Pan Macmillan to publish John van de Ruit's new Spud book in November 2024

Pan Macmillan South Africa is excited to announce that it will publish a new Spud book by bestselling author, playwright and actor, John van de Ruit. Spud – The Reunion releases in November 2024.

Pan Macmillan MD Terry Morris says: ‘Pan Macmillan is thrilled to be part of the adventure of bringing the much-loved Spud and Crazy 8 back to the page. Ten years into the future, in 2003, the story continues with another hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking instalment. The Pan Macmillan team is delighted to be working with John van de Ruit to bring you a new Spud novel.’

Spud – The Reunion pulls us back into a simpler time; the years of Thabo Mbeki and cellular (unsmart) phones.

It’s been ten years since Spud Milton’s class of 93 matriculated and the boys went their separate ways. Despite their seemingly unbreakable bond, the Crazy 8 – Rambo, Mad Dog, Vern, Fatty, Garth Garlic, Boggo, Simon and Spud – have not kept in touch. Or at least, not as far as Spud knows.

When he receives an invitation from the school to attend the Ten-Year Reunion weekend, Spud is determined to avoid the event at all costs. No one is going to bend his arm, not this time; he is immune to peer pressure and wise to Rambo’s devious manipulation techniques. Spud has moved on. And, anyway, he has enough to worry about on the home front.

At 28 Spud is stuck in a one-third life crisis.

After a wildly unsuccessful fishing trip with his father, as well as a return to his old way of figuring things out - writing in his diary - Spud finds his reunion resistance crumbling. Curiosity and courage win the day. It’s just a weekend, after all … what could possibly go wrong?

John says: ‘Fourteen months ago I sat down to write Spud – The Reunion. The question plaguing my mind: Would an adult Spud open the door to his realm if I knocked? He did more than that. Spud led me on an odyssey that took me ten years forward and twenty years back. I laughed, hysterically at times, but Spud made me wince too and even shed tears for us both. What a creative experience it was to be back in his brain again. At times I wasn’t even sure who was driving the metaphorical station wagon. This made for over a year of thrills and unexpected spills and I can't remember delighting in a Spud novel more than this one. I hope you relish this return as much as I did, although I predict you’ll never view school reunions in quite the same way again.’

JOHN VAN DE RUIT was born in Durban, South Africa, and educated at Michaelhouse and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he completed a Master’s degree in drama and performance studies. His creative career as an actor, playwright and author has spanned over 25 years.

In September 2005, John’s comedic novel, Spud, was released and became an immediate bestseller. Spud went on to be published in numerous countries and was adapted into a hit film starring John Cleese and Troye Sivan. Spud inspired three sequels:The Madness Continues … (2007) Learning to Fly (2009) and Exit, Pursued by a Bear (2012).

Now, travelling ten years into the beloved character’s future, Spud – The Reunion continues the bestselling series.