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Being Black 'n Chicken, and Chips
A heartbreaking and often hilarious story about trying to grow up when everything is falling apart from one of Australia's leading comic talents.
Mike Amon is a regular teenager. All he wants is to fit in. He wants to sit at the cool bench. He wants to be a star athlete. He wants his first kiss.
He also wants his mum to survive.
When his mum is suddenly diagnosed with advanced breast and brain cancer, Mike knows it's a long shot, but if he manages to achieve his dreams, maybe it'll give his mum enough strength to beat an incurable disease.
In the meantime, he has to live with his African dad whom he doesn't really know, a man who has strange foreign ways - and who Mike doesn't really feel comfortable sharing his teenage desires and deepest fears with. He doesn't even want to think about what it might mean if his mum never comes home from the hospital.
Based on his award-winning stand-up show, and the loss of his own mother when he was 12, Matt Okine's coming-of-age novel, Being Black n Chicken and Chips, is a funny, heart-warming, and sometimes surreal look at how young people deal with grief, the loss of loved ones, and becoming an adult - all whilst desperately trying to fit in with the other kids.
Mike Amon is a regular teenager. All he wants is to fit in. He wants to sit at the cool bench. He wants to be a star athlete. He wants his first kiss.
He also wants his mum to survive.
When his mum is suddenly diagnosed with advanced breast and brain cancer, Mike knows it's a long shot, but if he manages to achieve his dreams, maybe it'll give his mum enough strength to beat an incurable disease.
In the meantime, he has to live with his African dad whom he doesn't really know, a man who has strange foreign ways - and who Mike doesn't really feel comfortable sharing his teenage desires and deepest fears with. He doesn't even want to think about what it might mean if his mum never comes home from the hospital.
Based on his award-winning stand-up show, and the loss of his own mother when he was 12, Matt Okine's coming-of-age novel, Being Black n Chicken and Chips, is a funny, heart-warming, and sometimes surreal look at how young people deal with grief, the loss of loved ones, and becoming an adult - all whilst desperately trying to fit in with the other kids.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2019
38 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 22, 2021
So much of the humour here is stuff I typically don't find very funny, but for whatever reason, I enjoyed it in this book. I'm not sure how best to describe it... Boy humour maybe, puberty focused, frequently ridiculous. I think I liked it because it was so well balanced with the serious stuff, so I was weirdly invested in all aspects of this kids life, from his concerns about his body to his fears about his Mum's illness.
I'm sure I would have liked reading this in print, but I do want to mention how much I loved Matt Okine's narration - - his own voice is pleasant to listen to, but he was also very good at the voices and accents of others.
I'm sure I would have liked reading this in print, but I do want to mention how much I loved Matt Okine's narration - - his own voice is pleasant to listen to, but he was also very good at the voices and accents of others.
January 4, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘It’s just … you can’t treat me like a kid anymore. I’ll be a grown up soon.’
Introduced as ‘intimate and affecting’ by Australian actress Claudia Karvan, Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is the fictional, but also semi-autobiographical novel by comedian Matt Okine. This coming of age story will draw in both young and adult fiction readers. Entertaining, humiliating and sad, Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is an honest portrayal of a boy learning to negotiate the difficult terrain of incoming teenage life.
Meet Mike Amon, a teenage boy who desperately wants to blend into the crowd. With aspirations to be a winning athlete and to experience his first kiss, Mike’s world comes crashing down when his mum is diagnosed with cancer. In honour of the mother he loves, Mike keeps plugging away at his dreams, he just wants to make his mum proud. He also has the hope that his mum will be cured of her cancer and return home. But Mike has a whole new set of problems to deal with. He is forced to reconnect with his estranged father, defeat the playground bullies and win the affections of the girl of his dreams. Mike is determined, but he is also scared that he is going to lose his mum. It is the fight of this young man’s life, told with a sense of conviction and offset by upbeat humour.
Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is not normally a book I would choose to read, especially after my recent encounter with a very well-known coming of age story that I just didn’t warm to. However, this was my book club book choice for December and I decided to give it a chance. Some elements did work for me, while others had me squirming! This was one cringeworthy tale at times, while desperately sad in other moments. What an interesting dichotomy.
