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Fishing for Stars cover art

Fishing for Stars

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Summary

Simultaneous release of the sequel to the best-selling The Persimmon Tree.

Nicholas Duncan is a semi-retired shipping magnate who resides in idyllic Beautiful Bay in Indonesia, where he is known as the old patriarch of the islands. He is grieving the loss of his beautiful Eurasian wife, Anna, and is suffering for the first time from disturbing flashbacks to WWII, the scene of their first meeting and early love. His other wartime lover is the striking Marg Hamilton, a powerful and influential political player in Australia who has remained close to Nick. Marg suspects Nick is suffering the onset of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and organises for a specialist to meet with him in Sydney. But when they meet, Tony Freedman stirs long-buried emotions in Nick and the two men don't hit it off.

Nick leaves in an explosion of anger and finds himself in hospital after being hit by a car. Tony visits and encourages Nick to write as a form of therapy - to write about Anna. So he sets about writing about the woman who has inspired him since his late teens, and in doing so draws us into the compelling tale of the life he has lived post war-hero days building a shipping empire, navigating international corruption, supporting his wife's third-world education crusade and loving the women who inspire him. Set in the exotic locale of the spice islands during the excitement of post-war prosperity and possibility, and driven by strong, colourful characters, this book is truly epic in scope. Is it possible for a man to love two women?

©2013 Christine Courtenay; 2008 Bryce Courtenay (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

What listeners say about Fishing for Stars

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

A disappointing sequel.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A different storyline with characters resembling their Persimmon Tree personae.

Would you ever listen to anything by Bryce Courtenay again?

I am heading towards owning ALL of Bryce Courtenay books provided they are read by Humphrey Bower. For all round entertainment, including a bit of education, they are excellent.

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I first heard Humphrey Bower narrating Shantaram and from that moment I have hunted out his performances. He could read 'small print' and make it riveting

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not for me, but everyone has their own opinion.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written, but difficult characters

I bought this book to listen to as soon as I'd finished The Persimmon Tree, which I adored.

This book takes up Nick Duncan's story many years after the end of The Pesimmon Tree. I was immediately saddened to learn of the death of one of the characters, and was shocked by how strident another had become. While the story was just as well written as previously, and the narrator again was magnificent, I am left with a feeling of ambivalence. The innocence of the first book, in marked contrast to the war and atrocities it was set around, has been thoroughly and rudely ripped away in this book.

One part of the story which I particularly liked was Anna and Nick's visit to Japan. The style of this section was much more akin to The Persimmon Tree.

But sadly, the overall feeling I am left with at the end of this book is a distaste for all three of the main characters. Such a shame.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another 5 star by Bryce Courtenay

I'm totally addicted to the words of Bryce Courtenay. Once you have listened to one book you just have to hear them all.
I loved the characters in this 'so much more than a love story' and felt comletely drawn into their lives.
However, it does follow on from 'The Persimmon Tree', which I read afterwards, but did not find on audible.
This was wonderfully read by Humphrey Bower, who finds the perfect voice for each character. A must to listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
  • D
  • 14-06-15

absolute rubbish

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The story line was banal. Nothing inspired me to listen to another word. I think I got to chapter four.

What will your next listen be?

Worlds without end was my next listen. This was absolutely enthralling.

What didn’t you like about Humphrey Bower’s performance?

It was not his performance it was the story. If Humphrey did not have a good story how on earth could he make it interesting.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Fishing for Stars?

From page one to whatever it ended with

Any additional comments?

Sorry this had no story line to keep me interested

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Bryce Courtenay - where have you been all my life?

I've only recently discovered Bryce Courtenay. I can't get his words out of my head. Fishing for Stars is such a beautiful and tragic love triangle story. I wish I could go to Beautiful Bay! Humphrey Bower is a fantastic narrator bringing Australasia to life. I almost feel like I am eavesdropping on the conversations.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great storyteller.

Excellent research and narration. Wide ranging subject matter. This long book held my interest throughout.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great emotional story

Up to the highest standard from this author, a fantastic engaging story that is truly worth a second listen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional

Brilliant book as expected by the author. The narration was 110% and the characters so believable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

conclusion of a great yarn.

Narration of the story by Humphrey Bower really brings the story to life. an excellent narrator.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

preferred The Persimmon Tree

Although I did enjoy this book, I have to admit I enjoyed The Persimmon Tree more. I found this one rambled in places and some of the characterisation was a little stereotypical and 'male viewpoint'. was this deliberate or author projection? I'm not sure.

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