More Tales

Lazy Sunday afternoon reading, the second book following Many Tales.
A journey of ordinary people in unusual occupations and their families and friends sharing their lives.

Leana Taylor has a way with words that makes it exciting to read. In this book she takes you on a journey through the lives of a Tobacconist, a Night Watchman, a Shoemaker and a Jeweler. Once you get past the first sentence in the first story you cannot put the book down.

1970. My father was called "JJ"; but my birth name is Hendrik van Rooyen. I also stumbled upon the convenient mannerism of inserting "jitte, jitte" (loosely translated as "oh my") in my sentences when I found a word I was to utter, missing from my vocabulary. I picked it up from my father, that's why he was called JJ. I would recall the word, of course, but often it was too late to insert it in its proper place as the moment has passed. I was followed by three sisters, yes, they were named: Christo, Ben and baby Louise. I was to be the sixth baby delivered in the Sasolburg Hospital; it was about the only significance in my life worth noting. Our parents were Elsa and Louis, and my father was a night watchman, as was I...