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Four Fires

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Four Fires

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

 The four fires in this story are passion, religion, warfare and fire itself. While there are many more fires that drive the human spirit, love being perhaps the brightest flame of all, it is these four that have moulded us most as Australian people. The four fires give us our sense of place and, for better or for worse, shape our national character.©2001 Christine Courtenay, a recording of the book published by PenguinBooks Australia Ltd. (P)2001 Bolinda Publishing Historical Fiction Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Scary Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking

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Critic reviews

"A superb storyteller." (The Times)
"Humphrey Bower, speaking as Mole, delivers every possible nuance and emotion of his character's story, and shows a startling aptitude for other dialects as well. Close family friends and enemies include surviving Polish Jews, an East Indian healer, an Irish Catholic priest, Japanese prison camp soldiers, and many others. All of them, young and old, male and female, spring to vivid life in Bower's versatile voice. Narrative passages and dialogue elicit tears and laughter by turns, without a minute of boredom in the 30-hour production." (AudioFile Magazine)
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I couldn't decide what to give this. I think if it was my first Bryce Courtenay book it'd be 5 stars. However having been treated to A Power of One and then Tandia first, this followed a similar flow with a different story and more characters which took the shine off it.

It's a very interesting book covering lots of Australian bush stuff I found fascinating as a brit with no experience of this. The focus on equality via women's rights and Mike's story of becoming a dress designer were fascinating. The WWII history great too. However, the unrealistic success of all the Maloney family children vs just the one person in power of one took an element for realism out of the story for me and while it's hard to put in to words the feeling I have at the end isn't the same.

I'm delighted to have read this book, I already have Jessica ready to read and will likely buy more. In fact while I don't tend to read too many by the same author, Bryce has quickly become the author Stephen King was to me in my youth.

3, 4 or 5 stars

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Do not miss this book. Great story and author. Never a dull book could not stop listening.

Brilliant

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Harrowing in Places, but necessary.
I learned so much and was entertained

He writes characters you just can't help but love

Worth my time I loved these characters

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Bryce Courtenay could really tell a tale and this is one of his best

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Nancy, she was just a wonderful mother.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

I could listen to his voice all day.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How a family dragged themselves out of poverty.

Any additional comments?

A book I would enjoy listening to again.

Wonderful book I loved listening to it.

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Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

My second book by Bryce and another excellent narration by Humphrey. The story was engaging throughout, made me laugh, cry, the story is inspiring, heartwarming, heartbreaking and sometimes brutal, a detailed reflection on humanbeings at their best and worst. I Loved the diversity and interwoven lives of the characters. Above all Humphrey kept me engrossed throughout and couldn't wait to get back to the story. 29hrs of pure talent.

Another great story and narration from B&H

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A brilliant listen. This book is gripping from start to finish. Informative, detailed, heartwarming, funny, sometimes horrifying, you get to know the principal characters so well that you could be part of the family. It covers so many events and experiences in gripping detail. This is not a book you are likely to nod off to

Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay

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What did you like most about Four Fires?

The story of a family in a small rural town, living through war, prejudice, struggles, success - Courtenays ability to bring characters to life is outstanding. In the end, I felt like a part of the family! The story moves at perfect pace throughout, even though it spans decades. It also helps that Humphrey Bower's narrations is completely engaging.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Four Fires?

Difficult to say, but the first few chapters - where all the characters are introduced - stuck with me right to the end, and that doesn't happen very often.

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favourite?

All of them - he makes them all individuals, and it is difficult to pick one. Mole as the storyteller is brilliant, but his performance as Mrs Rika Ray made me smile!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely - but I also wanted it to never end!

Brilliant story, brilliant narration

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a story of a family living in Australia starting after the second world war and through to modern times. This book is a real page turner even though it is in audible fashion, I recommend it to everyone. It has real pace and I found it difficult to turn off and often went into the early hours listening to it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mole the leading character gets my vote for favorite character, but the whole family (including the Suckfizzles) all play their part

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The part where Tommy (the father) take Mole to see the Maloney Tree and tells him how all of his friends have died is so poignant.

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

There are parts in these books that make you laugh and parts where you want to cry,it bring out all the emotions .

Any additional comments?

This is the first work by Bryce Courtenay that I have come across, but it defintely will not be the last.

four fires, fires the imagination

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a book that takes you into the lives of a family that dragged itself up and all sibblings went their own way

excellent

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As usual, Bruce Courtney has written a brilliant story but what makes it exceptional is Humphrey Bower 's narration. Courtney and Bower are unbeatable!

Exceptional!

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