Murray Ball: A Cartoonist's Life

by Mason Ball

The long-awaited biography of cartoonist Murray Ball, creator of Footrot Flats
In Murray A Cartoonist's Life, Murray's son Mason Ball shares all the hits and misses and long years of hard graft that went into what would become the wildly successful creative Footrot Flats. From his unique viewpoint and with candid honesty, Mason reveals the real-life backstory to Murray's most iconic characters and themes, telling the story of the man - and father - who could see the quirks of human nature and capture them with the stroke of a pen.

Richly illustrated with family photos and cartoons by the bloke who brought us that most lovable character, the Dog.

Let me show you how my dad became a leading cartoonist of his generation, how his endearing characters evolved and where the insightful and humorous ideas sprang from. Let's see the man behind the drawing desk and delve into the workings of his mind. - Mason Ball

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Prue Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really looked forward to this biography of a cartoonist who was a big part of my early adult years. Written by his son, it was a big disappointment. Superficial, repetitive, and didnt really give us any insight. 2nd book by an offspring (the other being John Clark) that seem opportunist rather than quality writing.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful biography of a true blue kiwi legend. I enjoyed getting the really personal side seeing as it was written by his son so it really made it feel more intimate. There was so much more to the life of Murray Ball that the public saw. It was interesting to be reminded about how cartoon strips were back in the day. It's such an art lost to the ages.

As a kiwi, learning about the life and kiwi landscape that provided inspiration for one of the best cartoons ever created was great. The man behind Footrot Flats was just a simple kiwi bloke who loved the land he called home and use that love to create the characters we know and love in order to share with eh world just how wonderful rural NZ is.

[Ant · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, if somewhat frustrating, look into the life of cartoonist Murray Ball.

Frustrating? Yep. I've sat on this and mulled it over for a while, because I can't get past the fact that to me, it seems like the author is injecting their own political flavour into the text.

I've no problem with a biography documenting the subject's political leanings, as that's naturally part of a person's story and history; but there are phrases peppered here and there that leave an exceptionally bad taste.

One example describes farming with the terms "eugenics" and "for profit" in the same paragraph, and with a disparaging tone, despite the fact that the Ball family did eventually run a small farm. Another calls out Murray as hypocritical for not liking American-style consumerism, but being happy to eat at the new-in-town McDonalds.

When you add this to the fact that the author is the subject's son, and he states in the book that he and Murray had a falling out, it tends to colour the entire book as being rather subjective, and not in a good way.

So... an interesting read, but leaves a bad taste.

[troy spry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A realistic view of the man and the relationship.

I bought this book due to growing up on Footrot Flats. The description of Murray and the relationship with his family was not a slavish feel good one and was all the better for it. The post Footrot Flats era was an explanation as I remember some of his later material being confusing.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Picked this one up to learn more about some Kiwiana that I am just old enough to remember the end of. Enjoyed the sections which intersected with sports (his Dad was an All Black, Dog being the ABs’ mascot) and especially the section on the Springbok tour, given his time spent in South Africa.

At times you could feel a lack of warmth between father and son, at least in this son’s retelling. But the love shone through in the section on Retired Murray, and I guess the entire book is a project of love for his father.

I didn’t really know what to expect, and at times I found myself a little bored by descriptions of the author cleaning chicken coops, but I did enjoy the bits which were about the FF process, business and Murray’s idiosyncrasies.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the insight into Murray’s process and it answered a few questions I’d always had. Except the one we all want to know of course!
Murray was such a creative man and I loved and read all his books. Footrot Flats was something I grew up with and love til this day. A great book for true black Murray Ball fans 💕🐾

[Wyktor Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of Murray Ball, as told by his eldest son Mason Ball.
Great read, along with photos, artwork, cartoons, and various letters.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as I have been a fan of Murray Ball, Footrot Flats, Bruce The Barbarian, Stanley, et al, for many years.
Highly recommended!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about the characters origins and the politics of 80s as a bit changed during that period steering us to where we currently are.
I would recommend this to any fans of his work who want to learn more.
Also always cool to read about rural life in NZ being a Kiwi myself.

[Hastings75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After listening to Mason speak at the Writers Festival earlier this year, this has been on my “Going to Read on Xmas Day for some Kiwiana” list all year.

Loved the reflections and stories on a man who brought so much joy to NZ - and a man who was very principled in everything he did.

[Charlie Faulks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from Gisborne, a lot of the places, people and culture talked about in the book were very familiar which was nice. Loved the passages about Ball's schedule and how he worked - very inspiring.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written biography that gives quite a lot of insight into Murray's mind and philosophy, and how that influened his life and career.

[Kathryn Fathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read

[Mr TImothy Searle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revered for Footrot Flats, this was an interesting insight into the man and family of Murray Ball by his son and with a fair amount of co-operation and support of other family members. Not an absolute feel good story, it provided a very readable and entertaining look into the life and time of Murray Ball. Interesting to understand more about what drove him and how Footrot Flats was developed. I didn’t know much of his story after he discontinued Footrot Flats and this was overall, a very enjoyable read.