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April Fool's Day cover art

April Fool's Day

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Publisher's Summary

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

Critic Reviews

"April Fool's Day is one of those rare, wholly beautiful books that lets life speak for itself." (The Australian)

What listeners say about April Fool's Day

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A beautifully written and narrated love story

I had only just joined Audible, April Fools Day was my free book and what a way to hook me in. Absolutely loved this Bryce Courtney dedication to his beautiful boy. So wonderfully narrated, I laughed, cried and loved every minute.

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1 person found this helpful

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So raw and emotional

Having lost a child and experienced years of hospital admissions, this story was all too raw and emotional. Beautifully told with such brutal honesty. It’s so true, the majority of hospital staff are what you expect, brilliant, dedicated and caring. But there are a large number of incompetent, arrogant and unprofessional fools who belong nowhere near sick people.

Can’t believe Bryce wrote his first couple of beautiful books while experiencing all this!

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  • Overall
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Frustrating but heartbreaking

A beautiful, bitter wonderful story of a family, young love and a needless tragedy. A must read for those with courage.

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Amazing true story

[{ "answer" : "Honest, vibrant, sad.", "type" : "Overall", "question" : "If you could sum up April Fool's Day in three words, what would they be?", "id" : 44, "typeString" : "overall" }, { "answer" : "The \"no holds barred'' approach that makes you feel like you're actually there. Humphrey Bower's magnificent narration, once again, brought this story to life.", "type" : "Story", "question" : "What did you like best about this story?", "id" : 1, "typeString" : "story" }, { "answer" : "Every scene was relevant and wonderfully written and narrated.", "type" : "Performance", "question" : "Which scene did you most enjoy?", "id" : 25, "typeString" : "performance" }, { "answer" : "I laughed and cried repeatedly!", "type" : "Genre", "question" : "Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?", "id" : 56, "typeString" : "genre" }, { "answer" : "An honest and informative portrayal of the life of a special young man.", "type" : "Misc", "question" : "Any additional comments?", "id" : -1, "typeString" : "misc" } ]

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sad but beautifully written a life story

loved it. my best friend is going through a similar life incurable disease currently. Bryce described the feelings of everyone very accurately.
Bower narrated it perfectly like every other of his narratives.

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Raw and powerful

Humphrey Bower is a powerful storyteller, my favourites storyteller ever! He gives Bryce’s life experience such a raw power that is not always found in audiobook. This different to his usual fiction, it’s heart breaking and warming and heart breaking all at the same time.

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Incredible heartfelt story ❤️

Thank you Bruce and family for sharing this amazingly heartfelt story. Damon’s story and life certainly brings it home for
those who have experienced pain and loss. Haemophilia together with HIV what a strong man your son was. The whole story is beautiful whilst heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing. A definite must listen/read ❤️

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If ever you think you’re having a bad day!

Loved this book, made me take a good look at a lot of the insignificant worries I make a far to big a deal of.
I whole unfairness of it all made me sad.

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Ecclesiastes 7:13

Thank you for a beautiful life...

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Heartwarming

Lovely story of a young man who faces a huge number of medical challenge told by the perspective of his father, himself and his girlfriend. Interesting and sad but a quick moving book. This is my second time reading. Definitely recommend

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Eye Opener

This book was such an eye opener, I’m so sorry Damon went through all this because of bad blood, and what you all went through as a family. I was in tears more times than I would like to say.

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