Bush Town Blues - A 70s African Tale - Book 2

I read this book in two days because I got so involved in it...Nina Jones lives up to Vol 1 with her beautiful descriptions of her surroundings and her perfect depictions of how Janni feels. Janni's youth and naïveté are balanced with a funny, odd kind of wisdom that comes from reflection on her foibles. I've titled this happy and sad because it made me feel both of those at the same time. When Janni is crying, you can feel why - the author's description makes it gut wrenching for you, but there is laughter in all of it also. I loved it!

Even better than Book 1 (0/0 people found this helpful)

What a fantastic read! - It brought back all those painful memories of being a teenager in love. If you have a teenager and you are trying to understand how they feel, read this.
Nina's description of life in the '70's era took me back there all over again. Her tales of life in the African bush are so vivid that I felt I was there.

I loved this book!!! (0/0 people found this helpful)

I loved this book! Nina writes beautifully and she is a natural storyteller.
This book is moving and real, funny and sad. You can smell and feel Nina's story and all Africa from the beginning to end.
A wonderfull book! I highly recommend it and gave a 5 stars!!!
WELL DONE NINA JONES!!!

A page turner and travel adventure (0/0 people found this helpful)

I enjoyed this book more than the first - the travel, the adventure. Although I'm not too into love stories, this one was different because there was so much else going on - motorbike rides through the bush, sailing down rivers, camel races, wilderness living, and more interaction with Africa and her people. It was also a page turner, wanting to know what happens next, as the story definitely moved along at a pace. I particularly loved the ending as I wasn't expecting it at all - definitely a good read, and one I would recommend.

just a lovely, gripping and affecting book (0/0 people found this helpful)

Janni is back and back with her new man, Andy. It is October in the bush in the middle of Africa and totally besotted with her new bloke, Janni makes a pact to herself. She will never stop loving him and Andy, so he claims, will never stop loving her either. Till the end of time, till the day they die, they will always be together.

Problem is the parents. Oh and there's the other small problem of 250 miles between Janni and her new man. But as always Janni has a cunning plan. She simply tells her parents that she and Andy are madly, totally in love and there's nothing they can do to stop her being with him. Her father is furious, fits bang hard on the table, spittle flies and within a few moments, a full blown argument is under way. Pet dog, Woggles, flees from the scene to the security of his basket and soon Dad storms from the dinner table and is zooming away in the family car in the blink of an eye. As the author says, blood had been spilled.

Janni's mother, Peg, tries to reason with her teenage daughter but she too fails. Janni's love for Andy is strong and will not allow her parents to stand in her way. Packing her bags, Janni sets off to Maiduguri to find her Mr Perfect and soon they are back-packing through Africa's wilderness and smoking dope around the campfire. Pink Floyd for their soundtrack, Robert Burns' poems their love messages to one another and the ring on Janni's finger is as Andy calls it "a symbol of our love".

One day, totally out of the blue, Andy turns the cold shoulder to Janni. Nerves instantly knot in her stomach, a cold sensation rushes over her body. "What the matter Andy?" she asks, do you love me? Andy has now turned from Mr Perfect into Mr Moody. What the hell is wrong with him?! Over and over again she asks this question. Why is he being like this with me? I thought we were forever. Her mind is in torment, the pain she feels is overwhelming.

Keeping her cool Janni hopes it'll blow over, but her heart is already breaking and during those moments when she's alone, tears surface. Still Janni is convinced it'll blow over, Andy will never leave her...surely?

Having read book one of the Bush Town Blues series, this second edition is less funny, and is much more heart-rending and serious. There are plenty of moments that make you want to cry for Janni, we see how one man seemingly so perfect in beginning changes into a stranger. Nina has described Andy as a character so well and his persona comes through very vividly. We can almost feel the pain Janni experienced, I certainly could. The tale cuts down deep inside you, especially if you've been in similar position as Janni. Just because this is set in the 1970s, doesn't mean that younger readers won't understand or appreciate the book. I think this is a tale to be loved by anyone who has been or still is young. We can almost see the dusty African plains, feel the heat from the burning sun and watch with emotion as Janni struggles to cope under the pressure.

This story stays in your mind even when you've turned and read the very last page. I found it stirred a lot of emotion in me and could totally relate to Janni.

Just a lovely, gripping and affecting book. Definitely up with my favourites and I bet anyone else's who wishes to read this. If you don't read any other book this year - read this!

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts: Jessica has been a book reviewer for a newspaper and a national women's magazine

Bush Town Blues - A 70s African Tale - Book 2

Nina Jones

Reader Reviews:

Happy and sad... (0/0 people found this helpful)

Even better than Book 1 (0/0 people found this helpful)

I loved this book!!! (0/0 people found this helpful)

A page turner and travel adventure (0/0 people found this helpful)

just a lovely, gripping and affecting book (0/0 people found this helpful)

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