Tommo and Hawk: The Australian Trilogy, Book 2

The narration in this book is wonderful. I became entranced in the many different characters with many different accents. The story was excellent, but I have to say, as with the Potato Factory, I felt the story just stopped. Although both books pick up where the other left off, I sort of wanted an end of Tommo and Hawk"s story at the end of the book. However, it just gave me more reason to immediatly start the third book, Solomon's Song and find out what happened to the family next.

I was never a big fan of fiction, but the way Bryce writes making the events and adventure so real I find myself trying to look up facts on the characters. This book is brilliant, I had no idea this was part of a trilogy and have made a request to Audible to get the last book (requests can be made from the Contact Us at the bottom of the web page) and I'm currently downloading the first.

This is by far to date the best listenening experience I've had since joining Audible. The
author is now on my top 10 list and the narration
was spectacular. It was very difficult to turn off my audio player because I would close my eyes
and feel like I was in another place & time.

I loved The Potato Factory and was eager to continue the story of the Solomon family in Tommo & Hawk. Mostly enjoyed this story, though there seemed to be more of the narrator telling the story rather than the characters. It basically centers around Tommo and Hawk's relationship and a lot of time is spent in New Zealand where they get involved in the Maori Wars. I found that part the most interesting and it made me want to learn more about that country's history.

I just wanted to say "astounding brillance" Bryce has done it again. Keeping me on the edge of my seat. I really love becoming apart of the book being able to picture it in my mind. Being able to picture Tommo in the wild. Listening to both Tommo and Hawks recount of what happened whilst they where kidnapped. Then being their with both of them as they help the Mauri in their fight. I particularly liked the scene where tommo is laying in the water after the battle I felt that, that was a pivotal point. I loved both Characters but I can't help lean towards Hawk as he is this gentle giant that wants only the best for people and fights for the suppressed and his dedication to his brother over everthing else in Hawks life. I was particualarly surprised at the ending, however I liked the fact that Tommo gets what life is about. Bryce is I would say one of the best writers that I have come across. I remember Bryce saying " I never learnt anything out of history books" And I can say thanks to Bryce I have learnt more out of these books than I have ever from history books about my own country. I have listen now to all the audio titles and I have not been dissappointed on any of them. I can't wait for the last in the triology of Solomons. Also waiting for the others that I know he has written as well. Thanks Bryce

Can't get any better than a Bryce Courtenay novel narrated by Humphrey Bower. The characters are already colorful and unique and Humphrey gives each their voice. Hated to see this one end but I suspect a third is on its way. Hope it's soon.

I bought the Potato Factory with my monthly credit. What a great deal! Phhhffffttthhhh... No 6 hour novel for me. I'm getting 23 hours of Audible magic for FREE!!! That's what I thought, until only three days after spending my bright and shiny new credit, I finished the book. NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I had to suck it up and buy this book. Jeez. 21 hours of book isn't cheep. Let's see. 21, divided by....carry the one....equals...86 cents per hour. Ok. I guess that's not too bad. I would have paid twice that. Ssshhhh... Don't tell Audible. But really, the book was worth every penny.

So, here's what the books about:

Hey! Let's go hunt whales! Yeah. That sucked. But being wrongly imprisoned and likely being hanged for murder sucks worse. Wait. What's that? The Maori saved us. Well, since we're already here, let's teach them better ways to win fights with these a**hole white guys who won't quit trying to take their land. Also, let's get with the ladies. They're hot! (Tragedy and sadness and spoilers.) Now we're in Sydney. Let's play cards and do drugs and drink stuff. Oh yes, and meet women, feed poor kids, save some Mongolians (or are they Chinese?) from a mob, try to earn some legal money, and become a bare knuckles boxing champion. And finally, once and for all, take down the mongrels.

It's like Forrest Gump goes to Australia. If it had been any other writer, the book would have failed miserably. But Bryce Courtenay is a genius. It's never unbelievable, but it is often tragic. I was boohooing within the first three minutes. As with the first book, the sex scenes bothered me. I may have the punctuation skills of a child, but I am an adult. An adult with a dirty mouth even. But, phew! Those sex scenes make me blush. Go on, Mr. Courtenay! Get your freak on!

Great! Now I'm done with the second book, and only six days since I got my last credit. Ok. No more Starbuck's or fancy nails for me. I'm saving my pennies for the next book.

I thought the "Power of One" was one of the greatest book I ever "read" ("heard"). Then I "read" the "Potato Factory" and fell in love with Ikey Solomon, despite his dreadful character. I also totally enjoyed the "Potato Factory". Then came the brilliant "Tommo and Hawk". Words cannot describe my enjoyment. The characters are enthralling, the story line unmatched by anything else I have ever read or heard.
Bruce Courtenay is in a galaxy of his own and Humphrey Bower brings it all to life. It is incredible how he can bring so many different characters, male and female, to life. You know when you "read" a book and you don't want it to come to the end.
Thank you Bruce! Thank you Humphrey! Thank you Audible.com for letting it all come to life.

The devotion between the brothers gave this book a real emotional ballast that elevated it above a daring adventure tale.

Hawk as a boxer with Maggie Pie and Mary Abacus at the fight was unforgettable.

EVERYTHING! Very talented voice artist.

I won't forget any of them. Even the return of Sparrow Fart from the first book. Even Ikey got a cameo. Amazing!

Really worth listening to the series in order. This is book two of three.

I had a few issues with The Potato Factory, but it was a good story well told. I cannot say the same for this sequel. I found much of the book a little tedious because there is an abundance of narrative detail that doesn't really further the plot or character development. And, since the entire book is told first person in the voices of Tommo and Hawk, some of the long high-flown descriptions sound odd in the voice of someone relating a story - people don't give you every detail about the sun in the sky and every green thing growing on a mountain when telling a story. In addition, I didn't relate to these characters at all, I didn't have much sense of historical perspective from the novel, and I hated the ending. Humphrey Bower once again did a wonderful job of narration - easily switching between the voices and dialects of Tommo and Hawk - although his reading of the women characters' dialog is not as good as the men.

One bone to pick with Bryce Courtenay that isn't terribly relevant to whether or not the book works, but just bugged me. What was up with the American Quaker whaling caption??? With the Quakers having been instrumental in both the British and American abolitionist movements and since Quakers do not have a prohibition on alcohol, why choose to make this sanctimonious, tee-totaling, racist, and violent character an American Quaker?

Like The Potato Factory, you must be prepared for a fair amount of graphic violence (including sexual violence), but unlike The Potato Factory, there's not a rollicking great story to make it worthwhile. I bought the whole trilogy in a package deal so I am hoping the 3rd book is better, but I would not recommend Tommo and Hawk if you haven't bought it already.