The Days of Dinkum Dodger, Volume 1

by John Saomes

Australian bush poetry at its best... entertaining, thought-provoking, hilariously funny, and deftly serious.

Comical antics and outrageous yarns as told by the infamous Dinkumous J. Dodger, a true blue Aussie larrikin, are iconically Australian.

Political correctness is swept aside and daring opinions are openly expressed to challenge governments, politicians, and international conspirators. Probing questions are posed about political motivations, foreign manipulation, and Australia's place in the world.

Often nostalgic, harking back to the simplicity and old world charm of a by-gone era, the poetry of John Saomes will tickle your funnybone and challenge your thinking about Australia's past, present, and uncertain future as a nation.

116 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2015

About the author

John Saomes is an Australian author, poet, and creator of the Yuwmahn Compendium - a collection of books that explain the concepts of Yuwmahnism, a philosophy and lifestyle that follows the central themes of enhancing human happiness, maximising the human experience, and making the world a better place.

Born in Queensland, John’s childhood spanned the global social revolution of the 1960's, which shaped his life and thinking about the kind of world that best suits the human family. The Yuwmahn Compendium grew out of John's ideas of 'a better way’ and ‘a better world for all'.

John has retired to the hinterland of Australia's Gold Coast, where he continues to write, and champion global initiatives to promote and uphold personal rights and freedoms.

Reviews

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson with their quintessential Aussie flavoured bush ballads and john Saomes hasn’t disappointed with this witty collection of poems.

Saomes shows throughout this collection he is adept at witty, solemn and endearing verse.

Written during the 1990’s the poems reflect the thoughts and concerns of the time.

This great collection of poems will give you a laugh and depending on your age, a bit of nostalgia.

Pranks, accidents, local myths and legends and political incorrectness, the fate of our society and even a few based on real events – full of good old Aussie slang. Even the scathing political poems have a splash of humour.

I would like to thank the author via the Support Indie Authors group for my copy to read and review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Funny Book of Short Reads
If you like American Cowboy Poetry, you are sure to enjoy this Australian cousin. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of bawdy Aussie Poems. If you've read Banjo Pstterson's The Man from Snowy River you'll understand the kind of wry wit to expect. When the author starts his political rants the "poems" lose their charm.

[Michelle Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Days of Dinkum Dodger (Volume 1) is distinctly Australian and very down-to-earth. The poetry is easy to understand and bounces along with plenty of meter and rhyme. There is a good selection of laugh-out-loud poems, some wry Australian wit… and then there are the poems with a poignant message worth thinking about. John Saomes has not been coy and the humour is often outrageous, and the political views expressed hold nothing back.

I can’t imagine anyone not finding something to laugh about in Part 1 ‘Laughing Matters’. I found the antics in ‘Outhouse Blues’ and ’The Crooked Willy Wongle’ hilarious… and a touch naughty. Some of these poems raise a knowing smile because you know they could be true… and probably are!

Part 2 ‘Life and Politics of Dinkumous J Dodger’ says a lot about Australian life and what has happened over the last fifty years. I particularly liked the viewpoint expressed in ‘World Gone Wrong’ which gave me cause to think and question… even feel a bit uncomfortable. At the conclusion of the poems there is ‘A Final Word’ from John Saomes that gave me as a reader, more perspective on the background of the political poems.

This book is an immensely enjoyable read with heaps of humour, a taste of the Australian outback, and a bit of strong political opinion.

[Chris Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book of Aussie poetry. Absolutely loved the funny poems. I'd love to hear a few of these, like 'Outhouse Blues' and "The Crooked Willy Wongle' recited out loud. Dinkum Dodger comes across as a typical Aussie bloke with a good sense of humour. Some of the serious ones have a political bite and is the kind of stuff everyone should know about. Well worth the read.