When I read (in my case, listen) to a book, I want a story. I like epic stories, with history mixed in. I'm not a literature major, nor an editor. I don't pick apart an author's use of grammar or prose. If the storyline draws me in, and I feel as though I get to know the character's well, and find myself wishing that the story won't end-- then I'm happy. That's why I like Bryce Courtenay's books. Add to the mix that Humphrey Bower is the narrator, I've listened to the majority of his books. I knew that this was Mr Courtenay's last novel, before his death. The reviews are all over the place, and that's why I hesitated listening to this story. A sale on audible is what closed the deal, and I downloaded it. I wonder if Mr. Courtenay had a bad experience with Christianity, because in most of his books, he creates characters who are an embarrassment to my faith. Many of his characters are hypocrites, and I cringe at their character. I found myself taking a mental inventory of people I do know, who are good Christians. As is my review style, I don't write a book synopsis. I will say that Jack Spayd is a person of integrity, and a loving son. But, good grief, he does get himself into a bind several times! He keeps getting run out of town, and goes into the next adventure...from Canada to Las Vegas and the Belgian Congo. Critics say it's like "The Power of One" and I don't agree. Sure, there is mining involved, but that's a small part of this long saga.There's some history in this novel, like the beginnings of Las Vegas with mobsters like Bugsy Siegel. Was this my favorite novel of his? No. The "Potato Factory", "Four Fires" and "Jessica" remain my faves, so far. It's a very long story, and I admit that the ending was a bit anticlimactic. I can see there could have been a sequel with this story, but sadly, this the end of the road for all of Bryce Courtney's characters. Bryce Courtenay has long had a place in my heart since he wrote one of my favourite books, The Power of One. For the last 20+ years, I have read each of his tomes and while not all of them have captured me with the same moving spirit as his first, I have enjoyed all of them. I have been looking forward to the Jack of Diamonds for over a year now and while I purchased it upon it's release, I had difficulty actually starting it. Knowing it was Courtenay's final work, I found myself wanting to delay reading it. Courtenay has often taken criticism for the length of his novels but that has never been a concern of mine. Courtenay was in rare form with Jack of Diamonds. A good portion of the book is set in Toronto during the 1920's and, being from the Toronto area, I found it really interesting to read about what this wonderful city was like almost one hundred years ago. Surprisingly, I found that I identified with the main character quite extensively. He was a simple man that was gifted with one talent that carried him through his life and took him through a career filled with passion and independence. Coming from a similar background to mine made me identify with him even further. The experiences that this man went through for his musical passion were exciting, daring and filled with the love of the women around him. Reading the final chapter had me in tears, knowing both what could have been for Jack and for Courtenay, if only he had survived to write the intended sequel to Jack of Diamonds.
Do You like book Jack Of Diamonds (2012)?
Was Disappointing Book not worth the money I pad for it
—rubaberry
