Craig Silvey
Silvey’s second novel Jasper Jones (2009) is favourably described as an Australian To Kill a Mockingbird. Jasper Jones is a coming of age story set in a fictional town in rural Western Australia in the summer of 1965. We meet 14 year old Charlie Bucktin who, with a knock on his window one night, finds himself embroiled in a dark secret. Charlie befriends Jasper Jones, an Indigenous boy treated as an outcast, blamed for the small mining town’s troubles. Jasper Jones is a portrait of the challenges of adolescence and small town life in rural 1960s Australia.
Jasper Jones won the 2009 Indie Book of the Year Award, was shortlisted for the 2010 Miles Franklin Literary Award, and in 2012 won the Michael L. Printz Honor award from the Young Adult Library Services Association. The Jasper Jones novel has been made into a play for Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre and a movie starring Hugo Weaving and Toni Collette.
In addition to being a writer, Silvey is also a musician, his band is called The Nancy Sikes! Craig Silvey was born 1 January 1982, in Western Australia. He grew up on an orchard at Dwellingup and currently lives in Fremantle.
Audiobook Reviews — Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
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Jasper Jones
- By: Craig Silvey
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,103
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 969
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 968
Late on a hot summer night in the tail end of 1965, Charlie Bucktin, a precocious and bookish boy of 13, is startled by an urgent knock on the window of his sleep-out. His visitor is Jasper Jones, an outcast in the regional mining town of Corrigan. Rebellious, mixed-race, and solitary, Jasper is a distant figure of danger and intrigue for Charlie. So when Jasper begs for his help, Charlie eagerly steals into the night by his side, terribly afraid but desperate to impress. Jasper takes him through town and to his secret glade in the bush, and it's here that Charlie bears witness to Jasper's horrible discovery....
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4 out of 5 stars
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Coming of age
- By Deborah A. Warren on 11-02-2015
“This is a powerful Australian story. Humphrey Bower brings a great sense of fun particularly in the dialogue between Charlie and his best mate. He also delivers the pain of loss and confusion to great effect.” B. Morrison, Audible listener.
“Jasper Jones, and one that keeps you interested all the way through to the last page. You are instantly attached to the characters and become invested in their lives and their story ... Excellent story, well read.” Shakya, Audible listener.
Audiobook Review — Rhubarb by Craig Silvey
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Rhubarb
- By: Craig Silvey
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 76
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 70
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Story4 out of 5 stars 70
Eleanor is blind and lives with her reclusive mother. Ewan is a cello player with agoraphobia. She is drawn to him through his music but cannot understand the difficulty he faces in forming a friendship. He does not understand her past nor the impact his music has on her. Amidst the heat of a Fremantle summer they stumble towards each other.
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5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best books I have ever heard.
- By Kris on 21-02-2021
“Simply wonderful. Rhubarb is a lot more than a love story. It's written in the 3rd person. Normally I don't like this tense in writing but Craig Silvey makes it work. We get to know and love the 2 main and appreciate the supporting characters. Humor is sprinkled liberally throughout but it's not a comedic novel. All the characters are vivid and well developed. May I dare say that in this novel I couldn't help thinking that here is the next Bryce Courtenay. For all of you who are familiar with this prolific author know I mean this comment as flattery.” Louise, Audible listener.
Audiobook Review — Amber Amulet by Craig Silvey
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Amber Amulet
- By: Craig Silvey
- Narrated by: Grant Cartwright
- Length: 1 hr and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 8
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 8
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Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Meet twelve-year-old Liam McKenzie, who patrols his suburban neighbourhood as the Masked Avenger - a superhero with powers so potent not even he can fully comprehend their extent. Along with his sidekick, Richie the Powerbeagle, he protects the people of Franklin Street from chaos, mayhem, evil and low tyre pressure - but can he save them from sadness? This perfect jewel of a book by the award-winning author will hold all listeners in its irresistible power.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The child in all of us
- By Hayley on 12-10-2021
“Give this small book a chance to speak to you. The book grows on you so stick with it, it is well worth the investment in time … It is a story that stays with you even though it is a short book that would be appreciated by people of most ages (say, 12 and upwards) … It is unusual in that it sounds like a children’s book but it has an important adult message as well. Craig Silvey’s book Jasper Jones is similar being from a young boy’s perspective. [Narrator Grant Cartwright’s voice is] clear, expressive, warm.” Don, Audible listener.