Sunday 29 January 2023

Book Review: Satan Takes Over

I reviewed another Jass Richards book, Turblojetslams. It was a hilarious take on modern cottage life. We cottaged from 1960 until 2010. Things were so different in the 60's. Not for the better. 

This book takes modern times, with renters who fire off fireworks every night for two weeks, jetskis doing figure 8's, bonfires day and night, and manages to solve the problem. It is a hilarious take, based in reality. You know Jass has lived this life. It is way too familiar. 

I love the creativity with which she writes. I just laugh at her take on modern cottage life, as much as I cry over the inhumanity towards one another. The noise that blocks out the sounds of the critters, what with technology and lake toys. The sights and smell of smoke wafting across the lake, bonfires on hot summer days. The notion that landowners are kings of their own castles drove us away from lakeside life.

It was a timely read for us, as we work on preventing a gun range nearby. Jass is a kindred spirit, a clever writer, and a person with a seriously wonderful sense of humour. Some days you just have to laugh. If you need a laugh, you can find her publications here, I've downloaded several on my iBook. It makes for great reading. You'll shake your head as you recognize characters, as much as you want to whack them upside the head! 


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Cottage life used to be simpler. We hand pumped water up from the lake. There was a two-seater outhouse. Eventually, we got in Hydro, and were connected to Bala's town water and the sewer system.

We were given an old wooden boat by friends who built seafleas. I loved that old boat. I'd crank up the 60 HP outboard, and toodle up the lake to visit my friend. Wooden, and a heavy boat, it eventually rotted. Here is my dad being given the boat by Bob Scythes.

My uncle had a sailboat, and dad bought it from Uncle Fred when he upgraded to a bigger, better boat. Dad would roar up and down the lake.


Mom and dad bought me a used canoe from a kids' camp. I loved that canoe!

Bonfires abound:

 

Renters partying, yelling and screaming on the lake at 2 a.m.. Setting off fireworks in the dark. I called the OPP. They were quiet, then ramped it all up, again.


Then there were the people ice fishing. They built a fire on the ice. In the meanwhile, the truck roared up and down the lake. You could both hear and feel the waves under the ice sloshing back and forth towards our shore.

Citiots peeing in the lake. This makes me laugh as much as it creeps me out. We were sitting here, quietly watching the wildlife, on our lakeside bench, just like our kids. I had my smaller zoom lens on. 

16 comments:

Tom said...

...Canada has so many wonderful cottage spots.

Barbara Rogers said...

At first I didn't know what cottage living meant. There are cottages all over England, without vacationers. That gave me a big clue. Then the photo of the little cottage (not at all like English ones) set me straight. Yes summers especially would have been full of visitors. To live there year round would have been a challenge I'd think. Tell us more!

RedPat said...

Nice old pics from long ago. Lots of memories for you.

Christine said...

Glad you liked the book. Lovely cottage memories.

Tomichan Matheikal said...

I'd love this sort of a life in the lap of nature.

Elephant's Child said...

The book sounds like fun. The behaviour that inspired it does not.

Mae Travels said...

Your cottage life sounds a bit far from idyllic with all the motorboats. When we had a cottage we found a small Michigan lake that wasn’t popular with motorboats, so it was very quiet except for fireworks on the 4th of July. The hunters/guns weren’t too close either.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Olga said...

So many fond memories of our camping days -- ruined in a sense by those who feel the need to bring all the aspects of city life along with them so as not to have to sit in quiet and enjoy nature.

DUTA said...

As an adult, fireworks and bonfires don't amuse me, but in childhood I used to get excited by them.
The last picture in your post is romantic; that's a lovely pair out there on the bench!

William Kendall said...

Some people, the great outdoors brings out the worst in them.

Red said...

I had the recreational property experience from 76 to 14. Most of the time it was fine particularly on week days.

Gill - That British Woman said...

and that's why we never wanted a cottage!! Need to check out that author.

Jeanie said...

Oh Jenn -- I have to read this one. It reminds me of some of the things at our lake we like least -- specifically, the jet skis! Rick (who is anti guy) said he'd like to use them for target practice! So would I! As I once said, the only good jet ski is the one you are on at that moment. The rest? Nope! Our neighbors are good with fireworks for the most part but we've had a few loud parties down the way. And you're right -- loved your photos of the olden times. That's when I think most of our cottage life, when it was a little more rustic. Well, we still kind of live that way (but with running water!) but a small cottage, not the mega-houses where people try to duplicate their fancy down-state life. Oh yes, I need to read this one!

Hena Tayeb said...

Things were much simpler.. lovely pictures.

Far Side of Fifty said...

I like that word citiots:)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was just going to comment that citiots was a great way to describe summer and winter invaders, but I see Far Side of Fifty beat me to it!