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

One of Bryce Courtenay's best

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

The performer is adept at nuance for the various characters whose dialogue is woven throughout this story.

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

"South Pacific" on steroids!

Another enjoyable Courtenay-Bower experience!

I'm enjoying listening my way through Courtenay's books since I discovered The Potato Factory. I find them very satisfying listens with great characters, description and stories. The Persimmon Tree was no exception, but I wish I knew more about what happened in the end!

An excellent sequel

I had read FISHING FOR STARS previously when THE PERSIMMON TREE (which is the earlier book) was not yet on Audible. Now I am reading FISHING FOR STARS again, I remembered large parts but there are details that I couldn't have understood in the same way in my earlier reading. The PERSIMMON TREE takes place in the Pacific Theater of WWII and provides an important perspective into the war in the islands many of which are now Indonesia, the Japanese war experience, history, cultural traditions, the comfort women, the old Japan and the overlay of the new one, survival and psychological scars. With Humphrey Bower reading, the books are everything that the best of Coutenay's books are.

Well done!

The saga takes you in and doesn't let go. Very well written and narrated. I will buy more from this author and narrator.

Amazing story, amazing reader!

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

Humphrey Bower is a fabulous performer with an amazing ability to give real personality to the various characters, so there is no doubt who is speaking. His talent for accents is outstanding!

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Anna but Til (spelling?) is a second!

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

The characters' voices! He is so talented - there is no way to fully appreciate a book like this by simply reading it.

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

I can't think of anything that wouldn't sound trite - it is well-named.

Any additional comments?

I might have liked a more extended ending - it was a bit abrupt. Maybe Mr Courtenay didn't want to emphasize the details of Anna's withdrawal and recovery? Overall, though, I found it really educational since I was not well-versed in Australia's involvement with the Japanese in WW II. Great book!

Courtney/Bower combination is irresistable!

Bryce Courtney's novels are favorites because his characters are never perfect, but perfectly flawed. I could listen to Humphrey Bower narrate the ingredients on a cereal box. He has just the right inflection humor, panic, masked emotion. He disappears into each character to the extent that I am usually surprised that there is only one narrator, by the end. Together, they weave wonderful audio experiences! Will listen to more of their collaborations.

Perfection

Simply the best story line and interaction with the charactors in any book published. It will make you laugh, cry, excited ( in more ways than 1), simply captures all your emotions and is impossible to put down. Reaching for the stars is the sequal.

a most compelling story

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

the performance is captivating Bower uses many different accents effectively! The story is gripping and unusual. One of the best books i've listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Persimmon Tree?

almost all

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

the personalities of the characters as revealed in their voices

Any additional comments?

Don't miss it

Historical fiction close to the mark

The author is well known so it isn’t surprising that this book is well received. My main criticism is the unnecessary repetition of both informative and distasteful scenes. An example is the diarrhea accompanying alcohol withdrawal. Hearing this the first time rang true but by the third iteration I was prepared to return the book. I will spare you other examples. The editor was asleep at the desk! As is well known, perseveration accompanies brain aging. Hence, a young but experienced editor is essential. Overall, the book was too long. Here too, editing was required. This said, the story was compelling and informative.

Best book so far

I enjoyed this book thoroughly! I believe that Americans have not been introduced to the great writings of Bryce Courtenay. Genius! I had been working in the yachting industry and my shipmates, Australians, New Zealanders and So. Africans shared “The Power of One” and I was hooked. The Persimmon Tree entertained me for the 20 plus hours I’d listened and didn’t want it to end. I learned so much about this time in history through the book’s character and the narrator was absolutely superb. His range of accents blew me away! One of the best books I’ve ever read. Don’t miss it! Thank you Audible!