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akornfeld's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realize it when I was listening to this book, but the epilogue made clear it was Courtenay's last book. It made me sad to hear the author's plot outline offered by him as solace to the reader because he wouldn't be able to finish the story.
Many of the threads are repeats from his other books, but I don't tire of his use of language and his characters are well worth my time.
Many of the threads are repeats from his other books, but I don't tire of his use of language and his characters are well worth my time.
diannel_04's review against another edition
I have loved every Bryce Courtenay book I've read so imagine my disappointment when I couldn't even finish this one. I don't know what it is about this book but I found it unreadable.
becsa's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked the book! It's somewhat sad as it really deserved a sequel but the author knew he was very close to the end of his life. Love all the books written by Bryce Courtenay!
taniabotes's review against another edition
1.0
Don't you hate it when you're so looking forward to a book, and then (maybe because of the high expectations) it's so disappointing you can't even finish it. After reading 400 pages I gave up on Jack. He is just oh so perfect - best at school, music prodigy, so attractive, poker expert etc. I started hoping that something bad would happen to him, so I could feel something for him, and it would become more than just a story. And I really wanted to like this as it was Bryce Courtenay's last book, and I thoroughly enjoyed some of his previous work, like Whitethorn and potato factory, but that was years ago. So if you are a current fan I'm sure you'll enjoy this, my husband loved it.
The story: Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. But when he is given a harmonica as a young boy, he discovers a talent for music that will change his life forever. 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. After the death of his mother, he travels to Las Vegas and finds work in the clubs there, but is increasingly drawn to gambling. He earns a reputation as a good player, which brings him to the attention of the mafia. Jack wants to join the professional circuit, and to do that he needs serious money behind him. It's this need that sees him travel 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. He gradually falls in love with Africa - and then with a beautiful Ethiopian woman. They move to London, where they bring up a daughter who becomes a supermodel. In a dramatic twist, the story returns to Africa - and to a fortune in diamonds. 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.
See it still sounds brilliant.
The story: Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. But when he is given a harmonica as a young boy, he discovers a talent for music that will change his life forever. 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. After the death of his mother, he travels to Las Vegas and finds work in the clubs there, but is increasingly drawn to gambling. He earns a reputation as a good player, which brings him to the attention of the mafia. Jack wants to join the professional circuit, and to do that he needs serious money behind him. It's this need that sees him travel 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. He gradually falls in love with Africa - and then with a beautiful Ethiopian woman. They move to London, where they bring up a daughter who becomes a supermodel. In a dramatic twist, the story returns to Africa - and to a fortune in diamonds. 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.
See it still sounds brilliant.
yarralee's review against another edition
4.0
My first book by the Author Bryce Courtenay and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more of his books in the future.
Jack sure leads an interesting life, spanning three continents, and never a dull moment wherever he goes. A very talented person indeed.
Jack sure leads an interesting life, spanning three continents, and never a dull moment wherever he goes. A very talented person indeed.
readerteg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ryansiriwardene's review against another edition
4.0
For someone who has never read courtenay novels before, this was great but long. Definitely some parts could have easily been cut out.
canada_matt's review against another edition
5.0
It is always a great pleasure to read anything by Bryce Courtenay, as he takes a simple story idea and allows it to blossom. This style takes an idea and allows it to develop into something miraculous by the final page. In this novel, set mostly in Canada, I was able to have a true sense of nationalism as I allowed Courtenay to direct the story throughout the decades and lull me into a sense of reading comfort. Jack Spayd began life in the poorest part of Toronto, referred to as Cabbagetown. Making the best of the lot he has been given, Jack finds a lovely connection with his mother, but cowers whenever his alcoholic father approaches. With the Depression in full swing, Jack and his family are barely able to rub two coins together, but somehow they can find some degree of happiness. When, as a belated birthday present, Jack receives a harmonica from his father, he learns the power of music. Hanging outside the local jazz club, Jack hones his skills and makes an impression of the proprietress, Ms. Frostbite, who wants top open as many doors for him as she can. Enrolling him in formal piano lessons, Ms. Frostbite hopes that a classical foundation will allow him to develop further as a jazz musician. As with most everything else he tries, Jack masters it, though he pines for for the blues than anything Bach. Still not yet eighteen, Jack muddles around on the piano for Ms. Frostbite and others at the club, though he needs more experience and to make a name for himself. Jack heads out west, finding work and a new set of passions in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where yet another female influence steers him along a new and exciting pathway. Juicy Fruit may be a prostitute, but she has aspirations of being more under the big lights of New York. After a brief sojourn in Canada’s Prairies, Jack learns the art of poker, though it helps get him into more trouble than he can handle. Leaving trouble in the rear view mirror, Jack takes up the war effort and serves overseas, where he is able to discover new and exciting skills, before returning and trying to make a name for himself. An invitation to work in a still developing Las Vegas opens his eyes to both the racial divide of the United States and the mafia-run casinos of the city. While working as a jazz pianist, Jack discovers that Vegas is more than bright lights, seeing its seedier sides behind the proverbial curtain. There is much for him to learn at a time when Jack is coming of age, including more voyages and new-found friendships. Courtenay’s final novel before his death is as riveting as any of the others I have read. Full of powerful themes and highly entertaining plots, the reader is in for a treat as they watch the story come to life. Highly recommended for those readers who love detailed stories than have numerous plot twists, as well as those who love Bryce Courtenay’s work.
