There was a time, back in 2012 in fact, when The Jasonater fooled us all. It began with a simple screenshot of an SMS and a Facebook page that showed what a pigheaded imbecile the dude was. But the fooled soon became the fans, China, when they realised The Jasonater was actually the protagonist in Jason Bryden’s Year Of The Gherkin. Even Seth was pleasantly surprised:

The guy you see on Facebook is EXACTLY like the character in the book –completely embarrassing and a chop. If you’ve ever lived in Cape Town this should be compulsory reading.

We could be pissed off at “him” for trying to dupe us, but because it’s all a bit harmless, and because we genuinely think the book is funny, we’re going to forgive them. Just this once.

Fast forward to 2016 and Jason Bryden – the author – has no need to “dupe” us into falling for The Jasonater. Luckily, we like appreciate his presence already.

And The Jasonator is back in Bryden’s latest offering, The Year Of The Turnip. Here’s the synopsis:

Not that his friends, or pretty much anyone in Cape Town, have missed him since his job-loss-imposed banishment to his folks’ place in the god-forsaken Eastern Cape, where’s he’s been biding his time serving the soaks – mostly his dad – at the Port Alfred Country Club…

Anyway, point is Jason Brydon is back and this time he’s gonna crush it. He’s definitely on track to land himself a top job and a hot chick (or ten!) because he’s grown as a human being since 2010. Yes, you better believe it. Now he’s a father (admittedly a reluctant one), a surprising exemplar of racial inclusiveness (well, briefly) and a trusted (in his own mind) house-sitter. I mean, what can go wrong when you’ve got a Tamboerskloof mansion to look after (along with some French bulldogs, which basically take care of themselves, right?) and an Audi Q7 to drive (though technically you were asked not to)…? Only good things, china!

Is this the year that Jason redeems himself as a human being? Will he attend the lesbian wedding of his sister (to female Bakkies Botha)? Will he land himself an actual girlfriend (even though what he really wants is a ‘banker’ who he ‘can sext at 2am’)? Will his tummy stop bulging more than his wallet? An important question, that, because he reckons he has a shot at being one of Cosmo’s most eligible bachelors, and even though he’s a player’s player and chicks dig him he’s got to keep on his game…

Whatever it is, it’s the Year Of The Turnip.

Keen on a copy? We thought so. In the spirit of The Jasonater, send an email to editor@2oceansvibe.com (or tweet at 2oceansvibe, include the handle and use #thejasonater) telling us which public figure you think was the biggest Turnip of 2015 and why.

Free book, too easy.