The Bogan Book Club

by John Larkin

James Larwood’s life is perfect – until a single mistake sees him lose everything. When James is released from prison, he is penniless and potentially homeless. Enter James’ tradie brother, Larry, who employs him as a cleaner and starts a factory Book Club to try and get his brother back on his feet. James expects to be lumped with a bunch of uneducated bogans and westies, but comes to realise that this group of misfits are some of the warmest, funniest and most intelligent humans he has ever met.
Can James claw back the life he once had? The Bogan Book Club – You won’t know whether to laugh or cry, so you’ll probably do both.

Genres: Comedy, Fiction, Contemporary, Book Club, Australia, Adult Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2024

About the author

Sydney-based author and screenwriter, John Larkin, was born in England but grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. He has, at various stages of his writing career, supported his habit by working as a supermarket trolley boy, shelf-stacker, factory hand, forklift driver, professional soccer player and computer programmer. He now writes full-time. John has a BA in English Literature and a MA in Creative Writing from Macquarie University. John is currently the Writer-in-Residence at Knox Grammar School and UTS (School of Education).

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one as part of a travelling book club that I have joined and I laughed and laughed while reading this one, there are so many emotions running through the story as we get to know James and the people who work in a factory in the Western Suburbs of Sydney, come along and meet them.

James was married and loving his job as a teacher but when he makes the decision to move from a prestige girl’s college and go out to the western suburbs so as he can help more kids learn, changes his life forever, a terrible single mistake sees him lose the life he knew and now having just been released from prison he is penniless, that is until his brother gets him a job at the factory where he is manager.

It is not long before James who is known as The Professor is fitting in well with the people who work there, who all have nick names and they start a book club James is shocked that these bogan's and Westies are actually knowledgeable in ways he never thought and that they care about each other and soon they all feel like family as they read and discuss some well know classics.

This book has so much going for it truly I laughed so much at times but there were times when I felt sad for some of these characters that I got to know their hearts are filled with caring the langue that is used was easy for me to understand even though I being a Westie do not speak like that there are people here in Australia who do LOL, I do recommend this one to any reader who wants to feel the emotions of these characters, who likes to cheer the underdog on and who loves a good laugh.

My thanks to Karren for staring this fabulous book club.

[Mark White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is begging to be filmed as an ABC mini series. It's got everything - colourful Aussie characters, constant giggles through much of the book, drama and tragedy as the cause of the protagonist's jail time is revealed, romance, a stereotypically sleazy villain and finally the drama and comedy as the book club take the law into their own hands. You can visualise it all happening as the story proceeds.

Why not five stars? Minor things really and maybe a reaction against all the five star 'fan club' reviews. The voices don't sound like Bogans I Have Known (I have led teams of tradies and their unqualified assistants before), the romance is a too good to be true, Wilma (the lead bogan) starts off too dumb for words yet finishes as surprisingly intelligent and finally the police generally take a dim view of people taking the law into their own hands, of which someone recently released from jail would be well aware.

So come on ABC, this one's got to be on your list. There are elements of unreality in this but easily tweaked in the film script and minor niggles aside it's an excellent read. Maybe 4.5 stars?

[Aunty Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like reading books about books and the people who read them, but this novel is completely different to anything else I have ever read. James, an educated man and a published author, made a terrible mistake and now he works as a factory cleaner. With the help of his brother he starts a Book Club with an eclectic mix of characters who work in one capacity or another on the factory floor. The Book Club thrives, even though there’s only a 50-50 chance that any of the members will have read the assigned books. But, the discussions are thought provoking and strong bonds of friendship are formed between the group’s members. This book is unashamedly Australian. The language and cultural references may confuse non-Aussie readers. But this book is, nonetheless, a wonderful experience. I laughed, I cried, I groaned and I smiled. Give this one a go! It may not end up being a best seller, but it is a bloody good story.

[Karena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable with great side characters. Was fun knowing a few of the places mentioned.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read with great characters. Bit of mystery, humour, romance, kindness, literary references. Very Aussie - I think some of the language and references would be lost to non-Aussies.

Not enough books are set in the western suburbs of Sydney! Draw on what you know, they say! The narrator mentions Miss McDonald as the German teacher when his sister played a prank on him. Miss McDonald was the much loved German teacher in the 80s at Pendle Hill HS. Taught my sister and me. And I know John Larkin had her in Year 9. What a lovely homage.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The first book that has ever made me laugh out loud multiple times and the first book that I didn’t want to put down. I enjoyed the fact that the novel explored a deeper side of characters that at first glimpse appeared to serve simply as comedic relief. Wilma for one appears to be just some funny “Dozey Muppet” at first but through the book you get to see a more genuine and sincere side to him. Would and have recommended this book to others. Extremely enjoyable read.

