Childhood of an Idiot

by Dom Harvey

I entered the world kicking and screaming in 1973. I put my theatrical entrance down to me craving a nicotine fix. Mom smoked, like a chimney, right through the nine months of pregnancy. As far as anyone knew back then, smoking was good for the unborn child. I'm pretty sure smoking was even permitted in the Plunket rooms mom and I used to go to before I was born. How I survived to tell the tale of my young years is a miracle—we had no seatbelts, no bike helmets, no sun screen, we had trampolines with exposed springs, playgrounds with concrete floors, we shared bath water, the dentist was known as the murder house, and we had to endure summers with lawn prickles as ferocious as land-mines. Back then service stations gave you service and petrol. I never saw mom get out of the car at a forecourt, she'd just wind the window down and hold the money out. If she tried that now she could be parked up at the pumps long enough for her family to file a missing persons report. This is the story of my childhood. But it is probably the story of yours as well if you grew up in the 1980s. This is a book for any New Zealander who has ever been told to stop crying or you will be given something to really cry about.

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never heard of the author before picking this book up to read, as I have not lived in New Zealand. I chose to read it because it was about growing up in the 70s and 80s (he being close to my age) and it looked to be amusing. The book proved to be very amusing, actually. And despite his background of being Anglo Middleclassed New Zealander, to my Southern European Working class Australian, there was plenty there to relate to - sometimes with fondness and sometimes with lots of cringing.
Very down to earth, with a conversational style - this book was easy to read. I found myself laughing out loud a lot.
If you’re an Australian or NZ GenXer, you’ll probably get a good laugh out of this book.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I found in a book clearance sale for $5 - well what a surprise. I could relate to the era of the 70 and 80s. I had many nostalgic moments and felt transported back in time. The book was hilarious and had me laughing out loud. Dominic is well known in NZ and he is a bit of a personality and likes to crack many a joke. I think he has done a great job in sharing his memoirs of growing up.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Being of a similar age as Dom I found myself saying "I remember that" in just about every chapter. There were one or two "too much information" chapters I skipped and the language was a bit raw at times. A great read of life growing up in the 1980s in New Zealand.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect holiday read. Loved how kiwi it was and as a child of a big catholic family just a bit older than Dom, there were many similarities in our upbringings.

40 or so vignettes about different aspects of kiwi life in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

This is light reading definitely but enjoyable.

[Amanda Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

read in the past

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ebook. A bit of a smart-arse but entertaining enough.

[Rebecca Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about growing up in the 80s in NZ, in trademark Dominic Harvey humour

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not raised in the 80s, though I laughed at a lot of things throughout this book. It was as if a father figure were telling me the best (and worst) parts of his childhood.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahh the good old 1980s – seems just like yesterday! Radio personality Dom Harvey takes us on a trip down memory lane, remembering his childhood in the 1980s. A nostalgic trip down Memory Lane, ” Childhood of an Idiot” is actually a stark reminder of just how quickly things have changed – particulary with the advent of the computer. Harvey remembers the wow factor of the fax machine, now almost but not quite obsolete. Back in the day there were no cycle helmets, no seatbelts in cars, coffee was just instant, (none of this trim-soy-latte-mochachino stuff) and if you misbehaved – it was the belt for you. Couldn’t do that nowadays! A great read with many humorous anecdotes.

[Nic Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought the book on the day it was published. Had me crying with laughter only 3 pages in !!! Gave me so many childhood memories I had forgotten about ;-) My husband and I have both managed to read it in 4 days, which is really saying something as my husband doesn't read books often but he couldn't put this down, Absolutely love Dom's honesty - Hilarious .... brilliant read for ANYONE. Haven't read his previous book, but can't wait to buy it now. LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Funny read about growing up in the 70s and 80s. So many things I had forgotten, Sparkles! 10 cent mixes at the dairy. Milk tokens. The crazy way parents thought back then, totally un PC. Made me laugh.

[Smokerjoerabbit Tong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in the Manawatu in the '70s and '80s this is a book I could relate to...an insiders comical look into life in New Zealand esp in the '80s. Funny, easily written and an overall great book

[Luigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad Dom isn't a member of my family! This is a good read for anyone who grew up in NZ in the 70's and 80's.

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious in parts. if you grew up in NZ in the 1980s, this is a must read! I held back one star as i found it a bit repetitive.

[Megan Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as funny/good as his first book but still kept my attention.

[Tracy Webster]

what a laugh, so many things are true about growing up in the 80's. loved reading it

[Gary Pointon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, very boring