I believe that I have read every one of Bryce Courtenay’s novels and have loved them all! His attention to detail is like no author I have ever read, taking a story idea and spinning it in many directions, whereby the early characters seem to fade into the background as plots thicken and narratives weave in countless directions. Courtenay novels are not for the inexperienced reader, as they encompass not only a massive amount of information, but also go on for hundreds of pages, captivating those who can endure the journey. Jack Spayd is the perfect protagonist throughout this piece, allowing Courtenay to paint a wonderful portrait of his life through decades of life experiences, from the shanty homes in Cabbagetown to the pinnacle of his career as a piano bar worker in Las Vegas. Jack experiences much along the way and encounters a number of influential people along the way. As with many of Courtenay’s pieces, these characters enrich the life of the protagonist and serve to offer wonderful life lessons, even if they are only discovered later on in the novel. As Jack grows, his passion turns from protecting his mother to the wonders of music and even the love of various women in a romantic sense. His coming of age transpires in his late teens, though Courtenay eases him into it with experiences that keep the reader wanting to know more. I am blessed to have had the time to see Jack grow and develop all his skills, as the journey is one that could not be quickly stitched together by a lesser author. As I mentioned before, there are a handful of strong secondary characters whose influence and unique nature is an indelible mark on both the lives of the reader and Jack himself. Growth occurs throughout and the helpful advice resonates throughout this piece, helping the reader and Jack himself grow on a personal level. The story, Courtenay’s last, is as strong as any I have read, hitting the mark on the plight of history in the early to mid-20th century. Courtenay uses actual events in history as a backdrop while honing the wonders of this created plot that serves to teach the reader something along the way. While I will miss Bryce Courtenay and his ideas a great deal, I have many wonderful novels on which to pull insightful ideas and with a strong collection of characters. Be it the painful existence of apartheid-era South Africa, Australia’s outback, Dickensian England, or even the Orient (to name a few), Courtenay has left a mark just as strong as he did in this piece. For that I am blessed, as is any reader who accepts the challenge to come along as well.
Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for a spectacular personal farewell. You will be missed and it was a blessing to be a part of your writing life. May the angels gather at your feet for more storytelling!
The book fulfils Topic #4: Other Than Books in the Equinox #8 Reading Challenge.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
I believe that I have read every one of Bryce Courtenay’s novels and have loved them all! His attention to detail is like no author I have ever read, taking a story idea and spinning it in many directions, whereby the early characters seem to fade into the background as plots thicken and narratives weave in countless directions. Courtenay novels are not for the inexperienced reader, as they encompass not only a massive amount of information, but also go on for hundreds of pages, captivating those who can endure the journey. Jack Spayd is the perfect protagonist throughout this piece, allowing Courtenay to paint a wonderful portrait of his life through decades of life experiences, from the shanty homes in Cabbagetown to the pinnacle of his career as a piano bar worker in Las Vegas. Jack experiences much along the way and encounters a number of influential people along the way. As with many of Courtenay’s pieces, these characters enrich the life of the protagonist and serve to offer wonderful life lessons, even if they are only discovered later on in the novel. As Jack grows, his passion turns from protecting his mother to the wonders of music and even the love of various women in a romantic sense. His coming of age transpires in his late teens, though Courtenay eases him into it with experiences that keep the reader wanting to know more. I am blessed to have had the time to see Jack grow and develop all his skills, as the journey is one that could not be quickly stitched together by a lesser author. As I mentioned before, there are a handful of strong secondary characters whose influence and unique nature is an indelible mark on both the lives of the reader and Jack himself. Growth occurs throughout and the helpful advice resonates throughout this piece, helping the reader and Jack himself grow on a personal level. The story, Courtenay’s last, is as strong as any I have read, hitting the mark on the plight of history in the early to mid-20th century. Courtenay uses actual events in history as a backdrop while honing the wonders of this created plot that serves to teach the reader something along the way. While I will miss Bryce Courtenay and his ideas a great deal, I have many wonderful novels on which to pull insightful ideas and with a strong collection of characters. Be it the painful existence of apartheid-era South Africa, Australia’s outback, Dickensian England, or even the Orient (to name a few), Courtenay has left a mark just as strong as he did in this piece. For that I am blessed, as is any reader who accepts the challenge to come along as well.
Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for a spectacular personal farewell. You will be missed and it was a blessing to be a part of your writing life. May the angels gather at your feet for more storytelling!
The book fulfils Topic #4: Other Than Books in the Equinox #8 Reading Challenge.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
mortelle's review against another edition
4.0
I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and was devastated once I finished. The world is a little less bright with the wonderful author gone.
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