Spud (novel)

Infobox Book
name = Spud
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = American/Canadian edition cover
author = John van de Ruit
illustrator = none
cover_artist = none
country = South africa
language = English
series =
subject = Boarding School Life
genre = Novel
publisher = Razorbill
pub_date = 4 October 2007
english_pub_date =
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 352pp
isbn = ISBN 1595141707 ISBN 978-1595141705
oclc =
followed_by =Infobox Book
name = Spud
title_orig = Spud
translator =


image_caption = South African edition
author = John van de Ruit
illustrator =
cover_artist = Farell Grehan
country = South Africa
language = English
series =
subject = Boarding School Life
genre = Novel
publisher = Penguin
pub_date = 2005
english_pub_date =
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 389pp
isbn = ISBN 978-0-143-02484-2 ISBN 0-143-02484 1
oclc =
followed_by = Spud- The madness continues . . .

"Spud" is the title of a 2005 book by South African author, actor, playwright and producer, John Howard van de Ruit. A comedy yet straight forward novel that captures the humor of life in boarding school, through the diary of John 'Spud' Milton. The book is written in the style of a diary. The story begins on the morning of Spud's first day at a private boarding school in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, following his year and experiences with the often eccentric characters found in the school environment. The diary also follows Spud's family life.

The book is set in South Africa, 1990, against the historical background of the unbanning of the ANC and Nelson Mandela's release from Victor Verster Prison.

The description of the school, its setting and characters, are a thinly-disguised description of Michaelhouse for boys, which the author attended in 1993.Fact|date=September 2008

A sequel, titled "Spud: The Madness Continues", was released in mid-2007. It details Spud's second year of boarding school.

After commercial success in South Africa (it won the 2006 Booksellers award), the United States saw a release of this book 2007. The American release date for the sequel is so far unknown.

Overview

It's South Africa 1990. 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 school. Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has his hands full trying to adapt to his new home. Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal night swimming to the cricket pitch, from ghostbusting to a catastrophic family vacation. 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.

Characters

Crazy Eight

The Crazy Eight consists of the eight boys in Spud's year and house at school. They are the most respected and feared boys in the school.
* John 'Spud' Milton - The protagonist. Spud is slightly arrogant and dislikes his life, due to the major embarrassment he gets from having a family well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile grandmother and being part of one of the most notorious gangs in the school. Is very pessimistic about many aspects of his life, especially his spudness and has a low self-esteem when confronting personal matters. Sparerib watches him with much concern and offers him much support. He consistently worries about his own sanity. Has many goals, such as being a star cricketer, actor, detective, freedom fighter and many more. Is certainly popular with girls (as he is the object of affection of three girls). Got into the school through a scholarship. Best known in the school for his lead part in Oliver!.
* Robert 'Rambo' Black - The (self-appointed and self-nicknamed) leader of the Crazy Eight. He is also known for having a public affair with Eve, the drama teacher and wife of the housemaster. He likes Spud a lot and apparently wishes for him to be as tough as he is - he consistently disciplines Spud. He also tries to make Spud feel better after he gets his "birthday present."
* Charlie 'Mad Dog' Hooper - A fierce and ruthless thug-like boy so named because of his hunting habits. A talented cricket bowler (has no co-ordination for batting) due to his scare tactics and high speed bowling. Considers Spud to be his friend, as he often includes him in hunting trips and forces him to hike with him a lot of the time. In the second book, he spends a lot of time on the phone to Spud when he is expelled.
* Simon Brown - A jock and cricket star. No nickname. Very popular with the girls, also plays A-side rugby and is very arrogant. Wears braces. Is the only member of the group who dislikes Spud. Not very much mentioned.
* Vern 'Rain Man' Blackadder- Spud's deranged cubicle mate who is constantly pulling out clumps of his own hair and has a strange relationship with Sparerib's cat, Roger. He also calls all the girls he sees "Mermaid" before running off. Has tried at least twice to kill Spud. Apparently said to be so deranged because of the death of his faather.
* Henry 'Gecko' Barker - A pale boy who is incessantly falling ill and later dies of cerebral malaria. He is Spud's best friend later in the book. So named because of his corpse-like colour and his tendency to vomit.
* Sidney 'Fatty' Smitherson-Scott - Nicknamed due to his indulgent eating habits. Known for his excessive flatulence. Becomes the local hero due to his efficiency in eating habits. Has once become stuck in a window.
* Al 'Boggo' Greenstein - A perverted boy who has a liking for porn and named because he is always going to the lavatories (the bogs) to masturbate. Has a bad case of pimples. Has a large collection of porno magazines and videos. He is also a keen gambler, as he likes to offer incentives at socials with money rewards, in which he offers high prices for extreme deeds.

