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The Persimmon Tree
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 27 hrs and 56 mins
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Publisher's summary
It is 1942 in the Dutch East Indies, and Nick Duncan is a young Australian butterfly collector in search of a single exotic butterfly. With invading Japanese forces coming closer by the day, Nick falls in love with the beguiling Anna van Heerden.
Their time together is brief, as both are forced into separate, dangerous escapes. They plan to reunite and marry in Australia but it is several years before their paths cross again, scarred forever by the dark events of a long, cruel war.
In The Persimmon Tree, Bryce Courtenay gives us a story of love and friendship set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific during the Second World War.
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Four Fires
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 29 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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The four fires in this story are passion, religion, warfare, and fire itself. While there are many more fires that drive the human spirit, love being perhaps the brightest flame of all, it is these four that have moulded us most as Australian people. The four fires give us our sense of place and, for better or for worse, shape our national character.
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Hit in the solar plexus
- By Robert on 01-07-11
By: Bryce Courtenay
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The Power of One
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, this one small boy will come to lead all the tribes of Africa. Through enduring friendships with Hymie and Gideon, Peekay gains the strength he needs to win out. And in a final conflict with his childhood enemy, the Judge, Peekay will fight to the death for justice.
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Compelling story lifted higher by the narration
- By Bob on 05-14-09
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Jack of Diamonds
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 26 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. After being taken under the wing of "Miss Frostbite", the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. Fame and the allure of gambling takes him to Vegas, and prospects of fortune take him to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines.
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On the Day we lost Bryce
- By Brodie on 11-23-12
By: Bryce Courtenay
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The Potato Factory
- The Australian Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Always leave a little salt on the bread. Ikey Solomon's favorite saying is also his way of doing business, and in the business of thieving he's very successful indeed. Ikey's partner in crime is his mistress, the forthright Mary Abacus, until misfortune befalls them. They are parted and each must make the harsh journey from thriving nineteenth century London to the convict settlement of Van Diemen's Land.
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Best audiobook of the year!
- By karen on 11-30-05
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Whitethorn
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 24 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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From the author of The Power of One comes a new novel about Africa. The time is 1939. White South Africa is a deeply divided nation with many of the Afrikaner people fanatically opposed to the English. The world is also on the brink of war, and South Africa elects to fight for the Allied cause against Germany. Six-year-old Tom Fitzsaxby finds himself in The Boys Farm, an orphanage in a remote town in the high mountains, where the Afrikaners side fiercely with Hitler's Germany.
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Typical Bryce Courtney/Humphrey Bower ....awesome
- By Melissa on 12-06-12
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Brother Fish
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 31 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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From the author of The Power of One comes an inspiring human drama of three lives brought together and changed forever by the extraordinary events of recent history. Inspired by real events, Bryce Courtenay's new novel tells the story of three people from vastly differing backgrounds. All they have in common is a tough beginning in life.
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Not Just Another Fish Story - something special
- By Rebecarol on 07-07-08
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Four Fires
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 29 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The four fires in this story are passion, religion, warfare, and fire itself. While there are many more fires that drive the human spirit, love being perhaps the brightest flame of all, it is these four that have moulded us most as Australian people. The four fires give us our sense of place and, for better or for worse, shape our national character.
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Hit in the solar plexus
- By Robert on 01-07-11
By: Bryce Courtenay
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The Power of One
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, this one small boy will come to lead all the tribes of Africa. Through enduring friendships with Hymie and Gideon, Peekay gains the strength he needs to win out. And in a final conflict with his childhood enemy, the Judge, Peekay will fight to the death for justice.
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Compelling story lifted higher by the narration
- By Bob on 05-14-09
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Jack of Diamonds
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 26 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. After being taken under the wing of "Miss Frostbite", the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. Fame and the allure of gambling takes him to Vegas, and prospects of fortune take him to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines.
