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

A pleasure as always

I have read many of Bryce’s books and audibles as many. They are all most enjoyable and something to look forward too. I always learn a few new English words which I find so enlightening these days.

Not as good as the first book but worth the story

Much of the first 25 to 30% of the book is just reviewing what occurred in the first original book the persimmon tree. The middle part of the story was just as good as the persimmon tree. The last part so much of it had to do with politics and rather bored me. But the ending parts we’re good. I didn’t enjoy having to put up with all the politics for such a large part of the book. However I am very glad that I did get to listen to the rest of the story of Nick Duncan and the other characters. They became friends on my mini long drives in between work.

My Least Favorite So Far

I have listened to a lot of Bryce Courtenay's books, and ALL have rated 5 stars except this one. This is the first of his books that I've found myself anxious to know "when will this be over?"

First, I could listen to Humphrey Bower read a phone book. He has become one of my favorite narrators by far. It's like sitting around a campfire listening to someone spin a great yarn. He has the range of voices to keep me interested.

As for this book, the central theme seemed to be Nick's sex life and Anna's sexual dysfunction. It kept coming back to that over and over and over and over again. Enough already!

There were other parts of the book that were interesting, but they were overshadowed by the excessive recurrence of the sex angle. (And by that I don't mean to imply that the book is overly sexually explicit, because it isn't any more so than his other books.)

Courtenay has proven himself a gifted author, and I will continue to listen to his books, but I think he was either lazy or uninspired on this one.

To much story line chasing

While parts of this book were totally entertaining, the characters were richly developed, and the narrator mastered several accents, the book's story line felt stretched out and chased. Book one was by far a better story line with more drama and numerous cliff hanging moments.

First book enthralling but this one very very preachy

Many whole chapters just political preaching. I read other sources for this type of info.

Entertaining Read

Although not at the same level as the first one in the Duncan series you will not be disappointed with this installment if you enjoyed the Persimmon Tree. Like all Courtney novels he seems to project himself in all his hero's and may fancy himself being desired by two gorgeous women as Nick Duncan is. The novel expounded in semi detail on Tasmania’s Green movement which was a little boring, seemed like it was forcible integrated into the story, likely it really requires a separate novel to address and certainly a novel which I would not download.

Still good but a bit too preachy

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

BC's books are great. And this narrator is one of the best, if not THE best. But BC has a tendency to slip into sanctimony at times. The story starts strong but, for me, toward the end especially, it gets too preachy about womens' rights, the environment, capitalism...
it's fine when the characters play out their flaws and talents but the multi page lectures on what's right and wrong were too many and too obvious.
As always, it's worth a listen, but not the best

Would you recommend Fishing for Stars to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Everything. He is a master

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

yes

Part 3 of Triligy

Ok finish to story, good listen - but not outstanding. Author and reader well pared

Good but not as good as previous books

I love the information and story of Indonesia, East Timor , Tasmania and Australia. It is a good story but too much emphasis on sex for me. Over the top in that regard.
Bryce Courtney is one of the best if not the best author I have come across. This one though is tiring in parts.

Persimmon tree part two

This is a continuation of the story of Anna and Marj from the persimmon tree. It was not as exciting and really boring at times. I loved the Persimmon Tree, but wish I had left the rest to speculation. Not a good sequel.