Other Characters
* Spud's Mom and Dad, who are both considered to be "well beyond the lunatic fringe."
* Wombat - Spud's senile maternal grandmother, who is always accusing people, especially her landlord, Buster Cracknell of stealing things that are considered pointless to the family, such as her yoghurt, bathmat, toiletries and strawberry jam. Is Spud's father's nemesis.
* Debbie "Mermaid" - Spud's long term girlfriend and first kiss. Prone to depression. Described as having breasts that are large. Is also called a "bimbo" by Amanda. Causes Spud to be very respected at school.
* Amanda - Julia Roberts lookalike who is older than Spud and, despite everything, she loves him as a "toy boy." In the second book, she prefers spending her time kissing him than anything else. Hates the Mermaid, because she believes that she's a "bimbo."
* Christine - A promiscuous girl who takes an interest in Spud. She is described by Amanda as liking anything with a penis. She becomes Gecko's girlfriend later in the book but tries to have sex with Spud at a party.
* PJ Luthuli - Head of Spud's house, who Spud joins in his club, African Affairs. Has a slight lisp, as seen when he tries to pronounce Fatty's real name.
* Grant 'Earthworm' Edwards - Spud's Matric prefect for whom he "slaves". Despite initially being cold towards Spud, later gives him much support, such as threatening punishment to anyone who bullies him, buys him food from the tuckshop as rewards for his good work and gives him his old clothing and some money when he leaves. He is also very defensive of his pencils and loses his sanity when he does his Matric.
* Julian - A very camp Matric prefect whose favourite hobby is photographing the behinds of all the first years when they are beaten by Sparerib. Spud's Head Chorister. Is also very sensitive around Spud.
* Bert - Julian's sidekick and implied boyfriend.
* Leonard Pike: Spud's (and the Crazy Eight's) nemesis. He is consistently bullying the members of the Crazy Eight. He seems to have homosexual feelings for Spud, as he enjoys revealing himself to Spud and also has a rather sexual encounter with him near the end.
* Devries - Pike's sidekick.

Teachers
* Mr Edly, (The Guv) - English teacher and U/14A Cricket coach, has very interesting teaching methods and swears a lot. Befriends Spud. Often invites spud to lunch in his house while he gives spud alchohol despite the fact of spud being under age.
* Mr John Riley Crispo - The elderly history teacher. Spud reminds Crispo of himself when he was young and takes a likeness to him. After he dies, Spud sings at his funeral.
* Mrs Wilson, (Eve) - Drama teacher. Plays Nancy the prostitute in the school play "Oliver". She cheats on her husband with Rambo. So nicknamed because "Eve came from Adam's sparerib."
* Mr Richardson (Viking) - Play director. Referred to by Spud as "resident school Hitler," in second book.
* Mr Glockenshpeel, (The Glock) - Headmaster. Nicknamed because of how dangerous he can be, as well as his strange name.
* Mr Wilson (Sparerib) - Spud's housemaster. Nicknamed because he lost a rib to bone cancer (although the boys believed he lost it in a lion attack in the Kruger National Park).
* Mr Lilly - Under 14 D/E rugby coach and Spud's art teacher. Is a pacifist, which results in many losses for his team.
* Reverend Bishop - The deranged school chaplain. Lacks a self-esteem and is incredibly gullible, as shown when he believes that Fatty has had an ephiphany.
* Mr Lambert (Mongrel) - Spud's Physical Education teacher. Is very racist, due to the fact that he had some negative encounters with Black people in Zimbabwe.
* Mr van Vuuren - Spud's racist Afrikaans teacher.
* Mr Norm Wade (Salamander) - Spud's implied racist English teacher in second book. Named because he has long legs and short arms.
* Mr Lennox - Mr. Crispo's replacement as history teacher.
* Mr Sykes (Psycho) - Spud's maths teacher.

Film Adaption

Currently a screenplay is being developed by John van de Ruit and Ross Garland and will be produced by Rogue Star Films.

External links

* [http://www.spud.penguinbooks.co.za Official SPUD page]
* [http://www.jhblive.com/live/publications_view.jsp?pub_id=19532 Interview of author]
* [http://johnvanderuit.book.co.za/ South-African Blog of author]