Jessica

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 19 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Jessica is based on the inspiring true story of a young girl's fight for justice against tremendous odds. A tomboy, Jessica is the pride of her father as they work together on the struggling family farm. One quiet day, the peace of the bush is devastated by a terrible murder. Only Jessica is able to save the killer from the lynch mob - but will justice prevail in the courts?

Nine months later, a baby is born...with Jessica determined to guard the secret of the father's identity. The rivalry of Jessica and her beautiful sister for the love of the same man will echo throughout their lives, until finally the truth must be told.

Set in the harsh Australian bush against the outbreak of World War I, this novel is heartbreaking in its innocence, and shattering in its brutality.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Ltd

Another amazing story by Courtenay!

I loved listening to this book! The story is wonderful as is the narration! I love Bryce Courtenay books and listening to Humphrey Bower doing the narrating makes this book even more wonderful! I can't say enough good about this book!

Jessica

The beautifully written story kept me enthralled and the performance with many different accents was excellent.

Beautiful book & Worth every minute

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!

10 * STAR LISTEN - the best novel Audible carries

This fictionalization of a true story takes place in the early 1900s in the Australian desert. People worked very hard to try and make a living, women were expected to get married and be second to their husbands horse in importance not ride the range and fix fences with their father. Australian natives were called 'abos" and had no rights at all.

The story arc is dramatic and as it unfolds we learn all about Jessica-a rugged and mouthy 14 year old at the start of the story and in her mid 30s at the end. She has to fight for everything and though she looses many of her battles she remains the woman she was at 14 (an age when young girls were expected to get married at this time).

Jessica collects several unusual friends even as she loses her father and her mother and sister plot against her.

I can easily believed the story is fictionalized truth-what happened to Jessica Bergman during her strife filled life is too dreadful to be fully fiction and people were treated the way Courtnays book explores. Black natives did have their children removed from their homes from 1915 until 1969 (Wiki source). Women were expected to do as their fathers or husbands demanded-most had many children so there would be workers for the land and in the family with just girls, a Jessica type girl wasn't uncommon-someone had to help the father work the land.

I've read most of the reviews and feel a bit sorry for those who didn't finish the listen because it was depressing or upsetting. It is reality of a time thats gone now but the story remains heartfelt and deeply endearing. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Keep the tissues handy!

This is one of the most amazing books I’ve read/listened to I quite some time! The fact that it’s inspired by true life makes it even more amazing!
I was getting a bit disappointed towards the end because I thought it was anticlimactic but boy was I wrong!
The life of this young woman, full of heartache and loneliness but oh my the grit and tenacity of this woman! She let nothing keep her down! There is a lesson to be learned here about pushing through no matter what life throws at you!
Great read!!!

A Truly Excellent Story

Masterly written and performed, you will not go wrong choosing this book to listen to. Enjoy.

Very captivating

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't write many reviews but I liked the characters here! I also should mention that I am not a big fan of the Australian accent, I have avoided a lot of audio due to that fact! This story in combination with the characters worked well! It didn't get boring and moved right along. I would recommend this book to anyone! Enjoy!

Love it!

The Bryce Courtenay/Humphrey Bower is one of the best author/narrator combinations I have heard so far. The characters in this book are wonderful. There are some that are easy to love and some that are easy to hate but all are written in a way that makes them come to life.

One of Courtenay's best!

I really enjoyed this book! Bryce Courtenay does such an amazing job at character development and he came through once again with this book. I felt like I knew the characters, sympathized with some and hated others. I found myself thinking about the book when I wasn't currently listening - wondering about the plot and characters. Then I found myself feeling disappointed because I was nearing the end and the story would end. It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a book that much. I would say that this is my favorite Courtenay book, and I've listened to the following books: The Power of One, Tandia, Tommo & Hawk, The Potato Factory, & Four Fires. Go ahead and listen!

engaging and detailed, great story telling

the author sure an excellent job of pulling you into a story so you can get lost in his adventure