Alive and Kicking and Laugh? I Could Have Cried are collections of the best of Bennett’s work over the past decade.
Well-known in circles beyond Auckland for his weekly columns in dailies such as The Press, Dominion Post and the Northern Advocate, the English-born columnist doesn’t pander to possible insecurities of his audience.
Whether commenting on the omnipotent appeal of David Beckham (except in Auckland), or the evangelistic, money-making efforts of Destiny Church, Bennett cynically scorns everything and anything.
Twenty years as an English teacher have given him plenty of fodder to mock New Zealand’s education system and the recipient students. He does also have a laugh at his own expense, discussing mad ideas such as swimming when drunk.
The short essays are easily consumed over a cup of coffee and make good bite-sized reading for the holiday period when the brain needs some lighter snacks.
