Book Review
“A Bushman’s Book of Yarns” by Sam Gibson, published by Allen and Unwin, price $45. Reviewed by Tony Orman
Sam Gibson really made a great book writing debut with “Sam the Trap Man”, which in a sense set a very high standard to follow. Consequently it’s not surprising – talking to myself – that his recently published second book “A Bushman’s Book of Yarns” just quite doesn’t compare.
This is not to suggest don’t buy a copy. If you enjoyed his first, then go and buy this one because it has some fine aspects to it and there’s some very good chapters and an invaluable guide to edible native plants and trees.
The author writes passionately about introducing his children to the outdoors and hunting and fishing. The Urewera has some excellent rainbow trout fishing by all accounts and there’s a lovely chapter on the author’s daughter Koko catching her first trout. A good percentage of trout fishermen also enjoy hunting so if you have that dual interest then this book is highly recommended.
It’s a pity in writing of forest species and birds there’s the Maori word with no reference to its English meaning. But there’s one aspect that won’t quite click with most readers. An example, the word “toutouwai” pops up. To find what that is, it’s necessary to turn to a glossary at the rear where it turns out it’s the bush robin. How much better it would’ve been to put in the text in brackets immediately after “toutouwai’ the two words “bush robin”?
So for the reader, that’s likely to happen on a good number of occasions and it somewhat irksomely interrupts the flow of reading. Another small grizzle – an index would have helped immensely. The author cares deeply about the mountains and its bush and he revels in just “being there”.
Sam Gibson is an ardent conservationist and that’s obvious from his latest book and as a Dad he loves getting his kids outdoors. A good number of some very good photos enhance the book and the publishers have made it into a handsome book. The guide to edible native plants and trees is a highlight.
If you hunt and fish, get a copy and enjoy it. Highly recommended.
