Synopsis (Credit/Review: Back cover)

The riotous adventures of fifteen-year-old Vernon Gregory Little in small-town Texas and beachfront Mexico mark one of the most spectacular, irreverent and bizarre debuts of the 21st century so far. The only novel to be set in the barbecue sauce capital of Central Texas, Vernon God Little suggests that desperate times throw up the most unlikely of heroes.

Winner: Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2003.
Winner: Costa First Novel 2003.
On the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die List.

(Bought second-hand at Book Wise Exchange, High Street, Bellville.)

A compelling read: part satire and social commentary, part disturbing in-your-face realism, part probing compassion. And very funny just below or above the surface. I loved the author's unrestrained and innovative use of language.

Some of the reactions to the book deserve a mention:

'Quite a debut ... A satire brimming with opprobrium for America's corpulent demi-culture of reality television, fast food and speedily delivered death to the probably guilty.' The Times

'Reading his book made me think of how the English language was in Shakespeare's day, enormously free and inventive and very idiomatic and full of poetry as well.' John Carey, Chair of the Booker Judges

'An utterly original first novel ... Funnier than The Simpsons, closer to the knuckle than The Office, this is comic writing to the highest order. Pierre is a very clever and — quite possibly — extremely dangerous man. Publishing News

'Vernon God Little is a surprise and a delight, packing a mighty payload of wild, sour wit, vaulting cynicism and sheer lack of British restraint.' Daily Telegraph

Released there today during the SANEA (South African National Energy Association) site visit and lecture. Hotel Verde is viewed as Africa's greenest hotel.

I left it with the other books on the book sharing shelves between reception and the dining area.

If you are new to BookCrossing and found this book, welcome! Enjoy the site, the book, and the BookCrossing community.

BookCrossing has not taken off in a big way in South Africa yet, but there are a number of dedicated BookCrossers across the country who are actively involved to grow the concept. A discussion group for BookCrossers in the wider Cape Town area, BCct, was set up to make it easier to arrange meetups or to spread local news. If you are a BookCrosser from this part of the world or planning a visit, please feel free to join. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcct for more information.

Whether you decide to join or not, please make a journal entry — now, and again when you decide to release the book to continue its journey.

Sounds like an interesting book!

I hope it gets picked up. Thought an airport gets lots of through traffic.