Jessica

Bryce Courtenay was unknown to me until my niece told me about his "Power of One". Jessica is his 4th book I've read (listened to) and was just as richly detailed and filled with characters unique and complicated as previous reads. Jessica's story takes you out of contemporary times and sets you down in the middle of 1914 Australian bush country. The detail of the landscape and Jessica's spirit and drive will be with you long after you finish. For me Jessica is one of those books that are hard to follow - once you finish it and want to begin other books they pale in comparison. Other Bryce Courtenay books I loved and would put in my top 10 best loved/most enjoyed are "The Power of One" and "Tandia." Review written by Robert's wife Denise

Bryce Courtenay describes in vivid color the life of Jessica. She has many experiences that will make you cry and others laugh or smile.

Story opens circa 1914. Jessica lives with her evil and manipulative mom and older sis and loving dad. Their home is in the Bush country of Australia.

I ways celebrate a new Bryce Courtenay novel. And Humphrey Bower, in my opinion, is the very best narrator. Each character has a distinctive voice. And that makes the novel that much better.

This novel is very hard to put down and will haunt me for a very long time. Definitely will listen again.

I have read or I should say listened to most of Bryce Courtenay's novels - the last three in sequence of reading were "Four Fires", "Whitethorn" and most recently "Jessica". Courtenay's books are powerful, stimulating and at times quite funny. In "Whitethorn" and to a lesser extent, "Four Fires", good triumphs over evil. Not so in Jessica; evil prevails. "Jessica" rates up there with Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'urbervilles", but Hardy's heroine never encounters the depth of human depravity and corruption so endured by Jessica. Courtenay attacks racism head on, sometimes with ridicule, sometimes with humor and always vividly exposing the cruelity and inhumanity of the state departments, in this case, Education and Aboriginal Affairs. The Church also does not escape the biting criticism of the author's pen.
At the risk of being too negative, I point out that there is a strong bond created between Jessica and the aborginal, Mary, a bond that endures a lifetime. The two lawyers, one who is a drunkard and the other a young idealistic communist, are both endearing, intelligent and principled.
One other reviewer who did not have much good to say about "Jessica" claimed that the ending was "silly". I don't think so. Life happens sometimes that way.
One final note: what else can be said about Humphrey Bower. He is utterly amazing, so many characters brought to life by Mr. Bower.

My best friend, an Australian, recommended this book to me. I started listening to it and couldn't stop. It is an extraordinarly compelling book, and Jessica is a character I will never forget. She lived her life strictly according to her standards, and she never deviated. I have no idea how a man could possibly write about such an extraordinary female character. It is the first book I have read by Bryce Courtenay, and I cannot wait to read the rest of his works. This is a book that I am certain I will listen to many times in the future. I highly recommend this book. The narrator, Humphrey Bower, is absolutely marvelous, and I will attempt to listen to all the books he has narrated. A job exceptionally well done!

This book delved deeply into some areas that were just not engaging while leaving other more interesting aspects of the story virtually untouched. It left me rather dissatisfied with the entire book and wondering if I want to chance another Courtney book. However, the narrator is the absolute BEST and I've listened to more than 100 audiobooks.

I am grading on a curve. I have come to expect a five star book from Courtenay and while this book is worth the download and listen, it's not as strong as his other work. The narrative arc gets lost in the last third of the book and he gets heavy handed in his advocacy for the aboriginal peoples of Australia. It's a fine cause and would have worked in the larger theme of "seeking justice for the most vulnerable" if only Courtenay hadn't gotten bogged down in writing what reads like a court transcript.

... and while I am picking nits, as much as I love Humphrey Bower's narration of other Courtenay books, this project would have been better served by a female voice, as all the main characters are women and the emotional plot line centers on women's sensibilities.

If all that makes you want to pass on this one -- don't. Bryce Courtenay's worst book is better than many authors' best.

How can a nice guy like Bryce imagine such evil characters & deeds? One of his his best (although, hardly uplifting)!

A story of deep sadness, the love of friendships, the bravery of a girl who was not afraid to stand up to the world for what was right and decent. This world could use more like her indeed.

Everytime I finish a Courtenay novel, I swear to a new favorite book in my top 5 list. Until the next on, this one is definately in that list.

Humphrey Bower as always, brings the charactors to life and thru my ears into my heart.

Loved this book, there are no words to describe the journey of Jessica and how each chapter grew richer and I wanted to listen to every word and dreaded the end of the book. I laughed, cried, mourned and deeply felt the story in my heart. Humphrey and Bryce are masters and a winning combination! You won't regret it!

This is a very inspiring story. Jessica was a little woman with a big heart. Although her evil mother and sister had stolen the most previous in her life, she kept her journey by helping the others and won their friendship, admiration and respect.

I couldn't stop listening to this great story delivered by an outstanding narrator. I stayed up late and my ears hurt by listening for continuous long time.