I love Bryce Courtenay books and shall miss him! However, this was not my favourite book. A bit repetitive material from his other books.

It was slow and took a long time to really invest in the characters. He seemed to spend a lot of time on details that weren't significant to the overall plot.

Love him so much that I've found other audio books he's narrated, by other authors. He's a true master at narration, accents, characters (of both genders—without sounding condescending). But the story wasn't good so it was hard to get into his characters with this one. He seems to speak much slower when preforming with an American (or in this case Canadian) accent. It almost doesn't even sound like him.

I really enjoy Bryce Courtney's books—particularly Jessica, Power of One and Tandia. But it seems he's repeating/borrowing several concepts from his previous novels, i.e.
card player—similar to Tomo in The Australian Trilogy
copper miner/racial tensions—Peekay in Power of One

Obviously authors write what they know, but with 20+ books, I think he needs to expand what he writes about a little more. I still have some other books of his to listen to, which I will, but this was not his best.

So sad to think this is the last story from Bryce courtenay. A wonderful story narrated perfectly as always from Humphrey bower .. Buyer will not be disappointed

Towards the end of the epilogue Bryce Courtenay, aware that this is his last novel, says he hopes he will be remembered as a "damn good story-teller". That he is and so he will be remembered. "Jack of Diamonds" starts in Toronto and takes us to Las Vegas, New York, London and finally back to the copper mines in Northern Africa mentioned in Courtenay's earlier novels and where the author himself worked as a "grizzly" when he was 17 years old. His hero is Jack Spayd who grew up in Cabbage Town, Toronto who climbs out of his poverty thanks to his mother's support, good black friends, the love of his life, Bridget and his exceptional talent as a jazz musician and an elite poker player, the latter which almost costed him his life on several occasions.
This novel reminds me in some ways of "Whitehorn" and I enjoyed it immensely although I found it difficult to realize that this was BC's last novel.
Humphrey Bower is one of my favorite narrators. What a terrific job he does as a Canadian from Toronto. I could never see anyone else doing Bryce Courtenay's books. Bower brings all the characters to life.
This is another must-read.
So sad to know that this wonderful Australian author has produced his final book.

Glad to hear a story that began in Canada.
I spent some years in Toronto as a young adult, when there still were taverns and such that were great places for an evening of entertainment - all kinds of music, but lots of jazz.
We knew people who had lived in Cabbagetown as kids, and had grown to be wonderful adults. A couple of them were war veterans as well.
I loved, as well, the way the story moved smoothly to other venues.
Well done Bryce, I will miss getting new stories from you!

Another Bryce Courtenay brilliant book and as always narrated by Humphrer Bower .. what an exciting book. A great read.

great story

the places jack goes the things that happen sorry to get to the end. started it again

any thing Humphrey reads is great

Jacks mum was great . she had pretty hard time

[RIP] Bryce loved every book . Audible we now need a good story teller like Bryce keep a look out please

This was was my first audiobook with Bryce Courtenay. When it first started I asked myself why did I buy a book that starts out in the 1930's????? My doubts were quickly dispelled and it sure did help pass the time away on a long Uhaul trip across the country.... in fact sometimes I couldn't put it down

I haven't read the print version but will probably buy it as I have every one of Bryce Courtenay's books. He's the most amazing storyteller.

Jack of course! He's flawed, but brave, innocent but inquisitive, talented and kind, unbiased in any way (like all Bryce's hero and heroines), picks his causes and they are always good ones. Loves his family, is loyal to his friends, and they to him. Makes enemies becos of his actions and views, but always sticks to his beliefs, and stands up for both those, and for others too weak, helpless or bullied to stand up for themselves. But yet, even though he sounds like a super hero he's very real.

I haven't listened to any of Mr. Bower;s any other performances. His voice was perfect for this story.

Jack of course!

I am heartbroken that this is Bryce's last book, and I loved that he realized that we would all want to know what happened in the next book which was "in the writing" and would have flowed out of him in 2013 - so he told us briefly what happens. I am so sad that all his brilliance was condensed into just a few chapters - when it could have been chapters and chapters more - but I am so grateful that he told us the rest of the story. Thank you, Bryce for all your wonderful characters, amazing stories, incredible observations, respect for the truth and for goodness. I loved every flash of writing brilliance, and there were hundreds and hundreds of them in every book.

An awful and pompous use of words. I can't believe this got published! I had to persevere to finish.