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Two Little Boys
This book has got a lot of good bits.It's got penguins and toasted sandwiches and spotting knives.It's got a dead cat and an incredible climax.It's got a really little dolphin.It's got sea lions.It's got God.It's got a really cool lighthouse.When Nige runs over a Norwegian backpacker while attempting to save petrol, his life really turns to shit. He throws the body in a nearby road works and runs to his best mate of fifteen years, Deano. The trouble is, Deano's not really the guy you should turn to in a crisis.
282 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 3, 2021
In a way I’m really annoyed at myself for reading this. I felt like I had forced myself to sit through a really crap film, knowing it was going to be pretty bad early on, but for some foolish reason I stuck with it. In one sense this seems to be aimed at the YA crowd but yet with the level of violence and gristly content there’s no way you could aim it at them.
Any story about slackers and stoners tends to be riddled with lowest common denominator clichés, and poor attempts at humour you can see coming from quite a distance. Maybe like many stoner films you have to be stoned to find this funny?...Undemanding unrewarding mediocrity. I cannot think of a single thing to recommend this to anyone.
July 7, 2009
There was a blurb on the inside of the jacket of this book that sounded funny so i thought i would give it a read. That was the ONLY amusing thing about this book. I disliked the dimwitted characters and felt that i was reading something written by a 15 year old pot head with no education.
I expected this book to be funny and was very disappointed. I am sure that there are characters in the real world that are very similar to those depicted in this story but they would be as uninteresting as this book was.
Life is too short to read bad books.......
I expected this book to be funny and was very disappointed. I am sure that there are characters in the real world that are very similar to those depicted in this story but they would be as uninteresting as this book was.
Life is too short to read bad books.......
March 26, 2014
Don't. Just don't.
December 5, 2022
this could be the worst book ever written and i’d still rate it highly because it is So Important to me
July 30, 2011
Duncan Sarkies - Two Little Boys, published by Penguin, 2008.
I began reading this novel last year, and stalled some way in, as I have known guys just like Deano and Nige in my years growing up in the provinces (co-incidentally, the book is set in the ‘80’s of provincial Otago). Despite my love of Sarkies’ plays, and the movie Scarfies, I put the book down, thinking “I’ll get back to that”.
Roll around to the ‘Summer Books Alive’ Writers and Readers’ event at the Jimmy Bar, and there Duncan Sarkies performed a chunk of the dialogue-heavy plot - and I was transfixed on the spot. It is very funny read out; I expect that Sarkies’ playwriting experience just leads to very auditory, scripty prose. And the book cover has an endorsement from Jermaine Clement, no less.
My efforts to keep reading the story at home got me most of the way through the plot, so I’ll just crack on and give you a sheila’s point-of-view of this very blokey, strange story .. about a couple of socially-challenged provincial guys, a dead backpacker, a new flatmate, a car, and a lot of really annoying dithering around the countryside trying to decide how to resolve the problem they’ve got themselves into.
It really is annoying to be inside the head of one of the characters, who becomes psychopathic as he keeps being thwarted in his delusional self-importance by the others, leading to some very nasty fantasies going on inside his head as he imagines what he’ll do to the guy he decides has disrespected him. I find myself fervently desiring never to set foot in provincial Otago, as the oft-stated “everything is material for a writer” fights with “but it’s only fiction” in my mind. God help us all if the natives really are this thick in Dunedin!
As a study of ‘mateship’, Sarkies raise a lot of questions about the blind support ‘mates’ extract from one another, and in my mind, raises the question of when does one draw the line and just pass, saying ‘it’s not worth the candle, mate’. Definitely in relation to the recent student mayhem being derided in the ODT .. I ended up feeling glad they weren’t at all like any people I knew, despite the awful fascination of the story unrolling to their destruction.
One for the rugby-club boys, I think, rather than this reviewer.
I began reading this novel last year, and stalled some way in, as I have known guys just like Deano and Nige in my years growing up in the provinces (co-incidentally, the book is set in the ‘80’s of provincial Otago). Despite my love of Sarkies’ plays, and the movie Scarfies, I put the book down, thinking “I’ll get back to that”.
Roll around to the ‘Summer Books Alive’ Writers and Readers’ event at the Jimmy Bar, and there Duncan Sarkies performed a chunk of the dialogue-heavy plot - and I was transfixed on the spot. It is very funny read out; I expect that Sarkies’ playwriting experience just leads to very auditory, scripty prose. And the book cover has an endorsement from Jermaine Clement, no less.
