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Goodbye Crackernight
Crackernight! One night a year, the infinite normality of the suburbs is shot with utter magic.
Goodbye, Crackernight is the story of one boy's childhood in 1970s Australia. It is a story of fireworks, of fun that cost nothing, of second-hand bikes, UFO-crowded skies, streakers, lime green Valiants, half-sucked Sunny Boys and electric pink hotpants. It is a story of growing up and innocence left behind - at a three-day swinging pool party. It is the tale of an era, of far simpler times, of an annual neighbourhood festival and an Australia now long gone.
Goodbye, Crackernight is the story of one boy's childhood in 1970s Australia. It is a story of fireworks, of fun that cost nothing, of second-hand bikes, UFO-crowded skies, streakers, lime green Valiants, half-sucked Sunny Boys and electric pink hotpants. It is a story of growing up and innocence left behind - at a three-day swinging pool party. It is the tale of an era, of far simpler times, of an annual neighbourhood festival and an Australia now long gone.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2009
1 person is currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Justin Sheedy
8 books15 followersJustin Sheedy had his first book, "Goodbye Crackernight", published in 2009, a comic memoir of growing up in 1970s Australia, back in a long-lost era when a child’s proudest possession was not a smart phone but a second-hand bike. "Goodbye Crackernight" was so warmly received by Australian readers that it secured Justin a place on the program of the prestigious Byron Bay Writers’ Festival 2010. In 2012 Justin released "Nor the Years Condemn", an historical fiction based on the stunning true story of the young Australian fighter pilots of World War Two. A tale as exhilaratingly heroic as it is tragic, "Nor the Years Condemn" is a portrait of shining young men destined never to grow old, and of those who do: the survivors 'condemned by the years', and to their memory of friends who remain forever young. In 2013 Justin released "Ghosts of the Empire", Book 2 in his "Nor the Years Condemn" series, and to Rave Reviews. In 2014 he released "Memoirs of a Go-Go Dancer", his rock & roll portrait of 1980s teenage under the threat of nuclear annihilation before he ever kissed a girl and his long-awaited sequel to "Goodbye Crackernight". He has just released his 5th book, "No Greater Love", Book 3 in his "Nor the Years Condemn" trilogy, to rave reviews & press coverage and sell-out book-signings. His books are available in ebook & paperback at Amazon, Dymocks bookstores, Gleebooks, Berkelouw Books, Booktopia, Waterstones Online, Barnes & Noble Online, The Book Depository and via ALL bookstores & online stores.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 1, 2015
Goodbye CrackernightIt doesn't matter whether you grew up in Epping or Elanora, if you grew up in the suburks in the 1970s, then you are in this book. If you've ever roamed your neighbourhood from dawn to dusk barefoot in summer with your mates, if you've ever egged each other on in feats of derring-do, like jumping off gutters dressed as Batman's Robin, then you'll love Goodbye Crackernight.
Reading Goodbye Crackernight is pleasurable nostalgia from cover to cover. You and the author are engaged in a cosy mate to mate conversation as you ride barefoot through the streets of your childhood. The introduction of 'let's pedal' sets the tone and at once you are a part of a warm family and friends. You are a part of the book and the book is a part of you.
It is rare that you will find a book so engaging that you forget you are in the modern world. Goodbye Crackernight did this seamlessly. I laughed through most, cried through some, even had a mini epiphany! This book is that special. Beautifully set out from beginning to end, you'll want to read it over and over. Come on, who doesn't miss crackernight?
Reading Goodbye Crackernight is pleasurable nostalgia from cover to cover. You and the author are engaged in a cosy mate to mate conversation as you ride barefoot through the streets of your childhood. The introduction of 'let's pedal' sets the tone and at once you are a part of a warm family and friends. You are a part of the book and the book is a part of you.
It is rare that you will find a book so engaging that you forget you are in the modern world. Goodbye Crackernight did this seamlessly. I laughed through most, cried through some, even had a mini epiphany! This book is that special. Beautifully set out from beginning to end, you'll want to read it over and over. Come on, who doesn't miss crackernight?
July 2, 2014
Laugh O.U.T. L.O.U.D. funny!
I'm just glad I didn't read it in any public space; totally hilarious with a grand dose of nostalgia thrown in. Oh, to find that photo of my beloved 1977 Malvern star - with gears and everything.
I have two words to say to Justin: "string-art"!
For anyone who lived through the 1970's this book will make you (nearly) wet yourself laughing - buy it!
Now, where is that crochet hook?
I'm just glad I didn't read it in any public space; totally hilarious with a grand dose of nostalgia thrown in. Oh, to find that photo of my beloved 1977 Malvern star - with gears and everything.
I have two words to say to Justin: "string-art"!
For anyone who lived through the 1970's this book will make you (nearly) wet yourself laughing - buy it!
Now, where is that crochet hook?
January 15, 2016
What a lovely book.
Thank you Justin for opening up some deep seated memories, including some sad ones.
I was particularly moved with your reaction to the passing of your nan, and I can only say that you have my heart felt sympathy at what you went through. I was 26 when my own maternal grandmother passed away and I assure you my reaction was the same as yours. My emotions hardened after that episode and I have never wept for anyone else's passing in the same way.
That said, the rest of your nostalgic memories brought back many of my own. I may be several years older than you, Justin, but we travelled the same time journey, just at different ages and on the other side of the world from each other, however the stories are the same. I smiled and roared with laughter [disturbing many a fellow commuter in the process]; I reflected and shed a tear. In the end such a book is a wonderful thing.
I will now have to buy and read your sequel... "Memories of a Go-Go Dancer", but first I must plough through some of the other books I have yet to read.
Thank you Justin for opening up some deep seated memories, including some sad ones.
I was particularly moved with your reaction to the passing of your nan, and I can only say that you have my heart felt sympathy at what you went through. I was 26 when my own maternal grandmother passed away and I assure you my reaction was the same as yours. My emotions hardened after that episode and I have never wept for anyone else's passing in the same way.
That said, the rest of your nostalgic memories brought back many of my own. I may be several years older than you, Justin, but we travelled the same time journey, just at different ages and on the other side of the world from each other, however the stories are the same. I smiled and roared with laughter [disturbing many a fellow commuter in the process]; I reflected and shed a tear. In the end such a book is a wonderful thing.
I will now have to buy and read your sequel... "Memories of a Go-Go Dancer", but first I must plough through some of the other books I have yet to read.
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May 10, 2013ok
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews