The Persimmon Tree [Audio CD]

Bryce Courtenay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2007

Bryce Courtenays latest novel , The Persimmon Tree, is a big sweeping saga, set among the Pacific Islands and in the Indian Ocean. In the style of Jame Clavell and Jame Michener, it tells the very personal and often romantic stories of men and women caught up in much larger events - in this case starting with the Japanese invasion of Java and the Dutch exodus of the region. The story spans from 1942 and the fall of Singapore and the American landings at Guadalcanal to the ongoing fight against the Japanese for supremacy in the region, and follows the fortunes of a colourful cast of characters.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bryce Courtenay was born in 1933 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has lived in Australia for over forty years. Bryce wrote his first book, The Power of One, at the age of fifty-five. It has now sold nearly three million copies worldwide! His other bestselling titles include Tandia, April Fool's Day, The Potato Factory, Tommo & Hawk, Jessica, Solomon's Song, Smoky Joe's Cafe, Four Fires, Matthew Flinders' Cat, The Family Frying Pan, Brother Fish, Whitethorn and Sylvia.

From AudioFile

When the Japanese invade Indonesia in 1942, 17-year-old Australian Nick Duncan escapes by sailing a yacht across the ocean. It's a harrowing journey made manageable, in part, by Nick's hope that his new love, Anna, is safely on her way to Australia. Unfortunately, Anna is stuck in Indonesia, a prisoner of the Japanese. This love and adventure story is overlong. However, Humphrey Bower's narration makes it a pleasure. His skills should be a model. He reads with anticipation--so that a line written as a laugh or a sob is read as a laugh or a sob without being overdramatized. His characterizations reveal personality and motive, and hold steady throughout the book. And his pacing keeps us interested even when the plot is predictable. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd; Unabridged edition (December 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1742011497
• ISBN-13: 978-1742011493
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,569,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as 'The Power of One', November 17, 2007

By 

Kate Ahmad (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Persimmon Tree (Hardcover)

Wonderful story. I had become somewhat disillusioned with Bryce Courtenay over the past few years. Brother Fish, Whitethorn and Sylvia were all average reads. For this reason, I hesitated in buying 'The Persimmon Tree'. I was seduced by the cover however, and luckily so. The Persimmon Tree is as fine a novel as 'The Power of One'. It combines history, evocative surroundings and an engaging storyline. It was also quite unique aside from the heroine's 'violet eyes' which were reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha!
For both the literary snob and the average reader, I think this book will provide satisfaction.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous read!, October 21, 2009

By 

W. Paul Blakey "of Twin Eagles Publishing" (Sechelt, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Persimmon Tree (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. A plot that thunders along from page one, filled with wonderful characters (I fell in love with the girl with the violet eyes) and fascinating detail. The description of the boat journey to Australia, the Japanese invasion, the Americans and the Australians during WW2 ... wow!

I read it like one possessed, found it hard to put down, despite the fact that it is so thick you need to hold it in both hands and support it on something or your arms start to tremble.

My only complaint is that the paperback version was obviously not proof-read before publication because it is absolutely loaded with typos and formatting errors. It is so bad it looks like a self-published book. Come on, this book deserves better. Courtenay, if I was you, I would complain. The paperback publisher has made a hash of your beautiful work.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, Start to Finish, February 22, 2010

By 

A. Reader (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Persimmon Tree (Hardcover)

As a previous reviewer wrote, I too had become somewhat disenchanted with Bryce Courtenay over the past few years. I thoroughly enjoyed The Power of One and Jessica (the first two Courtenay novels I'd read), but was increasingly disappointed as I made my way though Tandia, Matthew Flinders' Cat and Sylvia. As you probably know, Bryce Courtenay books are not quick reads. They are thick (in many cases, upwards of 800+ pages), the font is small-- and if you're going to read them, you are making a huge time commitment. So when I saw The Persimmmon Tree in the library, I was hesitant to delve into it. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised.

The story begins during 1942 when Nicholas Duncan meets the beautiful Anna van Heerden in the Dutch occupied East Indies. Six weeks after they meet, they are forced to seperate as the Japanese invading forces press closer to the islands each day. Nick sails to Australia, and joins the Allied WWII forces, while Anna (who is half Dutch) struggles to survive in the East Indies under the Japanese occupation.

I loved Anna's story. I loved her tenacity, resilience and resorcefulness. Like many of Courtenay's characters, Anna does not emerge from the war unscathed. Her story was intense and intricate, even (in some places) appalling. However, her character remains determined, generous and strong.

Although I found Nick's story to be less compelling, I nonetheless enjoyed reading about his adventures (and misadventures).

As I approached page 800/840, I started to become uneasy with how Courtney would end the book. Courtney has several novels that end in an abrupt (and in my opinion), unsatisfactory manner. Thankfully (as you can probably tell from my five-star rating) I was content with the conclusion that Courtney chose for the Persimmon Tree. Perhaps next time I won't be so hesitant to pick up another of his novels!

I hope others enjoy this story as much as I did!