JJ Kitching, sports hero, war hero and family man – known as Kitchen Boy to his adoring public – lies dying and, through memories meandering through his last hours and the minds of those who attend his public funeral, this easy-to-read and captivating story reflects a vignette of the complexities of South African life, both past and present…in this thoroughly enjoyable read, Hobbs has perceptively and compassionately portrayed the intricacies of both human nature and of a country on the cusp of a bright new future where, as JJ discovered, luck matters and life is chancy. (Full review in WordsEtc, Second Quarter, 2011.) ( )