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Lockie Leonard #2
Scumbuster
Lockie's life is a disaster area. His new best friend is probably the oddest human being on planet Earth and, to round things off, he's fallen for a kid still in primary school who even surfs better than him. Can things get worse? This book is the sequel to "Lockie Leonard, Human Torpedo".
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
11 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Tim Winton
76 books2,367 followersTim Winton was born in Perth, Western Australia, but moved at a young age to the small country town of Albany.
While a student at Curtin University of Technology, Winton wrote his first novel, An Open Swimmer. It went on to win The Australian/Vogel Literary Award in 1981, and launched his writing career. In fact, he wrote "the best part of three books while at university". His second book, Shallows, won the Miles Franklin Award in 1984. It wasn't until Cloudstreet was published in 1991, however, that his career and economic future were cemented.
In 1995 Winton’s novel, The Riders, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, as was his 2002 book, Dirt Music. Both are currently being adapted for film. He has won many other prizes, including the Miles Franklin Award three times: for Shallows (1984), Cloudstreet (1992) and Dirt Music (2002). Cloudstreet is arguably his best-known work, regularly appearing in lists of Australia’s best-loved novels. His latest novel, released in 2013, is called Eyrie.
He is now one of Australia's most esteemed novelists, writing for both adults and children. All his books are still in print and have been published in eighteen different languages. His work has also been successfully adapted for stage, screen and radio. On the publication of his novel, Dirt Music, he collaborated with broadcaster, Lucky Oceans, to produce a compilation CD, Dirt Music – Music for a Novel.
He has lived in Italy, France, Ireland and Greece but currently lives in Western Australia with his wife and three children.
While a student at Curtin University of Technology, Winton wrote his first novel, An Open Swimmer. It went on to win The Australian/Vogel Literary Award in 1981, and launched his writing career. In fact, he wrote "the best part of three books while at university". His second book, Shallows, won the Miles Franklin Award in 1984. It wasn't until Cloudstreet was published in 1991, however, that his career and economic future were cemented.
In 1995 Winton’s novel, The Riders, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, as was his 2002 book, Dirt Music. Both are currently being adapted for film. He has won many other prizes, including the Miles Franklin Award three times: for Shallows (1984), Cloudstreet (1992) and Dirt Music (2002). Cloudstreet is arguably his best-known work, regularly appearing in lists of Australia’s best-loved novels. His latest novel, released in 2013, is called Eyrie.
He is now one of Australia's most esteemed novelists, writing for both adults and children. All his books are still in print and have been published in eighteen different languages. His work has also been successfully adapted for stage, screen and radio. On the publication of his novel, Dirt Music, he collaborated with broadcaster, Lucky Oceans, to produce a compilation CD, Dirt Music – Music for a Novel.
He has lived in Italy, France, Ireland and Greece but currently lives in Western Australia with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 10, 2024
Touching story, friendships, bro’s before ho’s.
Two new kids at school form an unlikely friendship. Lockie, the bleach-blonde surfie and Egg, the headbanger with jet black hair. When Lockie helps push Egg on a makeshift canoe across the bay, they stumble into a sloshpit of ooey sludge. There begins a quest to put a stop to the pollution. How can they call the people to action? How can they outsmart the people responsible? Lockie has a crush on a vacationer, Dot (who’s probably not age appropriate, and isn’t a ho) and slackens off, leaving his friend in the lurch and not being there for him when he needs him. Lots of life lessons learned for all involved.
I read the first book in the series in school, and this was the second one. Yes, it’s an usual choice for me. It was for a mini challenge to get one point per person’s name in the title. But that’s done now.
Two new kids at school form an unlikely friendship. Lockie, the bleach-blonde surfie and Egg, the headbanger with jet black hair. When Lockie helps push Egg on a makeshift canoe across the bay, they stumble into a sloshpit of ooey sludge. There begins a quest to put a stop to the pollution. How can they call the people to action? How can they outsmart the people responsible? Lockie has a crush on a vacationer, Dot (who’s probably not age appropriate, and isn’t a ho) and slackens off, leaving his friend in the lurch and not being there for him when he needs him. Lots of life lessons learned for all involved.
I read the first book in the series in school, and this was the second one. Yes, it’s an usual choice for me. It was for a mini challenge to get one point per person’s name in the title. But that’s done now.
