Tommo and Hawk

The Australian Trilogy, Book 2

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 20 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Brutally kidnapped and separated in childhood, Tommo and Hawk are reunited at the age of 15 in Hobart Town. Together, they escape their troubled pasts and set off on a journey into manhood. From whale hunting in the Pacific to the Maori wars of New Zealand, from the Rocks in Sydney to the miners' riots at the goldfields, Tommo and Hawk must learn each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to survive.

Along the way, Hawk meets the outrageous Maggie Pye, who brings love and laughter into his life. But the demons of Tommo's past return to haunt the brothers. With Tommo at his side, Hawk takes on a fight against all odds to save what they cherish most. In the final confrontation between good and evil, three magpie feathers become the symbol of Tommo and Hawk's rite of passage.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Narrator Humphrey Bower captures each character, making listeners forget that one majestic voice creates the various natives, the Irish, the English, and people of all ages. Few will fail to be enthralled by this adventure saga, which skillfully captures history while keeping listeners glued to their earphones." (Audiofile)

Good but Far-Fetched

I loved the "Potato Factory" and immediately started listening to this after. However, it was more diffuse, and improbable. The number of times they all get beat up would kill an ordinary person, but like in action movies, the heroes repeatedly emerge relatively unscathed. Also, the ending was unnecessarily horrible. I decided not to listen to the next book in the trilogy.

Very good; a little too explicit in parts

I love the characters and the story, but Tommo and Hawk fell short of Potato Factory. I thought the sex was gratuitous in this book. The narration is magnificent. I'm on to the next book in the series.

Great performance but story was too long

Unlike the first book in this series, I found that this story was too long and, at times I wished that I could fast forward. Even so, the performance was very good.

Amazing

If you could sum up Tommo and Hawk in three words, what would they be?

Audibles Best Series

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tommo and Hawk?

The ending made me cry!

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

Maggie Pie was my favorite character. I mean really, whats not to love? Anyone who can get away with wearing a Magpie bird on her head everyday in her hat is ok in my book. This girl kept me laughing!

If you could take any character from Tommo and Hawk out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hawk is everything we strive to be. He would do the right thing even if no one was watching. Honest and kind to a fault this loving giant of a man would be someone I would like to call my friend. He will never let the "mongrels" win.

Any additional comments?

The story takes place in the 1800s I Australia. This is my favorite quote that shows how little has changed since then with regards to the rich and the poor. There are still what I call the Nobles and the Peasants. If you are not part of the wealthy 1% of today's society, then you are a peasant no matter what propaganda the two parties spin. We should not be arguing about gun control or abortion, but instead we should be coming together and focusing on the extreme economic divide that is our present circumstance.
Greed among the wealthy together with crime among the poor create such misery. In these societies too, little punishment is needed by the law where the powerful cheat the week and the threat of prison or the rope seems not to deter those who have practiced violence for gain. Alas I fear we shall never learn to live differently....it is so each man must have his turn against the fellow below him in the pecking order. Somewhere somehow there must be some better system of justice which does not depend on superstition, religion or the rule of law. For this last always favors the rich and powerful above the common herd. How this utopia might come about I cannot say, and who would help in this cause I do not know. As Ikey often said, "The poor be like mangy strays, who fights in the dust over a dry bone but cannot get together long enough to raid the butcher shop my dear. They may be relied to do as much to prevent an improvement to their circumstances as those who exploited their poverty and despair. " But perhaps Ikey could be proved wrong and some kind of brotherhood could be formed against those who exploit them.

Read All Bryce Courtenay Books!

Do yourself a favor and read all books written by Mr. Courtenay. Well written and narrated by one of the best Humphrey Bower. Can't wait to read the next one!

Tommo and Hawk 2 stories in one

Forever exciting, every page! Super character development! The narrator was so talented at voices always

Wonderful Story

If you could sum up Tommo and Hawk in three words, what would they be?

Excellent, enjoyable, fantastic

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maggie Pie-- such an odd character that had life to her. You could feel her pain and her joys.

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

Just as perfect as the rest

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

Two brothers, yet so different as the color of their skin.

Any additional comments?

I wish I had listened to book one instead of read it. Just wonderful!

Great start and a bit disappointing with end

The first of this series, Potato Factory was fantastic as well as the second story here Tommo and Hawk. Although the final story, "Solomon's Song" does a great job illustrating the stupidity and horror of war despite the glorious courage shown by most - the ending was disappointing after such an investment with all the books.

wow

In my review of The Potatoe Factory I hoped that Tommo and Hawk would not be as brutal as it was and well it was worse. Again very well written and the story keeps you coming back for more to see how the characters are fairing but be warned it it extremely brutal and hard to listen to. At least it has been for me. I'm am appaulled at mans in humanity to man and choose to believe that the brutality occurring in these books is solely a work of fiction and would never or could never have happened. However in my heart of hearts I know I'm being extremely niave.
The author is a very good story teller, he has me cringing and very grateful I never lived in those times.

Worst ending ever!

I really enjoyed this book. Like his other books Bryce Courtney creates memorable characters and exciting plot lines with historical context. Humphrey Bowers is brilliant as narrator. What a talent! Unfortunately, Tommo and Hawk has perhaps the worst ending of any book I’ve ever read, which tarnished my overall experience.