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

Bryce Courtenay/Humphrey Bower combo<br />

The Author/Narrator team here works so well. I've "read" several, Power of One my first.

wonderful read

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

The speaker was so involved in the story and his voice showed emotion of the main charicter.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nick, he grewup before your eyes

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

Nick

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

A view of the invasion of Indonesia we knew nothing about.

Glad I stuck with it...

I had a hard time getting into this one, but I'm glad I didn't give up.
One of the 2 main characters just seemed too earnest in the beginning, and I found him annoying. The growth of the other main character, Anna, is wonderful especially as life changes dramatically under Japanese occupation. By the end, I was hoping for more.

A spell-binding read

Where does The Persimmon Tree rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A truly enjoyable read, loved the characters and descriptions

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

Fabulous characterisations and accents - makes it much easier to understand personalities and differences between characters.

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

Many...I'd find a tear in my eye. But don't want to give any spoilers!

Any additional comments?

Whilst I really enjoyed the story, I wished it hadn't ended so soon. I'm aware there is a sequel, but don't think I need a whole new book to satisfy me...rather just another chapter or two (especially after reading reviews for Fishing for Stars)

What an enjoyable audible!

I really enjoyed the story but wonder if that is partially due to Mr. Bower's performance! What a narrator???.a five star plus performance. The story is a very interesting side to WWII that you don't often hear or know much about. Enjoyed the history as well as the interesting characters of the story. Have to research what else Humphrey Bower has narrated.

GOOD BUT LONG!

Before all else I must say that Humphrey Bower does a stupendous job in narrating this +600 page book. I only have praise for Mr. Bower’s ability and the many different accents he effortlessly juggles throughout this story of two would-be lovers during the Second World War. Nicholas Duncan is the son of an Australian missionary who has spent most of his career in Japan and Indonesia. Anna van Heerden is the daughter of a rich Dutch land owner and a Javanese woman. Their story begins in Java and covers a large period, including the period when the Dutch controlled Java to the time when the Javanese kicked the Dutch out and Japan stepped in as that country's new ruler.

If you like history then you will find this book to be very interesting as Courtenay has done his research well and intertwined his story with numerous historic facts. That being said, there is no mistake that this is fiction because the main characters are just too good. Nick's story gets a bit tiresome because everything good happens to him. He seems to possess exceptional knowledge, which is surpassed only by his even better physical skills, and with very little going wrong Nick practically wins the war in the Islands...apparently on his own. Anna's story on the other hand is sad. She is unable to escape Java and she suffers much tragedy. Although she has money and a group of devoted friends, these are not enough to protect her. She is left to fend for herself, ultimately becoming a special, 'skilled' form of entertainment for a Japanese Colonel, Konoe-san. The idea that Nick and Anna's love of only a few days could last, let alone overcome numerous years of separation, particularly after we learn of Nick's subsequent behavior, seems more unlikely than likely.

I enjoyed the supporting characters. The Indonesians are well detailed, especially Til, the Tuk Tuk driver who befriends and continues to help Anna. The American sailor, Kevin Judge, is another memorable character. Kevin is rescued by Nick after he is found unconscious on the beach. They sail to Australia, a harrowing journey in any scenario, and theirs becomes a strong and everlasting friendship. Nick continues to enjoy good fortune but he never gives up the search for his beloved Anna.

Yes this book is long and no, it is not for everyone but if you have the patience, if you are looking for attention to detail and if you like historic novels of the WWII subject matter then this is a good audiobook for you.

Engaging WWII Down Under drama, romance, action...

Am still living with Nick Duncan, Anna (Madame Butterfly) lingering in my thoughts and wish this novel was a trilogy, too. Invite these characters into your listening life and try to get them out of your mind....so far, they're still alive and well on my daily walk. Almost impossible to listen to another book as I wanted this one to never end...

Thinking of Planting Trees

The story was interesting except the ending was to clean and happy happy. It felt good for a short period of time to realize that everything worked out but it would have been more effective if it had a sad more realistic ending.
I enjoyed the Australian accent of the reader.

Another entertaining story

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story. It was interesting for me being an Australian from an historical point of view. My parents lived through the Second World War with my father being in the Australia Defence Force as a young man around the same as age the main character Nick. I found this particular story of the attempted escapes and plight of those who were not successful very compelling. Highly recommended.

Superb story and peformance

I was already a Bryce Courtney and Humphrey Bower fan, but this book surpassed those I had "read" before. I highly reccomend it!