Coming of age stories really seem to be on trend, especially in the Australian publishing industry, so Matt Okine has clearly tapped into this burgeoning genre. I believe Being Black ‘N Chicken, & Chips is loosely based on author Matt Okine’s childhood experiences of growing up and losing his mother at an early age. Before penning this novel, Okine channelled his childhood musings into his stand up show and he has now compiled these vignettes into his first novel. The result is a heartfelt and scathingly honest glimpse into the world inhabited by a teenage boy, learning the rules of life.
As this book is set in the late 1990s, there was definitely a sense of nostalgia that went with this book. This is a time that brought back fond memories of a much simpler and less busy way of life, along with the popular trends of the time. I think Okine did a good job of travelling back to this time and depicting it from the eyes of a confused teenage boy.
Relationships are a core theme in Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips. From Mike’s relationship with his mother, to his strained relationship with his father, his longing for Zoe and his tenuous schoolyard friends and foes. Okine’s approach to the themes of the book in general was relaxed and laid back. However, there were moments of high emotion, plunging dark points and utter humiliation.
Coming from a comedic background, Okine injects plenty of humour and genuinely funny moments within Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips. There were times when I felt he ventured a bit too far. I was reminded of films such as There’s Something About Mary and American Pie in some instances in this book, it was definitely quite crass. I think Okine has consciously balanced these comical moments with serious aspect of Mike’s journey, namely his worries about his mother’s illness.
Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips attacks the reality of being a teenager, dealing with small and larger scale problems. It is brushed with moments of clarity, wit and raw emotional pain. A story told with understanding and tongue in cheek humour, Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is a book that will link up well with a wide audience range.
‘It’s just … you can’t treat me like a kid anymore. I’ll be a grown up soon.’
Introduced as ‘intimate and affecting’ by Australian actress Claudia Karvan, Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is the fictional, but also semi-autobiographical novel by comedian Matt Okine. This coming of age story will draw in both young and adult fiction readers. Entertaining, humiliating and sad, Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is an honest portrayal of a boy learning to negotiate the difficult terrain of incoming teenage life.
Meet Mike Amon, a teenage boy who desperately wants to blend into the crowd. With aspirations to be a winning athlete and to experience his first kiss, Mike’s world comes crashing down when his mum is diagnosed with cancer. In honour of the mother he loves, Mike keeps plugging away at his dreams, he just wants to make his mum proud. He also has the hope that his mum will be cured of her cancer and return home. But Mike has a whole new set of problems to deal with. He is forced to reconnect with his estranged father, defeat the playground bullies and win the affections of the girl of his dreams. Mike is determined, but he is also scared that he is going to lose his mum. It is the fight of this young man’s life, told with a sense of conviction and offset by upbeat humour.
Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is not normally a book I would choose to read, especially after my recent encounter with a very well-known coming of age story that I just didn’t warm to. However, this was my book club book choice for December and I decided to give it a chance. Some elements did work for me, while others had me squirming! This was one cringeworthy tale at times, while desperately sad in other moments. What an interesting dichotomy.
Coming of age stories really seem to be on trend, especially in the Australian publishing industry, so Matt Okine has clearly tapped into this burgeoning genre. I believe Being Black ‘N Chicken, & Chips is loosely based on author Matt Okine’s childhood experiences of growing up and losing his mother at an early age. Before penning this novel, Okine channelled his childhood musings into his stand up show and he has now compiled these vignettes into his first novel. The result is a heartfelt and scathingly honest glimpse into the world inhabited by a teenage boy, learning the rules of life.
As this book is set in the late 1990s, there was definitely a sense of nostalgia that went with this book. This is a time that brought back fond memories of a much simpler and less busy way of life, along with the popular trends of the time. I think Okine did a good job of travelling back to this time and depicting it from the eyes of a confused teenage boy.
Relationships are a core theme in Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips. From Mike’s relationship with his mother, to his strained relationship with his father, his longing for Zoe and his tenuous schoolyard friends and foes. Okine’s approach to the themes of the book in general was relaxed and laid back. However, there were moments of high emotion, plunging dark points and utter humiliation.
Coming from a comedic background, Okine injects plenty of humour and genuinely funny moments within Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips. There were times when I felt he ventured a bit too far. I was reminded of films such as There’s Something About Mary and American Pie in some instances in this book, it was definitely quite crass. I think Okine has consciously balanced these comical moments with serious aspect of Mike’s journey, namely his worries about his mother’s illness.
Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips attacks the reality of being a teenager, dealing with small and larger scale problems. It is brushed with moments of clarity, wit and raw emotional pain. A story told with understanding and tongue in cheek humour, Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips is a book that will link up well with a wide audience range.
July 26, 2019
I received an ARC of this book.
I’m not going to lie...I cried.
This book is a story about a 12 year old trying to find his place in the world. His parents are divorced and he is falling in love for the first time. There is so much that Mike wants to do.
I am not going to give away the plot here but imagine an inquisitive boy trying to learn and know all there is to growing up. He gets into quite a few hilarious scrapes and situations which keeps this book light in the dark times.
When tragedy strikes, Mike struggles his way through this time, determined in everything he does, hoping it will keep the dark away. Your heart breaks for this young man as you watch and cringe through his struggles.
Great debut from Matt. I look forward to reading more.
I’m not going to lie...I cried.
This book is a story about a 12 year old trying to find his place in the world. His parents are divorced and he is falling in love for the first time. There is so much that Mike wants to do.
I am not going to give away the plot here but imagine an inquisitive boy trying to learn and know all there is to growing up. He gets into quite a few hilarious scrapes and situations which keeps this book light in the dark times.
When tragedy strikes, Mike struggles his way through this time, determined in everything he does, hoping it will keep the dark away. Your heart breaks for this young man as you watch and cringe through his struggles.
Great debut from Matt. I look forward to reading more.
August 27, 2020
2.5 Stars.
As a fan of Matt Okine's work, I really wanted to like this. However, I was really stumped by who the intended audience would be for this novel. It had YA themes, however, the heavy use of profanity and unrelenting penis references is what would prevent me from recommending it to my Year 8 students. Perhaps older teens would appreciate this coming of age story. For me, it was a bit too teenage-boyish and although I appreciated the tender moments, late 90s pop culture references and laughed out loud occassionally, I had to keep putting the book down between reading other novels. I'm now going to have my partner (a 40 year-old man) read it, as I'm curious to hear what he thinks.
As a fan of Matt Okine's work, I really wanted to like this. However, I was really stumped by who the intended audience would be for this novel. It had YA themes, however, the heavy use of profanity and unrelenting penis references is what would prevent me from recommending it to my Year 8 students. Perhaps older teens would appreciate this coming of age story. For me, it was a bit too teenage-boyish and although I appreciated the tender moments, late 90s pop culture references and laughed out loud occassionally, I had to keep putting the book down between reading other novels. I'm now going to have my partner (a 40 year-old man) read it, as I'm curious to hear what he thinks.
September 13, 2019
Set in 1998 Being Black and Chicken and Chips is about a teenage boy, Mike Amon, who is dealing with the usual pre-adolescent concerns of growing up, trying to understand his body and how to deal with and express his feelings towards girls, or one girl in particular. However life becomes even more chaotic and then traumatic when his mother is diagnosed with breast and brain cancer.
While this is a sad story, it also has a lot of humour with a very down to earth, young adult slant that obviously involves embarrassing moments and male ego competition!
I found the writing style to relaxed with the story line moving quickly and smoothly. The characters were well developed and realistic.
While a coming of age book what should appeal to young adults I found it enjoyable so would recommend it for all ages.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Hachette Australia for an ARC ebook to read and review.
While this is a sad story, it also has a lot of humour with a very down to earth, young adult slant that obviously involves embarrassing moments and male ego competition!
I found the writing style to relaxed with the story line moving quickly and smoothly. The characters were well developed and realistic.
While a coming of age book what should appeal to young adults I found it enjoyable so would recommend it for all ages.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Hachette Australia for an ARC ebook to read and review.
October 20, 2019
Matt Okine can tell a story, I think that’s shown in his stand up and previous works on radio and tv. This is a nostalgic pathway through death, teenage love and growing up in general. It flows very well and is very easy to read. A perfect balance of comedy and tragedy.
April 26, 2020
Completely real rawness delivered in an effortless writing style. Could taste the dusty heat of the show ground and feel the cool tiles of the chill zone. Triple J to this goodie of a book, well done Matt!
May 1, 2023
This book was so sad but it had a good amount of humour that it wasn’t too depressing. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the Aussie jokes and metaphors. Overall a pretty good read apart from a few strange parts.
October 29, 2019
I found this one really interesting, I am coming from a children's and YA background, and I wanted to see where this book might fit in a High School library, as the protagonist is a 12 year old boy.
