Reviews

Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay

violetfloof's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

aoosterwyk's review against another edition

5.0

I can't help myself, I love everything by Courtenay. This story was as rich as The Potato Factory, but not at all redundant. The Maloney family saga details every member and each is worthy of their own TV show. Courtenay writes as if they are each his main character and they are all so different! I really can't say enough about this author. I have just downloaded another by him and can't wait to listen.

dozylocal's review against another edition

I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this book, but felt it lost it a bit towards the end. It was almost like the author was in a hurry to finish it.

ewwa333's review against another edition

2.0

A story about a family who are considered to be the bottom of society, this book follows their lives as they try to make it in life, keep themselves honest and stick together.
It's a feel good story that has you rooting for the family in every issue they face.
I read it because I absolutely adored 'Brother Fish' however, this story did not compare.

It touched on controversial issues in society but was told in the perspective of a boy who didn't have any personal opinions and showed little emotion. Everything bad that happened was because of the curse and everything good that happened was just brushed aside and not fully celebrated.
As a character he doesn't believe his family are anything special and so as a reader you start to believe that too. Even after they conquer so much and make a strong support system for themselves. His character development was very, very slow. The book could have been much shorter as I lost interest half way and it was a struggle to finish.

akornfeld's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

lejenkins's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jasmines_nook's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

andrewritchie's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

doublearon4321's review against another edition

4.0

Well you can tell I'm in lockdown! This book is very long and would normally take me 3 weeks( I'm a slow reader.) After having the paperback falling on my face and my arm getting tired I read most of this as an ebook.
I needed a book to keep me interested this book did that. He is is a brilliant story teller.
Do give it a read maybe while on holiday or during a lockdown.
I love stories where history is wrapped in even if he thinks the NZ Pavlova is from Australia. Because of this, I've knocked a star off.

angelajuniper's review against another edition

3.0

'The Four Fires'is one of those books that, looking back, I am glad i read and may re-read one day but any recommendation of mine will come with a comment. The first hundred or so pages did little to entice me but, after falling in love with 'Jessica'I was determined to get through the initial descriptional scene setting and character establishment. Bryce Courtenay establishes family bonds well and as the narrator's relationship with his father developed I found myself reading until 4am, particularly as they set up camp and Mitch is the recipient of his father's horrific war stories. That large chunk of the book really stuck with me and made the entire effort worthwhile. I felt that the final clinical description of the main character was beginning a tangent that Courtney did not carry further, and so felt it slightly stunted the story. Overall, a good read.