Fishing for Stars

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 22 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Simultaneous release of the sequel to the best-selling The Persimmon Tree.

Nicholas Duncan is a semi-retired shipping magnate who resides in idyllic Beautiful Bay in Indonesia, where he is known as the old patriarch of the islands. He is grieving the loss of his beautiful Eurasian wife, Anna, and is suffering for the first time from disturbing flashbacks to WWII, the scene of their first meeting and early love. His other wartime lover is the striking Marg Hamilton, a powerful and influential political player in Australia who has remained close to Nick. Marg suspects Nick is suffering the onset of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and organises for a specialist to meet with him in Sydney. But when they meet, Tony Freedman stirs long-buried emotions in Nick and the two men don't hit it off.

Nick leaves in an explosion of anger and finds himself in hospital after being hit by a car. Tony visits and encourages Nick to write as a form of therapy - to write about Anna. So he sets about writing about the woman who has inspired him since his late teens, and in doing so draws us into the compelling tale of the life he has lived post war-hero days building a shipping empire, navigating international corruption, supporting his wife's third-world education crusade and loving the women who inspire him. Set in the exotic locale of the spice islands during the excitement of post-war prosperity and possibility, and driven by strong, colourful characters, this book is truly epic in scope. Is it possible for a man to love two women?

©2013 Christine Courtenay; 2008 Bryce Courtenay (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

Butterflies

Fantastic narrators, complex life shared in a warm compassionate manner. Many thanks to the author and his staff.

Not one of Courtney's Best

What did you like best about Fishing for Stars? What did you like least?

As always, Humphrey Bower's does a masterful job of bringing the story to life, but unlike other Courtenay books this one never really grabbed and held me. It felt like Courtenay wasn't sure where he was going with this one. At several points I was tempted to abandon the book but trudged on to a so-so ending. Glad this wasn't the first Courtenay book I listened to as I would likely have passed on his other very excellent books.

Wish there was a trilogy

Loved both these books particularly Humphrey’s narrating - intriguing story that keeps current and weaves in history

The worst of Courtney's...

I'm a big fan of the author's, but this book was a struggle. The characters are annoying and I really ended up hating them towards the end, plus, there's some perverse justification for heroin, which is a complete fantasy co concocted from someone who obviously doesn't know much about it, as well as a weird version of throuple (what, there aren't enough men in the world for the characters to dite over the same one?) ... I just couldn't root for Anna, as she in my opinion, was just a traumatized annoying brat, always getting her way from the main character, who seemed just a pushover. I'm disappointed and couldn't wait to finish this book.

Stellar read

This is the fifth book I have read by this wonderful author and I am at the point where if I am not sure what to use a credit on I can always go to a Bryce Courtenay book and don't even need to see what it's about and know that it will be a marvelous read. This was very much the case with this book. It is just shy of 23 hours long and I wish it could have been twice that long since I enjoyed it so much. Humphrey Bower did a fabulous job as the narrator as well.

Good vs Evil/Love vsHate

Where does Fishing for Stars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

LOTS OF TEARS

What did you like best about this story?

THE STORY OF WHAT WAR DOES TO PEOPLE. NOT TO MENTION THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT PARENTS CAN SOMETIMES DO THAT PERMANENTLY AFFECT OUR MINDS.

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

ANNA, BY FAR SHE HAD EVERY REASON TO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON SHE TURNED OUT TO BE.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

YES!!!!! MOSTLY CRY. IT ALSO CAUSED ME TO LOSE SLEEP AND BECOME VERY DEPRESSED.

Any additional comments?

IF THIS AUTHORS' GOAL WAS TO CAUSE ME TO DESPISE MARG AND DISLIKE A SELFISH SELF CENTERED MAN, WHO BELIEVED HE COULD/SHOULD HAVE IT ALL, THEN IT WORKED. NICK WAS SO INTO HIS OWN SELF I WANTED SOMEONE TO KNOCK HIM OUT....AND THEN DO AWAY WITH MARG. WHILE THE BOOK HELD MY ATTENTION (MAINLY BECAUSE OF ANNA) I WOULD NEVER CONSIDER IT FOR A REREAD.

Loved everything except Marg

I was thrilled to realize The Persimmon Tree had a sequel, and settled in to listen. To keep my review brief (and avoid spoilers), I loved every part of the story that involved Anna and disliked nearly every part of the story that involved Marg. Even allowing for that personal opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it.

Loved every minute. So sad it is over and missing the voice of the author.

This is a fantastic read. A spot of Storico fiction that follows the person and treat it is those enjoyable to read as well as to listen to. I love the Saucer and how he brings hard truths to reality and raises awareness all while enjoying the plot want.

When I have the privilege to meet a WW2 vet

I wonder who was this Veteran in their tender youth before the war, and how war has fundamentally changed them? This book takes the reader in to the backstory and life of just such a Veteran. Within the simplest terms and without judgement, defines humanity.
I would recommend this book to the curiously interested in other people's lives. You will gasp, laugh, roll your eyes, struggle to understand, smile, and maybe just relate a little bit.

sequel to The Persimmon Tree but not as good

This novel is a continuation of The Persimmon Tree which was a terrific novel.
Strangely this book is not up to par for Bryce Courtney. I have read most of his novels and thoroughly enjoyed them. He is a wonderful story teller.
I can only guess that his illness was sadly affecting him when this one was written. At times this one is repetitious and long winded. I am not sure why he went onto the extra bit about the Franklin River protests. It was not necessary for the sequel to The Persimmon Tree. Having said this I am not sorry that I listened to this story and I am still a fan of Bryce Courtney.
Humphrey Bower the narrator is superb and adds a great deal to making it entertaining.