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

I am a fan!!!

I love Bryce Courteney's writing and most definitely Humphrey Bower's narration. The two go hand and hand.
I am saddened that more books will not be written by Courtenay. A most brilliant writer.
This book was based on a young romance and their long separation from each other and life journey to return. I am a little amazed at the ages of the 2 young people and what they went though. However my father was a young man in World War II as well. There were many young people fighting in that war and others unfortunately. Both characters show perserverance and courage to survive horrible trying events. Bryce Counteney writing gives you such a visual and emotional experience. Enjoyed and will miss this author.

Truly a Saga

This is a long listen. I skipped forward thru the sex scenes and the Japanese internment torture stuff and still got the story. If you have excess time to fill listen to every word. The words and characters and action and locations and history are all crafted superbly. I just wanted things to happen quicker. "Get on with it bloke" Nick would say. The author should take the characters advice. Very well crafted long read with excellent history. It should come with a map of places that no longer have the WW2 names.

Excellent!!!

I am so sorry that I have finished this book...I want it to go on and on. Nick, Anna and all the other characters seem so real. I've have never read a war book but really enjoyed every part of this book.

Beautiful story, wonderful book

Beautiful, funny, emotional, exciting, just everything. My favorite historical fiction I️ think I’ve ever read.

Terrific

Another wonderful story narrated perfectly. Enjoyed the history presented within the story. Will look for more by same author and narrator

A Lovely Story

A story of young love and lost love on the background of war and cruelty. Both main characters are exceptional people, strong of character and memory of something better. Each does what they need to do to survive and stay alive. Years later, by the miracle of love they find each other and a new war of, a different struggle, must be won if they are to be together.

Another great one by Bryce Courtney!

Once again this great story teller comes through with such a grand story. I love listening to his books read by Humphrey Bower. It is just plain good and easy listening to a captivating story. Both books about "Madame Butterfly" will grab you, hold on to you and bring you right into the life of his characters.

Wow! Great story!

This story has a flavor of Forrest Gump. It was just alittle slow to grab me in the beginning, but hang in there, it gets better fast. You hear the story from Anna’s point of view then Nicks. Wonderful listen.

Learned so much

Very enjoyable characters in a place that I previously knew nothing about and now I am keen to visit. Great insight into the Pacific theatre of ww2 as well.

Superb story!

An extraordinary and beautiful story, well written and performed. Highest recommendation. This is storytelling at its finest.