Brother Fish

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 31 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of The Power of One comes an inspiring human drama and war story of three lives brought together and changed forever by the extraordinary events of recent history. Inspired by real events, Bryce Courtenay's new novel tells the story of three people from vastly differing backgrounds. All they have in common is a tough beginning in life. Jack McKenzie is a harmonica player, soldier, dreamer, and small-time professional fisherman from a tiny island in Bass Strait. Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan is a strong-willed woman hiding from an ambiguous past in Shanghai. Larger than life, Private Jimmy Oldcorn was once a street kid and leader of a New York gang. Together, they reap a vast and not always legitimate fortune from the sea. Narrated by celebrated, award-winning actor Humphrey Bower.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty. Ltd

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Literary Fiction

Fabulous

I loved this book. It held my interest all the way through. Bruce in Van Nuys apparently did read a different book. Loved the Korea sections and the historical insights. The narrator was also great. Don't listen to the paranoid christian reviewers. They see criticism around every corner. This is a very uplifting book without being holier than thou.

What a pleasant surprise!

This book has been on sale several times, and I've considered it each time. I like long books, if they're good, and this book had lots of good reviews. But then I'd read the blurb and tell myself that I don't like war stories and I don't like stories that span the globe, or fishing stories, etc. Well finally I told myself, "Just do it!" And I did.

I found myself absorbed almost from the very first sentence. It's very hard to explain why. I guess that's why the blurb didn't convince me. I don't know how to describe the plot without mentioning all the things that I "don't like," but those things are not what the story is about.

One thing is, when describing horrific war scenes and incidents of bigotry and other unpleasantness, it would be very easy to make the reader feel oppressed or weighed down by the story, and I'm really not into that. It didn't happen here. It may be due, in part, to the fact that Jacko is telling the story from a distance of 50 years. He was able to be a bit more lighthearted about it. That is not to say that he trivialized those things, but was more focused on the good that came out of those experiences. I felt confident that, though I didn't know what would happen, the man telling the story did, and it was all gonna be okay. I shed some tears, but then things moved along. I also laughed a lot.

For some reason, when I think about how the author described the horrors of war, it made me think of the Italian, Benigni film "Life Is Beautiful." There's really no similarity whatsoever, but in the film, the father is trying to make his son think that they are on vacation and not in a concentration camp. Without detracting from the awfulness of the situation, we are made to smile and even laugh at the father's efforts to keep up the spirits of his son. Other prisoners pick up on what he is doing and get in on the act, and, at least temporarily, have their own spirits lifted. Without that, it would be very hard to keep watching, with the knowledge of what is really happening. I got a similar feeling during the P.O.W. camp portions of this book. I suppose it's because of the way Jimmy was able to motivate the apathetic prisoners into taking care of themselves and each other.

But don't get the idea that that's all the book is about. The war ends, of course, and there is a lot of story to tell about the intervening years, as well as the years before. And it's interesting. I hated to quit listening to do other things, like sleep.

This was all helped along, of course, by the brilliant narration of Humphrey Bower. He was able to do a wide range of accents and voices, and he did them very well and consistently, and was still easy to understand. I don't need accents and voices in order to enjoy a book, but when they're done well, it's a beautiful thing.

So, it took me a long time to finally listen to this book, but I'm very glad I did. I highly recommend this book to just about anyone.

Surprising

When the book began it was very into the Korean war - I'm not much of a fan of war stories but this book pulled me in and wrapped me in the character's lives - which are NOT all about the war. Not a gripping story but very satisfying. I'm glad I strayed from my usual genre. Very enjoyable. The narrator was great and suited the story well.

Not a bad read...

I liked the story, very interesting but wayyyy too much detail that wasnt necessary. At certain points i couldnt even concentrate because the detail would just go on and on. A fair read but not highly recommended for someone who doenst like long drawn out books.

Far to Amazing

I wish more of the circumstances they faced had been a little more grounded in reality. Everything fell to neatly in place and worked out to perfectly. Like the time I went to India to shoot a Bengal Tiger and gave Gandhi a ride, and met the King of England, who asked me to be on their Cricket Team because they had a sick player, but I scored the winning point as the game ended, and was invited to dive off of the Gibraltar Rock, which I did, and swam the straits in a hurricane while having a Throwdown with Bobby Flay in an intertube.

Not for everyone

A bit too long. Perfomance was good. If you like war stories this is one for you.

Overall, pretty solid.

Any additional comments?

This is a decent book, worth the credit and the listen for sure. The only thing that keeps rubbing me the wrong way is the giant negro trope the author likes to insert into many of his novels. Not every black dude is 7 feet tall, amazingly sexy, and incredibly intelligent. It always feels like the author is trying to add diversity, but he's awkward making them normal and/or relatable. Although to be fair, I keep buying his books, so apparently I don't mind that much. I REALLY enjoyed the female characters, what few of them there were. They were very whole.

A Story of Bravery and Camaraderie

What made the experience of listening to Brother Fish the most enjoyable?

The narrator, Humphrey Bower, once more surpassed himself. The different character voices, is amazing. A truly gifted narrator.

What other book might you compare Brother Fish to and why?

The Story of Danny Dunn who was a POW, but of the Japanese, although the story was quite different and the ending sad I enjoyed it. I found Brother Fish riveting reading

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

I was intrigued by the effortless way he changed his voice to suit the characters, and there are many.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If there is one film you should not miss. This is it!

Any additional comments?

Bryce Courtenay once again wrote a truly great book. I enjoyed the way the storyline moved from the past to the present throughout the book. Except for one sad episode, the story ends on a happy note. If you are looking for an interesting an entertaining book, then you should read Brother Fish.

Courtenay Outdoes Himself

I absolutely LOVED this book and hated for it to end. Courtenay's characters are so well developed and engaging, and the storyline is terrific. Humphrey Bower is a joy to listen to, and in addition to his delightful Australian accent, the man is a brilliant mimic, nailing every accent across a wide range of nationalities. All around a wonderful listening experience by one of the best combos out there!

Said before, but you can never disappointed by a Bryce Courtney story

Thoroughly enjoyable wandering tale, many twists and turns great research. Rediscovering his stories through talking books and loving it. (Haven't read Bryce Courtney since the 80's)