My efforts to keep reading the story at home got me most of the way through the plot, so I’ll just crack on and give you a sheila’s point-of-view of this very blokey, strange story .. about a couple of socially-challenged provincial guys, a dead backpacker, a new flatmate, a car, and a lot of really annoying dithering around the countryside trying to decide how to resolve the problem they’ve got themselves into.
It really is annoying to be inside the head of one of the characters, who becomes psychopathic as he keeps being thwarted in his delusional self-importance by the others, leading to some very nasty fantasies going on inside his head as he imagines what he’ll do to the guy he decides has disrespected him. I find myself fervently desiring never to set foot in provincial Otago, as the oft-stated “everything is material for a writer” fights with “but it’s only fiction” in my mind. God help us all if the natives really are this thick in Dunedin!
As a study of ‘mateship’, Sarkies raise a lot of questions about the blind support ‘mates’ extract from one another, and in my mind, raises the question of when does one draw the line and just pass, saying ‘it’s not worth the candle, mate’. Definitely in relation to the recent student mayhem being derided in the ODT .. I ended up feeling glad they weren’t at all like any people I knew, despite the awful fascination of the story unrolling to their destruction.
One for the rugby-club boys, I think, rather than this reviewer.
August 6, 2022
I mean, come on. This is a work of fucking art. Deano and Nige have carved out a little space in my brain and will be living there indefinitely. They are so special to me. Thank you, Mr Sarkies. And if you're reading this, please can you email me the 200 pages you wrote about them before writing this book... Please... Pretty please?
December 29, 2015
Warning: Not a read for the sensitive, cultured or faint hearted. Bordering on ridiculous at times but also very funny. The main characters Deano and Nige are so utterly hopeless bogan and simple, making for a very easy read. If you are the sort of reader who needs to be able to relate to your character, most likely you will hate this as they are cruel, narcissistic and physchopathic.
Yes, it was odd, with a somewhat dark and twisted plot but the buckets of piss taking of the kiwi bogan culture took me on a throughly enjoyable ride through the familiar Dunedin streets and deep dark south of Kiwiana.
Yes, it was odd, with a somewhat dark and twisted plot but the buckets of piss taking of the kiwi bogan culture took me on a throughly enjoyable ride through the familiar Dunedin streets and deep dark south of Kiwiana.
September 29, 2009
full marks for screamingly good use of the vernacular, and i will admit to wanting to make the big words siren noise on occasion (i have refrained for fear of being thought mad). made me proud to be a kiwi, in a weird sort of way.
December 17, 2012
Hilarious and would probably be half as long if you took out the f-word. True kiwi but not for those sensitive ones.
March 7, 2014
Brilliantly written, scarily addictive, beautifully bogan characters. Plot simple but entertaining.
February 3, 2019
I don't understand why some people are dissing this book - it's very unique, very funny and it honours it characters deeply. Wonderful book.
December 31, 2020
Coming of age tale about two men too old to be coming of age. Funny and sad at the same time. Kiwi classic.
May 21, 2024
Kia Ora!
I read this because I recently discovered the film, which was created AFTER this book. I only watched it for Bret McKenzie, but then the whole story and characters were such an interesting concept that I ended up loving it.
The book is very much like the film, which I'm glad about. In fact, some of the dialogue is word-for-word and most moments in the film are within the book. There are clearly some changes to scenes for the film, probably because things work better in video format than others. And a couple of the scenes that are in the film are not in the book (worth mentioning here that I was very very unhappy with the book's ending!!!). The book didn't touch on Nige and Monika's relationship enough, which was a big loss for his character and the softer side to him.
That being said, the book had SO much more material. Little side stories, other character-building moments which add so many layers to their relationship. Speaking of their relationship, the book massively implied that Deano has a crush on Nige, the entire way through - in one passage he talks about feeling Nige's breath and it being the best thing in the world?? Not to mention his jealousy. Pretty gay to me. But he can't deal with that, so he keeps reminding the reader that he is not gay... when he clearly is.
Something that differs is that the characters of Deano and Nige are actually disgusting and dirty human beings in the book, whereas I found them to be just flawed silly men in the film... although Deano is always a bit gross. They cannot talk properly without using slang/informal speech and swear words - if you thought the swearing in the film was bad, you won't believe this! Though I do think their speech patterns are a huge character trait and I think they'd be lost without them.
