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Whitethorn

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

From the author of The Power of One comes a new novel about Africa. The time is 1939. White South Africa is a deeply divided nation with many of the Afrikaner people fanatically opposed to the English. The world is also on the brink of war, and South Africa elects to fight for the Allied cause against Germany. Six-year-old Tom Fitzsaxby finds himself in The Boys Farm, an orphanage in a remote town in the high mountains, where the Afrikaners side fiercely with Hitler's Germany. Tom's English name proves sufficient for him to be ostracised, marking him as an outsider. And so begin some of life's tougher lessons for the small, lonely boy. Like the whitethorn, one of Africa's most enduring plants, Tom learns how to survive in the harsh climate of racial hatred. Then a terrible event sends him on a journey to ensure that justice is done. On the way, his most unexpected discovery is love.
©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty. Ltd

What listeners say about Whitethorn

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Another unputdownable effort!

Bryce Courtenay's stories are always intriguing, believable, and amazingly interesting. Humphrey Bower delivers the audio in his usual wonderful manner. this is an amazing partnership.

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3 people found this helpful

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Interesting

The story was interesting. I'm finding Bryce Courtnay is getting repetitive with his stories poor boy grows up to become good, among other common themes.

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It kept me reading

I found myself glued to this book. Amazed the main character had to go through so much from childhood to adult. But I cheered at the end. Great read

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A truly great book!

A wonderful book. One can i marine it would represent actual happenings that occurred at that time in history. Justice was served!

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliant writing

Slowly slowly in the beginning, what you don't realise is that you are being sucked in to this remarkable story of the life of Tom and you cant put it down. Brilliant and very well rounded! Loved it!!

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HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

love Bowers performance, he brings every character to life. There's a lot of similar themes to power of one but still a really enjoyable story with important messages and a great insight into south Africas culture.

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Great story

I enjoyed this book. A pretty accurate description of the times. I will be searching for more Bryce Coutenay’s books.

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Whitehorn

This book is lengthy but gripping right from the start while finishing in an amazing fashion.

I literally couldn't leave this story and was listening intently in my car and just about everywhere else whenever I had a moment!

Highly recommended. Loved it as well as gained so much additional appreciation about the African continent at that time.

The authors extensive research as well as the recounting by Humphrey Bower (and all the different accents) was exemplary.

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Great

Another cracking story from BC and the most excellent narration by Humphrey Bower. It would be hard to find a better narrator!

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2 people found this helpful

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Bryce Courtney like no other

Heart wrenching at times, real, researched and just breathtaking. Every word was believable. Character’s feelings palpable and engaging. Do yourself a favour if you’ve ever felt the need to stand up for something or someone less fortunate than yourself.

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