This book is published as, and marketed, as an Adult title, but to me it read like a YA. The only thing that will jump it up the age bracket for me, is the language (swearing), and maybe Mike's preoccupation with his penis :)
It's a coming of age story, a story of first love, schoolyard bullies and a story of the most heartbreaking loss you can imagine at 12. It has a good blend of humour throughout the story though, and that helps to take the edge of the tragedy that is unfolding for Mike.
The loss of his mother, and the confusion and questions surrounding growing up were honest and believable, if sometimes uncomfortable to read...but that's life, sometimes uncomfortable, especially if you are a 12 year old boy I would imagine.
The 90s setting was fun to revisit, for someone who lived through it, and I don't think it will jar with any readers who may not even remember a corded telephone!
As someone who sells books to schools, I would have loved this to to be toned down slightly on the language front, and maybe a few less penis scenes....but that's just me being greedy, because I liked this book, and I would love for it to be a story for ages 11+, as well as adults and older teens.
Thanks to Hachette and Net Galley for the opportunity to review.
This book is published as, and marketed, as an Adult title, but to me it read like a YA. The only thing that will jump it up the age bracket for me, is the language (swearing), and maybe Mike's preoccupation with his penis :)
It's a coming of age story, a story of first love, schoolyard bullies and a story of the most heartbreaking loss you can imagine at 12. It has a good blend of humour throughout the story though, and that helps to take the edge of the tragedy that is unfolding for Mike.
The loss of his mother, and the confusion and questions surrounding growing up were honest and believable, if sometimes uncomfortable to read...but that's life, sometimes uncomfortable, especially if you are a 12 year old boy I would imagine.
The 90s setting was fun to revisit, for someone who lived through it, and I don't think it will jar with any readers who may not even remember a corded telephone!
As someone who sells books to schools, I would have loved this to to be toned down slightly on the language front, and maybe a few less penis scenes....but that's just me being greedy, because I liked this book, and I would love for it to be a story for ages 11+, as well as adults and older teens.
Thanks to Hachette and Net Galley for the opportunity to review.
September 25, 2019
I got the audiobook of this book and loved every second of it. The perfect combination of funny, sad and awkward- I wonderful story of adolescences. A perfect recount of life for a teenage Australian that will relate to all aussies regardless of age. The audiobook, narrated by Matt himself was excellent, his voices bringing the characters to life. Honestly found myself laughing out loud and crying throughout. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.
October 7, 2020
A sweet work of fiction about what I assume is taken from Matt Okine’s real life growing up. It’s funny, heartwarming & heartbreaking. If you like Matt’s show The Other Guy, you’ll enjoy this - kinda like a teenage version of that!
October 19, 2019
I laughed out loud and I sobbed. Absolute must-read. This one is going to stay with me for a long time.
June 30, 2020
A great book, well written with lots of laughs and really feels like reading the diary of a young Matt Okine
September 4, 2019
* I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. *
This is a coming of age story about Mike, a pre-pubescent mixed-race boy, subject to all the usual traumas of impending adolescence. He is keen on Zoe and wants desperately to impress her by competing in an athletics event, but faces competition from bully-boy Skon.
In the midst of Mike's floundering attempts to impress, he is jerked back to earth by the news that his mother has been diagnosed with cancer. In many ways that causes him to go even more off the rails, but there is also a developing sense of underlying seriousness behind the false bravado of Mike and his friends.
There is a terrific story to be told here, not least because Okine went through this loss himself, but I just found it too clunky. I'm not a fan of humour where people are embarrassed and humiliated and whenever Okine reached for the humour in a situation, I just winced rather than laughed at the silly travails he put Mike through. I have read much better books about similar situations that manage to be both funny and serious, without being excruciating.
This is a coming of age story about Mike, a pre-pubescent mixed-race boy, subject to all the usual traumas of impending adolescence. He is keen on Zoe and wants desperately to impress her by competing in an athletics event, but faces competition from bully-boy Skon.
In the midst of Mike's floundering attempts to impress, he is jerked back to earth by the news that his mother has been diagnosed with cancer. In many ways that causes him to go even more off the rails, but there is also a developing sense of underlying seriousness behind the false bravado of Mike and his friends.
