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)

An engrossing read.

This book captured me from the start. Only later did I realise it was the third book in the series. It didnt matter because it was a story in its own right.

Humphrey Bower is a great narrator. I never get sick of his voice, and he brings the story alive.

An amazing tale with talented narration

I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy and devoured all 3 books consecutively. Humphrey Bower is an extremely impressive narrator. The characters he creates are charming and I am simply impressed at how he brings the tale alive.

Series starts great, ends just OK

Unsatisfied with the ending. Such a different tone to the previous 2 books. It feels like this 3rd book was written to finish up the trilogy, not with the passion of the first.

Breathtaking!

I waited months to get this audiobook as the 3rd volume in this triology of family, intermingled with unique historic events.

Awesome story - the characters come to life with this narrator. Bryce is not a predictable writer and there wasn't a moment in all 3 volumes (50 hours!) that wasn't engaging.

I can't believe the story has ended. I've downloaded all of his titles - can't wait for more.

Bravo Mr. Courtenay!

That's it???

Any additional comments?

What a disappointing and non-resolved ending. The first two books were great. And this final book in the series was a dud... I should have stopped after 'Tommo & Hawk'.

Really a 4 1/2

I guess I just missed the characters of the first two. Not much really happened and I suspect it was meant to tribute Australia's contribution to WWII. It did a good job of that. For me it was too much fighting and not enough story.

didn't come close to the first 2 books

the story and characters not as developed as the 1 and 2 in the trilogy. not easy reads the descriptions can be disturbing.

Solomon's song

Loved the story, loved the accents. I couldn't stop listening to it. I enjoyed the weaving of the story between Australian and New Zealand and in particular the history of the Gallipoli invasion. A great read/listen!!

disappointing

this book seemed very disjointed and partsnI just let run without listening too. much seemed irrelevant to the plot and there was little to no character development and that which existed had no continuity. the first in this series was the only that I would describe as good. disappointing ending.

Enjoyed the characters coming together in book 3.

I didn't expect to like these three books as much as I did - I really enjoyed them and the sense of justice and social values that were woven through the characters. Courtenay is creative in how he brings the characters together and I found myself wondering "how would anyone dream up that story!?".
The only reason I gave the story 4/5 is that in all three books the endings are always rather brutal and sudden. I haven't read others of Courtenay's books so perhaps that his style. I found that I was fully immersed in the story and the it was almost like the author got tired or didn't know what to do next and so just ended the book.
Overall enjoyable and I recommend all three in the Australian Trilogy.