Being Black 'n Chicken, & Chips, by Matt Okine

Planet Books Review:

The opening few pages of this otherwise very entertaining debut novel are a bit confusing, jumping around in time. Thankfully, once you start chapter two, you get dragged right into the story, and then you just can't stop reading.  

Set in 1998, this is the story of Mike Amon, a teenager from the typical Australian suburb of Brindlewood, trying to find his place in the world. He wants to try out for his school's athletics team, dreaming of glory and impressing the girl he loves. He think that if he gets on the team, she'll notice him. He enlists his best friend Tully to help him, but a whole lot is bubbling under the surface. And then his mother falls ill. 

Mike struggles to deal with this, school, athletic training and having to live with his father. Marvin Amon is a dentist who runs the Afro Good Times night club on the side. But Mike finds his cooking weird, becomes sick of putting up posters, isn’t sure about mud crabbing, and just wants to go home to his mother.

There is a semi-autobiographical element to this tale, and it feels authentic. Mike's voice is strong and compelling. Whatever he does, you want him to succeed. It reads like a teenager struggling to come to terms with all the various things life can throw at you, big and small, struggling to grow up. And his mother's illness is a huge thing. 

Matt Okine has created a wonderfully realistic coming of age narrative. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll probably squirm in awkward teenage boy moments.

Review by Callie Steven

About The Author:

The multi-talented comedian, actor and presenter Matt Okine is one of Australia's favourite award-winning comedians. Okine performs sell out national tours of his live shows year in, year out, and has gained much popularity on the festival circuit. Matt spent 3 years co-hosting Triple J's hugely successful Breakfast Show before hanging up his headphones to go into production on his television adaptation of his award-winning semi-autobiographical stand up show The Other Guy for Stan. He co-wrote and starred in the show which earned him a 2017 AACTA nomination for the Subscription TV Award for Best New Talent, and is currently streaming on STAN in Australia, Hulu in the U.S., and Superchannel in Canada. The second season of The Other Guy is currently in production. Being Black N Chicken, and Chips is his first novel.

Book Details:

ISBN: 9780733641688

Publication Date: 24/9/2019

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Binding: Trade Paperback

Genre: General Fiction