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Jack of Diamonds

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Summary

Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. After being taken under the wing of "Miss Frostbite", the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. Fame and the allure of gambling takes him to Vegas, and prospects of fortune take him to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines. Jack of Diamonds is the story of a young, talented man, fighting to achieve his ambitions, and having to use his considerable talents to find his way in a perilous world.

©2012 Bryce Courtenay. Copyright Christine Courtenay 2013. (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing
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What listeners say about Jack of Diamonds

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Really good listen, Excellent and lovely ending

Would you listen to Jack of Diamonds again? Why?

Yes, it was a magical story, really well read

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

He did really well with the accents and female voices, a great reader

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No really, it was just a good listen

Any additional comments?

Recommended

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another Masterpiece!!

Bryce Courtenay is the master of fiction as far as I'm concerned. I have yet to find a book I don't enjoy thoroughly! The brilliance of Humphrey Bower had me living in the story and feeling everything Jack felt. I laughed with him and cried with him, how many writers can say they inspire people to that extent? I wait with huge anticipation for each and every one of Bryce's new books. What a perfect pair they make.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Bryce Courtney sets very high standards…

Bryce Courtney is a legendary author who’s written some exceptionally good books, The Power of One (of course), Tandia and Jessica are all brilliant.

Jack of Diamonds doesn’t reach this heights but is a solid read. The main characters are all well crafted as is the storyline and the narrator did a fine job.

If you’ve already read the titles mentioned, then this one is a worthy next read.

The epilogue is poignant and emotional.

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  • Overall
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Great storyline

I loved this book. Well written and well narrated, apart from a couple of annoying mispronunciations of South African words, same as his previous books. I just shout at the narrator and carry on.
Such a shame we won’t get any more wonderful Bryce Courtenay books. I’m glad he rounded off Jack’s story though.

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Refreshingly good.

Not quite the power of one but still well above average. Interesting story and not too predictable.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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For musicians everywhere

Great book didn’t want it to finish am going to look for more titles bravo

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another great from Bryce

was enthralled by the story from the start and thoroughly engaged by it all the way through. It was read perfectly too

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Engaging story, superb story telling

Would you listen to Jack of Diamonds again? Why?

Yes. Well developed characters and interesting phases of life

What other book might you compare Jack of Diamonds to, and why?

Most of the Jeffrey Archer novels.

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

Jack. Humphrey Bower was new to me and his ability to cover accents and genders is quite fantastic.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nothing strong but it did keep me interested.

Any additional comments?

Introduced me to a new author. I'd definitely read more from this author. Good solid entertainment with well developed characters.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Unbelievably brilliant 👍

Once again a proper story from beginning to end bought together beautifully with the wonderful array of voices from Humphrey Bower. I couldn't put this book down and now it's finished I miss the main characters- Jack, Bridget and chef napoleon Nelson. A must read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

You just need to keep listening!

I like to get value for money from my audio books and when I saw the length of this one I went for it - over 25 hours. Not my usual read - I'm a cloak and dagger reader. I was nicely surprised that this had a bit of everything. A rags to riches story with a bit of cloak and dagger thrown in and just the taste of a love story to bring a tear. Add to all that some travel from Canada to the UK in WW2, to Las Vegas and then through Africa where you lived the life at the time.

This was more value for money than I could have wished for and I've signed back in now to look for more of Bryce Courtenay.

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3 people found this helpful