[Lisa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to remind myself the kids and cat needed feeding between sittings of reading this book. It’s a book (almost) impossible to put down.

From the first page, I was hooked right into John Larkin’s masterful postmodern storytelling. This book, like his latest adult fiction novels (The Shadow Girl and The Pause) will not disappoint. What I find amazing about Larkin is how simply he writes yet his prose is beautifully thought provoking. I’ve just finished the last line of the book and immediately, I want to flip right back to the beginning again.

Because of the novel’s layers of complexity, there are moments that I’m sure I’ve missed. Woven between compelling character interplay and dialogue, there are pockets of richness and deep reflections- let’s call them ponderings.

Without giving away anything, this book deserves to be studied in schools because of its richness in themes concerning social class, friendship, loyalty, love, Australian identity and redemption. Not only does this book make it a worthwhile read, you will be buoyed throughout by Larkin’s light humorous style. The Bogun Book Club will send you on a journey of relatable laugh out loud and heart moving moments all in close proximity. I’m sure you will sigh when you reach the end.

[Nikki Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had potential to be wholesome and hilarious and instead it was simply, boring.

It came across as trying too hard, it went too far with the aussie bogan personas and also too far with trying to rid the stereotyping of bogans. All that took place was very random, disjointed and had no flow and if everything had just been reeled back slightly, this could have been a fab story of redemption, friendship and not judging a book by its cover.

My only real take away from this book was one of the book club picks that they had, being The Diving-Bell and The Butterfly - I was left so intrigued by the sound of this story, that I’ve popped in on hold at the library to give a read!

[Emma-Kate Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bogan Book Club, with its array of colourful and relatable characters, action, humour, as well as a few tears. Australian idiosyncrasies are so well conveyed throughout the story, with characters that stay with you long after you have finished reading. Well done to John Larkin for tackling some serious issues with humour, kindness and compassion. A definite summer read.

[Emma Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
i would never have picked this book out for myself but i found myself enjoying it despite that !!! it’s so fun reading a book about the area you grew up, it makes all the characters feel more real and i loved the concept of the bogan book club ahaha

[Carol Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my book club. Yes, a book club book about a book club.

Except this book isn’t really about a book club.

It’s a gentle read about acceptance and friendship, and the rewards that come from connecting with others.

A fun, non-demanding read, that should go down a treat at most Australian book clubs.

[Dania Warmerdam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even through a few annoyances I really loved this book. The typesetting was awful; as a person who styles type every day, the leading should not change from page to page. Also go back to teaching in prison was a great opportunity missed.
But in the end I laughed, I cried, and was thoroughly invested in their lives, especially as I grew up in the western suburbs and was mocked for being posh because I read books, liked art, and wanted to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible.
The book club was exactly as a book club should be, more about friendship, food and fun than in depth analysis and who can be the smartest.

[Jayne Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting! I was thinking light hearted and well, completely bogan! I was not expecting the bogan book club to be reading literary classics! Loved the analysis. It was just enough before it became too much.
It took me a bit of getting used to the "youse" etc even though as a bit of bogan I talk like this "meself" at times. It is one thing to talk in a bogan accent and another thing to read in a bogan accent! Thankfully I adapted reasonably quickly.
I found this story very relatable in that my Dad is a tradie, my husband became a tradie after moving to my country town, my son is nearly a qualified boilermaker. My Brisbane inlaws very much struggle with their "bogan" grandchildren complete with "bogan" accents that I don't even notice!
Anyway I digress, a great read, enjoyed it, laughed, felt sad, all the things yet at the same time inspiring. I did feel for James when he accidentally screwed up his teaching career. I work as a teacher in a disadvantaged school and it is extremely rewarding, tough, but rewarding. Thankfully I have yet (hopefully never) to go completely troppo at a student. Don't get me started on the trauma that these kids bring with them to school every day and the help and guidance they need! I must say I was ever so slightly put off when I read the author is a writer in residence at Knox Grammar - I went there for the Aussie pipe band champs back in 2016 (oh and excuse me Mr Larkin but bagpipes are awesome) and it was a very poopty pants school when looking through my very bogan eyes! But then I quickly realised that I shouldn't be judging either! This book has tried to teach us that! Also loved the side characters of Wilma and Tiffani! I think the more we start normalising gender neutral in our literature, the better society will be. Loved how the book also touched on he struggles others have when getting used to gender neutral pronouns, it meant that the book never felt "preachy" about gender neutral inclusiveness. Adam Hills summed it up perfectly in his Edinburgh Fringe show in 2024 - "just don't be a dick about it"
Be normal, ask questions, try your best, mistakes are ok if one is trying to get it right.

[Sue Thorpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The front cover of this one drew me in, and I couldn’t resist buying it! A perfect Aussie bogan book!

