Solomon's Song

The Australian Trilogy, Book 3

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 19 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the story of two families, branches of the Solomons, transported to an alien land. Both branches eventually grow rich and powerful. But through three generations, the families never, for one moment, relinquish their hatred for each other. This novel is also the story of Australia, from its beginnings to its coming of age as a nation.

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

Critic reviews

"Narrator Humphrey Bower doesn't miss a nuance. His villains have a sharp, nasal nastiness, and his love scenes tickle the hairs at the nape of the neck. Bower's performance is spot-on." (Audiofile)

Solomon's Song

An outstanding saga, an fantastic performance, a truly riveting listen. Profoundly moving at times.

I couldn't stop listening!

A heart-wrenching story that I couldn't stop listening to, even buying extra credits so I could finish the trilogy. Wonderful!!!!!!!

Hazelnut

This was a superlative rendition of a fantastic historical tale. Written with depth on a topic of triumph in the midst of extreme dispare. A must read!!

Hated the ending

What made the experience of listening to Solomon's Song the most enjoyable?

The narrator

What did you like best about this story?

Ben and Sarah's love story

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

Ben

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I loved the first two books and I really liked this book too but it could have been so much better. There was so much story that could have taken place with Ben and Sarah and Victoria. I enjoyed the war parts but the whole book was war and that wasn't what I was hoping for. I couldn't believed that it ended so abruptly. I felt like there was so much story left unaccounted for.

Courtenay is a great storyteller

What made the experience of listening to Solomon's Song the most enjoyable?

Bower's ability to give each character their own voice. It was like having someone sitting next to me reading a story, only better.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved learning about Australia's history. I did not know anything about their involvement in WWI.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes where Grandfather Hawk gives his perspective on people, happenings, and the world. I love to listen to what he has to say. His voice is the voice of wisdom and it really resonates with me.

If you could rename Solomon's Song, what would you call it?

Is this Solomon the Solomon of Biblical Wisdom (as well as Solomon family??) If so, then this title takes on an interesting double meaning, and I would not want to change it.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book in my car while I am driving. As the story comes towards the end, I have to bring it into the house so I can hear how it is going to end. The characters and their voices get into my head and my heart and I need to know what is going to happen to them.
I did not intent to listen to all three books, but I cared about the characters so much I wanted to know what happened to them.
This trilogy reminded me of how much I had enjoyed "The Power of One". I still have the hard cover book, but I have downloaded the audio so this time I can listen to Bower tell me the story, and enjoy it in a different medium.

Solomom's Song is intriging

The 3rd book ties all the charaters together and you really care about them. The narrator was very good, gave the story a flavor of Austrailia and England. Some of the story was raw and brutal, but very real.

Not happy!

Not to misunderstand, the storytelling is the best and the narrator is first class as have been in Potato Factory and Tommo and Hawk. But the war is just not what I enjoy so much and the ending is so sad though not surprising. I have thoroughly enjoy this trilogy about the descendants of Iky Solomon and Mary Abacus as well as stories of Australia and its peoples. Thank you.

Stunning! A must read for every Australian.

Couldn't stop listening even after the 3rd time I've read this book! Last we forget.

I’m feeling a little let down.

It’s not the way I wanted to feel at the end. It has been a long journey to get through this series, but I finally did it. I liked this book least of the three, however. It somehow seemed disconnected to the “real story”. And the ending left me . . . Well, let’s just say it was a bad ending. So many questions left unanswered, so much sadness left unresolved. Yes, life is sometimes like that, but darn, I wanted something . . . different than what I got. Not sure what yet. Maybe it will come to me in a few days. Right now I just feel kind of . . . empty, at a loss for words. It’s not what I wanted to feel at the end. . .

Note: narrator Humphrey Bower was fabulous as always! The narrator can make or break a book. This one definitely makes it!

Entire trilogy medium at best

Far too much time devoted to war details. The ending was simply weird. Most characters are left hanging, very disjointed.