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

Amazing Book - Did not want it to end

Loved this book, rich in details about Jessica's life and the events that changed her life. I could not wait to listen to what was going to happen next. Highly recommend.

Another winner

Character development in Jessica is superb. Courtenay's story telling keeps you involved until the last word. Humphrey Bower is a narrator without equal. Each character speaks in a recognizable voice. It doesn't get any better than Courtenay and Bower together. I've listened to all of Courenay's books -- love them all!

Wow! What a story! What interesting characters!

This book sounded interesting, different, and had good reviews. It definitely was outside my usual choice for stories. But the fact that it was based upon a true story, drew me in.

Longer than the average book, the detail about the people and the country, as well as the woven-in history, about Australia and about the aboriginal people, all were allowed to develop naturally.

I found myself, as usual, trying to guess ahead of the story ... what would develop out of the situation in which the characters were involved. I had to remind myself that this was based on a true story, and life doesn't come neatly wrapped up in a package, but often shoots off in an unexpected tangent.

I did guess the correct outcome of one portion of the story, which then made me question if that part was fiction or truth. Regardless, it's quite a 'ride'.

they rise again

In keeping with Courtnay's usual style of a downtrodden person who triumphs in the end, this was good but not as good as Brother Fish and Power of One. It was nice to have a female main character for once but I do think he writes better from a male perspective.

Masterpiece

Another Courtenay masterpiece! Listened to it fully over the weekend (everything else came to a screeching halt). I've "read" most of Bryce's book and rate this at the top, along with the trilogy of Solomon's Song, The Potato Factory and Tommo and Hawk. Of course, Humprey Bowers (as usual) plays a magnificent role as the narrator. Wish I could learn more about the real Jessica, since this book was based on a true story, i.e., how closely did Bryce stay to the real life story of this woman?

excellent narrator, good story

I enjoyed this book very much -- the narrator is excellent and the story of Jessica in the Australian bush was very interesting. I enjoyed a bit of Australian history along with the story. (I don't know much of the history of Australia). I don't know if I would have liked the book if I had read it but the narrator is the best.

Great book

What made the experience of listening to Jessica the most enjoyable?

I love all Bryce's book, and the narration as always truly adds to the whole story, this book touched me because its based on fact, i could not believe what she had to endure, and it was an eye opener how the Aborigines were treated...!

Which scene was your favorite?

Loved her interaction with the Jewish part of the story.

Any additional comments?

I am so sad that we only have 21 books to read , i absolutely love this author and his choice of narrator, in my opinion an absolute perfect fit..! everyone should read Bryce Courtenays books, well a few at least !

Jessica

Bryce Courtenay at his best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a great book very enjoyable even my husband had a tear in his eye after listening to this story. We travel all the time so we download books and listen to them through our ipod.

Australian Life

Even if this story is fictional, it has the powerful ring of truth. I was deeply moved by Jessica and her extraordinary ability to overcome such great tragedy and sorrow. Courtenay writes with great insight in the conditions of Australian Society People are bigoted and dishonest in their mean spirited dealings with the most vulnerable. Greed, corruption, racism and cruelty dominates this story Through World War I. The noble character "Jack" died without knowing he had a son. I wish that "Joey" had known his son but it is ironic that this boy is spoiled by two women were art the heart of a very rapacious and dishonest society. Jessica is a true champion in the this benighted society; I deeply admire this character but wish she had lived longer. She had so much to give. I like the way her death was celebrated by the people Jessica loved most-The Aborigines. What a story!

Courtenay 's Best!

Having listened to half of Courtenay's most popular books, I found this one to be his very best. I loved it. Now if I could just stop cringing at Bower' s constant mispronunciations! Nevertheless, Bower does fantastic accents which define and enliven the characters. He is unmatched, albeit with a pronunciation problem.