Fup
by Jim Dodge
published by Canongate
price 5.99
There’s Grandaddy Jake Santee, 99 years old, an unreformed gambler, cranky reprobate and fierce opponent of the work ethic. Thanks to his home-distilled hooch, Ol’ Death Whisper, he reckons he’s in with a good shot at immortality. And then there’s Tiny, adopted at the age of four by Grandaddy Jake, a giant young man as gentle as Jake is belligerent.
Then there’s Fup, an uncompromising twenty-pound mallard, partial to a drink herself, whose unique presence transforms the Santee household.
Author Jim Dodge lives on an isolated ranch in western Sonoma County and has been by turns an apple picker, a carpet layer, a teacher, a professional gambler, a shepherd for five years and a woodcutter. He currently works as an environmental restorer – primarily tree planting, log-jam removal and erosion control.
‘You’ll love it.’ – Independent on Sunday
‘Delightful and constantly surprising. Jim Dodge has produced something rare: a fairy tale that is wonderfully down to earth.’ – Daily Telegraph
‘This novel is fupped uck.’ – The Times
Comments
Fupping brilliant
17 October 2008
If you haven't read this book, do so now - put down whatever you're doing, find a copy and read it. It's only short, it won't take long, and it will change your life. A beautiful touching and above all funny tale filled with characters you can't help but love.
Fupping marvellous
17 October 2008
A magical tale to make you ponder on what life is all about, Fup is a little gem. I defy you not to fall in love with the eponymous twenty-pound mallard and her whisky-swlling owners.
Staying power
19 October 2008
A friend lent me this and I was a little unsure what to expect. It was truly lovely though, like a fable for grown ups. Lots to make you think and feel and ponder on.
Once read never forgotten
07 November 2008
One of my all time favourite little books. Incredibly funny but with plenty of depth. I read this several years ago and have never forgotten it. I have subsequently bought quite a bit of Jim Dodge's work, including his novel Stone Junction which I enjoyed this summer. Fup is my favourite though. Buy one for everyone you know this Christmas.
A prefect book
25 November 2008
Short but more full of wisdom, joy, laughs, matriarchal mallards and home-brewed whisky than all the other books on my shelves, this is a perfect read. It could indeed be, as a friend I recently gave it to called it, 'the best book ever'.
Richard Dawkins would be dismayed
25 November 2008
A fairy tale about a 20-pound duck? This would give Richard Dawkin's hives! It's an easy read but it's not lightweight. Great stocking filler for the bookophile in your life.
All this and great illustrations too.
16 December 2008
I really liked this and the illustrations are great.
'fraid to say it but hated Stone Junction.
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