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On the Day we lost Bryce
- By Brodie on 11-23-12
By: Bryce Courtenay
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The Story of Danny Dunn
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 23 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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At just 16 years Danny Dunn has everything going for him: brains, looks, sporting aptitude - and luck with the ladies. His mother steers him towards a university education, but with just six months of his degree to go, he signs up for the AIF, driven by a desire to serve his country and plain wanderlust. Danny serves in South-east Asia, spends three and a half years as a POW, and returns a broken man, embittered and facially disfigured. He is scared and overwhelmed by the need to sort himself out, to find out who the hell he is....
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Oh Danny Boy!
- By Eddie on 02-06-10
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Jessica
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 19 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Jessica is based on the inspiring true story of a young girl's fight for justice against tremendous odds. A tomboy, Jessica is the pride of her father, as they work together on the struggling family farm. One quiet day, the peace of the bush is devastated by a terrible murder. Only Jessica is able to save the killer from the lynch mob: but will justice prevail in the courts? Nine months later, a baby is born...with Jessica determined to guard the secret of the father's identity.
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No light reading!
- By Amazon Customer on 10-04-10
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Fortune Cookie
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 21 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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It's the 1960s and the world of advertising is coming alive - and it's an exciting world to be part of. Simon Wong, a Chinese-Australian and promising young advertising executive, is sent to Singapore to establish an office. He finds himself thrust into an environment that is at once strangely familiar and profoundly different; one where the rules that govern behaviour - both in business and in personal life - differ wildly from what he is used to. And where all is not what it appears to be.
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You need a refresh Mr Bower and Mr Courtenay
- By Geoff Croshaw on 04-21-11
By: Bryce Courtenay
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April Fool's Day
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 19 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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This is Bryce Courtenay's moving tribute to his son, Damon, a hemophiliac who died from medically acquired AIDS on April 1, 1991, at the age of 24. April Fool's Day is controversial, painful and heartbreaking, yet has a gentle humor. It is also life-affirming, and, above all, a testimony to the incredible regenerative strength of love: how when we confront our worst, we can become our best. This tragic yet uplifting story will change the way you think.
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This is A Love Story
- By Louise on 12-03-07
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Matthew Flinder's Cat
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 16 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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The story of a drunk, a boy, and a cat. Billy O'Shannessy, once a prominent barrister, is now on the street where he sleeps on a bench outside the State Library. Above him on the window sill rests a bronze statue of Matthew Flinders' cat, Trim. Ryan is a 10-year-old, a near-street kid heading for the usual trouble. The two form an unlikely bond.
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Extraordinary Story
- By CYNTHIA L SPANNUTH on 08-11-06
By: Bryce Courtenay
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Sylvia
- By: Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by: Edwina Wren
- Length: 19 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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From master storyteller Bryce Courtenay comes a colorful, lusty story set in the 13th century, an epic tale of a Europe torn by religious intolerance. The story centers around Sylvia Honeyeater, who sings like an angel and can literally charm the birds from the trees. The narrative also features the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Francis of Assisi, the Muslim Sultan and his harem, and the fervor that becomes the Children's Crusade and then, later, the Crusades.
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a departure for Bryce
- By G. on 06-11-07
By: Bryce Courtenay
What listeners say about The Persimmon Tree
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Cathy
- 11-03-16
Bryce Courtenay/Humphrey Bower combo<br />
The Author/Narrator team here works so well. I've "read" several, Power of One my first.
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- Bob
- 04-27-12
wonderful read
What made the experience of listening to The Persimmon Tree the most enjoyable?
The speaker was so involved in the story and his voice showed emotion of the main charicter.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Nick, he grewup before your eyes
Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?
Nick
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A view of the invasion of Indonesia we knew nothing about.
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- StemBoxer
- 02-04-13
Glad I stuck with it...
I had a hard time getting into this one, but I'm glad I didn't give up.
One of the 2 main characters just seemed too earnest in the beginning, and I found him annoying. The growth of the other main character, Anna, is wonderful especially as life changes dramatically under Japanese occupation. By the end, I was hoping for more.
