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Read by: Humphrey Bower
Running Time: 27 hrs 55 mins
Categories: Fiction, Family Relationships, Adventure
Media: on mp3 CD, Unabridged Audio Book
ISBN: 9781742011509
Courtenay's novels are primarily set in South Africa, the country of his birth, or Australia, his adopted country. His first book, The Power of One, was published in 1989 and, despite Courtenay's fears that it would never sell, quickly became one of Australia's best-selling books by any living author. The story was made into a film, as well as being re-released in an edition for children.
Courtenay was one of Australia's most commercially successful authors. He built up this success over the long term by promoting himself and developing a relationship with readers as much as marketing his books; for instance, he gave away up to 2,500 books free each year to readers he met in the street. However, only The Power of One has been published in the United States. Courtenay claimed that this was because "American publishers for the most part have difficulties about Australia; they are interested in books in their own country first and foremost. However, we receive many e-mails and letters from Americans who have read my books and I am hoping in the future that publishers will recognize that there is a market for all my books in the U.S."
Courtenay had a very strong work ethic, often writing 12 hours a day, and he normally wrote a book each year during his writing career. He turned to writing in the late 1980s after a 30-year career in advertising.In his lifetime, he sold more than 20 million copies of his books worldwide.
Synopsis
The Persimmon Tree opens in Indonesia in 1942 on the cusp of Japanese invasion and the evacuation of Batavia (Jakarta) by the Dutch. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Duncan is on holiday there, in pursuit of an exotic butterfly known as the Magpie Crow. It's an uncertain, dangerous time to be in Indonesia, and Nick's options of getting out are fast dwindling. Amidst the fear and chaos he falls in love with Anna, the beautiful daughter of a Dutch acquaintance, and she nicknames him 'Mr Butterfly'.
To assist in the escape, Anna's father gifts
Nick his prized yacht, Vlermuis, to sail to Australia. Singapore has
just fallen, the Japanese have made it to Sumatra, and the waters are
dangerous. Vlermuis is not long out of Batavia when Nick is forced
ashore for repairs.
He witnesses the bloody execution of
shipwrecked Allied soldiers by natives, and while burying what's left of
the bodies, Nick notices one wounded soldier has escaped death, and he
carries him back to his yacht.
The rescued soldier is a lower-class Irish Catholic American called Kevin Judge. He has no sailing experience, but he assists Nick in navigating through some dramatic storms and the two form an unlikely and lifelong friendship.
Reviews"Brilliant! I am not normally a fan of war stories, but Bryce had me hook line and sinker. Humphrey Bower was amazing - in my opinion an audio book is only as good as its narrator, and this one is simply marvelous." - Audible review
"Bryce Courtney, alas no more, is one of the New World's great writers. As always, he paints detailed pictures of his characters who are believable and sufficiently complex to be interesting. This is my third of the books of his and I have listened to on Audible and I am simply in awe of his writing in this one. I learned a lot, felt a lot and was riveted by the story. I could hardly stop listening to this novel and was sorry - even after 27 hours - it ended at all. He writes somewhat like Dickens with passion and detail, pushing you back in time until you feel like an observing bystander. He is more contemporary in style and in each instance writes about a different era. Humphrey Bower - his regular - was an almost faultless narrator on this occasion. He excelled this time and added immensely to the writing like few could. Amazing characterisations of either sex. I believed every one of them, What a great team they made. " - Amazon review
"Another masterpiece by Mr Courtenay. Highly detailed descriptions, and engaging story present a different face of the Vietnam war. The thread of separated lovers, woven amongst tales of alcoholism, addiction, war crimes, coming of age and more. Just great, although rather lengthy." - Amazon review
"Sad but beautiful. This book had me in tears on more than one occasion. An author that can produce raw emotion like that is a genius in my opinion." - Amazon review
On Media
Audiobook on mp3 CD-ROM, complete with cover art on the CD. Supplied in windowed CD sleeve, no case provided.
Shipping - Domestic with Free mail to all customers. Express Post option also available @ $8 extra. No International orders, sorryPositive feedback will be left for all purchasers after payment, and I would request the same from the buyer if satisfied.