Page 47 - Silver Lakes December Issue 2022

BOOK REVIEWS

ifting someone with a book is always a treat, more so during the SPACEBOY
festive season. This is the time that people are looking for ways
Gto relax – and what better way than curling up with a good book? By David Walliams and
Adam Stower
Here are a few of the latest titles on the shelf:
Go back to the Space Race with
bestselling author David Walliams
FAF – THROUGH FIRE for a breathless cinematic

By Faf du Plessis and Marco Botha adventure full of mystery, action,
laughs and surprises – and a
This is not a book about cricket. It is the story secret that could change the
of a man who just happened to play cricket course of history...
at the highest level. Through Fire is at times a It’s 1960s America, and 12-year-old orphan Ruth loves
brutally honest and always fascinating work of climbing trees, making a mess and throwing stones. But
introspection and critique that provides readers the thing she loves most is space. The girl is obsessed,
with unrestricted insight into the mind and and spends her days reading comics about alien invasions,
heart of one of South Africa’s most interesting doodling UFOs, watching B-movies about Earth being
and charismatic national captains. invaded by creatures from Mars and gazing at the stars
There is the public persona of the tattooed, through her old, battered telescope.
fashionable, mentally tough, immensely popular, and yet at times Stuck on a remote farm with her awful aunt, Ruth
misunderstood Du Plessis. And then there is the authentic Faf. Du Plessis spends every night gazing at the stars, dreaming of
reflects on his growth from being a youth with a questionable moral adventure.
compass outside of cricket to becoming a leader known for his integrity, One night, Ruth creeps out of bed in the attic room of
values, honesty and empathy for his teammates and country. her rickety old farmhouse to watch the stars as usual, and
He reflects on how influential leaders such as Gary Kirsten, Stephen is just dozing off when she spots something blazing across
Fleming, Mohammed Moosajee, Russell Domingo, Ottis Gibson and MS the sky. Something that looks like a flying saucer!
Dhoni moulded him as a man who leads with grit, purpose and a love of Is she dreaming? No! And the flying saucer is on fire...
people. When the UFO crash-lands in a cornfield, Ruth rushes
But he also explores destructive relationships, providing his perspective to help. She finds herself caught up in a mystery and an
in devastating detail on his final years of international cricket. Neither the adventure beyond her wildest dreams.
changing room nor the boardroom is ever off limits. Walliams was named Britain’s no. 1 bestselling
Through Fire is a no-holds-barred autobiography offering exceptional children’s book author earlier this year following the
insight into the core being of an elite sports personality. release of his previous book, The World’s Worst Pets.

Retail price: R328.00 Retail price: R255.00

ZAPIRO ANNUAL 2022: IT’S NOT HOW IT LOOKS!
By Zapiro

It’s Not How It Looks! is the 27th annual keeping pace with the constant chaos
collection from South Africa’s legendary of life in South Africa: “Every time I think
cartoonist, Zapiro. And it is set to be yet things cannot get any weirder, they go and
another best seller as his cartoons brilliantly get twice as weird. Not even my crazy mind
capture the craziness of yet another wild could invent a country where, at the same
year in South Africa and the world. time, we have the devastating final Zondo
It’s Not How It Looks! covers the report delivered (late), two Gupta brothers
sweep of 12 months of momentous events finally arrested and a brazenly crooked ex- minister] and the US Supreme Court has
through Zapiro’s piercing eye and his sharp spy chief revealing that millions of dollars gone back 50 years on women’s rights.”
pen. His award-winning cartoons make in cash have been stolen from Cyril’s game Zapiro’s annual collections always make
you laugh out loud while often wincing at farm. And that’s just one week of our lives! for excellent gifts as they provide both an
the same time. Now more than ever, his “Meanwhile overseas, Russia’s historical and hysterical record of our
work is important, relevant and hugely President Vladimir Putin is making a mad turbulent times.
entertaining. war, Boris Johnson has been completely
Zapiro says his main challenge is Boris [during his tenure as the UK’s prime Retail price: R195.00

INTRAMUROS DECEMBER 2022 | 45