Hugh Lunn captures the essence of Brisbane in the 50s, especially life as it was known in Catholic schools. Perhaps the children had more freedom than some, but so much was familiar. What I found amazing was how he captured the voice of the child, weaving all the sayings of the day, his parents' and the nuns' through it. I first read this book when it was published but it's lost nothing to the passing of time - a very enjoyable book and a pleasure to read about familiar places.

A RABCK from Skyring.

Gives heartwarming new meaning, with an Aussie accent. Reading about his early days in the convent school, could have almost been set in the US during that time. Easy to see Wally and The Beaver in situations like this (if they had been Australian and named Jackie, gone to Catholic School, and not been squeaky clean characters on the very American TV Show Leave it to Beaver). On second thought, it's perhaps more like Bill Bryson and his The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.

Must admit I didn't cotton to the fact that the Jim in the title was the Dimitri/Jim in the beginning of the book. Ah well. I loved reading on the internets how Egoroff came knocking on Lunn's door after the publication of the book, saying, "Open the door Lunn, you Bastard Boy, so I can punish you for your sins." Ah, boyhood friendships. ( )

Australia