The main character, James, was actually the least “boganish” of all the characters in the book. Prior to finding himself imprisoned, he was a hard-working, published academic trying to teach and inspire underprivileged students. His fellow book club members all definitely had bogan traits, but they showed that these shouldn’t define them as there were many surprising layers underneath. They were a funny, unique, and likable bunch.

I love reading a book about books. I liked seeing which books he chose for his book club and what the other members made of them (those that actually bothered to read them!). The book club was as much about friendship, therapy, and support as it was about books, as each of their own stories unfolded.

I picked this up expecting a light-hearted, humorous read, but it was also surprisingly moving and emotional. Well written, it would also make a great television series.

Give it a fair dinkum go!

4.2 ⭐️'s

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely grouse. Youse guys are gonna love it!!!

[Aurora Neumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bogan Book Club challenges stereotypes and makes the reader look beyond the outside of a person, and question who they are in a positive way. Set in Sydney, with reference to class differences and difficulties of life as an ex-prisoner, the main character James navigates his new life as a cleaner in a factory with his group of friends, who (despite what one may initially see) are a group of strong-hearted and unique individuals, who prompt the reader to never judge a book by its cover. Larkin does well to utilize Australian colloquial and bogan language, something familiar to many readers, and use these characters to explore issues like domestic violence, marriage, religion, and the complexity of education, prison, and life as a human.

[Beverley Streater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book for Christmas 2024 and romped through it. Unabashedly Aussie language; universal themes. Found myself tittering throughout. Also, a few teary eye moments.

[Chantelle B Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book was surprisingly wholesome.

[Katrina Bradfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it- a real Aussie tale and really enjoyable. Feel good story screaming to be made into a film.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was laid back and enjoyable to read. If you're expecting a thriller, this is probably not the book for you. Although it does have a narrative, the sense I got when reading it, was that the narrative was of second importance to exploring the personalities in the story (and diving into the complexities/humour of them) and the essence of "Australianness" permeating through their stories - I have thoughts about what that means but I think you can decide that once you pick up the book and read it for yourself ;)

I once read a Margaret Atwood book on How to Read a Book. She says you can't properly read a book until you've written one yourself. Secondly, she also says that what you remember of a book is not necessarily the details inside them but the general aura/shape/feeling of the book.

I feel like I am digressing... but my point is that this is a proper Aussie book. It has the aura, shape, and feeling of one. It touches on so many different ways on how someone can be Australian, and it asks fundamental questions of what being "Australian" means considering our murky (and shameful) past. Like a lot of Larkin's prose, the writing is deceptively simple and I feel many readers might be put off by it. But, we also have to keep asking questions about what a book is, and what a book is meant to do. How much of that is decided in our heads before we even pick up the book and read the little blurb on the back?

TLDR an excellent read and made my little brain have a lot of thoughts in it. But, at the same time, it is not really a pretentious read. I also chuckled a lot with the REALLY creative slang and ways to say and do dumb stuff.

[WayneM0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for the library's book club which I'm leading in October and I enjoyed it even though it's not what I'd normally read.

The world building is strong and gives the reader a strong sense of the suburbs of contemporary Sydney. Not necessarily the parts of Sydney I am super familiar with but it's well written and it can really evoke a sense of the world they inhabit.

The characters are all interesting and all gel together quite well even though they are a varied and eclectic bunch.

The plot is fairly simple but moves along well and even though it does meander a little bit there is a strong sense of everything falling together. Perhaps in the final denouement a little too perfectly but given the subject matter it all fit together really well.

The themes are also good and based around stereotypes and redemption and acceptance and how the unlikeliest of people can become good friends.
There's also an exploration into grief (specifically child loss) and the devastating effects and changes that can make on people and their behaviour.
There's also a few discussions about the books they are reading and their themes amd I had read quite a few of them as well.

Overall an interesting study of modern Australian society especially those who have been pigeonholed into certain typesets but are not always as they seem especially when united with others who truly accept them for who they are.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Boring Book Club

[Penny O'shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up. What a delightful book! It was charming, funny, insightful and compelling all at once. Great characters and enough happening to keep you wanting to come back for more. I particularly loved all the Aussie sayings!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something light and easy to read. It flowed well and I enjoyed the storyline.

[Rekkii Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extra star for the bogan vibes

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious. The vernacular captured. A great read.

[Nissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is what Australian literature is supposed to be about!

Well done

Laughed a lot and some heartfelt responses - like the wine


Just so you know - sometimes - you got to actually read policies of the left and right before making a decision

[Susan` · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written story about friendship and life. Fall on the floor funny but touching too. Cannot recommend this highly enough.

[Michelle Greaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written, easy to picture the cast of characters! An easy to read good Aussie adventure

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very very funny book. Loved the intertwining of classic literature through the story. Loses a star for some of the dialogue though as it tried way too hard to be ocker.