The Persimmon Tree

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 27 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1942 in the Dutch East Indies, and Nick Duncan is a young Australian butterfly collector in search of a single exotic butterfly. With invading Japanese forces coming closer by the day, Nick falls in love with the beguiling Anna van Heerden.

Their time together is brief, as both are forced into separate, dangerous escapes. They plan to reunite and marry in Australia but it is several years before their paths cross again, scarred forever by the dark events of a long, cruel war.

In The Persimmon Tree, Bryce Courtenay gives us a story of love and friendship set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific during the Second World War.

©2007 Bryce Courtenay. By arrangement with Penguin Group (Australia).; 2013 Bryce Courtenay. By arrangement with Penguin Group (Australia). (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"The ultimate international bestseller." (The New York Times)

"When the Japanese invade Indonesia in 1942, 17-year-old Australian Nick Duncan escapes by sailing a yacht across the ocean. It's a harrowing journey made manageable, in part, by Nick's hope that his new love, Anna, is safely on her way to Australia. Unfortunately, Anna is stuck in Indonesia, a prisoner of the Japanese. Humphrey Bower's narration makes it a pleasure. His skills should be a model. He reads with anticipation, so that a line written as a laugh or a sob is read as a laugh or a sob without being overdramatized. His characterizations reveal personality and motive, and hold steady throughout the book. And his pacing keeps us interested even when the plot is predictable." (AudioFile Magazine)

During the Japanese invasion this young couple goes through many struggles but find each other once again

This book was was not at all what I expected it to be but that being said it was entertaining to say the least. Some parts I wish would have been more informative and other parts not so much. Overall a great listen

"Page-turner" with some weaknesses

Bryce Courtenay is a gifted storyteller and Humphrey Bower is one of the best narrators on Audible, so it's hardly surprising that this is one of those books you just can't put down until it's finished. It's also historically very interesting, providing a wealth of information about the situation and events of the Pacific War that I wasn't yet aware of, and just for that it is definitely worth reading.

Even so, it does also have some annoying weaknesses. The main one is that the main character, who is also the first-person narrator of the story, simply isn't credible. I don't know if Courtenay himself ever saw active service in war, and if he did I apologize in advance. However, it doesn't seem even remotely believable that a man could go through the horrific wartime experiences described and still remain basically the same insouciant, happy-go-lucky young man he was at the beginning of the story. Even internally, they hardly seem to touch him. It doesn't ring true, and that lessens the impact of the story as a whole.

The resulting effect is of an author retelling a story that he has heard but was not involved in himself. It is as if he is seeing his characters from the outside, and knows nothing of how they really felt about what they experienced. It is still an excellent story, but if that missing depth had been there it would have been a much, much better novel.

For the love of a story teller.

Bryce Courtney is an amazing storyteller!! I’d recommend his books to everybody! I just finished reading Kokoda. By Peter Fitzsimons.
A story about Australian’s fighting in Papua New Guinea, in 1940’s. The persimmon tree took on another part of that same time line, in a different part of the world. It is a fantastically well told story. The descriptions, the detail, The history and the relationships, Makes you feel a part of this story. I totally loved it.
Humphrey Bower is an exceptional presenter with the ability to master different voices and to make you feel apart of the characters.
Please read!
‘The power of one.’ written by Bryce Courtney is one of my top five books. I just love him and his storytelling!!

Epic WW2 love story...

Pretty darn good book about two young loves who were torn apart during the great war in the Pacific theater. This book is a worthy read and I was never bored for a moment.

Great narration.

Totally engaging

This book had me hooked from the start.
A great story that takes you in so many directions. History mixed with personal stories over the span of many years.

Eventos historicos de la Guerra de Japon

Would you listen to The Persimmon Tree again? Why?

No, una ves es suficiente

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Persimmon Tree?

El libro tiene muchos momentos interesantes. La historia de Ana y Nicolas, todo lo que vivieron y aprendieron durante estos 5 años fue una experiencia que mucha gente no vive.

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bower tiene una vos muy agradable y la abilidad de hacer varias voces. Es entretenido y buen sentido del humor.

If you could rename The Persimmon Tree, what would you call it?

My life experience

Best Ever Book

What made the experience of listening to The Persimmon Tree the most enjoyable?

This book transported me everyday to a place like no other book has. Bryce Courtenay the greatest story teller and Humphrey Bower captivating narrator.

Thoughts on The Persimmon Tree

A love story, bringing the world to the villages of the South Pacific spanning WW II. Extensively researched, excellent and entertaining character development, wonderfully interwoven facets of a melting pot of cultures, their similarities and differences, full of light and darkness, irony and humor, this book touches on many important aspects of humanity. All delivered by an engaging reader, making this a first rate recorded book, a pleasure to 'read.'

another fabulous story

This was the 3rd book by this author that I have listened to. His stories are rich, well rounded and full of fabulous details. The characters are believable and I find myself thinking of them long after I have heard the end of the book. I feel I have really gotten to know them, and always feel a bit sad at the closure.

Humphrey Bower at his best.

Entertaining, well researched , and performed perfectly.
This was my first Humphrey Bower performance.
I will listen to him again I'M SURE.....