I've downloaded the unabridged audible version of almost all of Bryce Courtenay's books. The primary reason is that Humphrey Bower is one of my favorite audible book narrators. He makes a story come alive with his uncanny ability to change accents, and even makes me believe I'm hearing a woman's voice. As for the story-- this one is very epic. I had just finished listening to "Jessica" which is one of the saddest stories I've heard in a long time. With this book, I found the Maloney family to be fascinating. Nancy, as the feisty mom, is a woman I grew to admire as the fought to make sure her kids were given every opportunity to make something grand of their lives. She wanted them to have a better life than she did. Rough as she was, around the edges, I admired her devotion to her children. I've noticed a repeating theme, with the author's books-- the Christian characters are often portrayed as hypocrites, and misguided in what Christianity is all about. I notice this, because I'm a Christian. I won't get into my religious beliefs/views, except to say that not all Christians are hypocrites. So, it saddens me to see a rather unfavorable view of Christians...though, I have no doubt there are plenty of evil people who go to church. Moving on... I'm a bit of a girly-girl, so I have a tough time reading about war and torture and gore. So, when Tommy finally reveals the story of his time as a prisoner (and this is not a spoiler, because you know it's coming), I found his story to be like a train wreck. I wanted to look away) albeit, fast forward. Yet, I listened to it. It's heart-breaking, to be reminded about prisoners of war, and the suffering they endured. Yet. we need to be reminded.
I'm sad that Bryce Courtenay has passed away, and there will be no more of his books to read/listen to. I've never been to Australia, so his stories are my armchair to traveling the world. Well done, Mr. Courtenay. Thank you.

"Don't forget to take the spoon out of the sink before you turn on the tap."
An enjoyable read. This is a good book to read.
I enjoy reading Bryce Courtenay books. The book is well written. The events takes place in 1950s-1960s. It is based on small simple Australian family. It highlights the Vietnam war and its impact on the family. The book also, highlights important issues; immigration, women rights, wars, religious conflicts, and fire control.
The book was informative regarding fire control and how to respond in case of fire. I didn't know that it was part of the normal lifecycle.
I loved the characters; who I found are really charming; every last one of them; especially, the Indian lady.
I loved the saying "Don't forget to take the spoon out of the sink before you turn on the tap."

The best way to do a Bryce Courtenay is via audiobook with Humphrey Bowers narrating. It turns the book into an unforgettable experience. Bowers is such a great actor that he makes the characters come alive. Courtenay is such a great storyteller that their combination is fantastic.

This book isn't as dark as The Power of One and Tandia. It has less swearing and isn't so violent. However, it's a great book that focuses on Australia by focusing on a large family in the bush. Courtenay develops characters very well and takes each child through their own story. Bowers masterfully develops voices for each of them, including the recent Jewish immigrants and East Indian immigrants.

Courtenay focuses on social issues such as abortion, women's rights, and PTSD.

This was a great book with very colorful characters.

This novel is set in Australia, in a small town, sometime after the 2nd world war. It tells the story of a poor family –a mother who has had five children to four different fathers. Her first husband remains there, but spends much time in prison for stealing or in the bush as he struggles to cope with the aftermath of having been a soldier in the war. The families own a rubbish collection business and are looked down upon by the local community, though this does change dramatically as the children come of age and become prosperous and well renowned in their chosen fields. It took me a while to get into this book- but once I became more familiar with the characters I was totally immersed and it took me next to no time to read…

Before reading this book, I consulted the reviews on Amazon.ca to get an idea of what it was about. Most said that this was just a story about an Irish Catholic family who began by being the social pariyah of a small australian town called Yankallie to prominence. However, I disagree. It is more than that.

Mole, the main protagonist of the story, recounts the Malony's rise from bottom of the social ladder to a prominent and respected family in Australia. Speaking from a first person's perspective, Mole recounts how each of his sibblings strive to achieve great success. He also incorporates the Maloney's extended family and describe how they have also achieved great strides in their own right.

Social issues such as PTDS, bigotry and ignorance are the main themes throughout the novel. You also learn about just how important Autralia involvement was during the second world war as well as the subsiquent cover up of the events that transpired in Sandakan as a war camp at the hands of the Japanese are of very interesting knowledge.

If you are one that loves historical fiction, this is the novel for you. I absolutely adored this novel. It was the first Bryce Courtney novel I have read from cover to cover. I am very excited to read more of his work. He just knows how to tell a good story.

One of my alltime favorite books, this was a re-read for me in preparation for an upcoming book club discussion. Mole Maloney's narrative and perspective of his life in the Australian Bush is bittersweet. I laughed and cried and laughed some more. There are lots of layers here and Courtenay, as usual, weaves a colorful and bittersweet story from well-researched history.

A simple but compelling story about a family who was financially poor but filled with love and commitment to each other. The book reminded me a little of The Bothers K. Although it was a little slow at the beginning, I became quite attached to the characters and thoroughly enjoyed it.

OMG that took FOREVER to read but I’m so glad I finished it.

I love Bryce Courtenay books - the sweeping saga, families, characters and relationships. This book had all of those elements. I found it bogged down when it got into war details in the last quarter of the book, but it ended up tying it all together in a relevant and thought-provoking way.

Four fires – passion, religion, warfare and fire itself. Only Bryce Courtney could bring all four fires into such a passionate book and hold you enthralled until the very end. Starting with the Malony, family with their everyday ordeals. How their early lives were based around religion in everyday society. The author captures the terror, pain and exhaustion of an Australian bush fire so exact, one would almost believe he was writing as he lives through it. Finally, the warfare and the horrors it brings, physical and mentally in Vietnam during WWII and a life that follows. So sad that it ended I had become so attached to these beloved characters. It’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.

My first Bryce Courtenay read and wow it was long - too long perhaps. I really enjoyed reading about life in Yankalille and Tommy and Mole's adventures goin bush and fighting fires and the horrors of the POW camps in WWII, however the middle sections to do with Mike's fashion career and Sarah's entry to uni and even Bozo's boxing career just seemed to linger on a bit long for me. 50:50 as to whether I would read another BC.

Bryce Courtenay has never disappointed me. His novels are the kind that you simply cannot put down. Thankfully, at the end of the first book in a series, you just know that he will follow it up with a sequel - he simply can't leave us hanging there! I am on a mission to read every single one of his book and I've made a pretty good dent in it. I started with The Potato Factory, which is a very good place to start. I was completely engrossed in it and when finished, I could not get my hands on enough of the authors books. The Potato Factory gives the reader an in depth view of the emigrants that settled in Australia - how Australia was formed, molded and fought over bit by bit. With each book about Australia, Bryce Courtenay teaches so many things about Australia from the customs to the ecological environment to politics and from the haves and the have nots. Each novel is comprised of stories within stories within stories. You must read some of these books for yourselves and see what you think - as you can see, I cannot say enough about them.