The Persimmon Tree (the first book in the Nick Duncan series) was my second listen by Bryce Courtenay (Jack of Diamonds was my first) and I am so happy there are many more Bryce Courtenay books remaining for me to enjoy. The narration of this book is spectacular, the story is completely engrossing. This is a solid 5 star book. Highly recommend!

Dutch East Indies, WWII, and much in between

A nice, light Australian accent; clarity.

none except how do you enter your review?

Yes, I would recommend this book (and have). It is in the same vein as The Winds of War - a WWII "love story from afar" with a decent story line and lots of historical details, but set in the South Pacific (as opposed to Europe). If you like historical fiction, you will like this book. I particularly liked it because I had very little knowledge of the political situation in Southeast Asia prior to our current environment. Certainly I knew of the Dutch East Indies, Indochine and other places, but I had never associated them with the current names and am happy to be able to do so after having read this book. Also, as an American, I am fairly unknowledgeable of the WWII experience of any countries besides the Unites States with respect to the South Pacific, so while the story was fiction, at least I don't feel quite as ignorant as I was a couple of weeks ago. (I should say that there are not nearly the number of true historical events portrayed in this novel as there are in The Winds of War or its sequel.)

I really liked the narrator who did an amazing job with a dozen or so different accents. Good on ya, Mate!

There were a couple of things that about the book that I didn't relish and without wanting to spoil the story, I'll just say that there was a fair bit that was unbelievable - and towards the end, because I came to know the characters - predictable. Also, at times it seemed as if the author perhaps thought he was being paid by the word. That could just be me, though, as I am not terribly patient.

This book ranks in the top 10 percent.

Although a love story, it is also historical fiction. A good combination. I do not want to ruin the story by saying too much about the plot. I could not wait to see how the story would unwind and was not disappointed.

I had this book in my library for a while and hadn't listened. once I started I have been enthralled.

yes, I loved the freedom to listen to the story while driving long distances I don't always have time to read a long book

the author's ability to combine facts from the 2nd world war and weave a fictional story into it was fantastic

the different accents

Humphrey Bower brings the characters to life in your head. Listening to his portrayal of each character in this epic story by Bryce Courtenay made me feel I knew them all. I can't wait to relive their adventures once again.This being my first Bryce Courtenay novel I can see why he was so well regarded. Now have to listen to all of his others before I can go back to the Persimmon Tree.

They were all believable, likeable and loathsome as required.

SPOILER ALERT: Anna stabbing the pervert commander in the "nest of the swallows"

Not that extreme.

Bryce is a great loss, as it turns out. I have no interest in "war stories" but this is a great story that just happens to be set during a war.

The book got off to a fine start,but the story seems to drag around the middle of the

book. There starts to be too much detail, as far as I was concerned. A small example,-

I'm not really interested in the sexual needs or desires of the WW2 Japanese soldier (s).

There was more than ample violence and gore to disqualify this as a love story

It was a good job over all.

From the start to the middle, yes the rest could have been cut to the last chapter.

You're going to get a lot of well researched history, a lot of horror inflicted onto innocent

people, cruelty to the extreme and, of course,sexual deviancy. If this seems a bit too

much historic reality , better pass on this one. On the other hand, if that's the kind of

thing you like, you're going to have to wade through some mushy spots.

What didn't I like? I'm a person who love historical novels and some one recommended I read Bryce Courtenay, because I would be truly amazed at the gripping tales of emotion and history. Not only that but Humphrey Bower, who narrated Shantaram by Gregory Roberts. (which I had listened to at least twice) I knew that I would get a great narration. The time lines and the actual history's of the story floored me. The facts, and the power of the story kept me listening. The emotional drama of this was something that kept me listening until I had to stop to do other things. ( I couldn't wait to return to listening)

The character development, the factual story line and the depth of detail

I think Humphrey Bower is in my opinion one of the top 5 narrators I've ever listened to.

Several actually. When Anna killed the Japanese commander to try and make her escape.
When Nick, found his father, and finally when Anna and Nick found each other again after five years of war that changed the people they were.

This was my first Bryce Courteny book. I am devastated that he has passed away. However I will listen to as much of his works on Audible that I can. Especially since Humphrey Bower does the narration on them. I usually don't go on and on about recommending a book, however if you enjoy action packed factual historical novels as much as I do, with fantastic narration. This will not disappoint.

Yes. Even with the length some books are just dragged out. This one always has your attention

The Preformer's ability to give each character such life....

More thumbs up than I am capable of giving. His acents are tremendous.

Mick, Anna and the rest

A must for any true Audible listner