Solomon's Song

The Australian Trilogy, Book 3

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 19 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the story of two families, branches of the Solomons, transported to an alien land. Both branches eventually grow rich and powerful. But through three generations, the families never, for one moment, relinquish their hatred for each other. This novel is also the story of Australia, from its beginnings to its coming of age as a nation.

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

Critic reviews

"Narrator Humphrey Bower doesn't miss a nuance. His villains have a sharp, nasal nastiness, and his love scenes tickle the hairs at the nape of the neck. Bower's performance is spot-on." (Audiofile)

Wonderful Trilogy

Fantastic end to a great saga of family and country!!! The Potato Factory trilogy seamlessly ties a multi-generational family story against the backdrop of a colonial coming of age tale.

excellent series.

excellent series. very moving. well written and well read. enjoyed it very much. thank you

a little disappointing

All in all a wonderful trilogy, brutal in places in all three books but the ending was a bit disappointing. The horrors of war was remarkably told and renewed my being grateful I was born a female and don't believe I would ever have a place in any battle, that being said the ending was extremely disappointing. My last thought upon completing the book was "what" your ending it here?
The author is a wonderful story teller and the narrator was better than good. Very much worth reading.

Predictable, pat and sexist

If you've heard a couple of Bryce Courtenays you've heard them all. The white saviour view point is offensive, the sexist aspects are boring and that most things turn out in the end is tedious.

Apart from those things, the man can tell a compelling story. I had only one ear open after a while of listening sadly.

The least of the three for sure, but quality!

The story of the Solomons is the least interesting if the three, but the story telling of the war is getting, horrifying, and amazing all at once. A must read to complete the trilogy...

The End...... Part III, did not want it to end!

Would you consider the audio edition of Solomon's Song to be better than the print version?

I did not even consider reading the printed version; the performance would be so much better--- I don't have the narrator's aussie accent in my head and that made it a lovely performance! Made the story come ALIVE!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like David Solomon in this book-- his character was such an inconic nasty man----

Which scene was your favorite?

When Mary is dying and Victoria establishes her stubbornness and personality.... loved that scene,

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Wanted to, of course, but could not...

Any additional comments?

Do read these books-- well worth it, I did not want the saga to end; these are well-written historically significant books with a storyline tied to a family of four generations. You will love these and remember them. I remember ALL of Bryce Courtnay;s books-- his stories stick with you...... in a way that some stories do not. I loved his piece where he says that * most people get their history from novels* well, I learned more about WWI and the Aussie fight @ Gallipoli from his third book in this trilogy than I ever did in high school history class which I considered to be the WORST class ever. I believe I will make an effort for my history teachers to be to take a leaf from Mr. Courtnay's *book* and teach high school history partly via novels and thus make history much more interesting!

Fantastic book

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

I would recommend this book because its keeps you wanting more.

What other book might you compare Solomon's Song to and why?

Any of Bruce Courtenays book

Any additional comments?

All Bruce!s books are well worth listening to.

Don't miss Courtenay's Trilogy.

Would you consider the audio edition of Solomon's Song to be better than the print version?

YES!! You must not miss Humphrey Bower as the narrator. He makes Bruce Courtenay's characters come alive and sit with you in your chair. What a delight! And Courtenay is a master storyteller.

What other book might you compare Solomon's Song to and why?

Solomon's Song ties up all the loose ends from the other two in the trilogy - The Potato Factory and Tommo and Hawk. You must read The Potato Factory first, which is my favorite. Solomon's Song is a much more somber telling. But what a story!

If you could take any character from Solomon's Song out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Why not have a whole banquet?

Any additional comments?

I would encourage readers to listen to any of Bruce Courtenay's book. I am just fnishing Four Fires and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I plan to listen to all of his books as well as listen to all of Humphrey Bower's narrations, no matter who the author happens to be.

Australia matures

What did you love best about Solomon's Song?

First and Third books were best of the series

What did you like best about this story?

historically interesting

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

It was fine

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

It made me cry, but it wasn't defeating.

Any additional comments?

An excellent series, too bad he has died.

wonderful! truly wonderful!

I cannot recommend this trilogy enough. Bruce Courtenay is a master of his craft, and he brings to life something that so few of us (thankfully) have been forced to endure.