all … what could possibly go wrong?

      CONTRIBUTORS: John van de Ruit EAN: 9781770108981 COUNTRY: South Africa PAGES: WEIGHT: HEIGHT: 234 cm
      PUBLISHED BY: Pan Macmillan South Africa DATE PUBLISHED: CITY: GENRE: FICTION / Humorous / General, FICTION / Coming of Age, FICTION / Friendship WIDTH: 156 cm SPINE:

      Book Themes:

      Republic of South Africa, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Humorous fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging

      Customer Reviews

      Based on 2 reviews
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      R
      Roelia Schoeman
      The boys are back in town....

      The Spud series by John van de Ruit has been a beloved favourite since its debut in 2005. The latest instalment, “Spud – The Reunion”, brings back the nostalgia and humour that fans have cherished, focusing on the 10-year reunion of the Crazy Eight.

      Summary
      In “Spud – The Reunion”, we find John 'Spud' Milton returning to his high school for a reunion with his former classmates, the Crazy Eight. Spud is now ten years older, and with that maturity, he brings a reflective tone to the narrative. His life hasn't exactly panned out as he imagined—his career is floundering, and his romantic life is non-existent. However, the reunion becomes an opportunity to reconnect with his past and see how his friends have fared.

      Highlights
      - Nostalgic and Hilarious: The book captures the essence of boarding school life with a perfect blend of humour and nostalgia. Van de Ruit’s writing evokes memories of dining hall meals, dormitory pranks, and the angst of school life, making readers laugh and reminisce.
      - Character Development: While maintaining the characteristic craziness of the Spud series, this book shows a more mature and introspective side of Spud. The familiar characters, like Spud’s eccentric parents, especially his dad, are still delightfully amusing.
      - Realistic and Relatable: The reunion setting allows for a realistic exploration of how people change—or don't—over time. It captures the awkwardness and mixed emotions of meeting old friends and confronting past memories.
      - Themes of Reflection: Spud's reflections on his past and present life add depth to the humour. The themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the enduring bonds of friendship are beautifully woven into the story.

      Themes
      - Nostalgia and Growth: The novel explores the bittersweet nature of looking back on one's youth, contrasting the wild, carefree days with the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood.
      - Friendship and Brotherhood: The powerful bonds formed during school days are a central theme. The Crazy Eight's antics and loyalty to each other highlight the importance of these enduring friendships.
      - Self-Discovery: Spud's journey is also one of self-discovery as he navigates his past memories and current struggles, seeking a sense of purpose and identity.

      Conclusion
      “Spud – The Reunion” is a hilarious, reflective, and nostalgic addition to the Spud series. John van de Ruit’s skilful storytelling brings back beloved characters and settings while adding a layer of maturity and introspection. Fans of the series will treasure this reunion with Spud and his friends, finding both laughter and poignant moments in their journey.

      Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this book offers a delightful escape into the world of Spud, filled with humour, heartfelt moments, and a touch of South African charm.
      With thanks to Pan MacMillan SA for the opportunity to read this book.

      *PS – I can highly recommend listening to the audiobook as well, it is brilliantly narrated by Joe Vaz.

      #RoeliaReads #fortheloveofspud #SpudTheReunion #CrazyEight #JohnvandeRuit
      Edit Review

      M
      Mandy Jackson

      Spud: The Reunion

      JOHN VAN DE RUIT was born in Durban, South Africa, and educated at Michaelhouse and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he completed a Master’s degree in drama and performance studies. His creative career as an actor, playwright and author has spanned over 25 years.In September 2005, John’s comedic novel, Spud, was released and became an immediate bestseller. Spud went on to be published in numerous countries and was adapted into a hit film starring John Cleese and Troye Sivan. Spud inspired three sequels: The Madness Continues … (2007) Learning to Fly (2009) and Exit, Pursued by a Bear (2012).Now, travelling ten years into the beloved character’s future, Spud – The Reunion continues the bestselling series.

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