Four Fires

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 29 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The four fires in this story are passion, religion, warfare, and fire itself. While there are many more fires that drive the human spirit, love being perhaps the brightest flame of all, it is these four that have moulded us most as Australian people. The four fires give us our sense of place and, for better or for worse, shape our national character.

©2013 Christine Courtenay; 2010 Bryce Courtenay (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Humphrey Bower, speaking as Mole, delivers every possible nuance and emotion of his character’s story, and shows a startling aptitude for other dialects as well. Close family friends and enemies include surviving Polish Jews, an East Indian healer, an Irish Catholic priest, Japanese prison camp soldiers, and many others. All of them, young and old, male and female, spring to vivid life in Bower’s versatile voice. Narrative passages and dialogue elicit tears and laughter by turns, without a minute of boredom in the 30-hour production." ( AudioFile magazine)

Characters and Story blended beautifully

This is a story about what on surface would seem a dysfunctional family but it isn't one. In fact even with its parents troubles the deep love they have for each other and their children both natural and well not so, its steadfast. They are lapsed Irish Catholics many generations in Australia with a contemptuous relationship with the neighborhood priest. The Maloney men for generations have fought in wars and fires and Tommy on his father's advice selects Moe. to learn about fires. The family earns money collecting the town garbage, The kids become high achievers with life foibles along the way. They also pick up some special family friends in this journey as well as lose some. There is a lot of fire fighting, as well as soldering as Tommy is a former POW with PTSD though they did not know to call it PTSD. Moe goes to fight in Vietnam and get his own dose of PTSD. The writing is superb I learned a lot about fires, fire fighting Eucalyptus and other trees and wildlife in the course of reading this book. It was woven in as part of the character of Moe and Tommy so that is wasn't a dry lecture. There are other characters and other parts other this family story being told in this book There is Mike the boy who loves to design dresses and he does award winning embroidery as well as the oldest, Sarah who falls for the local Protestant sports hero in school. Bozo who learns to box and becomes a local boxing phenomenon as well as a talented dog trainer.

A phenomenal story that sticks with you

this is one of those books that I have to reread every now and then. the story sticks with you, and makes you think. absolutely loved it

burns hot!

What did you love best about Four Fires?

A good example of australian country town life back in the fifties.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't really have a favourite one, every character plays their part nicely but i do think tommy's story about his p.o.w treatment in ww2 had my ear buds stuck firmly in my ears & also made me shed a few tears too...

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

yes i have listened to quite a few of humphrey's narrations & i think he really brings out the australian country town accent perfect in this book, my opinion of humphrey is that he rarely gets a character's accent wrong & nearly always brings the book to life.

Any additional comments?

One of my favourite bryce courtenay books, just remember it is a work of fiction, but with a good deal of research & facts thrown in which gives it a sort of non fiction feel. A must for anyone who loves to kill a bit of time with a great audio book.

Great read, astounding reader

This is a great story or perhaps series of stories about a family from down under. Washed in the Australian dialect which made Crocodile Dundee a popular hit.
But the best part of this read is the reader. How did God grant one human such talent to provide a dozen or more distinct voices, each of which is perfect. Well done

Wow!

Great novel.
one of the most entertaining and well written that I have had the pleasure to read.

Amazing story and narration

Maybe the best narrator I’ve ever listened to.
I loved Courtenay’s The Power of One and this is an equally great novel. I very highly recommend this story!

I loved it!

The story really makes you care for these characters, and you can't wait to find out what happens to them next. Once you start listening to this story, it's hard to stop.

Big thumbs up

Great Australian family saga told with such character and laugh out loud moments. Loved it!
Mr. Bower deserves and Oscar for his narration.
Certainly the best I have had the pleasure of discovering!!!!

Exceeds all expectations.

A rich historical novel and family saga whose characters are fully developed and realized. Courtenay takes us into the fascinating worlds of the Australian Bush, fashion and the garment industry, religious bigotry, the horrors of World War II and VIetnam, and the struggles of a proud family. Every character engaged me and won my sympathy and interest. Humphrey Bower, the reader is a consummate artist. His performance is phenomenal.

Excellent Read

I think that this was a wonderful book and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. The narration was good and the characters in the family and the novel were well drawn. I enjoyed how the story followed all of the family members’ lives and how they interacted with the town.

I highly recommend this book!