Spud (book)

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Spud (ISBN 0-14-302484-1) is the title of a 2005 book by South African author, actor, playwright and producer, John Howard van de Ruit. a comedy novel that catches the humor of life in boarding school, as the not so popular boy. The book is in the style of a diary, and records the experiences of a new boy, John Howard Milton (nicknamed 'Spud' because his balls haven't dropped yet!) just starting at a private boarding school in the Natal Midlands, as well as the often eccentric characters found in such an environment. This description also extends to Spud's family. The book is set in South Africa in 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, from which the author matriculated in 1993.

[edit] Characters

Spud's Mom and Dad
Wombat - Spud's grandmother
Rambo - Named so for his tough attitude
Gecko - A pale boy who is incessantly falling ill
Vern (nicknamed Rainman) - Spud's deranged cubicle mate
Fatty - Selp explanatory
Spud
Simon - jock and cricket star
Amanda - Julia Roberts lookalike
Debbie "Mermaid" - Spud's long term girlfriend
Christine - a rather flirtatious girl