Happy to report that Gav is the same in both the book and the film, and I still feel sorry for him. He deserved better.
Overall, as a fan of the film, reading this did make me feel happy because it added so much to Deano and Nige's world. Even if it was hard to read with the style of writing and speech - which, like I said, it wouldn't have the same vibe without. Knocked off a star for the dissapointing ending and lack of scenes that I enjoyed in the film.
I read this because I recently discovered the film, which was created AFTER this book. I only watched it for Bret McKenzie, but then the whole story and characters were such an interesting concept that I ended up loving it.
The book is very much like the film, which I'm glad about. In fact, some of the dialogue is word-for-word and most moments in the film are within the book. There are clearly some changes to scenes for the film, probably because things work better in video format than others. And a couple of the scenes that are in the film are not in the book (worth mentioning here that I was very very unhappy with the book's ending!!!). The book didn't touch on Nige and Monika's relationship enough, which was a big loss for his character and the softer side to him.
That being said, the book had SO much more material. Little side stories, other character-building moments which add so many layers to their relationship. Speaking of their relationship, the book massively implied that Deano has a crush on Nige, the entire way through - in one passage he talks about feeling Nige's breath and it being the best thing in the world?? Not to mention his jealousy. Pretty gay to me. But he can't deal with that, so he keeps reminding the reader that he is not gay... when he clearly is.
Something that differs is that the characters of Deano and Nige are actually disgusting and dirty human beings in the book, whereas I found them to be just flawed silly men in the film... although Deano is always a bit gross. They cannot talk properly without using slang/informal speech and swear words - if you thought the swearing in the film was bad, you won't believe this! Though I do think their speech patterns are a huge character trait and I think they'd be lost without them.
Happy to report that Gav is the same in both the book and the film, and I still feel sorry for him. He deserved better.
Overall, as a fan of the film, reading this did make me feel happy because it added so much to Deano and Nige's world. Even if it was hard to read with the style of writing and speech - which, like I said, it wouldn't have the same vibe without. Knocked off a star for the dissapointing ending and lack of scenes that I enjoyed in the film.
August 14, 2019
I feel dumber after reading this book.
The premise was promising - two not-so-smart characters bumbling their way through trying to cover up an accidental death, and completely bungling it up. I've read books and seen films like this before and they have been wonderfully funny and absurd with witty, dark humour. This book is not like that. It is simply a succession of poo, dick, and sex jokes. Then throw in a bit of casual racism, a lot of casual homophobia, and not so casual sexism and misogyny and here we are.
There are a handful of mildly clever bits, but for the most part it's just dumb. It really doesn't help that it reads like a 14 year old wrote it (no offense to 14 year olds). I get that it's written in that fast paced, train-of-thought style which can work really well... but in this case it doesn't. Oh god, there are so many ellipses!
But the main problem is that the two main characters are so unlikable. They are actually disgusting, the most grotesque examples of humanity - misogynist, homophobic, racist, ignorant, and legitimately sociopathic and psychopathic. They are at best ignorant idiots, at worst actual psychopaths. I worry about anyone reading this book and relating to the characters. I was waiting for some character development, some arc that would lead them to be better people, to realise the error of their ways.. but nope. I'm not sure if the author is mocking or glorifying these characters, and that's an issue. People like this should not be glorified in literature, or anywhere.
If you absolutely must, I suggest skipping the book and watching the movie instead - unpopular suggestion for a book website, I know. But they made a lot of changes to make the characters more likable, and dropped the bigoted humour and cut way down on the toilet humour. It was actually not too bad, it's basically what I expected the book to be.
The premise was promising - two not-so-smart characters bumbling their way through trying to cover up an accidental death, and completely bungling it up. I've read books and seen films like this before and they have been wonderfully funny and absurd with witty, dark humour. This book is not like that. It is simply a succession of poo, dick, and sex jokes. Then throw in a bit of casual racism, a lot of casual homophobia, and not so casual sexism and misogyny and here we are.
There are a handful of mildly clever bits, but for the most part it's just dumb. It really doesn't help that it reads like a 14 year old wrote it (no offense to 14 year olds). I get that it's written in that fast paced, train-of-thought style which can work really well... but in this case it doesn't. Oh god, there are so many ellipses!
