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)

Seems to get off the track

I loved The Potato Factory and Tommo and Hawk. I also liked Solomon's Song but it didn't seem to hang together with the first two books. Courtenay should have written a separate book about the First World War and had the third book continued with the saga started in the first two books. A good share of the third book was Ben and the war,little about the Hawk/Benjamin, Joshua/Ben relationahip and the business.

Series ran out steam

I really enjoyed The Potato Factory, began losing interest while listening to Tommo and Hawk, and finally could not get the past first third of this book Even the superb reading by Humphrey Bower could not save it. The recycling of plot elements, the improbable behavior on the part of the characters as well as the unrealistic relationships between those characters, the cringe-worthy explicit sex descriptions complete with sound effects, and the predictability of most of the conflicts sent me back to listening to Patrick O'Brian yet again with a sigh of relief.

I'm a sucker for sagas

and the Australian trilogy fit the bill. As for this volume, t Mr. Courtenay doesn't go over the edge historically and made sure to include the sodden trenches of France along with the horrors of Gallipoli. Now that I have Humphrey Bower's voice in me head much of the time, I must tell you that there is no better narrator; some who compare, but none better.

Four stars because I'm getting tired of being guilty of grade inflation and though I liked Solomon's Song very much, The Power of One and The Potato Factory are ~1 star better.

By the way, I am going to try to get the following: Bryce Courtenay helped with the publication of "An Anzac's Story" by Roy Kyle. Kyle was at Gallipoli (and France later) as an ordinary soldier and began this memoir at 89.

Disappointing

I absolutely love reading Bryce Courtenay books - until now. Solomon's Song starts with a promise to wrap up the fascinating, yet stormy relationship between the two Solomon clans, but it simply ends as a historical description of the horrors of war at Gallipoli and WWI in France, with virtually no follow up or resolution to all of the characters except for Ben, who really is a minor character in the family saga. It felt like Courtenay used Solomon's Song as a bully pulpit to preach his anti-war views, while forgetting to tell a story. You really don't need to go past Tommo & Hawk for the story of the Solomon clan.

Not what I hoped for.

I enjoyed the first two books for the blending of history and fiction that provided action and great character development. Solomon's Song being the last book of a trilogy, I expected the same action with a conclusion to the tale that started with Ikie. Instead, I was baffled throughout. Why was the author spending so much time on certain specific topics on the last of a trilogy. The ratio of historical data to fiction was tilted way to far to historical detail and absent the good fictional narratives that made the other books so good. I know if you have gotten this far in the series that you have to buy this book so I guess I am just venting. Most seem to enjoy it so I might be the exception. The narration again is exceptional, a savior for this book.

Breathtaking!

I waited months to get this audiobook as the 3rd volume in this triology of family, intermingled with unique historic events.

Awesome story - the characters come to life with this narrator. Bryce is not a predictable writer and there wasn't a moment in all 3 volumes (50 hours!) that wasn't engaging.

I can't believe the story has ended. I've downloaded all of his titles - can't wait for more.

Bravo Mr. Courtenay!

Listened to complete the series...

Glad I listened to the whole series, but this was not my favorite Courtenay. Though I enjoyed parts, I didn't feel as invested in the new characters introduced and was left a little unsatisfied with the way some of the story lines were concluded.

Heart stopping!

I've read about six of Bryce's books. I would have been burnt out with most authors, but as soon as I've completed a book, I want it to go on --- tell me more -- don't let it end like this!
Still feel that this is not the end of the Solomon saga. There are still more fascinating characters to explore. Bryce always leaves a "hook".

Sorry to Finish the Book

Would you listen to Solomon's Song again? Why?

Yes, but in sequence with the other two books...to spend time with Victoria and Ben as they pick up where the last generation left off.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Solomon's Song?

The last page, but that would be a spoiler.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

What's not to like? He's astonishingly gifted at voicing very different characters. I'll look for him again and again.

If you could take any character from Solomon's Song out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hawk. Who wouldn't take a seven foot tall, face-tattoo'd pacifist to dinner?

