January/February 2017 Volume 61 | No 1

Book reviews
Boekresensies
compiled by Book Selectors / saamgestel deur Boekkeurders
ADULT NON-FICTION
VOLWASSE VAKLEKTUUR
Extraordinary uses for ordinary things.- The Reader’s Digest,
2014.
This title provides an alphabetical arrangement of common
household goods, revealing further creative uses and the
means to solve some common everyday problems. It suggests
a lot of handy money-saving tips that are not only creative
but also just plain practical. Readers interested in recycling
will discover further ideas and
methods that should prove
useful and inspiring. The
script is brief and clear, and
each household item is clearly
marked with uses highlighted
throughout. Information boxes
offer fascinating facts and
other interesting miscellanea.
The information is really very
basic, but the reader can learn
all sorts of things. Not only is
the book useful, but it is also
rather entertaining and fun to
browse through. EB
REES, Jasper
Florence Foster Jenkins: the remarkable story of
America’s best-known and least-talented soprano.
- Pan Books, 2016.
Some may have heard of Florence Foster Jenkins, some not, but
due to a recent film on circuit there will likely be those wishing
to know more about her. The movie only deals with the last two
chapters in the book. This quirky, fascinating woman was a semiwealthy
socialite of the early 1900s, but nothing truly extraordinary.
Distrustful of others, and not exactly likeable, she
was nevertheless still a very interesting lady. She was noted
for her support of New York’s classical music societies, but her
fame is mostly attributed to
her horrible singing on stage
in flamboyant costumes whilst
being under the delusion that
the jeers from the audience
were cheers. She believed
her voice was superior to
highly regarded professional
opera singers of the day. It
was her ambition to perform
on stage at Carnegie Hall, the
most hallowed concert hall in
America. This was achieved
when she was over 70 years
of age. It would be a sold-out
concert, attended by the rich
and famous, and would be
her final stage presentation.
Not long after this Florence
would die, remembered, securing a cult following. This is the
extraordinary true story of the memorable life of a legendary,
flamboyant, tone-deaf soprano whose inspirational message is
to follow your dreams. EB
VAN DER SPUY, Carla
Mishandel, misbruik, misken: Joey Haarhoff was my ma.
- LAPA, 2016.
‘Baie mense sal nog vir Gert van Rooyen en Joey Haarhoff
onthou. In die media is hulle aan die einde van die 1980’s as
“die pedofiel Gert van Rooyen en sy houvrou, Joey Haarhoff”
beskryf. Tussen die einde van 1988 en die begin van 1990 het
dié twee sewe meisies ontvoer. Slegs die laaste van die sewe
meisies is ooit weer gesien. Sy het daarin geslaag om uit Van
Rooyen se huis te ontsnap en die polisie kon toe op die twee
berugte ontvoerders se spoor kom. Voordat die raaisel oor
presies wat met die meisies gebeur het ooit ten volle ontrafel
kon word, het Van Rooyen vir Haarhoff en homself geskiet.
Soos die titel aandui, gaan Mishandel, misbruik, misken oor
Joey Haarhoff se dogter, Amor van der Westhuyzen. Sy het
30 Cape Librarian January/February 2017