Page 28 - Blue Valley Issue 6 2022

BOOK REVIEWS

Giving someone a book as a gift is always a treat, more so during the
festive season. This is the time that people are looking for ways to relax
– and what better way than curling up with a good book? Here are a
few of the latest titles on the shelf.

FAF – THROUGH FIRE
BY FAF DU PLESSIS AND MARCO BOTHA

This is not a book about cricket. It is the story of a known for his integrity, values, honesty and empathy
man who just happened to play cricket at the highest for his teammates and country.
level. Through Fire is at times a brutally honest and
always fascinating work of introspection and critique He reflects on how influential leaders such as Gary
that provides readers with unrestricted insight into Kirsten, Stephen Fleming, Mohammed Moosajee,
the mind and heart of one of South Africa’s most Russell Domingo, Ottis Gibson and MS Dhoni moulded
interesting and charismatic national captains. him as a man who leads with grit, purpose and a love
of people.
There is the public persona of the tattooed,
fashionable, mentally tough, immensely popular, Through Fire is a no-holds-barred autobiography
and yet at times misunderstood Du Plessis. And then offering exceptional insight into the core being of an
there is the authentic Faf. Du Plessis reflects on his elite sports personality.
growth from being a youth with a questionable moral
compass outside of cricket to becoming a leader PRICE: R328.00

ZAPIRO ANNUAL 2022: IT’S NOT HOW IT LOOKS!
BY ZAPIRO
It’s Not How It Looks! is the 27th annual collection from South Africa’s legendary cartoonist,
Zapiro. And it is set to be yet another bestseller as his cartoons brilliantly capture the
craziness of yet another wild year in South Africa and the world.
It’s Not How It Looks! covers the sweep of 12 months of momentous events through Zapiro’s
piercing eye and his sharp pen. His award-winning cartoons make you laugh out loud
while often wincing at the same time. Now more than ever, his work is important, relevant
and hugely entertaining.

Zapiro’s annual collections always make for excellent gifts as they provide both an historical
and hysterical record of our turbulent times.
PRICE: R195.00

SPACEBOY
BY DAVID WALLIAMS AND ADAM STOWER

Go back to the Space Race with bestselling author One night, Ruth creeps out of bed in the attic room of
David Walliams for a breathless epic adventure full of the rickety old farmhouse to watch the stars as usual,
mystery, action, laughs and surprises – and a secret and is just dozing off when she spots something blazing
that could change the course of history... across the sky. Something that looks like a flying saucer!

It’s 1960s America, and 12-year-old orphan Ruth loves Is she dreaming? No! And the flying saucer is on fire...
climbing trees, making a mess and throwing stones.
But the thing she loves most is space. The girl is When the UFO crash-lands in a cornfield, Ruth rushes to
obsessed, and spends her days reading comics about help. She finds herself caught up in a mystery and an
alien invasions, doodling UFOs, watching B-movies adventure beyond her wildest dreams.
about Earth being invaded by creatures from Mars and
gazing at the stars through her old, battered telescope. Walliams was named Britain’s no. 1 bestselling children’s
book author earlier this year following the release of his
Stuck on a remote farm with her awful aunt, Ruth previous book, The World’s Worst Pets.
spends every night gazing at the stars, dreaming of
adventure. PRICE: R255.00

26 • Issue 6 2022 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS