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

Terrific story loaded with insights

Enjoyed both characters stories and the ending was perfect. A lot if history woven in each story. My opinion, the Michener of Australia

awesome! wide range of place, time, culture, voice

wide range of place, time, culture, voice. Sad to hear it end. I will be visiting more titles by this author.

What a brilliant story.

One of Bryce Courtenay's greats. I rushed to listen to it every day, when I could. Absolutely stunning. All aspects of life.

Wonderful, start to finish.

The writing and the narration combined to create a fabulous sweeping story. As an American, the story told from Australia’s point of view was interesting. It’s a book everyone should enjoy at least once.

Learning love and life

A beautiful tale of a young man learning that life changes and the best way to experience it, is to go with that flow. Finding love, finding ones self and the journey. Beautiful written and excellent narration.

Please make a movie from this exquisite novel

an unforgettable love story of a time
when real men and women were unafraid to be normal!

historical intrigue

a good mix of WWII and how it effected other countries, mixed with relationship stories

Great read

So sad this author has passed. Really brings to light what happened in
World War II. The narrator was fabulous.

Beautiful Story

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was beautifully narrated, and I loved the story. I learned many things about WWII, and it was interesting hearing a perspective from a country other than America. My only complaint is that I think it ended too abruptly. Actually, I could have handled the ending if there had been a sequel written to fill in all the information that was left out at the end; for example, Anna's story is so compelling and yet we never find out what happened to her after she fled into the mountains or what made her decide to establish the business she undertook after the war; nor does the author reveal their journey on the boat as she goes through heroin withdrawl. I think it would have made the story much richer at the end, as Nick's story was not nearly as interesting or dramatic, although I enjoyed hearing about him too.

Very good book!

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

The characters come to life. The story is interesting and the writer takes you through the life of the characters in a very compelling way. You do not want to stop listening.

What other book might you compare The Persimmon Tree to and why?

There is no comparison that comes to mind.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Very well read, and very understandable.

If you could rename The Persimmon Tree, what would you call it?

Hope is like a Persimmon Tree.

Any additional comments?

I loved the book, loved the story and will probably listen to it again.