Review of Goanna Man

Lisa P Cowling · Post by **Lisa P Cowling** » 29 Dec 2024, 23:48

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Goanna Man" by Natasha Power Dixon.]

4 out of 5 stars

Share This Review

"Goanna Man" by Natasha Power Dixon is an amusing collection of short stories that details the adventures of Bruce Marsh, a popular professional Australian cowboy. Narrated by Bruce and compiled by Natasha, the stories offer a hilarious glimpse into Bruce's life. His escapades, which are set against the backdrop of the remote area of Australia and beyond, are filled with distinct personalities, surreal events, and unexpected challenges. From his childhood fantasy with firecrackers to running a horse riding school with his brother Ricky, Bruce's life is a combination of resilience and resourcefulness. Whether it’s a misunderstanding about a stolen saddle or unknowingly strolling down an unknown street, Bruce's ability to somehow navigate the problem and then proceed to laugh at the situation after kept me entertained. He also engaged in mishaps like mistaken road trips, close encounters with a crocodile, and hilariously attempting to impress a girl.

Bruce's storytelling, I would say, is the heart of this book. I loved how the author was able to maintain a reader-focused tone as the story unfolded; the author tried to maintain the interest of the readers by sharing a variety of his personal anecdotes. The different experiences helped to keep the story fresh and intriguing. I also loved how each character was introduced in the book. They all had just enough personality to make them intriguing. Aside from Bruce, I took a great liking to Cait and Ash. I thought it was quite funny seeing them want to sell their toys to earn money. I also loved how the author captured authentic rural Australian voice, which, in my opinion, made this book unique. But I believe the author’s target audience goes beyond the Australian people. This book was mostly written in a colloquial manner, making it quite challenging to read at first. Writing in a third-person point of view at some point would have been better. So, I rate this book a 4 out of 5. This book had no errors, and Bruce's charm and intelligence shined throughout. His stories were a mixture of humor and the unique Australian spirit.

******
Goanna Man
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 21 May 2025, 13:52

Bruce Marsh sounds like a really interesting person, and I particularly admire the trait of always getting out of a problem and then making a light moment of it all. I have always been a fan of stories from Australia, and hence this one is already on my to-read shelf. Thanks for the review, @Lisa P Cowling.

Isreal Akor 2 · Post by **Isreal Akor 2** » 21 May 2025, 23:20

Sounds like a really fascinating read. Bruce and Natasha are both making my day worthwhile.

Hills Christopher Albert · Post by **Hills Christopher Albert** » 24 May 2025, 10:47

I really enjoyed this review! It makes me curious about Bruce’s quirky adventures and the Aussie flavor of the stories. The mix of humor and local voice sounds like a refreshing read, even if the colloquial style might take some getting used to.

Mary Okafor 1 · Post by **Mary Okafor 1** » 26 May 2025, 11:29

I really love the story but the author should try and improve on his or her writing skills
Atleast the writing should be big so that people that are reading it will be able to see it ,the story is very interesting

Onyemuwa-dave · Post by **Onyemuwa-dave** » 05 Jul 2025, 02:59

love how you highlighted Bruce Marsh's hilarious escapades and his blend of resilience and resourcefulness. It's great that the authentic rural Australian voice made the book unique, even if the colloquial style was a bit challenging initially. Your 4-star rating makes perfect sense. Thanks for the review.

Helen Waziri · Post by **Helen Waziri** » Yesterday, 10:15

I like that it captures rural Australia with authenticity, but I appreciate the heads-up about the heavy use of colloquialisms. I can imagine that being a bit tricky to follow if you're not familiar with the dialect. Still, the mix of humor and heart you described makes me curious, especially those misadventures with crocodiles and road trips. Might be worth a read just for the laughs.

Etimbuk Eshiet · Post by **Etimbuk Eshiet** » Yesterday, 17:28

I really enjoyed reading your review—it gave me a great sense of the book's humor and charm. Bruce sounds like such a lively character, and I love that the stories reflect both his personality and the Australian outback setting. You did a great job highlighting the fun, quirky aspects while also noting the challenges with the colloquial language. Thanks for sharing this!

Spoorthy S · Post by **Spoorthy S** » Yesterday, 20:56

This sounds like a powerful and reflective non-fiction read. I liked your balanced review and how you touched on both the writing style and the message. Thanks for sharing your insight.

Jessy Edward · Post by **Jessy Edward** » Today, 00:02

I love books that mix humor with real-life adventures, and Bruce's character seems like someone who’d be fun to listen to in person too. The rural Australian flavor adds a nice unique touch. I might need to get used to the colloquial style, but it sounds worth it for the laughs and storytelling!