Jack of Diamonds
by
Bryce Courtenay
Most people start at the very beginning. Alas, I am not most people and my first Bryce Courtenay novel to be reviewed is also his last. As far as I know. I finished listening to the audio version a while ago now; on March, 24, 2014, to be precise. I completed my review, which follows, the same day.
Read on……
I finished listening to the Jack of Diamonds today and was sad to see that I had reached the end of the story. It was the best book I have listened to for some time. I stress ‘listen’ as the narrator’s accents, Canadian, Italian, American, South African, German and Australian were, in my opinion, perfect.
Was the story line plausible? Possibly.
Was it a good read/listen? Definitely.
A five star, favourite book does not come along very often.
Does it have a Mature Adult rating? Definitely.
However, language which befits the setting, plot and characters.
You have been warned.
It may not read as well as it sounded as an audio book. I loved it. Just a pity there will not be any more.
Spanning the Great Depression, World War II, follow by ties to the Las Vegas Mafia and a romance in South Africa all are combined as only Bryce Courtenay could, to weave a wonderful story.
If you have not read Jack of Diamonds it must be added to you list.
A definite five star favourite.
read.
Goodreads readers have rated
Jack of Diamonds
an average of 3.92 stars from 1,515 ratings and 188 reviews
Jack of Diamonds
can be purchased on-line at
Fishpond, Booktopia and Amazon
Read in 2014
Huh, my comments may, or may not have vanished. If they are visible to you, please delete this one, and another!
The book is available at my local library. I’ll add it to the teetering pile on my table.
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Do you ever listen to audiobooks? Download from library.
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I do, but only when there are no print copies available.
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Fair enough. My iPod and audio books are the most important part of my travelling arrangements. 🙂
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They are made for travellers who love to read.
It’s getting a tad warm up here in Myrtleford!
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First day without at least two jumpers today! Calm, no wind …just right.
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Yes … my library has it the shelf. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I am surprised that there have only been 1500 ratings and 188 reviews. It may not be to your liking. I started Bryce Courtenay books with Matthew Flinders Cat. I tried reading one of his earlier works…about his son who died of Aids…and could not complete it. However, I loved most of his books from Matthew Flinders Cat on wards. The exception being The Persimon Tree and its sequel. The main problem with one of these (one was better than the other) was they were set in the 40s-70s, and related occasionally to Australian politicians who were to go on to greater political endeavours, and I was reading about this in a book written this century. Delete these references to ‘future happenings’, which were actually several decades old and it was still a 4 star read at least. Hope you enjoy Jack of Diamonds.
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Right, I’ll see if the High Country library has this recommendation!
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