In the old days when my knees were good and my hair was funny, I worked as a standup comedian. It all started in the early 1980s when there was nowhere to do it and people like me worked night clubs, busker’s competitions, anywhere we could stand in front of people, talk and willingly accept … Continue reading When laughs cost money
The sad and sorry history of repetition
Sadly, the America currently screening on our television sets, computers, and our phones, is not new to me. It reminds me of the America first revealed through radio, newspapers and stories, way back in the 1950s and 60s. Angry mobs running, rioting, looting, screaming at police and national guardsmen who sometimes shoot at, and kill … Continue reading The sad and sorry history of repetition
The strange and curious case of Mitchell Basta/Vasta
For over two years now I have been taking calls for a Mitchell Basta, or Vasta. Who is he? No idea. Why am I taking his calls? Because, somehow, my mobile number has become his. At first, because the messages were pre-recorded with a pleasant female, foreign accented, voice and there was no one to … Continue reading The strange and curious case of Mitchell Basta/Vasta
A life redeemed
The writing has about it clarity and beauty. Jon made much of his living since returning to Australia as a comedian. As you would expect, a dry Australian humour permeates the narrative and lightens the serious themes. Buy your Return Ticket to Jack Muir’s story; it is an entertaining and thought-provoking journey. Click on Thoughts Provocateurs for … Continue reading A life redeemed
A master class in kitchen organisation
Pic by Wayne Harrington Southerly Magazine Jon Doust’s Return Ticket continues the journey of Jack Muir from a private boarding school in Perth to the New Guinea Highlands and now on board a passenger ship heading for Durban, South Africa. Jack’s journey is bookmarked by washing up ─ hands thrust into hot water, raw skin, … Continue reading A master class in kitchen organisation
Another friend’s review
Return Ticket, the final novel in Jon Doust's semi-autobiographical trilogy, is an unexpectedly satisfying read. Unexpected, because there was no certainty that there would be any kind of homecoming at all for the Jack Muir whose wild exploits as a troubled young man we followed through its predecessor To The Highlands. Not surprisingly, that middle … Continue reading Another friend’s review
Two wise men
Whenever authors release a new novel, my guess is there are always one or two individuals they would like to read the work, above all other readers. In my case, there were two, who, unfortunately, have both left us. The first was my father, Stan Doust, an avid reader, who once said to me: “Sometimes … Continue reading Two wise men
2020 the year of the book
Great year to release a book, she said. I laughed. I needed a laugh. Clearly, it is not a year for book releases – no launches, no public appearances, no signings. Doesn’t matter if it was the best book you ever wrote, the one to get you in the literary hall of fame. Anyway, there … Continue reading 2020 the year of the book
Debunking a myth
An extract set in Cape Town SA
A brief reading from Jack's time in Cape Town.Click anywhere above to get to YouTube.