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Fortune Cookie  By  cover art

Fortune Cookie

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Publisher's summary

It's the 1960s and the world of advertising is coming alive - and it's an exciting world to be part of. Simon Wong, a Chinese-Australian and a promising young advertising executive, is sent to Singapore to establish an office. He finds himself thrust into an environment that is at once strangely familiar and profoundly different, one where the rules that govern behaviour - both in business and in personal life - differ wildly from what he is used to. And where all is not what it appears to be.

Under the veneer of the commercial world lie some shocking truths - of people smuggling, drug trafficking, and murder. And Mercy B. Lord, the woman Simon falls for, is caught up in it. From wartime Asian comfort houses to CIA spy rings, Bryce Courtenay takes us on a thrilling journey with a great love story at its heart.

©2013 Christine Courtenay; 2010 Bryce Courtenay (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about Fortune Cookie

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

You need a refresh Mr Bower and Mr Courtenay

I am a big fan of Humphrey Bower and have downloaded and listened to books I would not normally consider due to Humphrey being the narrator.

However I think I must have heard to many because Humphrey does not have the range of voices and accents to differentiate characters across books, especially in the Bryce Courtenay books, the Chinese characters in this book sound exactly the same as the Japanese characters in Persimmon Tree, the ladies are always the same plummy English accent across all the books, and the Australians are so stereotypical it is a little annoying, even for me as an Englishman abroad.

Having said this I will still actively search out books narrated by Humphrey and only hope he can develop some additional character voices in the future.

In the same way, Bryce Courtenay needs to refresh his approach to his novels, again I would suggest he tries to expand beyond the narrow view he has of what he wanted to be and trying to realise this through his writings, we all know of his amazing life story which we all wish we had, but some may consider it is just that a story developed in an active mind that is able to translate this to paper. I think the line between Mr Courtenays real life and written life through his novels have blurred into each other to the point where one cannot be sure of the sincerity in either. Yes his books are fantastically descriptive and I cannot help myself but download any offering by the Courtenay/Bower partnership, but I do become more cynical with each tome.

So in Summary, a great book well narrated but maybe just a bit to much like all the rest for the avid, long term listener, if this is you first book by the dynamic duo then you will get great pleasure by spending the next 20 plus hours immersing yourself in the wonderful characters. If, however this is your sixth or seventh by the Courtenay/Bower team be prepared to have heard it all before (I bet like me you still get it though)

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Grand, Delightful, Wonderful Story!

I have read other Courtenay books, but in my view, this is one of his best. Perhaps that stems from the story being set in the 1960's Singapore when so much was happening in every corner of the world. Courtenay combines world history in a manner that is educational, engaging and well plotted. It was a wonderful listen.

This story is exceptionally well told by Humphrey Bower. Lots of good voices to represent the many characters and just the right pace. I enjoyed the entire plot as well as the family history that was revealing itself in the then present-day characters' lives.

If any fault is to be found, it is in the final minutes when finally the truths are revealed. I didn't want the story to end and it seemed too abrupt. However, when the pieces of the puzzle came together, they did so very fast, so perhaps it was in keeping with the plot.

If you like historical fiction and want to learn more about the coming of age of Singapore, China and other parts of the east, you will enjoy this one.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

If your a Courtenay Bower fan

Buy it and read. There are no more left. It's by far NOT the best, but it's got Courtenay's mind for detail and knowledge of parts of Asia and his skill in building the plot. I'll miss him and Humphrey Bower, although the latter still lives.. I've now read everything by Courtenay (there was one I didn't as I didn't like the narrator, or I might have but given up).

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable easy listen

Courtenay enjoys immense popularity in Australia, strangely according to wikipedia only "The Power of One" has been published in America which was also made into a major motion picture. The only Courtenay book that I have read is the tragic & true "April Fools Day" which was OK but needed editing as the second half dragged.
Fortune Cookie is Courtenay's latest book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Courtenay does get a little too caught up in the concept of "face" but I couldn't stop reading.
The main character is Simon Khoo who is Australian born & bred with chinese heritage & chinese looks who despite having a filthy rich family takes a job in Singapore to make it on it's own. He's a very likeable main character and he falls in love with Mercy B Lord a lady he meets upon arrival in Singapore. Mercy B Lord is a very mysterious lady which ultimately makes the book interesting and makes you want to keep reading to see how the events transpire.
Humphrey Bower was outstanding as the narrator

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brillant

My first Bryce Coutenay book and if it is anything to go by I want to read more. Great story and held me all the way through. Well read by Humphrey Bower.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!!

Another wonderful book by Bryce Courtenay and what can I say about Humphrey Bower - the man is a master at bringing the characters to life. My husband and I lived in Singapore for 2 years and it was great that the story was set there. Thanks for another very enjoyable listen!!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Too long.

This book was just too long. There are some interesting bits in it about the culture of Singapore at the time, and about Australia in the gold rush, but not enough to sustain the length of this book.
I also had some trouble with the romantic aspects of the plot, which did not do it for me.
The narrator was good, but could not bring this book above average for me.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Book, Good Plot and Good Narration

I love Bryce Courtenay's writing and this book did not disappoint. The story was different and kept moving. I found myself listening to the book whenever I could. The history elements about China and Singapore were quite interesting. The ending was a bit unbelievable, but wrapped up the story quite nicely. Great narration. I would recommend this book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

As consistent as sunup.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend anything he's ever penned because he never fails to capture my attention for every detail of the main characters life and life story.

What other book might you compare Fortune Cookie to and why?

Many of his other works are similar, but consistently great.

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Bower is without a doubt the best reader that I've enjoyed. The second place goes to Jim Dale (Harry Potter) and that's a tough second place.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

At the party when she appeared without Coo knowing that she'd be there.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good Story Teller

I truly enjoy Courtney's story telling. Some of his books really hit the mark. Some falter. None fail. This one faltered. Humphrey Bower's narration is worth the price of admission.

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3 people found this helpful