May 10, 2013
I really enjoyed the characterization on Egg. I thought the way that Lockie's parents handled his depression and teenaged sulking were funny. There's a lot of funny with this book. I also enjoyed that it didn't wrap up in a perfectly happy ending.
I read the book first. Now I know there was a book earlier in this series, and I may pick it up if I run across it. Scumbuster was a good quick, light read but it didn't have an amazing bit of depth or awesomeness to it.
Perhaps the series as a whole is better.
I read the book first. Now I know there was a book earlier in this series, and I may pick it up if I run across it. Scumbuster was a good quick, light read but it didn't have an amazing bit of depth or awesomeness to it.
Perhaps the series as a whole is better.
October 1, 2008
A surfer boy and a heavy metal kid fight local polluters in Australia. Great slang language and humorous.
March 30, 2011
Read for year eight english, semester two
This was a decent, quick and fun book. I enjoyed it, though probably wont read again.
This was a decent, quick and fun book. I enjoyed it, though probably wont read again.
February 26, 2014
Not as good as Human Torpedo, bit of let down with regards to closure, all in all a good teenage read
November 10, 2010
I really liked the idea of this book, and I was sad that it wasn't better written, but the characters were flat and I didn't find them compelling at all, and the plot felt VERY contrived.
January 9, 2024
There's something rather special about Tim Winton's 'Lockie Leonard' books for someone like me, even though I'm well and truly outside the target age group of the series, and I certainly have no links to or interest in Winton's fascination with surfie culture in Wester Australia. The thing is, in Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster as in his previous entry, Lockie Leonard: Human Torpedo, many an Australian man will recognise the experiences and emotions the eponymous protagonist of these delightfully funny and moving young adult novels. The embarrassment of families who never seem to understand, dealing with school and adults in general, navigating through the murky waters of young love (and lust), mateship and all that entials, oh and the popular culture we submerge ourselves in; it's all here. The details of the ride might be different, yet we have all tried to experience it and perhaps look back on that time with serious nostalgic warmth.
That Lockie in this, the second entry in Winton's series, goes through another love affair whilst getting over the end of his first offers some joy for those who are returning to his fictional journey. There is undoubted pleasure to see Leonard trying to work out what is going on in his head and heart when he meets Dot, a girl who is both younger than him and a better surfer. However, whilst it is a key element of the novel, it's perhaps not as central to Winton's narrative nor to Lockie's character as it could be.
Where Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster finds its centrality is in the relationship between Lockie and his new best mate Egg. The relationship that develops between these two boys is crucial to the book because it is through these characters that Winton finds room to talk more movingly about the alienation and inarticulate lives young boys can experience. Lockie is hardly a role model for the perfect Aussie teenage boy, but he loved and he is relatively comfortable in his world. Egg, for all his pleasant affectations including a love of heavy metal and creating his own neologisms, is more troubled and in more emotional pain. Lockie and Egg come together so as to learn in some way how to cope with their varying degrees of unhappiness, and whilst their mateship doesn't run smoothly, they are both enriched because of this.
Another key aspect of Winton's story is the focus on life in a small Australian town, and whilst it is arguably too monocultural, it still rings true. The battle waged by Lockie, Egg and others in their circle against a large polluting business in the town of Angelus might be a convenient plot point for Winton, however the novelist understands how certain communities live and die with that one large employer. The politics of the narrative are appropriately Green, and whilst some might consider this a cynical play by Winton I would suggest it's 100% honest. The author, through Lockie, is aware of the beauty of the Australian land and seascape and this is important to how one reads this book.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster is Winton's prose. For those of us who are familiar with either his colloquialisms and slang, or the pop culture references he makes, this book is a veritable gold mine of funny and apt lines. For example, when Lockie goes looking for a Christmas present for Dot, Winton writes the following:
"The first major Christmas present he saw was a tee-shrt hanging in the window of Bert's House of High Fashion. Bert's was the kind of shop that sold clothes and novelities. You know, things like rubber sick and onion-flavoured chewing gum. It made K-Mart look severely up-market. The tee-shirt had printed on the front:
FASHION CAPITALS OF THE WORLD
NEW YORK
PARIS
ROME
ANGELUS"
Earlier on there is this delightful vignette with Lockie and Dot in conversation:
""Spying on me?"
