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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
2.0
This was not my favorite book by the author. I found the first third to be a repeat of old material. It became more interesting after that, but I think sequels should assume readers will be more responsible and diligent.
I also found Courtenay's obsessive focus on his characters sex-life off-putting. It read more like an old man's whinging and his constant descriptions of the women in his life in terms of body parts and clothing got old.
Bowers continues to be a wonderful narrator, so I'll probably listen to everything he reads.
I also found Courtenay's obsessive focus on his characters sex-life off-putting. It read more like an old man's whinging and his constant descriptions of the women in his life in terms of body parts and clothing got old.
Bowers continues to be a wonderful narrator, so I'll probably listen to everything he reads.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Probably really a 3 1/2 star book but I did enjoy it.
I read The Persimon Tree and this one back to back because I was so into the story of Anna and Nick. Bryce Courtenay has a way of fully involving you with characters so you feel you really know them, these books are no different. I really enjoyed these 2 books and even though he does digress in places definitely worth a read.
I read The Persimon Tree and this one back to back because I was so into the story of Anna and Nick. Bryce Courtenay has a way of fully involving you with characters so you feel you really know them, these books are no different. I really enjoyed these 2 books and even though he does digress in places definitely worth a read.
zakky_2k2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
jenheartbooks's review against another edition
3.0
An intriguing story about a man and the two incredibly strong, and incredibly different, women in his life. The two women really spring to life on the pages, but the narrator, Nick, remains somewhat one-dimensional. I did learn a lot about Japanese culture, which was fascinating. However, with the exception of April Fool's Day, none of Courtenay's books have ever matched The Power of One, for me. He seems to have trouble with endings, and I felt that this book was about 100 pages longer than it needed to be.
steph_t's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best Bryce Courtenay book I've read. It was probably about 200 pages too long.
It was ok in it's own right as a novel but judging it next to one of my all time favourites, The Persimmon Tree (its predecessor), it was not as enjoyable.
It was ok in it's own right as a novel but judging it next to one of my all time favourites, The Persimmon Tree (its predecessor), it was not as enjoyable.
missnayzee's review against another edition
1.0
As a fan if Bryce Courtenay and a lover of the first in this series, The Persimmon Tree, I was utterly disappointed with this book. Whilst I did finish it, it was a hard slog. Courtenay continued with his great ability to define and describe a character however I went from loving the strength of both Marg and Anna in The Persimmon tree, to completing despising them and their thoughts and pursuits in Fishing for Stars. Likewise, I struggled with the amount of focus Courtenay puts on the events going on rather than the actual characters and the story. If he was trying to set the scene, I think he failed this time. I would highly recommend The Persimmon Tree, but not Fishing for Stars.
shebalis's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favourite of his tbh
Honestly forgot I'd read it till most of thr way through then felt the need to finish it to see if I was mistaken in my rating, I'd downgrade it too a 2 star tbh.
Honestly forgot I'd read it till most of thr way through then felt the need to finish it to see if I was mistaken in my rating, I'd downgrade it too a 2 star tbh.
jasmines_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
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? Yes
5.0
canada_matt's review against another edition
5.0
A long-time fan of Bryce Courtenay, I found myself enthralled in this book, a sequel to The Persimmon Tree. It continues the tale of Nick Duncan, Anna Til, and Marg Hamilton, whose love triangle of sorts weaves its way through the novel at various points. Nick and Anna are together just after the War, still trying to come to terms with where their lives have taken them. Anna is severely addicted to heroin and unable to shake it. She tries to get Nick to understand her plight, as well as other issues that may take their toll of this burgeoning relationship. Anna has been able to make a name for herself with a number of male bondage houses, something that she learned while a Japanese prisoner of war. As her success mounts, Nick is able to work on his own businesses, which include a salvage and shipping company to serve the Pacific Islands. When Anna is kidnapped, Nick returns to Japan to find her, allying himself with a Japanese mafioso leader, whose love of butterflies rivals few in the world. While a plan is made, Nick finds himself in a heap of trouble, thinking only after the fact about the danger in which he puts himself. While he is able to get Anna out, relatively unscathed, it is only later that he realises how independent she is and what rash actions he seems to have taken. Knowing that Marg Hamilton—an old flame of Nick’s during the war—is newly widowed, Nick and Anna come up with an agreement, to sharpen the edges of this love triangle in the oddest manner. As things switch towards Marg, the reader learns much about her passions living in Tasmania and how ecological politics soon become her passion. Marg sets her sights on helping Australia keep its ‘green’ footprint, though it will be tough. Nick is forced to balance between her advocacy and the actions Anna is undertaking in his own business world, sure to set the two women on a path of destruction before long. It will be up to Nick to determine how he ought to handle what is sure to be the fight of his life. Another masterful Bryce Courtenay novel that takes the reader on an epic journey. Recommended to those who love long and slow-developing stories, as well as the reader who has a great interest in all things Bryce Courtenay.