There is a terrific story to be told here, not least because Okine went through this loss himself, but I just found it too clunky. I'm not a fan of humour where people are embarrassed and humiliated and whenever Okine reached for the humour in a situation, I just winced rather than laughed at the silly travails he put Mike through. I have read much better books about similar situations that manage to be both funny and serious, without being excruciating.
March 1, 2021
Having listened to Matt Okine on the radio for a few years, I knew bits and pieces of his story going into this book - and it certainly matched my expectations. It's a beautifully nostalgic, hilarious, sweet and heartbreaking story of a kid who is trying to grow up when his whole life is falling apart.
There are some top-notch dick jokes included, but (to my sense of humour at least), they weren't overdone. I laughed, I cried, and I loved how real this story felt. A great read.
There are some top-notch dick jokes included, but (to my sense of humour at least), they weren't overdone. I laughed, I cried, and I loved how real this story felt. A great read.
September 20, 2019
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Hachette Australia via NetGalley
Set in 1998, we follow Mike as he begins his first year of high school whilst navigating his mum's advanced cancer diagnoses and the likely outcome of having to live with his dad full-time. It is loosely based on Okine's childhood and losing his own mother at age 12.
This is a narrative full of feeling and I can't deny that I was teary at various points throughout the book. It is such an engaging read; packed with every emotional state you remember experiencing at twelve. All of those emotions so vivid and relevant at that prepubescent age when you wholeheartedly believe you're the only one to have ever experienced such extreme swinging feelings. I highly enjoyed the style in which Okine wrote and felt affection for all the characters woven throughout.
This book took me back to my childhood and the first developed fiction that I fell deeply in love with, "Looking for Alibrandi". That book truly shaped me when I first read it at thirteen; it made me feel seen and understood. "Being Black 'n Chicken and Chips" has the same spark that Marchetta first gifted readers back in 1992 and in the same vein, Okine has offered something remarkably special to a new generation of young Australian readers. For the kids growing up who are experiencing loss, who are feeling insecure about themselves, who are navigating the schoolyard and all the complexities that come with it; this is a book that kids can cling to and can come away from feeling seen, understood and hopefully a little more accepting of themselves. It's important to see your environment reflected in society around you as you develop and I'm so glad Okine has offered young Aussie's a story set in their backyard.
This isn't necessarily a story for young readers (it can be enjoyed by all) but it is definitely one that will resonate with and be helpful for young kids beginning to navigate their lives.
Set in 1998, we follow Mike as he begins his first year of high school whilst navigating his mum's advanced cancer diagnoses and the likely outcome of having to live with his dad full-time. It is loosely based on Okine's childhood and losing his own mother at age 12.
This is a narrative full of feeling and I can't deny that I was teary at various points throughout the book. It is such an engaging read; packed with every emotional state you remember experiencing at twelve. All of those emotions so vivid and relevant at that prepubescent age when you wholeheartedly believe you're the only one to have ever experienced such extreme swinging feelings. I highly enjoyed the style in which Okine wrote and felt affection for all the characters woven throughout.
This book took me back to my childhood and the first developed fiction that I fell deeply in love with, "Looking for Alibrandi". That book truly shaped me when I first read it at thirteen; it made me feel seen and understood. "Being Black 'n Chicken and Chips" has the same spark that Marchetta first gifted readers back in 1992 and in the same vein, Okine has offered something remarkably special to a new generation of young Australian readers. For the kids growing up who are experiencing loss, who are feeling insecure about themselves, who are navigating the schoolyard and all the complexities that come with it; this is a book that kids can cling to and can come away from feeling seen, understood and hopefully a little more accepting of themselves. It's important to see your environment reflected in society around you as you develop and I'm so glad Okine has offered young Aussie's a story set in their backyard.
This isn't necessarily a story for young readers (it can be enjoyed by all) but it is definitely one that will resonate with and be helpful for young kids beginning to navigate their lives.
January 21, 2025
While a unique coming of age story, by the time Matt Okine's main character (named Mike and based on the author in a fictional exploration loosely inspired by his real life experiences) inserted the dental hose into the tip of his penis I was sort of done. I know twelve year old boys are obsessed with their appendages but that was enough for me. Too many dicks at the disco Matt!
However the main narrative of Mike's mother's illness and the sudden regular parenting being taken over by his father was a sweet story and truly well done. Mike pinballs through life making highly humorous and deeply cringe worthy errors all while not dealing with the grief of what's happening to his mother shadows his every opportunity of outrunning (or triple jumping away from).
