Review: "I really loved this book"

Review: "I really loved this book"

"I normally wouldn't like something with so much farting in it, but I really loved this book. It was funny and silly and quite moving. Much like that muddy pothole on my grandparents' driveway — Erasmus James and the Galactic Zapp Machine is a lot deeper than it looks. Buy it for your kids. Buy it for your nieces and nephews, grandkids and friends. Buy it for yourself."Erasmus James (Raz) is an arrogant eleven-and-a-half-year-old who lives with his dad, and a menagerie of sick animals his dad takes in — including camels, possums and roos.

"Ever since Raz's pet chook (Chooky) was killed by a truck, Erasmus has hardened his heart towards the animal world:

"'After half a pack of tissues I resolved to be on the winning side from that day on. My Dad's soft side only lead to heartbreak, and a stinky room.'

"So when Raz nicks his dad's newest invention, 'the zapporter', and zapps himself into 'Uponia', he is none-too-pleased to find that it is a world full of the animals he most dislikes — horses. Smelly, furry, farting horses. And worse: they talk.

"Thus begins Erasmus' odyssey. He journeys with Franklin the Talking Ninja Horse towards the Great Wonder, supposedly a quest on behalf of the human King of Uponia. But Raz really aims to rule this pathetic little world of farting horses, rock-eating giant birds, and flesh-eating Bloodhorses. Unfortunately, he merely stirs up political tensions and creates an industrial revolution that could threaten the livelihood and happiness of all in Uponia.

"Will Raz come to his senses and stop being such a pratt? Will he get out of Uponia alive? And will Raz's dad get up the courage to ask their neighbour Ms Trang (Vietnamese cook extraordinaire) out on a date?

"This is a book aimed at kids, in the tradition of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and … Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy. But with lots more farting.

"On another level, it's a story about the impact of technology, about personal responsibility, and the journey of a boy learning how to express his feelings.

"Now, I normally wouldn't like something with so much farting in it, but I really loved this book. It was funny and silly and quite moving. Much like that muddy pothole on my grandparents' driveway — Erasmus James and the Galactic Zapp Machine is a lot deeper than it looks. Buy it for your kids. Buy it for your nieces and nephews, grandkids and friends. Buy it for yourself."


By Emma Hardman*, from Emma's South Coast Writing Newsletter
(* 2-time winner of the Byron Shire Short Story Competition)

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Review: "I could not contain my sniggers!"

Review: "I could not contain my sniggers!"

I feel compelled to tell all that DC Green is a great children's writer. Having had the pleasure and privilege to read Erasmus James and the Galactic Zapp Machine, I am in awe of his unique style. His use of alliteration is brilliant; 'back in time for breakfast, my backpack bloated with booty' and 'the kar was a korpse'. His play on words sent me into fits of laughter 'Oil's not Well'.

I would read the book on the train into work and could not contain my sniggers, giggles and 'ooooh, aaaahs' and eventually got used to the bemused commuter looks as the book cover shouts out 'children's novel!'

Stabasco sauce, MC Hammerhook, karpark, Uponia, tweetment for chooks and my favourite, Lameboy, brought out the child in me and I devoured every word. His imagination is so vivid and deep and so appealing to children of most ages with his constant references to films and pop icons.

The language of the protagonist is typical of an 'almost twelve year old' and yet one can read, albeit subtly, how this life-learning journey that Erasmus embarks upon, changes not only his perspective on life but his use of language symbolises his growth and new level of maturity.

DC Green's style of using four exclamation marks is novel (see page 163). Metaphors abound and I particularly love the one used towards the end of the book, quote, 'Let's make like a big zit and break out!'

Again, his 'today' language is, to coin a rather dreadful phrase, 'so in your face' that its appeal is immediate and what could be more immediate than 'his googling eyes'. Beneath this intelligent hilarity is an underlying message about life questions; facing one's demons and hates as Erasmus does throughout his journey into Uponia and most pertinently, his relationship with his Crazy Dad whose name is changed at the end of his journey to, Hero Dad.

I so look forward to reading more of this talented author's work. Laughter is such a tonic and Green's books are certainly that.

- Moira Anne Elliott, Australian Society of Editors.

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Review: "Plenty of Fun!"

Review: "Plenty of Fun!"

Wow, the great reviews keep rolling in! Here's one by Sally Murphy of AussieReviews.com, Australia's biggest online review site...

"Erasmus James and the Galactic Zapp Machine is an action-packed, humorous adventure which will appeal to upper-primary aged readers (10 – 12). There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, interspersed with action and some gentle messages about family, friendship and even self-belief.

"Plenty of fun."

For the rest of this review, click here: http://www.aussiereviews.com/article1970.html

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