Reviews

Home Affairs
The critics say....

To read the review in its entirety and in its original context, please click on the links below.

I laughed loud, often and long as I read my way through this well-written, cleverly constructed silliness, enjoying it thoroughly.

Alan Swerdlow, Citizen

Refreshingly South African without being political... A very funny book that might just encourage South Africans to laugh at ourselves.

Bridget McNulty, Literary Tourism

It's a delight from start to finish: deliciously irreverent, highly topical, completely un-PC and cleverly written.

Caroline Smart, Artsmart

Satire ’n waardige wenner... In hierdie (Eskom-)donker dae is Home Affairs voorwaar ’n ligpunt.

Stoffel Cilliers, Die Volksblad

Hats off to newcomer Bree O’Mara for providing a laugh-out-loud piece of South African magic.

Babalwa Shota, City Press

This is a hilarious examination of small town South Africa and the odd preconceptions we all seem to harbour about our place in the new world we live in. There is no cow so sacred as to not be slaughtered and O'Mara goes about her work with glee.

David Chislett, The Chiz

This is a satirical, highly amusing and clever portrayal of life in a little ‘dorp' in South Africa. Bree O'Mara has written a witty and enjoyable book full of characters that many readers will recognize.... it is also a relevant and topical book pointing fingers at current affairs.

Talking Travel

A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read

Anita Perks, Femina

...told with a tongue firmly in its cheek and a distinct nod to the classic comedy writers of eras past...there are plenty of laughs as this book rumbles along at a fairly frantic pace....breezy, feel-good entertainment

People Magazine

 

Good use of English, flawed [but] human characters, humour that is hard-won by being funny but never nasty or salacious, and a plethora of South African brand names, make this book a must-have, and a marvelous present for those who have emigrated.

...a Local is Lekker masterpiece, Bree O’Mara has written a kindly caricature of the Rainbow Nation which translates into a gift that keeps giving.

Amanda Paton, reviewed in 'The Weekender' & at Library Thing

 

It’s a hilarious satirical book a la Tom Sharpe, on the foibles and fables of South Africa. Be you black, white, green or blue, this one should tickle your funny bone. Bree is an intelligent and witty writer...

The Times online

 

This is the funniest book I’ve read in ages. … You will love the craziness that sweeps over the town and the proverbial ‘storm in a tea cup” that is created by one person’s ambition which turns the town upside down. Please Bree O’Mara, please write many more books like this!

Nancy Hillary, reviewed in SAM, Forever Yours and Anytime Magazine

 

 

 

Readers Opinions

 

Great book!

If this one is not a success, then the SA public has its taste hidden up its backside.

My congratulations to (30°South Publishing) for bringing it out and to Bree O'Mara for writing a truly entertaining book.

from Chas, South Africa, via email

Finished Home Affairs last night. I loved  it, every moment of it, and I would say it has a great future. The characterisation is superb. In a small but very effective way the story gives the reader a feeling that the characters belong to a separate and distinct nation, despite their different origins. This will leave the average South African with a very pleasant sensation of unity. A superb effort!

from Thomas Michael, France, via email

You just have to write your next book!  I had many laughs with Home Affairs and am definitely a Bree fan now!  To add to my enjoyment of your book, my family had a farm near Underberg and later, a house in Himeville – many great memories popped out of the memory bank!

from Tessa, South Africa, via email

 

Just finished reading your book! I was not sure how it was going to ‘turn out’, I have to say it was an extremely clever and well thought out finale!

From ‘Crossed Wires’ onwards it was a riot, as good as any Carry On Film I have seen. I think it would make an excellent film. Certainly a sequel is waiting in the wings!

from Joe, England, via email

 

"G", Johannesburg, on G's blog