April Fool's Day cover art

April Fool's Day

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April Fool's Day

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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About this listen

 This is Bryce Courtenay's moving tribute to his son, Damon, a hemophiliac who died from medically acquired AIDS on April 1, 1991, at the age of 24.

April Fool's Day is controversial, painful and heartbreaking, yet has a gentle humor. It is also life-affirming and, above all, a testimony to the incredible regenerative strength of love: how when we confront our worst, we can become our best. This tragic yet uplifting story will change the way you think. From the author of The Power of One.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Physical Illness & Disease Emotionally Gripping Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

" April Fool's Day is one of those rare, wholly beautiful books that lets life speak for itself." ( The Australian)
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really loves his first two books or inspiring feel good stories it's a shame I didn't enjoy this one doesn't really written badly just not as good as first two

not as good as the power of one and the subsequent

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Bryce Courtenay is possibly my favourite author, and I've read nearly all of his novels. This is the powerful story of Damon, his son. This book made me smile, laugh out loud and cry, and at times made me so angry. You just need to listen to it.

A beautiful but heartbreaking true story

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I was so moved about the sad story and was often in tears whilst listening. I think I have learned a lot from the story, things that I was ignorant to through lack of knowledge. I hope that I will be more understanding of these awful diseases in the future. Stories like this need to be told and I feel that I have a high regard for the author, his family and anyone who has been touched by these illnesses throughout their lives.

understnding things I hadn't given much thought to

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I can't describe how good this book is. I was a mess by the end of it! Everyone should read this book. It is both moving and uplifting at the same time. The majority of us will be involved of caring for someone with a terminal illness at some point in our lives and thankfully the specialty of Palliative Medicine has come on on in leaps and bounds since this family endured this ordeal. This book captures perfectly the emotions, hopes, and fears of people in this position and I think it should be a compulsory text for all doctors and nurses in training.

Moving

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This is a sad story of a brave life. At times it is very touching, you learn a lot about the illnesses and how hard you sometimes have to fight the medical profession for some humanity... But I felt it was too long and disjointed to fully immerse myself in. The story is mainly told by Bryce but, due to it's nature, other family members (including Damon) tell parts of the story. In the case of Benita, Bryce's wife, this is only once and didn't seem to have continuity. Humphrey Bower is as excellent as always.

Moving at times but over long

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a heart wrenching account from a brave loving family. I'm sure the subject would be very proud. wonderful to read, as a very different Bryce Courtenay book. it won't disappoint fans which have loved his other work, and for those that read this first, your next Bryce Courtenay must be 'power of one' and many more of his books after!!

wow an amazing emotional journey

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very moving. amazing strength shown by all charactors. thank you bryce for shating damon.s story

heartwrenching

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Would you listen to April Fool's Day again? Why?

Yes. There are different narrator,s within this book each with a different thread and emotions

What did you like best about this story?

The different contributions by relatives and v. Close friends

Which scene did you most enjoy?

No one particular scene but maybe where a sense of humour is evident in spite being in great pain

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

Read or listen to this book. It is about a family and their relationships to each other especially as the HIV transforms to AIDS. It also gives a startling in sight into how the disease develops alongside haemophilia.

Love by the many for one

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If you could sum up April Fool's Day in three words, what would they be?

Heartbreakingly brilliant story.

What did you like best about this story?

A personal insight into the tragic yet optimistic life of his son.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Read with feeling

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me cry out and laugh in all the right places and sob at the inevitable end to the story and the life of Damon.

heart breakingly brilliant

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Such a terrible time for the Courtney family.
What a tragic life for their son and what suffering he must have endured in his short life.
Well worth reading if a little long in the detail.

Heartache

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