Bryce Courtenay is surely one of few authors whose books I could read repeatedly and never complain. While I surely read this book over a decade ago, I remember little, making this read all the more exciting. There is much to digest in a story so full of detail. As with the first book, the story flows so well that the length of the story becomes less a hurdle and more an adventure to overcome. Nick plays a great protagonist yet again, keeping all aspects of the story tied tightly together. He finds himself in the middle of so much throughout this piece and keeps the story moving onward. Courtenay uses Nick as the omnipotent narrator, but also a key player in the lives of both women, showing much of his development through the actions they undertake. Anna Til shows that she is a sharp-witted woman throughout the piece, carrying two of her health concerns throughout the book, though never letting them rule her choices, to a degree. Anna has a passion for business and can turn a situation to her favour, either through mental acuity or the power of persuasion that she possesses. The reader will see a nice contrast here with what she has done in the first book and likely enjoy the different, as well as some similarities. Marg, who played a minor role throughout the first novel, takes her place here and has a masterful story to tell, one in which the reader will such much progression. She is able to spin quite the web and keep the reader (and Nick) on their toes throughout. Her development is effectively accomplished on her own, though Nick surely does influence her from time to time. Other characters who grace the pages of this book add different flavours to a stunning narrative. Courtenay paints his picture so well with the different sub-plots, leaving the reader in awe while asking for more. The story was amazingly detailed and provided a view of post-War Asia and its development throughout regional independence. There is so much history embedded within the masterfully crafted narrative, which opens the door to so much interpretation. While I would not normally take the time to comment on audiobook narration, the work by Humphrey Bower here was some of the best I have ever had the privilege to hear. I have listened to the audiobook renditions of all Courtenay books and Bower takes the lead in almost all of them, bringing accents to life and narrative passages to a new level of understanding. While I know some people prefer holding a book (or e-book), I cannot say enough about the audio versions of Courtenay’s work! I was so pleased with the stories and themes developed throughout this piece.
Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for dazzling me yet again as I devoured this book.
This book fulfils Topic #1: Sweat and Read in the Equinox #9 Reading Challenge.
Love/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
Bryce Courtenay is surely one of few authors whose books I could read repeatedly and never complain. While I surely read this book over a decade ago, I remember little, making this read all the more exciting. There is much to digest in a story so full of detail. As with the first book, the story flows so well that the length of the story becomes less a hurdle and more an adventure to overcome. Nick plays a great protagonist yet again, keeping all aspects of the story tied tightly together. He finds himself in the middle of so much throughout this piece and keeps the story moving onward. Courtenay uses Nick as the omnipotent narrator, but also a key player in the lives of both women, showing much of his development through the actions they undertake. Anna Til shows that she is a sharp-witted woman throughout the piece, carrying two of her health concerns throughout the book, though never letting them rule her choices, to a degree. Anna has a passion for business and can turn a situation to her favour, either through mental acuity or the power of persuasion that she possesses. The reader will see a nice contrast here with what she has done in the first book and likely enjoy the different, as well as some similarities. Marg, who played a minor role throughout the first novel, takes her place here and has a masterful story to tell, one in which the reader will such much progression. She is able to spin quite the web and keep the reader (and Nick) on their toes throughout. Her development is effectively accomplished on her own, though Nick surely does influence her from time to time. Other characters who grace the pages of this book add different flavours to a stunning narrative. Courtenay paints his picture so well with the different sub-plots, leaving the reader in awe while asking for more. The story was amazingly detailed and provided a view of post-War Asia and its development throughout regional independence. There is so much history embedded within the masterfully crafted narrative, which opens the door to so much interpretation. While I would not normally take the time to comment on audiobook narration, the work by Humphrey Bower here was some of the best I have ever had the privilege to hear. I have listened to the audiobook renditions of all Courtenay books and Bower takes the lead in almost all of them, bringing accents to life and narrative passages to a new level of understanding. While I know some people prefer holding a book (or e-book), I cannot say enough about the audio versions of Courtenay’s work! I was so pleased with the stories and themes developed throughout this piece.
Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for dazzling me yet again as I devoured this book.
This book fulfils Topic #1: Sweat and Read in the Equinox #9 Reading Challenge.
Love/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
velocitygirl14's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this book, but this was just terrible. Everyone was ridiculous and horrific and I tried to read it all, but I had to call it quits.
Not one of his best books. Just horrowawful.
Not one of his best books. Just horrowawful.