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The Persimmon Tree
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 27 hrs and 57 mins
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The Persimmon Tree
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Summary
The Persimmon Tree opens in Indonesia in 1942 on the cusp of Japanese invasion and the evacuation of Batavia (Jakarta) by the Dutch. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Duncan is on holiday there, in pursuit of an exotic butterfly known as the Magpie Crow. It's an uncertain, dangerous time to be in Indonesia, and Nick's options of getting out are fast dwindling. Amidst the fear and chaos he falls in love with Anna, the beautiful daughter of a Dutch acquaintance, and she nicknames him 'Mr Butterfly'.
To assist in the escape, Anna's father gifts Nick his prized yacht, Vlermuis, to sail to Australia. Singapore has just fallen, the Japanese have made it to Sumatra, and the waters are dangerous. Vlermuis is not long out of Batavia when Nick is forced ashore for repairs. He witnesses the bloody execution of shipwrecked Allied soldiers by natives, and while burying what's left of the bodies, Nick notices one wounded soldier has escaped death, and he carries him back to his yacht.
The rescued soldier is a lower-class Irish Catholic American called Kevin Judge. He has no sailing experience, but he assists Nick in navigating through some dramatic storms and the two form an unlikely and lifelong friendship.
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What listeners say about The Persimmon Tree
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kim
- 31-05-18
great literature
Hated coming to the end. So going to get part 2. a mix of everything in one story. Must listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 13-02-15
Good Yarn
This is the 4th BC novel I have read and the best - good characters and solid storyline. If you want an easy listen with a good yarn this is for you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Skerray
- 02-05-20
The Persimmon Tree
I loved this Book. The story was full of different twists and turns on the various issues and plights of the characters caught up in some of the countries of the Far East and Australia leading up to, during and after the invasion of the Japanese. The innocence and love of the two leading characters at the start, the mayhem and trials they suffered separately during that terrible time and then trying to pick up the pieces in the aftermath all made for and excellent story brilliantly read by Humphrey Bower. I can’t wait for the next book from this brilliant Author .
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 17-04-20
VERY DESCRIPTIVE
Disappointing ending as no clear final outcome. As ever brilliant narration by Humphrey Bower.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MRS TA YELLAND
- 04-05-22
An epic tale of epic proportions
I have never read this author before, but I will definitely be reading/listening to more of his work. The story was amazing and I like the fact it could be true. Amazing detail and totally believable characters made it a really wonderful experience. I was sad when it finished.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chrissie Jones
- 05-01-14
Charming and chilling
A chilling story with charming characters,even the bad guys. I loved this book and I was hooked from the first listening. The narration was masterful.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yael
- 17-07-18
Another fantastic book by mr Courtenay
Another fantastic book by mr Courtney, expertly narrated by mr Bower, who’s many voices and accents truly brings the story to life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JoBev
- 08-02-20
Love love
Loved this book. Really didn’t want it to end. Be nice if there was a sequel picking up from the boat trip.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Frodo & Co
- 21-06-14
Nice story set in a historic perspective
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I find it always nice to get something more out of a novel when set in an ethnic or historic perspective. In this case Jave around the second wolrd war.
The nice thing about Bryce Courtenay is that it's a friendly, possitive and gentle story; so nice reading. A fascinating story-line. At times a bit very heroic, but it's just nice (I hate horror and evil). There is always a lot in Courtenay's possivitism.
Great story-teller, great story, great performance! Much enjoyed!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. G. Bevan
- 02-02-22
Brilliant
Loved this story and the narreter is brilliant couldn't put it down, he has written several books,but this will take some beating
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