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Brother Fish

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Brother Fish

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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From the author of The Power of One comes an inspiring human drama and war story of three lives brought together and changed forever by the extraordinary events of recent history. Inspired by real events, Bryce Courtenay's new novel tells the story of three people from vastly differing backgrounds. All they have in common is a tough beginning in life. Jack McKenzie is a harmonica player, soldier, dreamer, and small-time professional fisherman from a tiny island in Bass Strait. Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan is a strong-willed woman hiding from an ambiguous past in Shanghai. Larger than life, Private Jimmy Oldcorn was once a street kid and leader of a New York gang. Together, they reap a vast and not always legitimate fortune from the sea. Narrated by celebrated, award-winning actor Humphrey Bower.©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty. Ltd Genre Fiction Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

  • 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Literary Fiction
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I've listen to lots of great books, but this one is at the top with just a few others. I thought at first I'd made a mistake and selected a book solely about war - not so. It's a wonderful story that was totally engrossing and is brilliantly read. It was a real disappointment when I came to the end. Just don't miss this one.
By the way, I'm Jean not Rob - just in case you want a female critic.

Don't miss this one

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The characters and narrative are gripping. I couldn't wait to learn more about them and how the story unfolded. Historically fascinating about the Korean War and Australia's part therein. A jolly good listen.

Brother Fish

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One would be forgiven for thinking that this is an autobiography. I had to keep reminding myself that this is fiction, and yet the book has a definite sense of truth. There are harrowing images of the Korean war which must be first-hand descriptions of real experience. The prisoner of war experiences feel awfully truthful. Clearly a huge amount of research and many personal stories have been gathered to be welded together to construct a well crafted, very satisfying read. This is a book which will draw you in until you are thoroughly engrossed and reluctant to waste time sleeping when you could be listening. This is in no small part due to Humphrey Bower's outstanding ability to voice the characters. His range encompasses deep, dark African-American, Chinese both male and female, young and old, even an American-Chinese accent, not to mention shades of his native Australian and posh English. And for goodness sake he can sing in tune!
Bryce Courtenay has the ability to make his books very authentic. He can find the essence of what motivates the human heart and how people think and then show you what happens next. And he makes you want to find out.
The combination of narrator and author makes this an unmissable book. If you only buy one Audible book, make it this one.

A nominee for Best Book list.

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Loved loved loved this … war, love, hope, empire building… etc had it all. I’ll listen to anything Humphrey Bower reads .. he’s a phenomenon! I urge you to get this as an audio book !

Excellent story

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BC's ability to build characters that the reader cares for is unparalleled. Yes its 32 hours long and 1 maybe 2 passages drag a tad, make no mistake, this book is brilliant.

The 3 main characters are perfectly crafted as is the epic storyline all of which is narrated magnificently.


if another book is able to make me cry (silently, on the Chiltern Rail 6.42 to Marlybone) as many times as Brother Fish did, I'd like its title.

Brilliant Bryce Courtney

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