The Family Frying Pan

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Melissa Eccleston, Humphrey Bower

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mrs. Moses is a small woman with a big heart and enormous courage. The only survivor of a Cossack raid on her village, she takes with her a big cast-iron frying pan, so heavy that she can only sling it over her back. Yet this is no ordinary frying pan, it's The Family Frying Pan, blessed with a Russian soul. From this frying pan Mrs. Moses manages to feed the various refugees who are travelling with her across Russia to freedom. In return, each of the group must tell a story around the campfire at night, stories of compassion and bravery, of human frailty and, above all, of hope.

©2013 Christine Courtenay; 2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty. Ltd

Bad Narrator Decision!

I love the Bryce Courtenay and Humphrey Bower combination. If this book had been just that, the listening would have been enjoyable. Unfortunately, Bower is out after the introduction and Melissa Eccleston's reading is too annoying to finish. I am not certain what the logic was in the casting but it was a serious mistake.

Folk Tales

I never thought that I would be so uninspired by one of Bryce's books! I felt that this book should have just stayed in the family circle where it would be more appreciated and read by the members of the family and then their Grandmother would come to life. The short little tales told in that interminable female Russian accent only got boring and I found myself fast forwarding and stifling a yawn. I am so disappointed as I had Bryce on a pedestal as a writer.

Do not believe Bryce Courtenay wrote this book

One of my favorite authors but this is not him in anyway. Hung in for hour and a half, but gave up. Do not waste money or credit on this one.

Soporific - don't drive while listening

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A half decent story

Has The Family Frying Pan turned you off from other books in this genre?

Genre - what genre would you put this under?

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

None

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Humphrey Bower in my opinion is the best reader I've heard in all the books I've purchased from Audible

Any additional comments?

Don't waste your money

The Family Frying Pan

I cannot even give this version one star. I'm sure the story is great, but the narrator is so awful with her phony Russain/Jewish accent, that I had to stop listening. IT WAS SO IRRITATING!!!
I think I should get my credit refunded!!!!
Make sure you listen to the sample reading if you should want to buy it!!!!
Audible.com...find a new version with a narrator who has real Russian accent or no accent, but not this.

Sorry, mate. Can't get past the Sheila narrator.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Melissa Eccleston's attempt at a Russian accent sounds like someone with peanut butter stuffed in their mouth, vainly trying to escape it. So, I'm spoiled with Humphrey Bower's masterful narration. Anyone else would be a let-down. But do us a favor, let us down EASY.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

For the first time since "50 Shades of Gray" I had to abort this one, unfinished.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower ?

Someone who can do ethnic accents without butchering it.

"perfect" = "pyurfect" ? Come on now, not at all convincing.

Did The Family Frying Pan inspire you to do anything?

To get another book.

Any additional comments?

Bower, come back.

So far, so good.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I only just started listening to the bk. I find it interesting & have already recommended it to an acquintance.
I have turned into a Bryce Courtenay fan after reading BROTHER FISH & FOUR FIRES.

Who was the most memorable character of The Family Frying Pan and why?

MRS. MOSES

Disappointing

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Im a big fan of Courtenay and Bower together, but the female reader, Melissa Eccleston, with the phony yiddish/jewish/german accent was annoying. I dont know who would enjoy it, my jewish grandmother???

How did the narrator detract from the book?

the female reader, Melissa Eccleston, used a thick, phony yiddish/jewish/german accent was annoying. It made the story difficult to follow.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger- That I wasted a credit to purchase this book!

Did not care for the female reader!!

What would have made The Family Frying Pan better?

I ordered the book hoping Humphry Bower was the reader...it didn't sound the way I expected and therefore didn't enjoy it from the beginning. I missed upon ordering that the female was also in it...the majority of it!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

A different female voice!

Would you be willing to try another one of Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower ’s performances?

No

Any additional comments?

I may purchase a hard copy of this book to read as I truly love Bryce Courtenay's books.

Average

Not his best in my opinion, however it did expand my knowledge into other stories of the world

Another Winner

Through the colourful characters and excellent narration in 'The Family Frying Pan', Bryce Courtney and co beautifully illustrate that there is more to every human than meets the eye. Everyone has a story behind who they present themselves to be. I'd like to think that this is a lesson we can take into our daily living, and maybe it'll make us more compassionate towards people we so easily judge. Thank you Bryce.

Wonderful true story . So sad to come to the end.

Amazing story, brilliant narration.
Bryce Courtenay never disappoints.
I will read this again many times.
So important to have the Russian narration. BRILLIANT