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- Julia
- 06-17-13
A spell-binding read
Where does The Persimmon Tree rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
A truly enjoyable read, loved the characters and descriptions
What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Fabulous characterisations and accents - makes it much easier to understand personalities and differences between characters.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Many...I'd find a tear in my eye. But don't want to give any spoilers!
Any additional comments?
Whilst I really enjoyed the story, I wished it hadn't ended so soon. I'm aware there is a sequel, but don't think I need a whole new book to satisfy me...rather just another chapter or two (especially after reading reviews for Fishing for Stars)
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- El Jay
- 06-14-12
What an enjoyable audible!
I really enjoyed the story but wonder if that is partially due to Mr. Bower's performance! What a narrator???.a five star plus performance. The story is a very interesting side to WWII that you don't often hear or know much about. Enjoyed the history as well as the interesting characters of the story. Have to research what else Humphrey Bower has narrated.
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- Ninjachinchin
- 04-11-13
GOOD BUT LONG!
Before all else I must say that Humphrey Bower does a stupendous job in narrating this +600 page book. I only have praise for Mr. Bower’s ability and the many different accents he effortlessly juggles throughout this story of two would-be lovers during the Second World War. Nicholas Duncan is the son of an Australian missionary who has spent most of his career in Japan and Indonesia. Anna van Heerden is the daughter of a rich Dutch land owner and a Javanese woman. Their story begins in Java and covers a large period, including the period when the Dutch controlled Java to the time when the Javanese kicked the Dutch out and Japan stepped in as that country's new ruler.
If you like history then you will find this book to be very interesting as Courtenay has done his research well and intertwined his story with numerous historic facts. That being said, there is no mistake that this is fiction because the main characters are just too good. Nick's story gets a bit tiresome because everything good happens to him. He seems to possess exceptional knowledge, which is surpassed only by his even better physical skills, and with very little going wrong Nick practically wins the war in the Islands...apparently on his own. Anna's story on the other hand is sad. She is unable to escape Java and she suffers much tragedy. Although she has money and a group of devoted friends, these are not enough to protect her. She is left to fend for herself, ultimately becoming a special, 'skilled' form of entertainment for a Japanese Colonel, Konoe-san. The idea that Nick and Anna's love of only a few days could last, let alone overcome numerous years of separation, particularly after we learn of Nick's subsequent behavior, seems more unlikely than likely.
I enjoyed the supporting characters. The Indonesians are well detailed, especially Til, the Tuk Tuk driver who befriends and continues to help Anna. The American sailor, Kevin Judge, is another memorable character. Kevin is rescued by Nick after he is found unconscious on the beach. They sail to Australia, a harrowing journey in any scenario, and theirs becomes a strong and everlasting friendship. Nick continues to enjoy good fortune but he never gives up the search for his beloved Anna.
Yes this book is long and no, it is not for everyone but if you have the patience, if you are looking for attention to detail and if you like historic novels of the WWII subject matter then this is a good audiobook for you.
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- Martha Humphreys
- 03-08-13
Engaging WWII Down Under drama, romance, action...
Am still living with Nick Duncan, Anna (Madame Butterfly) lingering in my thoughts and wish this novel was a trilogy, too. Invite these characters into your listening life and try to get them out of your mind....so far, they're still alive and well on my daily walk. Almost impossible to listen to another book as I wanted this one to never end...
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- Mike M. Javanmard
- 07-15-13
Thinking of Planting Trees
The story was interesting except the ending was to clean and happy happy. It felt good for a short period of time to realize that everything worked out but it would have been more effective if it had a sad more realistic ending.
I enjoyed the Australian accent of the reader.
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- Paddington
- 06-07-13
Another entertaining story
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story. It was interesting for me being an Australian from an historical point of view. My parents lived through the Second World War with my father being in the Australia Defence Force as a young man around the same as age the main character Nick. I found this particular story of the attempted escapes and plight of those who were not successful very compelling. Highly recommended.
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- Ann B. Bass
- 04-18-12
Superb story and peformance
I was already a Bryce Courtney and Humphrey Bower fan, but this book surpassed those I had "read" before. I highly reccomend it!
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