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    Elad D.N. Hevel Eilot, Israel 12-26-12
    Elad D.N. Hevel Eilot, Israel 12-26-12 Member Since 2017
    HELPFUL VOTES
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    17
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    "Bryce Courtenay will be missed..."

    I'm writing this before I've actually finished the book, but halfway through it's clear that thi is yet another masterpiece, apparently the last, from this marvelous author. Humphrey Bower, as usual, narrates superbly,changing his voice and his accent to suit the character who's speaking. As the father of a 17-year-old jazz musician, this book resonates deeply with me, but I can't imagine anyone not loving it.

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    5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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    Tim Poulsbo, WA, United States 12-19-12
    Tim Poulsbo, WA, United States 12-19-12 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    151
    ratings
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    280
    119
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    6
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    "an epic personal journey"
    If you could sum up Jack of Diamonds in three words, what would they be?

    overcoming great odds


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    I found that it was enjoyable with rarely a boring segment, but it was one I could put down and come back to later


    Any additional comments?

    This story, following a young boy from the depth of the economic depression of the 30's, virtually through his adult life was inspirational and read almost like a biography. It was, in a way, written in an old fashioned style of the 30's or 40's but modern in language and content. Its scope covered ground from Canada to Las Vegas, New York, England and Africa.

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    4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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    Kelly 08-31-14
    Kelly 08-31-14 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1
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    108
    3
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    "Outstanding story and perforance"
    What did you like best about this story?

    What a well written story. It flowed very well. I am so happy to have discovered this author.


    What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

    I have never heard such an accomplished reader. How many accents can he do? Really entertaining!!


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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Paddington Sydney, Australia 01-12-14
    Paddington Sydney, Australia 01-12-14 Listener Since 2010
    HELPFUL VOTES
    54
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    "What a store teller ..... Bryce does it again!"

    As with all of his novels, I have been thoroughly entertained by Bryce Courtenay listening to Jack of Diamonds. I am sorry that have only a couple of his novels left to read/listen to. This novel was in a different setting mostly in Canada and Las Vegas, and a little towards the end in a mining setting in Africa. It was set among the jazz world, high roller gamblers and Mafia connections with an interesting thread about the culture and times of pre and post world war 2. I love Courtenay's novels .... he has been a wonderful story teller and will be greatly missed.

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    charmaine 01-06-14
    charmaine 01-06-14
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1
    ratings
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    1
    1
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    0
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    "Jack of Diamonds"
    What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

    A better story


    What was most disappointing about Bryce Courtenay’s story?

    Not as interesting as his other books which had more of a historical theme and truth to them.


    How did the narrator detract from the book?

    Not at all


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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    John Couva, Trinidad and Tobago 11-14-13
    John Couva, Trinidad and Tobago 11-14-13 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    17
    ratings
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    167
    13
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    "Only ⅓ finished but loving it"

    I'm sure going to miss Bryce Courtenay yarns … and Humphrey Bower brings them to life

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Jeffrey S PLEASANT HILL, CA, United States 08-01-13
    Jeffrey S PLEASANT HILL, CA, United States 08-01-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    19
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    "An overlong series of separate incredible episodes"
    Would you try another book from Bryce Courtenay and/or Humphrey Bower?

    The reader was excellent. As for the book, I'm reluctant to be critical of a well-liked author who knew he dying of cancer, but I always felt that he didn't know where the story was going--so he just kept on going and going. First we have the "Jack learns to play the piano and escape blue collar Toronto story." Then we have the "Jack goes out west, becomes a poker player, and loses his virginity to a sweet hooker story before escaping from gangsters story." Then there is the "escaping from WWII by getting an early minor wound" story. Then the escaping gangsters in Las Vegas story. Then the escaping thugs in Africa story. Then the escaping his daughter's creditors in London story, which also results in saving Jack's talking parrot. One melodrama after the next. It all comes across like something written to be published in monthly installments in an old-fashioned magazine serial.


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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Kim Slidell, LA, United States 03-09-13
    Kim Slidell, LA, United States 03-09-13 Member Since 2011
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
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    4
    4
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    "Can't believe I got through this book."

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

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Jessica Atlanta, GA, United States 01-14-13
    Jessica Atlanta, GA, United States 01-14-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    7
    ratings
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    24
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    "Courtenay not up to par on his latest novel."
    What was most disappointing about Bryce Courtenay’s story?

    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.


    What three words best describe Humphrey Bower’s voice?

    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.


    Any additional comments?

    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.

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Bek Mt barker, Australia 12-03-12
    Bek Mt barker, Australia 12-03-12
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
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    1
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    "Awesome but a lot like whitethorn"
    What made the experience of listening to Jack of Diamonds the most enjoyable?

    I love all BC books there a great way to get though the day


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Dj was awesome :)


    Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

    He is great with them all


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    No it was a little slow in pasts


    Any additional comments?

    Loved it but was a lot like whitethorn in parts

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    3 of 4 people found this review helpful