The Persimmon Tree by
Bryce Courtenay
Summary
About the Persimmon Tree in the author’s words – goodreads
The Persimmon Tree is unashamedly a love story. I’ve always wanted to write one but until now have been afraid to do so. The reason is simple enough: most men in my experience have very little idea of what really goes on in a woman’s heart or head. Now, at the age of 74, I just might know enough and have sufficient courage to write on the subject – the way of a man with a woman, of a woman with a man.
My story is set in the Pacific, although not in the paradise we’ve always been led to believe exists there. It is 1942 in Java and the Japanese are invading the islands like a swarm of locusts.
I have tried to capture the essence of love – how in a world gone mad with malice and hate, it has the ability to forgive and to heal. As it is in this story, love is always hard earned but, in the end, a most wonderful and necessary emotion. Without love, life for most of us would lack true meaning.
Sincerely,
Bryce Courtenay
First published in 2007. 711 pages.
My Thoughts
The Persimmon Tree is definitely a love story, as the author says in the above summary, but it is also an adventure story, or could be called a ‘boys own adventure’. At over 700 pages, this book was a huge time commitment, but it was absolutely worth it. From page one, I was hooked and wanted to know more about the events and the characters.
Nick, the main character, was a butterfly collector, which is the last thing I would have expected to read about, in a story set during world war two. I thought it added a unique charm to the story, and showed a different side to Nick, who was usually seen as an adventurer.
As is usual in a Bryce Courtenay novel, there is a huge amount of detail and fiction built around fact. I love the detail, and the weaving in and out of fact, that the story entails.
I found the two main characters to be extremely likeable, and I couldn’t help but turn the page to see what happened next in their lives. Throughout the story, the supporting characters round out the story, giving a different perspective and understanding.
Historical war fiction is my favourite genre, but this is the first book about lives at war, that I have read which is set in the Pacific. The story is told from the viewpoint of an Australian teenager, who has been living in Japan, a Dutch/Javanese girl and others who become involved in their lives.
The passages about the war and in particular certain battles, were amazing for me to read. I really did feel that I was reading an historical account of World War Two in the Pacific Islands. There were many themes, but not all were true to life, though that didn’t at all detract from the story. As I said, it was a boys own adventure story.
Saying more about this wonderful book, would spoil it for the reader. For this reason, my review is brief and omits much that I would like to say about The Persimmon Tree. If you enjoy historical fiction, then I would recommend this book as a ‘must read’.
I’m very much looking forward to reading more about this story in The Persimmon Tree #2 – Fishing For Stars
I was a fan of Bryce Courtney in the early days of his writing career, and read each of his early books. I’m not sure why, but at some stage, I stopped reading his books. The Persimmon Tree is the first that I have read in a very long while. This book could possibly be my highlight read of the year, so I’m now looking forward to catching up on all those great stories that he wrote and that I missed out on reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Star Rating
Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book.
For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed, and found difficult to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.
⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again.
⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all.
This post is linked to Denyse’s Wednesday’s Words & Pics linkup. Check out the great blogs there on varying topics.
The books mentioned in this post are of my own choice and have not been sent to me to review. My opinions are my own and I receive no renumeration at all for them.
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