But the main problem is that the two main characters are so unlikable. They are actually disgusting, the most grotesque examples of humanity - misogynist, homophobic, racist, ignorant, and legitimately sociopathic and psychopathic. They are at best ignorant idiots, at worst actual psychopaths. I worry about anyone reading this book and relating to the characters. I was waiting for some character development, some arc that would lead them to be better people, to realise the error of their ways.. but nope. I'm not sure if the author is mocking or glorifying these characters, and that's an issue. People like this should not be glorified in literature, or anywhere.
If you absolutely must, I suggest skipping the book and watching the movie instead - unpopular suggestion for a book website, I know. But they made a lot of changes to make the characters more likable, and dropped the bigoted humour and cut way down on the toilet humour. It was actually not too bad, it's basically what I expected the book to be.
October 5, 2021
This book is not for me - think Beavis and Butt-Head visit New Zealand. Sorry Duncan - according to his own notes, he set out to create the most juvenile, immature and uncouth characters that he could think of. He certainly did that and for which he is proud! Okay, we need balance in all aspects of life but Duncan, write this nonsense all you like but please don't publish. There are, unfortunately, too many individuals who would identify with these characters - don't pander to them. Reading should elevate the mind not dumb it down. By the way, I detest Beavis and Butt-Head also.
December 29, 2019
I can see why this book isn't for everybody. The way that it's written is sometimes difficult to understand, especially if you're unfamiliar with New Zealand slang. But I personally found it rather charming.
I found the characters real and at times relatable, even though I'm not a mid 20's guy in New Zealand who has just killed a guy.
I found the characters real and at times relatable, even though I'm not a mid 20's guy in New Zealand who has just killed a guy.
September 29, 2017
Some people might love this book, but the blokey, cringing kind of humour is not my style. The characters are really well written, which I'll give the author kudos for, but otherwise, it was a miss for me.
July 1, 2019
Slightly painful and cringey in parts but a good fun read all round!
November 27, 2022
Unlikeable characters, juvenile plot.
March 4, 2023
silly (as far as i got!)
October 3, 2024
charming grotesque I need to visit all locations immediately
April 24, 2022
I struggled with this one a lot due to the severe language but I stuck with it and enjoyed the ending. I cannot give it more than 2 stars though.
June 20, 2025
This is a story about two idiots. And two best friends. Nige and Deano. But just as Nige is beginning to outgrow the friendship and starts exploring new relationships and broadening his horizons, he gets into an accident that unravels his life and forces him back to Deano.
This story is an exploration of the dynamic between two best friends where one is trying to move on and the other is refusing to let go.
I'm not sure I've met characters quite like Deano and Nige. They're Beavis and Butt-Head-esque. Deano is a psychotic sociopath who's obsessed with Nige and with their friendship and is a destructive force in Nige's life. Whereas Nige's stupidity is more a naive kind. He's a follower, a tagalong, but ultimately means well and doesn't want to hurt people.
This story is a wild ride, set against the backdrop of the tranquil New Zealand countryside, which contrasts with the chaos that unfolds, with some unusual characters who are thrust into a crazy situation that only gets crazier.
This story is an exploration of the dynamic between two best friends where one is trying to move on and the other is refusing to let go.
I'm not sure I've met characters quite like Deano and Nige. They're Beavis and Butt-Head-esque. Deano is a psychotic sociopath who's obsessed with Nige and with their friendship and is a destructive force in Nige's life. Whereas Nige's stupidity is more a naive kind. He's a follower, a tagalong, but ultimately means well and doesn't want to hurt people.
This story is a wild ride, set against the backdrop of the tranquil New Zealand countryside, which contrasts with the chaos that unfolds, with some unusual characters who are thrust into a crazy situation that only gets crazier.
August 8, 2011
It was hard to read this with out hearing Germain and Bret's voices from, flight of the concords. Or perhaps I'm just being a Kiwi racist a Kiwist.
"It's real funny though, like when you're at school, in assembly doing a silent minute an all and you're mate like does a fart, and you know, you're not supposed to laugh but ya just have to cause it's so incongerus or whatever".
It's a lot like that. Which some people will find funny and some will just be annoyed. So if you've got a lot of books on your to-read list you might be better skipping it and watching a couple of Flight of the Concorde episodes instead.
