Fortune Cookie

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 21 hrs and 41 mins

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

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!!

Great story

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

Yes, great twists and turns and all unexpected.

What about Humphrey Bower???s performance did you like?

He reads with a seemingly personal emotion and involvement in the lives of the characters. I have enjoyed all his other narrations as well.

Great book

Would you consider the audio edition of Fortune Cookie to be better than the print version?

Yes

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

Is unique really

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Have read the book so it accurately represents the story and how I imagined it would read.

If you could take any character from Fortune Cookie out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Mercy B Lord

Any additional comments?

No - just that I purchased the audio version by mistake and I think there needs to be a check for busy people so they know they don't have the reader version.

Slow

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend the book. It is boring and I found it repulsive it times.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

He reads the roles well. The American accent was a little off, but entertaining.

Could you see Fortune Cookie being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

no

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.

Delightful character development and narration

Courtenay presents a unique examination of a Eurasian character. I love the happy endings that Courtenay provides in his story - the guy gets the girl. The narrator is very skilled and provides a delightful telling of the story. Enjoyable and absorbing. This story did take a little longer to get into than previous stories (an hour or two) but was well worth it.

fascinating Chinese culture

Would you listen to Fortune Cookie again? Why?

I love learning about the Chinese culture of the time and how entertaining Bryce and his team of researchers make the story. I don't often listen or read books twice but this will stay in my library...who knows maybe I will.

Who was your favorite character and why?

"Chairmen Mao", she reminds me of so many matriarchs I have met

What a great story.

I love the way Bryce Courtney has all the details about the time he is writing and what was happening then. I learned so much. And the story was amazing. I think his stories are so attractive because they are real life. And not always the downside. Sometimes I felt the details were a little bit too much but overall I loved it. The characters in it. He knows people so well. I’m sorry he is no longer with us as a writer. Because I think he is the master of the masters Storyteller .

Least of All

Having listened to nearly all of Courtenay's works, I liked this the least. I'm glad I saved it for last. Losing face, as nauseum....

Disappointing for Bryce Courtney book

What did you like best about Fortune Cookie? What did you like least?

Too much whining about the woman.....I did like the history of
ancestral worship in China.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was okay, but not very realistic.