Whitethorn [Import] [Paperback]

Bryce Courtenay (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 696 pages
• Publisher: Viking Australia (May 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670070416
• ISBN-13: 978-0670070411
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,147,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great storytelling - but haven't I read this before?, January 7, 2006

By 

C. Rolfe-Vyson (Auckland New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whitethorn (Hardcover)

Let me start by saying this is a great coming of age story about a young boy Tom Fitzsaxby growing up during the 40's and 50's in South Africa. The writing style is written as if Tom is more of an observer of his life than a participant in it. This gives the book an unusual tone that is well both told and absorbing.

By why the three stars then?

Point One;

Well 'haven't I read this before?'. Why yes. In the 'Power of One' also by Bryce Courtenay.

The similarities; Young boy of English descent growing up in South Africa - raised in an orphanage/ boarding school - persecuted by Afrikaner children - loner - scenes of urination (!) - makes friends with understanding adults who mentor him - brilliant student rises above it all - boxing - works in Rhodesian mines (I nearly gave up then and there) - meets school boy tormentor - some sort of resolution - goes to English University - becomes a lawyer (okay that's in Tandia the follow up to Power of One) - fights for the rights of blacks.

Point Two;

Initially there seems to be no narrative drive, that is to say it is unclear exactly where the story is going. It meanders along telling stories about our protagonist's youth but it's unclear where all this is leading. It becomes apparent in the last third though. Secondly, the book seems to 'hurry' towards a conclusion. I have come across this before in other books by Mr Courtenay. Where after a prolonged build up, the resolution comes all too quickly considering the narrative tone preceding this point.

These criticisms shouldn't take away from the fact that this is a well written book that is an enjoyable read. It immerses you in South African life of that period and the people and attitudes of the time.

So 4/5 if you haven't read 'Power of One'

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant portrait of the subtleties of racism, January 15, 2008

By 

Gordon Eldridge (Southport, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: WhiteThorn (Paperback)

Tom Fitzsaxby is an orphan whose English surname ensures that he will be a total outcast in the rural Afrikaner orphanage he grows up in. The story follows Tom through the years of WWII and the post-war years until he is in his thirties. During this time he is dogged by the legacy of the racism that was rampant in the community of his childhood. The early stages of the book are written using the narrative voice of the young Tom. The naivety inherent in this child's perspective allows Courtenay to explore and comment on aspects of racism without ever becoming preachy or trite.

The story is peopled with a variety of fascinating characters of differing racial and social backgrounds, allowing us a glimpse into the subtly different ways that racism manifests itself. At times the plot is a trifle contrived and Tom seems to be the recipient of just a few too many lucky breaks, but the overall storyline is gripping as well as containing many interesting historical details. Overall the novel is an insightful window onto the nature of racial conflict in southern Africa.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very familiar, February 15, 2006

By 

Max Power "Maxi" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whitethorn (Hardcover)

I agree with the previous reviewer, Whitethorn is an entertaining and engaging read but all so very reminiscent of PK and the Power of One. I suspect Courtney is drawing on his own background but the poor English boy in boarding school/orphanage, persecuted by the Afrikaaners, boxing, latent homosexuality, nazi-sympathising, befriending a wise black-man, black-man savagely abused, commitment to social justice and eventually the legal profession is something we've already been over. I haven't even read the Power of One but am familiar with the story from the film.

The story of young Tom seems to lose its way a bit towards the end. Certainly the Rhodesian interlude was of marginal relevance and the Kenyan pointless but for further misery. The redemption at the end was expected but disappointingly easily resolved. The blanks (ie Oxford) in the tale left the reader wondering but the gems that were to be found glittered brightly.

Last comment - I think better editing wouldn't have hurt this book. I don't usually like comments like that - I believe it is for authors to craft their tales - not editors. However, given my comments above it is clear that some parts added little to the narrative and some could have been better developed.