The Persimmon Tree

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 27 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1942 in the Dutch East Indies, and Nick Duncan is a young Australian butterfly collector in search of a single exotic butterfly. With invading Japanese forces coming closer by the day, Nick falls in love with the beguiling Anna van Heerden.

Their time together is brief, as both are forced into separate, dangerous escapes. They plan to reunite and marry in Australia but it is several years before their paths cross again, scarred forever by the dark events of a long, cruel war.

In The Persimmon Tree, Bryce Courtenay gives us a story of love and friendship set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific during the Second World War.

©2007 Bryce Courtenay. By arrangement with Penguin Group (Australia).; 2013 Bryce Courtenay. By arrangement with Penguin Group (Australia). (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"The ultimate international bestseller." (The New York Times)

"When the Japanese invade Indonesia in 1942, 17-year-old Australian Nick Duncan escapes by sailing a yacht across the ocean. It's a harrowing journey made manageable, in part, by Nick's hope that his new love, Anna, is safely on her way to Australia. Unfortunately, Anna is stuck in Indonesia, a prisoner of the Japanese. Humphrey Bower's narration makes it a pleasure. His skills should be a model. He reads with anticipation, so that a line written as a laugh or a sob is read as a laugh or a sob without being overdramatized. His characterizations reveal personality and motive, and hold steady throughout the book. And his pacing keeps us interested even when the plot is predictable." (AudioFile Magazine)

Amazing narration and a story that never quits!

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

This story is a perfect combination of history and rich, unique characters. Unlike any other story, I was enthralled with the story and loved the narrator. I felt like I knew these characters well especially with the excellent voices/accents that the narrator seamlessly executed. Didn't want it to end.

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

The often desperate state that the character Anna found herself in and her ability to rise above her circumstances were a highlight for me.

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

Love, youthful innocence, war, tropical islands and sailing the high seas are among the topics I really enjoyed during this amazing saga.

You Never Go Wrong With This Duo

Courtenay and Bower make for an amazing audio book combination and it was proven to me again with this book. I played it on a road trip and it was the first book where both my partner and myself did not want to turn the book off or take breaks from it. We even listened while eating meals. If you are looking for a great audio book experience you can not go wrong with this one!

My first Courtenay and not the last!

Humphrey Bowers delivery of this story was brilliant!
Any story which goes for 27 hours needs to be seriously engaging and this one is!
I was just starting to wonder about the title when the explanation was revealed.
Bowers' delivery of the Japanese inflection was totally believable.
It was indeed a story which contained laugh out loud moments matched with moments of great tragedy.
I have not tried Bryce Courtenay previously but have since listened to the iconic Power of One in which Humphrey Bowers delivers another first class narration.
It is a long listen but a really rewarding one.

Wonderful listening experience

I had this book in my library for a while and hadn't listened. once I started I have been enthralled.

A Masterpiece

Would you listen to The Persimmon Tree again? Why?

Yes. Even with the length some books are just dragged out. This one always has your attention

What did you like best about this story?

The Preformer's ability to give each character such life....

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

More thumbs up than I am capable of giving. His acents are tremendous.

Who was the most memorable character of The Persimmon Tree and why?

Mick, Anna and the rest

Any additional comments?

A must for any true Audible listner

Bryce Courtney may very well be the best!

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

I've read every one of BC's novels and have loved them all.

Any additional comments?

It would be difficult to listen to a better narrator. Bower is fantastic!

What a great love story immbeded in history

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

A very well documented history of the Japanesse and Dutch in world war two, and a love story so tender and sweet.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Great performance, each character was separated in the speech.

If you could take any character from The Persimmon Tree out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Anna

Any additional comments?

Long audio book that captures your heart

Epic and Appealing

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

This story covered many miles and never a dull moment. The narrator did a lovely job with many accents and intonations. Learned alot of geography as I was rivited to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The personalities of this story were well written...I may have hated some but I understood why.

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

Loved

Who was the most memorable character of The Persimmon Tree and why?

I would enjoy being as smart as Marg...and as kind.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this when you have a time consumming job to do and time will fly!

What a entertaining story

I picked up this book on sale and did not think ir would be that good. Was I wrong! It is a well written intriguing story line. Some of the male lead activities are too good to be true. Almost Forrest Gumpish. I was drawn in though and found many reasons to finish listening to the story. Well worth the time!

Unfulfilled

such a wonderful book so many parts were so fantastic! why the hell they had to end it without finishing it I do not know.
I wanted the happy ending