Sweet but a little dominated by teenage boy humour.
However the main narrative of Mike's mother's illness and the sudden regular parenting being taken over by his father was a sweet story and truly well done. Mike pinballs through life making highly humorous and deeply cringe worthy errors all while not dealing with the grief of what's happening to his mother shadows his every opportunity of outrunning (or triple jumping away from).
Sweet but a little dominated by teenage boy humour.
January 16, 2022
Warning, spoiler alerts below.
I would definitely recommend this book. An easy read for males and females. In particular, it's a good read for young adults who may have experienced loss.
A lot of the comedy/humour throughout is based on adolescent, puberty, misfortune type events and can be sarcastic in tone. It's honestly laugh out loud hilarious!
It's a well written novel that is heart breaking and seriously hard to put down. Matt has done a good job of character building and I did not feel as though I wanted to know more. This book seriously had me in fits of laughter throughout. There were moments were I was deeply saddened and had to reach for a tissue too as I could relate to the experience of loss at a young age. All in all I really enjoyed it.
I would definitely recommend this book. An easy read for males and females. In particular, it's a good read for young adults who may have experienced loss.
A lot of the comedy/humour throughout is based on adolescent, puberty, misfortune type events and can be sarcastic in tone. It's honestly laugh out loud hilarious!
It's a well written novel that is heart breaking and seriously hard to put down. Matt has done a good job of character building and I did not feel as though I wanted to know more. This book seriously had me in fits of laughter throughout. There were moments were I was deeply saddened and had to reach for a tissue too as I could relate to the experience of loss at a young age. All in all I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read about an adolescent boy living in Australia in the 90s. As a 90s aussie kid myself, it brought me back to times of a slower pace, a whole world apart now. Probably for anyone that grew up in the 90s in Australia it will be a bit of a nostalgic trip. The dialogue choice by Matt I think was typical of Australian homes, friendly but a tad crass.
I read this book entirely as though it were Matt's childhood, and many of the themes were inspired by his life events. A decent effort by the authour for one of his first attempts at writing a semi-fiction novel. This is a great read for teenagers and adults alike.
I read this book entirely as though it were Matt's childhood, and many of the themes were inspired by his life events. A decent effort by the authour for one of his first attempts at writing a semi-fiction novel. This is a great read for teenagers and adults alike.
June 29, 2021
Being Black 'n Chicken, and Chips was a beautifully heart warming semi-autobiographical story which had me in stitches and in tears at the same time. You can definitely see parts of Matt Okine's heart and soul within this book - I remember listening to many stories of him losing his mother to cancer when he was young and being raised by his father. I think the parallels to his real-life experiences makes his writing feel super authentic and heartfelt.
I loved that he spliced in some mortifyingly embarrassing parts that lightened the mood and kept a few obscure themes running throughout the whole book to tie it all together.
5/7 afro goodtimes.
I loved that he spliced in some mortifyingly embarrassing parts that lightened the mood and kept a few obscure themes running throughout the whole book to tie it all together.
5/7 afro goodtimes.
March 18, 2025
i got this book randomly from one of my op shop adventures and i’m really glad i did. i had this book on my TBR for years and i mistakenly thought it was a book set in america, because sadly there aren’t a lot of black authors and media in Australia. but i’m really really glad i read this book.
this book was sad but funny and the humour in this book was so aussie coded which i loved!!! it depicted grief in a 12 year old boy so well!!! i felt bad for Mike’s dad at times 🥺 the way he speaks to his dad makes sense for a child with a mother who isn’t african because if he was full ghanaian, oooo that wouldn’t fly 😭
this book was sad but funny and the humour in this book was so aussie coded which i loved!!! it depicted grief in a 12 year old boy so well!!! i felt bad for Mike’s dad at times 🥺 the way he speaks to his dad makes sense for a child with a mother who isn’t african because if he was full ghanaian, oooo that wouldn’t fly 😭
December 23, 2019
Being Black n Chicken, and Chips is the debut novel of Australian comedian, Matt Okine. Based loosely on Okine’s own childhood, this is a coming of age story set in 1998 where Mike Amon is the 12 year old protagonist. Mike is a relatable character for all readers across the generations. He is in year eight dealing with bullying, and his parents are divorced. Mike lives with his mother when she is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, moving in with his dad. With Dad being Ghanaian, there is more change for Mike to embrace or deny as he navigates a different life.