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend the series: it's a masterwork of the historical family saga variety.

That's it???

Any additional comments?

What a disappointing and non-resolved ending. The first two books were great. And this final book in the series was a dud... I should have stopped after 'Tommo & Hawk'.

Enjoyable listening

Another enjoyable book from Bryce Courtenay. It follows the Saga and family rivally from the previous two books. This one neatly follows on from Tommo and Hawk answering questions left from that story. The new generation has thier own dilemas and trauma as the story weaves through those into the first world war.
It did leave me feeling there is plenty of room for a further book.

The best audio book I have ever listened to

A monumental look at Australian life in times of war and peace. The depiction of the cause and effect of Australia's participation in world wars and especially their role at Galipoli heart rendering and traumatic and makes one wonder as to their ill-founded patriotism for the mother country for which most Australian soldiers were unprepared for. A truly magnificent and enthralling book superbly narated by Humphrey Bower. I was devastated when I got to the end of the audio book and found that Bryce Courtenay hadn't written a sequel. Anybody wanting an insight into Australian life from 1800s onwards would be hard pressed to find a better book.

The Last Of The Trilogy...

Would you consider the audio edition of Solomon's Song to be better than the print version?

Yes because of the fabulous performance by the narrator Humphrey Bower. I read the first book and have listened to the second and third and thoroughly enjoyed them all.

What did you like best about this story?

After already having such a strong bond with the characters from the other 2 books it was good to have some conclusion in the final of the three.

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

Mary Abacus is by far my favourite character overall.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was VERY emotional to say the least!

Any additional comments?

Was sad to have this fabulous trilogy of books come to an end. Bryce Courtenay is a wonderful author has a great flow and makes for an easy read. I didn't want to put any of them down. As with the other books in the series there is a great sense of history and the ability to tell it well.

An absorbing story

I was aware that this was book was the third part of a trilogy before I began listening and although I had no prior knowledge of the previous two volumes it mattered little as the story was unfolded in such a way as to explain the past events which led up the the culmination of this Australasian classic.
It did, however, take me quite some time to become attuned to the staccato style of reading by Humphrey Bower who throughout seemed almost incapable of delivering much more than a dozen words in sequence without inserting what was often a pointless and distracting pause. Maybe this was the way in which Courtenay wrote the story - but I somehow doubt it!
Nonetheless, I found the story both absorbing and emotive - particularly the latter chapters dealing with the tragedies of World War 1 and fate of the Anzac forces in Galipoli - and would recommend it to anybody who has an interest in this period of history.

fab

It wasn't until I had finished listening to this I realised it was the last of a trilogy. However, it was gripping from the beginning as the outlines and potted histories are well laid out, which might slightly irritate those who have read the previous novels. The narration is superb, and the descriptions of the fighting in Gallipoli and the trenches in France, are stunning. The author has brilliantly crafted a platoon of men who are thrown together in war, it is truly moving. But thats the second half, the whole fascinating story of the Solomon family and its beginnings and growth in Tasmania are equally enthralling. You learn facts of true events along the way. I liked it so much I have now listened to the whole trilogy, but if you only read one, then this is my favourite.

Incredible!

Any additional comments?

Having read 'The Power of One' many moons ago, I was well aware that Bryce Courtenay could tell a tale, as it has been my number one recommendation to anyone who will listen for many a year. However, it has now been usurped by this amazing trilogy. Humphrey Bower's narration is superb, and if anyone is looking for a great story steeped in historical fact, these 3 books are a must! I am sorry to have come to the end of such a riveting listen. Bravo, Mr. Courtenay, Bravo!!!

Superb conclusion to the trilogy

Bryce doesn't disappoint in this final saga. Emotive and charged, bringing the Anzac involvement and horrors of WW1 to life. Simply brilliantly narrated!👍

not as good as book 1 and 2

I love the narrator but I found the ending of this third book left me wanting more, and there is no more😥

Brilliant!

Amazing story and written as If I am there. I cannot recommend this trilogy enough.

absolutely fantastic!

great series great reader sorry to reach the end absolutely fantastic thank you so much