April Fool's Day

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 19 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

This is Bryce Courtenay's moving tribute to his son, Damon, a hemophiliac who died from medically acquired AIDS on April 1, 1991, at the age of 24.

April Fool's Day is controversial, painful and heartbreaking, yet has a gentle humor. It is also life-affirming and, above all, a testimony to the incredible regenerative strength of love: how when we confront our worst, we can become our best. This tragic yet uplifting story will change the way you think. From the author of The Power of One.

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

Critic reviews

"April Fool's Day is one of those rare, wholly beautiful books that lets life speak for itself." (The Australian)

A journey through another’s devastating illness

What made the experience of listening to April Fool's Day the most enjoyable?

Bryce Courtney took a subject very close to his heart and brought to the reader not only the horrors of facing so many struggles with hemophilia and full blown AIDS but also he related hope and joy with the stories of people involved along the way with his son’s illness.

What did you like best about this story?

Celeste and Damion’s relationship.

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

Humphrey Bower is the best reader of the dozens of books I have listened to. He brings the characters alive, and I cherish every word he speaks. I cannot miss a single word he speaks.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from April Fool's Day?

I have much more empathy for those who have suffered and still suffer from diseases that are looked upon with such ignorance. The book also taught me to question and do research on any illness I might get, to not just trust those “in authority.” I loved Dr. Cole.

Any additional comments?

The two best books I have listened to are The Power of One and April Fools Day, both written by Bryce Courtney and read by Humphrey Bower.

A sad book that has lessons

This is not a book for everyone. This is a book that tells of a dying son and the father's journey through the death and dying. It is a true story of Bryce Courtenay's sons haemophilia and eventual death from AIDS.

Story: The story is well written and tries to tell the story from a number of people's points of view. This is successful in some ways but mostly it is Mr. Courtenay's story about his anger and fight on his sons behalf. I became a little angry at times having lived through a similar thing and also being a part of the medical establishment that Mr. Courtenay rails against. Some of the things that he says are simply wrong and others are interpreted by a grieving and angry father. The story should be read by every medical student in an attempt to prevent the "God Complex" that is such a problem with this profession.

Narrator: As usual Mr Bower does a superlative job. Does this man ever read a story in a bad way????

Thanks!

Inclusion, connection, truth. Thanks so very much Mr Courtney. Thanks for bringing me back to earth with a slam...Inspiring.

Magnificent!

Beautifully written and performed. Heart wrenching but also very healing. Both of my children have passed. This book healed much of the parental guilt that I am experiencing. Thank you Bryce and Humphrey. I miss you Bryce.

Devastating story

This was a heart breaking story told by a master of the craft. Every detail hooks at the heart and makes you part of a tale that is almost too awful to bear. All the while it shines a beautiful light on the human spirit and one of the most powerful forces in our world...

Interesting but depressing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Have put aside after going through 3/4 of book. I did not want to listen to any more of the progressive demise of an innocent character.

Courtenay's nonfiction as compelling as his novels

It was fascinating to learn about the family life of an author whose novels I read compulsively; but the focus on his son, rather than himself, was a refreshing twist on the memoir.

Heartbreaking and Triumphant

Where does April Fool's Day rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was a different sort of book as it was extremely personal, and instead of weaving a story about fictional characters, Bryce Courtenay was pouring out his own life. Having read many of his books, I appreciated his effort in telling his hearbreaking but triumphant story... the story of his son Damon.

What other book might you compare April Fool's Day to and why?

I have no books to compare this to and it is entirely unique among the hundreds of books I have read.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't think you can say that there is a favourite scene. It is not that kind of book. I cried and laughed and got angry... the gamit of emotions was passed through as I listened to this book almost continuously from beginning to end.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from April Fool's Day?

I think the poignancy of the medicallly induced AIDS problem and ignorance/insensitivity of people looking after those infected with this terrible virus was painful to acknowledge, but I think it was important to bring it to the reader. Every person who is educated and encouraged to be more compassionate towards AIDS sufferers and those with Hemophilia will make this book even more worthy of having been written.

Any additional comments?

I felt it was particularly helpful to have the various members of Damon's family narrating from their own perspectives. Altogether, a wonderful book. Now Bryce is with his beloved Damon.

Sad story but told in a colorful way

Sad story but told in a colorful way. Performance was fantastic. Bryce took a sad story and gave it color, even though it was so close to home.

Not like his other books

Only reason I listed to most of this book (7 hrs left) is because of the excellent narrator. Humphrey Bower might be the best narrator I have ever listened to. I have listened to all Courenay's other books. Some of his books show strong disllike and mocking of Christianity - almost stopped listening because of this several times. This book is 19 hrs of his son living with an incurable disease. Not much happening and depressing, not like his other books. I do not recommend spending a credit on this.