Spud (novel)
 First (South African) edition | |
| Author | John van de Ruit |
|---|---|
| Original title | Spud |
| Translator | John van de Ruit |
| Cover artist | Farell Grehan |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Boarding school life |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Penguin |
Publication date | 2005 |
| Publication place | South Africa |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 389pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-14-302484-2 |
| OCLC | 87375897 |
| Followed by | Spud - The madness continues Spud - Learning to Fly Spud - Exit, Pursued by a Bear |
Spud is a 2005 novel by South African author, actor, playwright and producer, John van de Ruit. It is a comedic story about life in a boarding school through the diary of John 'Spud' Milton and the "crazy eight" - eight boys in Spud's year and house at school. The diary also follows Spud's family life.
A sequel, titled Spud: The Madness Continues, was released in mid-2007. It details Spud's second year of boarding school and trip to England paid by Wombat, his crazy grandmother.
In June 2009, the third book in the series was released, titled Spud: Learning to Fly. This book details Spud's third year at a school.
The fourth book in the series, detailing Spud's Matric year, was released August 2012, under the title Spud: Exit, Pursued by a Bear.[1]
The fifth and final book was released in November 2024, under the title Spud: The Reunion.
After commercial success in South Africa and winning the 2006 Booksellers award,[2] Spud was released in North America in 2007.
Film adaptation
[edit]A film adaptation, directed by Donovan Marsh, was released in South Africa on 3 December 2010. The film stars South African-born Australian actor Troye Sivan as Spud and with John Cleese as The Guv. The film was a success in South Africa, topping the box office. The film was later nominated for six South African Film and Television Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Actor in a Feature Film (Troye Sivan).[3]
The sequel, Spud: The Madness Continues was released in 2013. A third film, Spud 3: Learning to Fly, was released in 2014.
References
[edit]- ^ "John van de Ruit Unveils the New Title in His Spud Series: Exit, Pursued by a Bear". Penguin SA @ Sunday Times Books LIVE. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ^ "LitNet: BoekeBazaar". oulitnet.co.za. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "2011 SAFTAs: All The Winners". TVSA. 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.