Told in the first person, Okine takes older readers back to their teenage days, with all the good, the bad and the down right ugly moments, some that are best forgotten! There are many cringe worthy, embarrassing accounts that had me squirming. As a female, I could not understand Mike’s obsession with his penis but it did have me wondering if this is how teenage boys think. As a teenager in the 90s, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane with all that the decade encompassed. For young adult readers, it is an unflinchingly honest account of what has or what is to come down the track.
Dealing with girls, parents, relationships and cancer, many issues are brought to light that have something for everyone through Okine’s light hearted, comedic style of writing.
Told in the first person, Okine takes older readers back to their teenage days, with all the good, the bad and the down right ugly moments, some that are best forgotten! There are many cringe worthy, embarrassing accounts that had me squirming. As a female, I could not understand Mike’s obsession with his penis but it did have me wondering if this is how teenage boys think. As a teenager in the 90s, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane with all that the decade encompassed. For young adult readers, it is an unflinchingly honest account of what has or what is to come down the track.
Dealing with girls, parents, relationships and cancer, many issues are brought to light that have something for everyone through Okine’s light hearted, comedic style of writing.
November 18, 2019
Like Adrian Mole before him, Mike (our protagonist) is obsessed with his "magic wand", but I guess that's normal for 12/13 yr old boys {shrugs shoulders?}. I did enjoy this - it's easy to read and easy to like the characters. My main issue is that whilst it is written from the 1st person perspective of Mike the 12 yr old and based in 1998, some of the observations and language is that of the writer - a 21st century adult and that spoiled it a bit for me. However it did get me in the feels towards the end and there were tears shed. Tugging on the heartstrings on point.
February 11, 2020
At times funny, at times tear-inducingly sad, Matt Okine's semi-autobiographical look into childhood and growing up in Brisbane is a lovely tale> The only negative is that the ending felt too abrupt; like someone ripped the last few pages out of the manuscript. Otherwise, a great book.
March 9, 2022
4.5⭐️
Much to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There was a mix of humour, sadness and romance which I absolutely loved! One minute I would be laughing my head off and the next I’d be in tears!
Much to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There was a mix of humour, sadness and romance which I absolutely loved! One minute I would be laughing my head off and the next I’d be in tears!
October 13, 2019
This book had me laughing out loud. Do twelve year old boys really do things like this?
November 19, 2019
3.5
Pretty delightful.
Young adults would dig.
Pretty delightful.
Young adults would dig.
December 20, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Funny, heart breaking and real.
September 15, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Australia for approving me to receive an advance kindle version of this book.
Mike has just started high school and just wants to fit in and be a star athlete. He has also developed a big crush on Zoe and is very keen to get her attention....and affection.
Amidst all of this, Mike’s mum is suddenly diagnosed with advanced breast and brain cancer and Mike is forced to live with his Ghanaian dad and get used to his ‘strange’ ways.
This book is loosely based on the author’s own childhood and the loss of his own mother when he was 12. The book is funny, heart-warning and sad all at the same time.
Mike does and says things that make you cringe, but ultimately you can only feel desperately for a young boy who is struggling to know how to feel and react to the huge changes taking place in his life.
I very much enjoyed the book and the only quibble I have is that it did veer off into overly crass territory a couple of times, which will no doubt put some people off, however I’ve gone with the ‘boys will be boys’ philosophy and have given this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mike has just started high school and just wants to fit in and be a star athlete. He has also developed a big crush on Zoe and is very keen to get her attention....and affection.
Amidst all of this, Mike’s mum is suddenly diagnosed with advanced breast and brain cancer and Mike is forced to live with his Ghanaian dad and get used to his ‘strange’ ways.
This book is loosely based on the author’s own childhood and the loss of his own mother when he was 12. The book is funny, heart-warning and sad all at the same time.
Mike does and says things that make you cringe, but ultimately you can only feel desperately for a young boy who is struggling to know how to feel and react to the huge changes taking place in his life.
I very much enjoyed the book and the only quibble I have is that it did veer off into overly crass territory a couple of times, which will no doubt put some people off, however I’ve gone with the ‘boys will be boys’ philosophy and have given this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 16, 2021
Heartwarming and heartbreaking with one too many penis stories 😆
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