The Story of Danny Dunn

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 23 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Simultaneous release of the latest novel from Australia's best-selling author. Likened by the author to Frank Hardy's Australian classic, Power Without Glory, with pubs, gambling and political corruption taking centre stage.

The Dance of Danny Dunn is an Australian family saga centering on a working-class family of publicans who make their first mark in Balmain in the 1930s. In that decade, two opportunities existed for boys of Balmain, a working-class Sydney suburb: to be selected into Fort Street Boys School or to excel as a sportsman. At just 16 years, Danny Dunn has everything going for him: brains, looks, sporting aptitude - and luck with the ladies. His parents run The Hero of Mafeking ('Maffos'), the favourite local watering hole, and the whole of Balmain is proud of Danny's sporting prowess. His mother, though, steers Danny towards a university education; but with just six months of his degree to go, he signs up for the AIF, driven by a desire to serve his country and plain wanderlust.

Danny serves in South-east Asia, spends three and a half years as a POW, and returns a broken man, embittered and facially disfigured. He has told no one of his return, and as he sails towards the Balmain ferry terminal, he knows his life in beloved Balmain will have nothing to do with the life he led before the war. He is scared and overwhelmed by the need to sort himself out, to find out who the hell he is....

©2013 Christine Courtenay; 2009 Bryce Courtenay (P)2009 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

long time fan of mr. courteney

of the 12 books I've read of his....this is my least favorite. amazing performance as always. first half great, second disappointing.

An epic saga of a family

This is a great story of Danny Dunn, but it also is a wonderful narration of his life and family. You will learn to love everyone in the Dunn family especially Helen and the two girls. This book shows cat life is not easy and at the end all you have is family.

A colourful story of an average man

I enjoyed this story as much because the underdog made good in spite of the hurdles put in front of him and later fought for the underdog as a lawyer. If I have a criticism it was that Courtney sometimes used todays terminology in a story set in the World War 2 era. It didn't quite gell yet it was still a good story.

Mundane Madness

This was my only disappointing Bryce Courtenay book. I usually enjoy his vivid detail, but that’s not fun when he’s describing the mundane of personal and family life. His willingness to not ignore sexuality is refreshing and his descriptions are tasteful, not vulgar. The reader was fantastic. (Spoiler warning). I wanted more out of the ending. After investing so much time & emotional interest in the main character, his story just fizzled out with no real meaning or legacy. There was nothing poignant about the sad ending.

great storyteller!

Bryce Courtney is one of my all time favorite story tellers, more than just a novel, he brings you right into the story, you can't wait to hear what happens next.
Humphrey Bower is the best of the best. He is pretty much the standard I hold up as how I want all narrators to be. Great voices, great control, clear and with great elocution, easy to listen too.

excellent as always

some familiar characters and the war background and themes of alcoholism and delrug abuse buts amazing that while he uses these over and over he changes up the details enough that you don't feel its just a recycled previous novel of his

Bryce Courtenay RIP

Thank goodness for the life works of Bryce Courtenay. I'm so sorry it's over. I miss him like a good friend. It's like I know him through his books. All the main characters reflect the good qualities I've tried to live by for almost 70 years. Loyalty, truth, non-judgemental attitudes of others, etc.

Humphrey Bower is the best narrator I've heard in almost 400 listens.

These are my favorite listens and I don't expect better.

I struggle to get through most of my 1000 Audible listens. I just hope that Bryce is remembered like other authors not 1/2 as entertaining.

Another great book

I have yet to listen to one of Courtenay's books that I didn't love. Bower's performance was outstanding as usual and he can sing! I liked the way he dealt with PTSD. I tell my patients that it is the gift that keeps on giving and this story is exemplary in bringing home that point. Few people really understand how war changes soldiers;

Engrossing

I love Bryce Courtney. This book has some familiar bits and pieces taken from previous books yet still maintaining originality. Don't misunderstand, this book stands on it's own. Sometimes, it maded me yell in protest! Not sure what the folks in the cars next to me thought. And who doesn't love the master narrator himself? The one and only Humphrey Bower. Every story, every character comes alive and you feel that you are in included in the story line. Whatever is happening, you are there. Mr. Bower is by far my favorite narrator. I don't think any book is complete without Mr. Bower.

Bland

What did you like best about The Story of Danny Dunn? What did you like least?

Always wonderul to have an Ausie narrator, book was not as entertaining as other novels from Bryce Courtenay.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Nothing stands out in this novel, which is definately not one of Bryce Courtenay's best. It was ok to listen to but certainly not rivetting - which is what you would normally expect from this author.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Very good as always

Did The Story of Danny Dunn inspire you to do anything?

No