NZ Book - Reviewed, just for You.

"The Smell of an Oily Rag"' by Cherry Simmonds, Random House NZ, 2006. ISBN 1 86941 849 2. Paperback, 432 pages, or less than a days reading if you don't sleep much.

Well, first off, this is her second book and I have not read the first one, 'Nobody in Particular' - but I think I might, now. I hadn't even heard of this author till I stumbled accross this book at the library (993.073 SIM, since you asked).

"The Smell of an Oily Rag" is the story of Cherry, husband Eric and their young son (bugger, I've forgotten his name but that's cool, they know it ) who came to our shores fresh from England in 1972. Tip. Don't travel on Russian 'Cruise Ships'.

They came here for a 'better life'. Did they find it? How does one define better?

I enjoyed the book - it didn't take any great effort to read, it gave me a quite a few chuckles and one outright laugh that hurt my back like you wouldn't imagine. What more could one ask of, from a library book, eh?

I'll let you know what I think of her first book, if I can get it.

Out of Five?

from me.

I am about a third of the way through "of course I love you now go to your room"

It's v funny.

My boys are reading a variety of books - seems to be a dying art at times.. they are reading goosebumps, harry potter and a book about a family of kiwi's out to find the 'big forest'