Having said that there's a darkness to the relationship that could only be expressed through internal monologue. This is the books most redeeming aspect.
"It's real funny though, like when you're at school, in assembly doing a silent minute an all and you're mate like does a fart, and you know, you're not supposed to laugh but ya just have to cause it's so incongerus or whatever".
It's a lot like that. Which some people will find funny and some will just be annoyed. So if you've got a lot of books on your to-read list you might be better skipping it and watching a couple of Flight of the Concorde episodes instead.
Having said that there's a darkness to the relationship that could only be expressed through internal monologue. This is the books most redeeming aspect.
October 22, 2018
This book was about this boy named nige,This one dumb decision he makes will cost him his life.He runs over a backpacker trying to save as much petrol as possible but suddenly he had just ran over an innocent man.He decides to chuck the body on road close by and sprints to his best buddy named Deano.If you like comedy and don’t have a problem with heaps of gruesome then I recommend you read this book. What I liked about this book is that it keeps on making me guessing aswell as making me laugh. Also a few cliff hangers. What I learnt is that don’t make dumb decisions and choose wisely. Also be careful on the path ahead of you.
April 16, 2013
i think that the author may be a sociopath. everything that is supposed to be funny in this book is a pre-curser for sociopathology ... from torturing/killing animals (what a joke!) to ultimately killing a human (the biggest & best jest of the entire novel!). i couldn't put the book down because i was waiting for the 'just kidding' moment to arrive. i assumed that the story line must be part of the joke, but finished the novel realizing that the author actually thinks he's written a funny & witty tale of 2 dumb*$$es and their hilarious hijinks.
July 20, 2015
- Weird
- Pointless storyline
This was probably the weirdest and most pointless book I've read all year. The story didn't really go anywhere. The character's stayed the same throughout.
Rather disappointing. However I didn't want to stop reading it, just in case, the storyline picked up - which it didn't. It was at least easy to read even though the grammar and spelling was very strange, which seemed to suit the stupidity of the characters.
It kind of reminded me of Dumb and Dumber but this was less funny and entertaining.
Would not recommend.
- Pointless storyline
This was probably the weirdest and most pointless book I've read all year. The story didn't really go anywhere. The character's stayed the same throughout.
Rather disappointing. However I didn't want to stop reading it, just in case, the storyline picked up - which it didn't. It was at least easy to read even though the grammar and spelling was very strange, which seemed to suit the stupidity of the characters.
It kind of reminded me of Dumb and Dumber but this was less funny and entertaining.
Would not recommend.
March 27, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a very easy, almost simplistic, read and tells of Nige and Deano and the mess they get themselves when Nige runs over a Norwegian tourist.
The events and happenings are told in turn from each of our protagonists' viewpoints and it relishes in the mundane and its significance in Nige and Deanos' lives.
It's funny, chilling, at times cringeworthy and very touching.
The events and happenings are told in turn from each of our protagonists' viewpoints and it relishes in the mundane and its significance in Nige and Deanos' lives.
It's funny, chilling, at times cringeworthy and very touching.
April 24, 2009
Looking for an extra book to make up a 3-for-2 offer, this attracted me by its back cover blurb. I normally read a book in under a week. This one took me three. It's written in a staccato style with short chapters that makes it easy to read a bit and then put it down. The trouble is I seldom wanted to pick it up again.
This was not helped by the fact that I didn't identify with or care about the characters. Nor did I find the antics of this self-obsessed duo particularly funny.
This was not helped by the fact that I didn't identify with or care about the characters. Nor did I find the antics of this self-obsessed duo particularly funny.
December 10, 2012
New Zealand author alert
Set in the depth of Otago, Deano and Nige have been friends for a long time. Things have been a bit rocky lately and Nige moved out last month. Nige gets into trouble and turns to Deano for help. What does Deano want from Nige in return?
The dark comedy that ensues keeps the reader guessing, laughing, crying, and cringing to the very end. It is somewhat farcical and a bit absurd but I give it 4 stars.
Recommend to 16+
Set in the depth of Otago, Deano and Nige have been friends for a long time. Things have been a bit rocky lately and Nige moved out last month. Nige gets into trouble and turns to Deano for help. What does Deano want from Nige in return?
The dark comedy that ensues keeps the reader guessing, laughing, crying, and cringing to the very end. It is somewhat farcical and a bit absurd but I give it 4 stars.
Recommend to 16+
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews