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The Family Frying Pan
- Narrated by: Melissa Eccleston, Humphrey Bower
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
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I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Sequel syndrome 😔
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strong performance
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Solomon's Song
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Here is the story of two families, branches of the Solomons, transported to an alien land. Both branches eventually grow rich and powerful. But through three generations, the families never, for one moment, relinquish their hatred for each other. This novel is also the story of Australia, from its beginnings to its coming of age as a nation.
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Best 3 book series ever
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The Potato Factory
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Always leave a little salt on the bread. Ikey Solomon's favorite saying is also his way of doing business, and in the business of thieving he's very successful indeed. Ikey's partner in crime is his mistress, the forthright Mary Abacus, until misfortune befalls them. They are parted and each must make the harsh journey from thriving nineteenth century London to the convict settlement of Van Diemen's Land.
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Exceptional Narrator
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The Silver Moon
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Each of us has a place to return to in our minds, a place of clarity and peace, a place to think, to create, to dream. For Bryce Courtenay this place was a waterhole in Africa where he used to escape to as a boy, in search of solitude. One evening, while lingering there, he witnessed the tallest of the great beasts drinking from the waterhole in the moonlight, and was spellbound. Ever since, he drew inspiration from this moment.
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The Persimmon Tree
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The Persimmon Tree opens in Indonesia in 1942 on the cusp of Japanese invasion and the evacuation of Batavia (Jakarta) by the Dutch. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Duncan is on holiday there, in pursuit of an exotic butterfly known as the Magpie Crow. It's an uncertain, dangerous time to be in Indonesia, and Nick's options of getting out are fast dwindling. Amidst the fear and chaos he falls in love with Anna, the beautiful daughter of a Dutch acquaintance, and she nicknames him 'Mr Butterfly'.
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Perhaps one of the best novels I have read
- By Philip on 02-09-2018
Publisher's Summary
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What listeners say about The Family Frying Pan
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Marie Fuller
- 11-07-2017
Campfire Stories to Freedom
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, it's a brilliant book comprised of the stories of the people who are leaving the 'cold country'
Who was your favorite character and why?
Mrs Moses, though a very young girl, she is a great leader of the people who travel with her.
What does Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
They've brought the stories to life for me
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Just before 'Mrs Moses' was renamed !
Any additional comments?
I thoroughly recommend, its a lovely story
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 03-02-2020
Revisited a great book .
Read thus originally years ago and thoroughly enjoyed hearing it read. All the characters are amazing . It won’t be the last time I visit this book.
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- Anonymous User
- 12-10-2019
the only one I couldn't finish
listened to all Bryce Courtneys books and this is the only one i could not finish. i felt the story was good but being read in that Russian womens accent i just could not follow it at all
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- Anonymous User
- 01-08-2018
Not my sort of book!
I have decided to exchange this book as I am not enjoying it at all.
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- Charmaine Prinsloo
- 26-08-2017
More than I have bargained for
I just loved all the different characters and their unique unbelievable (yet basically true) stories brought to life by the author. I just did not want it to be finished! Bravo Bryce Courtenay!
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- Debbie
- 08-08-2017
different
I really enjoyed the stories of all the characters and their journeys. Love Bryce Courtenay.
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- David
- 09-07-2014
Could Not Get into this book
Would you try another book written by Bryce Courtenay or narrated by Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower ?
Yes definitely. This is the only one that I have read that I of not like
Would you ever listen to anything by Bryce Courtenay again?
YES
What about Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower ’s performance did you like?
She is OK. but yes.
Did The Family Frying Pan inspire you to do anything?
No
Any additional comments?
It was a nothing book for me.
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- Johnnie Walker
- 29-04-2010
Bad Narrator Decision!
I love the Bryce Courtenay and Humphrey Bower combination. If this book had been just that, the listening would have been enjoyable. Unfortunately, Bower is out after the introduction and Melissa Eccleston's reading is too annoying to finish. I am not certain what the logic was in the casting but it was a serious mistake.
10 people found this helpful
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- "unknown"
- 01-04-2011
Folk Tales
I never thought that I would be so uninspired by one of Bryce's books! I felt that this book should have just stayed in the family circle where it would be more appreciated and read by the members of the family and then their Grandmother would come to life. The short little tales told in that interminable female Russian accent only got boring and I found myself fast forwarding and stifling a yawn. I am so disappointed as I had Bryce on a pedestal as a writer.
8 people found this helpful
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- Charlie
- 01-03-2012
Do not believe Bryce Courtenay wrote this book
One of my favorite authors but this is not him in anyway. Hung in for hour and a half, but gave up. Do not waste money or credit on this one.
5 people found this helpful
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- Ruth M. Penson
- 05-06-2010
The Family Frying Pan
I cannot even give this version one star. I'm sure the story is great, but the narrator is so awful with her phony Russain/Jewish accent, that I had to stop listening. IT WAS SO IRRITATING!!!
I think I should get my credit refunded!!!!
Make sure you listen to the sample reading if you should want to buy it!!!!
Audible.com...find a new version with a narrator who has real Russian accent or no accent, but not this.
9 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 13-03-2014
Soporific - don't drive while listening
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
A half decent story
Has The Family Frying Pan turned you off from other books in this genre?
Genre - what genre would you put this under?
Which character – as performed by Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?
None
You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
Humphrey Bower in my opinion is the best reader I've heard in all the books I've purchased from Audible
Any additional comments?
Don't waste your money
2 people found this helpful
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- Ed
- 23-04-2013
Sorry, mate. Can't get past the Sheila narrator.
Is there anything you would change about this book?
Melissa Eccleston's attempt at a Russian accent sounds like someone with peanut butter stuffed in their mouth, vainly trying to escape it. So, I'm spoiled with Humphrey Bower's masterful narration. Anyone else would be a let-down. But do us a favor, let us down EASY.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
For the first time since "50 Shades of Gray" I had to abort this one, unfinished.
Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower ?
Someone who can do ethnic accents without butchering it.
"perfect" = "pyurfect" ? Come on now, not at all convincing.
Did The Family Frying Pan inspire you to do anything?
To get another book.
Any additional comments?
Bower, come back.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-02-2013
So far, so good.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I only just started listening to the bk. I find it interesting & have already recommended it to an acquintance.
I have turned into a Bryce Courtenay fan after reading BROTHER FISH & FOUR FIRES.
Who was the most memorable character of The Family Frying Pan and why?
MRS. MOSES
1 person found this helpful
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- Susan
- 07-01-2013
Disappointing
This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?
Im a big fan of Courtenay and Bower together, but the female reader, Melissa Eccleston, with the phony yiddish/jewish/german accent was annoying. I dont know who would enjoy it, my jewish grandmother???
How did the narrator detract from the book?
the female reader, Melissa Eccleston, used a thick, phony yiddish/jewish/german accent was annoying. It made the story difficult to follow.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Anger- That I wasted a credit to purchase this book!
1 person found this helpful
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- Michelle
- 30-10-2012
Did not care for the female reader!!
What would have made The Family Frying Pan better?
I ordered the book hoping Humphry Bower was the reader...it didn't sound the way I expected and therefore didn't enjoy it from the beginning. I missed upon ordering that the female was also in it...the majority of it!
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
A different female voice!
Would you be willing to try another one of Melissa Eccleston and Humphrey Bower ’s performances?
No
Any additional comments?
I may purchase a hard copy of this book to read as I truly love Bryce Courtenay's books.
1 person found this helpful
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- Joyce
- 21-06-2020
Bryce is amazing
I have read several of Bryce's books. I never found one I didn't love. I could never tire of his imagination. Humphrey Bower is second to none as a narrator. I would read anything he reads.
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- Mrs Jill Murray
- 21-01-2018
Wonderful true story . So sad to come to the end.
Amazing story, brilliant narration. Bryce Courtenay never disappoints. I will read this again many times. So important to have the Russian narration. BRILLIANT
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