The Persimmon Tree

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 27 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

A sweeping saga from Bryce Courtenay, Australia's most popular author.

The Persimmon Tree opens in Indonesia in 1942 on the cusp of Japanese invasion and the evacuation of Batavia (Jakarta) by the Dutch. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Duncan is on holiday there, in pursuit of an exotic butterfly known as the Magpie Crow. It's an uncertain, dangerous time to be in Indonesia, and Nick's options of getting out are fast dwindling. Amidst the fear and chaos he falls in love with Anna, the beautiful daughter of a Dutch acquaintance, and she nicknames him 'Mr Butterfly'.

To assist in the escape, Anna's father gifts Nick his prized yacht, Vlermuis, to sail to Australia. Singapore has just fallen, the Japanese have made it to Sumatra, and the waters are dangerous. Vlermuis is not long out of Batavia when Nick is forced ashore for repairs. He witnesses the bloody execution of shipwrecked Allied soldiers by natives, and while burying what's left of the bodies, Nick notices one wounded soldier has escaped death, and he carries him back to his yacht.

The rescued soldier is a lower-class Irish Catholic American called Kevin Judge. He has no sailing experience, but he assists Nick in navigating through some dramatic storms and the two form an unlikely and lifelong friendship.

©2007 Bryce Courtenay; 2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Another Great Book by Humphrey Bower

I really enjoyed this story, love the accent (audio book) and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I feel like I learned many new things, I laughed, cried and worried about the characters. I highly recommend this audio book.

Big Old-fashioned WW11 Saga of the southeast Pacif

Long, Well-written great historical
novel with interesting characters and excellent narrator.
Word word word. it's a big fat juicy book!

Great Historical Read

This was the first novel I listened to by Bryce Courtenay. I found it very engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. I listened to Brother Fish next and could not finish it. It was too similar and the narrator sounded the same for the characters and I kept mixing them up in my head. So my advice is to not listen to them too close together. If you are looking for a credit worthy novel for a long trip or long weekend this is an excellent book.

Good story

Good story, but the absolute worst imitation of American accents ever. Very distracting and extremely annoying. He does OK with the upper class accents, but kevin and Joe are horrible parodies of working class speech, and a bit insulting. Other than the spotty narration, this book was good escapist story telling.

Engaging, Horrifying, Satisfying

An absorbing tale about WWII in the South Pacific. The narrator, who has an Aussie accent, does a superb job. The story is complex and deals with the horrors faced by a young woman living under the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies, in parallel with the story of her admirer, a young man who escapes the invasion to reach Australia. A thoroughly satisfying read, including the ending.

I was so sad when this wonderful story ended.

I can highly recommend this to anybody who enjoys historical fiction. great story and I really fell into the time and place

Engaging storey that Romances our soul

This is a story that has more to provide in details a predictable end (hence 27 hours) than the pursuit of a lo s t love ...to say it's details are most interesting is also true.

Superb! And VERY well-read

Typical Bryce Courtenay: historic sweep, fully formed, multi-dimensional characters, and something more than cultural sensitivity: deep understanding and obvious appreciation of different cultures. (At least, that’s how I see it.) And a cracking good war story. The narrator is worthy of the material and enhances the story with great accents and equally adept at humor and tragedy. Loved this book! Also recommended: Courtenay’s “The Power of One.” I actually read that one, but I wouldn’t mind having it read TO me.

Fantastic Book & Narrator!

This was a fantastic audio book! The story was well-written, in depth, and moving. The Narrator was phenomenal with the many voices and accents he portrayed. Highly recommended!!

If I could give this book more the 5 stars I would.

Superb writing and compelling narration. Colorful, evocative and stimulating. Highly recommend. You won’t be disappointed.