The "Blurb" On The Back Cover

I almost always choose a book based on the quality of it's blurb. My philosophy is this: if a book can't interest me with it's main plot, which is usually described in the blurb, then I don't think I'll read it. This is probably an awful way of doing things, but, hey, it's the way I do it.

1. I did choose this book based on it's blurb. To me, the blurb made the book sound like a smaller version of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", with the twist of Ross' urn. This intrigued me, as I've always loved the wacky nature of these types of stories.

2. Well, yes, a particular phrase did catch my attention on the blurb. I mean, it's kind of hard to ignore the phrase "Stealing the urn that contains the ashes of their best friend Ross.". I did a bit of a comical double take,  then checked again to make sure I'd read the words right.

3. I do think that the blurb described the book aptly. Once I've read the book, I could relate to the title, and the definition of ostrich on the back of the book. I also think that the way the blurb describes the introduction "a depressing and dispiriting funeral" captures the tone of that part of the book perfectly.

4. I quite like the pictures of the cars and trains which run across the back cover, in a crooked sort of way, which symbolises the crooked journey the boys take. There is also a coffin situated near the bottom of the book which catches the eye.

5. "Kenny, Sim and Blake are depressed. Their lives have been changed in a huge way. Something dreadful has happened. They need to take their minds off it, however, so they decide to do something rash. Something rebellious. Something that will get them into more trouble than they've ever been in before. But, heck, is it worth it! They decide to take their friend Ross, from where they live, Cleethorpes, England, to a tiny Scottish town called Ross. There's only one problem. Ross died a few days ago. Join these three friends as the journey from England to Scotland on the adventure of their lives, for a fitting farewell to the friend who brought them together."