Paddington

What a store teller ..... Bryce does it again!

Revisado: 01-12-14

As with all of his novels, I have been thoroughly entertained by Bryce Courtenay listening to Jack of Diamonds. I am sorry that have only a couple of his novels left to read/listen to. This novel was in a different setting mostly in Canada and Las Vegas, and a little towards the end in a mining setting in Africa. It was set among the jazz world, high roller gamblers and Mafia connections with an interesting thread about the culture and times of pre and post world war 2. I love Courtenay's novels .... he has been a wonderful story teller and will be greatly missed.

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An entertaining Australian novel

Revisado: 12-07-13

I am a big fan of Colleen McCullough. I have read most of her books and I am looking forward to her next! Having been a nurse in my earlier years straight from school in Australia I recognised some of the aspects of the nursing way of life that Colleen describes. Life was quite strict for a nurse even in the late 60's and 70's. I loved the historical setting and the characters portrayed. It is not attempting to be a great piece of literature but it held my interest throughout. It was entertaining and charming with twists that made it work well.

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heartwarming

Revisado: 11-12-13

Another of Monica McInerney's excellent novels. It was tragic and heart warming keeping my interest up throughout. Great characters. The ending was predictable and a little weak but apart from that it was well worthwhile reading.

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Unusual well worth a read

Revisado: 10-14-13

This story is a well worth a read. I was fascinated discovering what made the characters tick as the experiences of their past unfolded. Harold became an endearing character with his persistence and good heart coping with many difficulties while considering so many other people's feelings. I am glad I read it and was not put off by the title. Highly recommended.

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terrific story

Revisado: 10-05-13

This was a much more readable Thomas Keneally novel than his first ones. It was a terrific story based on Australian nurses and army involvement in World War 1 who supported British forces. I found it compelling but I would have preferred a definite ending, not a choice of two. Highly recommended.

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So glad I read this one!

Revisado: 07-21-13

Peter Fitzsimmons has written this remarkable story with a great understanding of Nancy as a forthright gusty Australian woman of her time. She also had a great appreciation of French and British culture. Most unusual for her day as an Australian, she was so obviously bilingual speaking French fluently. Stephanie Daniel reads this story beautifully.
It is not surprising that Nancy was well recognised by the French, Americans and British for her courage and valuable service in WW2 with the Resistance in France under extremely dangerous circumstances.
As an Australian whose father fought in WW2 and mother did a "man's" job of management during the War, I found this story fascinating and inspiring. I had not been aware of what Nancy actually did until I came across this book. It is so well written, just a joy to hear.
Highly recommended, most worthwhile.

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sequel to The Persimmon Tree but not as good

Revisado: 06-20-13

This novel is a continuation of The Persimmon Tree which was a terrific novel.
Strangely this book is not up to par for Bryce Courtney. I have read most of his novels and thoroughly enjoyed them. He is a wonderful story teller.
I can only guess that his illness was sadly affecting him when this one was written. At times this one is repetitious and long winded. I am not sure why he went onto the extra bit about the Franklin River protests. It was not necessary for the sequel to The Persimmon Tree. Having said this I am not sorry that I listened to this story and I am still a fan of Bryce Courtney.
Humphrey Bower the narrator is superb and adds a great deal to making it entertaining.

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Another entertaining story

Revisado: 06-07-13

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story. It was interesting for me being an Australian from an historical point of view. My parents lived through the Second World War with my father being in the Australia Defence Force as a young man around the same as age the main character Nick. I found this particular story of the attempted escapes and plight of those who were not successful very compelling. Highly recommended.

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disappointing

Revisado: 04-30-13

I wanted to read this story because I had visited the Durack homestead at the Ord River in the Kimberley Western Australia and because I recently met a young man who is a descendant of the Durack family. They were a remarkable Irish pioneer family. However, this particular account is sadly dreadfully tedious and boring. It covers far too much detail like a family diary.

Much of the detail is not really required to provide a good account of the family sage. Too many suppositions are made to interpret the early Durack's thoughts.
This in the only audible book I have found boring. I was determined to listen to the end but it never improved. I hope that someone with writing skill can redo this particular story and concentrate on a shorter span of their saga. It would be a tale worth writing in a more entertaining and readable style by a talented writer.

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A compelling story

Revisado: 03-13-13

I found this story captivating. It was skilfully written painting vivid pictures of the characters and events that unfold. Hannah Richell writes with great insight into the complexities of family relationships. If only more families had the maturity and sense to, in time work through the aftermath of their mistakes, loss and grief.
I eagerly await her next novel The Shadow Year due to be published this year 2013. I hope Audible will add this one soon!
Highly recommended.

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