BOOK REVIEW
In the preface to ‘The Lyalldale Waltz’ author Isaac M.
Thompson, known as ‘Ike the Tyke,’ writes, ‘any mug can
tell me what is wrong with this bookcan you tell me what is right
with it?’
Why sure we can.
The book is readable. It is not great literature, but it
isn’t meant to be. Thompson writes a conversational, informal
style that keeps you going.
We learned something about the way of life in rural New Zealand
over the last 70 years as told by a practical man who lived that
life and liked it, and seems to have remembered all of it.
We enjoyed the stories of school days, harvesting, fishing,
sports, sheep shearing, engines, and all the other things that have
been packed into a full life.
‘Ike’ is basically a story teller. We get the feeling
that he enjoys telling about a humerous incident as much as he
liked the event itself.
Several chapters concern engines, and include many pictures.
Thompson names engines, owners, and gives descriptions of engines
shown at a rally held in New Zealand at Southbrook on June 21,
1958. He tells of the formation of a traction engine club. One
chapter entitled ‘Mucking About With Traction Engines,’
relates some funny happenings and describes some personalities.
Well, we liked the book and sure learned a lot about sheep,
rabbits, and gorse. Many of the New Zealand expressions were new to
us, but served to intrigue rather than confuse.
Isaac Thompson has known hard work, and fun, and good friends.
‘The Lyalldale Waltz’ tells us about it.
As we end these comments we are, as ‘Ike’ would say,
‘putting on the stook.’ If you get the book, turn to page
98 for the explanation.
