The Persimmon Tree

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 27 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

A sweeping saga from Bryce Courtenay, Australia's most popular author.

The Persimmon Tree opens in Indonesia in 1942 on the cusp of Japanese invasion and the evacuation of Batavia (Jakarta) by the Dutch. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Duncan is on holiday there, in pursuit of an exotic butterfly known as the Magpie Crow. It's an uncertain, dangerous time to be in Indonesia, and Nick's options of getting out are fast dwindling. Amidst the fear and chaos he falls in love with Anna, the beautiful daughter of a Dutch acquaintance, and she nicknames him 'Mr Butterfly'.

To assist in the escape, Anna's father gifts Nick his prized yacht, Vlermuis, to sail to Australia. Singapore has just fallen, the Japanese have made it to Sumatra, and the waters are dangerous. Vlermuis is not long out of Batavia when Nick is forced ashore for repairs. He witnesses the bloody execution of shipwrecked Allied soldiers by natives, and while burying what's left of the bodies, Nick notices one wounded soldier has escaped death, and he carries him back to his yacht.

The rescued soldier is a lower-class Irish Catholic American called Kevin Judge. He has no sailing experience, but he assists Nick in navigating through some dramatic storms and the two form an unlikely and lifelong friendship.

©2007 Bryce Courtenay; 2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Love Bryce Courtenay - Need New Narrator or Plot

I read EVERYTHING by my beloved modern-day Dickens, Bryce Courtenay. I love this story. But, I hate to say, his characters are getting kind of predictable, and maybe, though I LOVE Humphrey Bower's narration, it's time to get a new narrator. The voice of all black people was quaint at first, but now I'm starting to find it offensive. And Bryce - dig into your cupboard and find a few new characters. Dig deeper - they are beginning to all be so typical - anybody who reads lots of Courtenay knows what I mean. Let's find a new one - totally different. K? That all being said - I will keep reading everything of his and this book really IS excellent for its own purposes! I do love an old-fashioned, well-wrapped-up ending, and appreciate that Courtenay always provides, as Dickens always did.

struggled to finish

I love Bryce Courtenay and more so Humphrey Bower but some psrts drug on and on with disappointing conclusions. Were it not for Mr Bower I would have given up.

Great story extremely well read.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Persimmon Tree to be better than the print version?

The Australian accent and the reader's ability to speak the pidgeon language added to my enjoyment of the book. Mr Bower gave the characters personality that the the written word cannot give. I rate this high and wish I could give Humphrey Bower 6 stars!!

What did you like best about this story?

It was two stories in one. The couple meet as youth, then come of age separately, in completely different and extermely difficult circumstances, then meeting again. Then there was the need to work through Anna's serious consequences when they did meet. This added to the beauty of the story. I was sooo glad they met again, and, the ending was very well done.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

His accent and ability to read emotion into the characters. I didn't understand much of the pidgeon language, glad there was an interpretation! I've never heard the language before but it had an authentic sound to my ear.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If the love is real and the heart is strong and clever, nothing can quench or overrule.

Any additional comments?

I will listen again.

Wonderful Story

Listening to this story made me feel, I was right there. I was totally engrossed.

Enchanting

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

When Nick found his father.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful Courtenay! Enchanting story, the detail of Japanese tradition is superb. I can't wait to find out what happens to Nick and Anna.

Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to The Persimmon Tree the most enjoyable?

The narration was incredible, the story compelling, combining to make a memorable experience.

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

Bower brings the characters to life.

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

The relationship between the Japanese commander and the heroine was emotional.

Total Engagement

From the moment this book began, I was drawn into the story and looked forward to my long commute each day just so I could "read" more. I look forward to playing it for my husband on our next cross-country trip. There's plenty here for both of us: war scenes, love stories, intrigue, tragedy, cross-cultural interest, historical accounts, hair-raising adventure: So glad I purchased it!

Offbeat, Austraila, Indoneisa, WWII, Wonderful

What made the experience of listening to The Persimmon Tree the most enjoyable?

Very different and compelling story. Real life at its finest and worst at a difficult time. This book kept my interest throughtout and tore at my heart and finally mended it with a slight scar. Narrator was excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

The honestly

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

The reality of first hand experience. I felt as if I was there.

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

There were too many parts of the story that touched me to mention just one moment.

Any additional comments?

You you have a need for drama, love, compassion, adventure, history, you will make this book one of your favorites. It was truth in humanity. The good and the bad.

Historical fiction never so interesting!

I love Bryce Courtenay! I haver read a few others and each one is better than the last. Not only does the story entertain, but the historical facts and interesting settings make me feel like I have gone somewhere and learned something new.

Great Listen

Finally! I have found a book to break the 3-star slump I seemed to be in.

I have found a new author and new narrator. Bryce has a lot more novels to discover, and Humphrey Bower brings many of them to life with his fabulous command of accents.

The story has a little bit of everything. It is a romance, but not a mushy tale, of two young people separated by war when the Japanese invade Java. Nick sets sail for Australia expecting to meet Anna there. Anna, gets caught behind enemy lines and learns to do whatever she needs to do to survive. Nick, because of his command of the Japanese language is recruited to Intelligence in the Navy and stationed at Guatemala Canal.

Will they survive the war, and if they do, will their love for each other survive?