SPUD

By: John van de Ruit

 

“I laughed out loud – in a silent classroom –oops.”

        Spud by John van de Ruit is a diary-type novel about a thirteen-year-old boy at an all-boys’ boarding school in South Africa. In a choppy structure that is fun and easy to read, Spud, the narrator, dates every entry, includes times, and sometimes creates lists or summaries of things. Depending on the events of the day, some days can be quite abrupt, which help the pages turn faster. The fact that the book doesn’t have a strong plot, much like our own lives, facilitates a comfortable connection between you (the reader) and Spud.

    Van de Ruit truly has an addicting writing style. Many of his characters are quite eccentric. In Spud’s setting of a maniacal family and dorm full of reckless boys, the author explores the nooks and crannies of the inner workings of a thirteen-year-old boy’s mind: girls, sports, peer pressures, and random speculations. True to the age and gender, he uses lots of crude humor and loads Spud with peer pressure to be rebellious. Although the story is from a thirteen-year-old’s perspective, it is not exactly meant to be read by one. Van de Ruit makes fun of the naivety and immaturity of this age. The novel’s overall tone is rather bizarre. Spud partly believes that everyone around him is insane, and sometimes doubts his own sanity.

        Adding interest for anyone who lives in the northern hemisphere, the setting of South Africa provides for backwards seasons. Thus, Spud talks about being bitterly cold in the middle of July, and things becoming green again around October. His summer break is in December.

        One thing that I liked about this book is that, in addition to the bizarreness, it had such a happy tone. Spud definitely cannot be thrown into the “teen angst” novel category. Spud is a lovable and mostly stress-free kid. Granted, he has a number of typical self-related teen afflictions, but these only contribute to the humor. Some aspects of the story seem unrealistic. For example, I can’t believe that guys actually throw up as much as they do in this book. As a general rule, ten pages don’t go by without somebody throwing up. Also, the amount of exciting things that happen seem a bit excessive. But, then again, I wouldn’t exactly find a book of my life particularly interesting, so this is really a positive aspect.

        Personally, it took me quite a few pages to really start to like and appreciate Spuddy and his world, but overall it was fantastic entertainment. Keep in mind that it is over 300 pages, which is really long for this type of book, but, even so, the story is never redundant. John van de Ruit really pulls you into this young teen’s life. You connect with Spud and laugh at him at the same time. I admit to laughing out loud a number of times, including once in a silent classroom.

        If you want something deep, don’t read this book, although I’m not saying there aren’t sad parts. Some things, though written in a comical style, are actually somewhat sad or even disturbing.  By and large, however, this book is just plain fun.

-Elin