"No, just watching."
"Waht's teh diff?"
"I dunno," admitted Lockie.
Dot turned aside and cleared her nose - a classic bushman's blow, as he looked on in horror. Geeze, that was hardly poetry in motion. He did it himself after a surf - had to but he was a bloke, wasn't he?"
Winton captures the flavour of an admittedly past Australian voice, and whilst it may elude younger readers of Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster, it certainly won't escape an older audience. The author is also a master of similes and metaphors, key elements of Australian English. One can't read this book and not hear an authentic Australian voice in Winton's prose.
Now is Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster a great read? Yes and no. It certainly appealed to me and I enjoyed it immensely. However, and this is an important caveat, for a contemporary young readership it might miss the target. The world that Winton depicts is not one that teenagers will readily recognise today. That's not the fault of the author; it's just that what was fresh and real 10 years ago has become slightly superseded. On the other hand, the emotional elements of the book still hold true and probably will for many a year to come. If there is one significant point to pivot any argument on re the value of Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster it's this; as a fictional exploration of a young Aussie boy's inner life it's pretty bloody grouse.
That Lockie in this, the second entry in Winton's series, goes through another love affair whilst getting over the end of his first offers some joy for those who are returning to his fictional journey. There is undoubted pleasure to see Leonard trying to work out what is going on in his head and heart when he meets Dot, a girl who is both younger than him and a better surfer. However, whilst it is a key element of the novel, it's perhaps not as central to Winton's narrative nor to Lockie's character as it could be.
Where Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster finds its centrality is in the relationship between Lockie and his new best mate Egg. The relationship that develops between these two boys is crucial to the book because it is through these characters that Winton finds room to talk more movingly about the alienation and inarticulate lives young boys can experience. Lockie is hardly a role model for the perfect Aussie teenage boy, but he loved and he is relatively comfortable in his world. Egg, for all his pleasant affectations including a love of heavy metal and creating his own neologisms, is more troubled and in more emotional pain. Lockie and Egg come together so as to learn in some way how to cope with their varying degrees of unhappiness, and whilst their mateship doesn't run smoothly, they are both enriched because of this.
Another key aspect of Winton's story is the focus on life in a small Australian town, and whilst it is arguably too monocultural, it still rings true. The battle waged by Lockie, Egg and others in their circle against a large polluting business in the town of Angelus might be a convenient plot point for Winton, however the novelist understands how certain communities live and die with that one large employer. The politics of the narrative are appropriately Green, and whilst some might consider this a cynical play by Winton I would suggest it's 100% honest. The author, through Lockie, is aware of the beauty of the Australian land and seascape and this is important to how one reads this book.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster is Winton's prose. For those of us who are familiar with either his colloquialisms and slang, or the pop culture references he makes, this book is a veritable gold mine of funny and apt lines. For example, when Lockie goes looking for a Christmas present for Dot, Winton writes the following:
"The first major Christmas present he saw was a tee-shrt hanging in the window of Bert's House of High Fashion. Bert's was the kind of shop that sold clothes and novelities. You know, things like rubber sick and onion-flavoured chewing gum. It made K-Mart look severely up-market. The tee-shirt had printed on the front:
FASHION CAPITALS OF THE WORLD
NEW YORK
PARIS
ROME
ANGELUS"
Earlier on there is this delightful vignette with Lockie and Dot in conversation:
""Spying on me?"
"No, just watching."
"Waht's teh diff?"
"I dunno," admitted Lockie.
Dot turned aside and cleared her nose - a classic bushman's blow, as he looked on in horror. Geeze, that was hardly poetry in motion. He did it himself after a surf - had to but he was a bloke, wasn't he?"
Winton captures the flavour of an admittedly past Australian voice, and whilst it may elude younger readers of Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster, it certainly won't escape an older audience. The author is also a master of similes and metaphors, key elements of Australian English. One can't read this book and not hear an authentic Australian voice in Winton's prose.
Now is Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster a great read? Yes and no. It certainly appealed to me and I enjoyed it immensely. However, and this is an important caveat, for a contemporary young readership it might miss the target. The world that Winton depicts is not one that teenagers will readily recognise today. That's not the fault of the author; it's just that what was fresh and real 10 years ago has become slightly superseded. On the other hand, the emotional elements of the book still hold true and probably will for many a year to come. If there is one significant point to pivot any argument on re the value of Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster it's this; as a fictional exploration of a young Aussie boy's inner life it's pretty bloody grouse.
