Spud - Learning to Fly
Read Spud - Learning to Fly Online
Authors: John van de Ruit
PRAISE FOR
SPUD
‘… a witty, sharp and thoroughly entertaining book …’
‘… John van de Ruit has cracked it … achingly funny …’
Michele Magwood,
Sunday Times Lifestyle
‘…
Spud
is a benchmark for comedic writing in the country and one of the most enjoyable reads I have had this year.’
Lauren Cohen,
EP Herald
‘Funniest book of the year’
Julia Paterson,
The Citizen
‘Funny, fast-paced and wonderfully observant …’
Book Shelf,
The Daily News
‘Funny, well-written and moving …’
Lindsay Slogrove,
The Mercury
‘Ek het lanklaas so lekker gelag!’
Beeld
‘
Spud
is one of those books which could easily be dismissed as nothing more than an adolescent read at first glance, but once you pick it up it’s almost as if the pages turn themselves. All in all, a wonderful book.’
Metrobeat
‘
Spud
is a delicious piece of writing, full of invention and very very funny.’
Derek Wilson,
The Argus
‘In this “wickedly funny” debut novel, John van de Ruit … has perfectly captured the life of a boy taking his first steps to manhood.’
Brian Joss,
Capetowner
John van de Ruit has talent. A lot of it.’
Kate White,
www.jhblive.com
SPUD – Learning to Fly
John
van
de Ruit
PENGUIN BOOKS
PENGUIN BOOKS
Published By the Penguin Group
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Group (USA) Inc, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Ireland, 25 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd)
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd)
Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi – 110 017, India
Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 1310, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Registered Offices: 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
First published by Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd 2009
Reprinted 2009, 2010
Copyright © John van de Ruit, 2009
All rights reserved
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Spud – Learning To Fly is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of any character
to any person alive or dead is entirely coincidental.
Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
ISBN: 978-0-14-302725-6
Tuesday 7th July – Working Day
Sunday 1st November (The Dying Season)
Like much in this world, writing a book is a bizarre business. The dichotomy of experiencing life as a creative wellspring and simultaneously hiding from its demands and realities creates a schizophrenic impulse to both devour and disappear. I would like to thank my great friends and family for not disowning me over the past sixteen months, and especially Julia, who has walked this journey with me every step of the way. Her influence is unseen, yet I doubt
Learning to Fly
would be what it is without her love, clever brain and the bountiful joy she brings to my life.
Alison Lowry – I cannot thank you enough for your inspiration, guidance and calming influence. Our Midlands imbizos cemented the building blocks for what was to follow, and your faith and brilliance cajoled me through the difficult months of editing and second guessing. It is unique for a writer to find an editor (and boss) whom he can trust implicitly to share his vision. You are the true mother of this series and what The Guv might call a delinquent visionary. Thanks, also, to the entire crew at Penguin Books who take my mad ramblings, turn them into beautiful books and ensure that they fly off the shelves. I feel like I have an army behind me and the success of Spud is as much yours, as it is mine. Special thanks to Tracey McDonald for thinking big, Janine (Leadfoot) Daniel for breaking the speed limit, and Claire Heckrath for her artistic gems.
Finally I want to thank you, the reader, for taking this journey with me. May these pages bring you joy and laughter and an insight into a world that is both familiar and foreign. After all, that is what you all have gifted me.