Four Fires

I believe that Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay is a phenomenal book all by itself. It is not, however, a book I probably would have gravitated to nor enjoyed as much in paper form. I picked this selection based on reviews and particularly the reference in Audible reviews to the narrator Humphrey Bower. I was not disappointed. To call Mr. Bower a narrator does not do him justice. An actor? Okay, that works. He flawlessly plays the roles of so many of the characters in this book. And that would make him an artist. That's good too. But, like the author himself, Bower is a Storyteller extraordinaire and for me, that was the magic of this selection. <br /><br />I was blown away by every aspect of this book in a "good way" until Mole's dad takes him into the bush and tells him of his time in the war. For me, at that moment, it was like getting hit in the solar plexus. The book abruptly became something entirely different. It was like it was not even the same book written by the same person. And, while I concluded that the descriptions of all the brutality of war could be taken in context, it might not be for everyone. I mean this is no holds barred brutal descriptions of war-crimes. And, these events are not pure fiction, but, we are told, are descriptions based on historical facts and perhaps we should not avoid nor look away from such things if we are to diminish their chance of reoccurrence in the future. <br /><br />But, those reservations aside, for the record, I give the Four Fires:<br /><br />5 stars for personal enjoyment<br />5 stars for general skill in writing<br />5 stars for storytelling, acting and narration.

This is only my second book by Bryce Courtenay, but already he is establishing himself as one of my favourite writers. Though FOUR FIRES and THE POWER OF ONE (the books I have read thus far) are rather lengthy, they truly resonate and the characters Courtenay creates in both feel so real I miss them when I finish.<br />The story centers around the Maloney family in a small town in Australia. They don't have it easy, and are definitely a multi-faceted bunch, but they make the best of what they have and just feel like a real family. Courtenay's books remind me so strongly of Gerald Durell's MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS. The people are quirky and sometimes downright odd, but they all have some sort of charm that makes you root for them.<br />In any case, FOUR FIRES deals with so many issues that feel too important to forget in terms of historical value, while still remaining incredibly relevant today. Courtenay is an author who takes his time getting to the crux of the matter, but the journey of arriving is better than the 'prize'. His books are so intrinsically about character development, you really feel as though you are following this group of people as they live their lives, go through ups and downs. That is my favourite kind of book. If I can feel for the characters or grow interested in their stories, there doesn't need to be any huge plot related drama. Still, for those readers who need adventure, there's that, too.<br />Courtenay writes about the difficulties of living in the Australian Bush, of Australia's World War II involvement and PTSD; of making it in the world of business and finding a sense of fulfillment along the way. There is romance and humor, tragedy and adventure. I really don't understand why Courtenay is not better known in Europe and the US, because he easily holds his own in comparison to other writers of epic tomes such as the much-lauded Ken Follett (nothing against Follett...)<br />There I go rambling on and on, but that's just what this kind of book does. It creeps under your skin in the best way possible, so that you feel a part of the story and it is an almost sad event when you finally finish it. I listened to the audio version of this, mainly because I saw that the brilliant Humphrey Bower narrates, and it is absolutely worth it. He is one of the best narrators I have come across.<br />Can't wait to read some of Courtenay's other books. Much as with THE POWER OF ONE, I wish he was alive so I could write him how much I loved this book. Highly recommended!<br /><br />Find more reviews and bookish fun at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://www.princessandpen.com">http://www.princessandpen.com</a>

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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.

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.

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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Courtenay focuses on social issues such as abortion, women's rights, and PTSD.<br /><br />This was a great book with very colorful characters.

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.

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. <br />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.

When I first read this, I would have given it five stars. It's another of Bryce Courtenay's carbon-copy exercises in sentimentality. This particular story traces the life of one family (he does enjoy the family dynasty trope, doesn't he?) through the eyes of, I think, Mitch. One family member ends up a boxer, one a successful fashion designer, one founds a business empire based on garbage-collection trucks. The only one who comes to relatively nothing is Mitch, who does nothing but fight valiantly during, I think, WWII. He rises modestly through the ranks, is psychologically scarred, falls in love with some girl, and possibly sings stirring songs in Vietnamese, though that might be a different Courtenay book. <br /><br />It is implied that Mitch's life is at least as valid as that of the others, for he lived it with courage and integrity. Nothing wrong with that message, but I do wish he could express it in tones a little less maudlin and a little more original.

I *loved* this book! Admittedly, I listened to it, and the reader, Humphrey Bower, is more an actor than a reader. He made the book come alive as he adopted the tones and accents of men and women, boys and girls, all with their accented English (Yiddish, German, Japanese, Indian, Irish, Australian...). This is a story of a wildly unusual Australian family surviving by intelligence and drive and endless courage. A great read/listen! I was sorry to have it end.

A truly outstanding book, and in my opinion Bryce Courtneys best, it opens your eyes to life in a small Australian community in the 1950s. and gives graphic descriptions of being held a prisoner of war by the Japanese in the 2nd W.W. Yes it is a long book,but one that never failed to hold my interest from first to last page. I have actually read this book 3 times,and each time got some new perspective from the story. In my opinion this is the mark of a great book.