Read
April 1, 2016Thirteen-year-old Lockie has been dumped by his girlfriend, Vicki. He meets a new friend called Egg (Geoff Eggleston) who seems to be the total opposite of Lockie – surfer and bogan. Despite their differences, the two boys forge a friendship and come together to fight for a common cause - a local environmental disaster.
An important message that shines through the friendship of Lockie and Egg is that looks are only skin-deep and one should not judge a person on their appearance but rather spend the time to get to know the real person.
I love the Aussie humour and sense of place in this novel. A great teen read.
An important message that shines through the friendship of Lockie and Egg is that looks are only skin-deep and one should not judge a person on their appearance but rather spend the time to get to know the real person.
I love the Aussie humour and sense of place in this novel. A great teen read.
March 25, 2017
Lockie is a surfer dude; Egg is a dead head. Together they make an unlikely pair of environmentalists. And when their polluted harbor starts to wreak, they start a campaign against the factories that are responsible. Lockie even gets Dot, the pretty surfer who is just visiting, involved. But things aren't all peaches and cream - when Egg's father gets fired, their friendship takes on new meaning.
March 18, 2018
Tim Winton has made a better impression on me than with his Cloudstreet. The book describes the life of the 13-year-old Lockie Leonard. He falls in and out of love and fights for the environment. The use of descriptive language makes it easy for the audience to connect to the characters.
I will probably use it in my year 7 or year 8 class to study characterisation or environmental issues.
I will probably use it in my year 7 or year 8 class to study characterisation or environmental issues.
September 14, 2018
You want great Australian Young Adult books then look no further than this series!!
I did not read them at school and now I wish I had. Listening to them as a 40 year man has been thoroughly enjoyable and makes me think back and relate to my own early teen years.
I will be spruiking these mercilessly to anyone I find who has not read them in my Library. Young, old or in between.
I did not read them at school and now I wish I had. Listening to them as a 40 year man has been thoroughly enjoyable and makes me think back and relate to my own early teen years.
I will be spruiking these mercilessly to anyone I find who has not read them in my Library. Young, old or in between.
December 23, 2008
It was either 06 or 07 that I read this. It's been a long time. I like the environmental theme, yoo. ;)
May 18, 2010
great book by great author; more for the 10 to 14 year olds
January 15, 2013
Not bad. A bit simple, but some pretty cool characters help carry the story.
Read
August 14, 2013How do I read this book? I'm new so I'm not too sure how to use this
June 5, 2014
Pretty good needs more action
November 17, 2020
had to read this monstrosity of a book in year 8 english. honestly this book was designed for 9 year old boys, the hunker was bad and the characters had no depth. i hated reading it and i hated having to write a monologue about it even more. shout out to my bby moji for staying by my side while i read this. there was no climax to the book and i found myself hating all of the characters. i do not recommend this book to anyone ever. please don’t read this. tim winton senpai notice me uwu.
November 12, 2024
I think all the negative reviews are those of the age group the stories are aimed at. The sad price of fame.
Lots of life lessons again told with lots of humour and pathos. Would have been helpful to have had something like this when I was Lockie's age.
Audio version.
The story teller once again has that schizophrenic magic to pull off all the characters and make them believable.
Thanks Tim
Lots of life lessons again told with lots of humour and pathos. Would have been helpful to have had something like this when I was Lockie's age.
Audio version.
The story teller once again has that schizophrenic magic to pull off all the characters and make them believable.
Thanks Tim
November 8, 2018
Not my type of book. It was funny in places and a bit serious in others. In all it was an easy read
June 4, 2019
I REALLY hated this book, the writing style was really bad. Just saying
December 1, 2024
Read November 2024. Copy from discarded Wycliffe class set.
December 19, 2014
Lockie and Egg are on a mission to clean up the bay when they learn the local factory has been polluting it. With the help of their guidance counsellor and his pretty niece, they fight the council and big business.
February 29, 2012
A good book, though the ending really bored me.
August 19, 2014
Lets just say I wouldn't read it if I didn't have to read it for school I would not have read it. Definitely not one of my favorite books.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews