The Persimmon Tree

ISBN-13:9780143007005

The Persimmon Tree is a symbol of life, a heartwood that will outlast everything man can make . . .

It is 1942 in the Dutch East Indies, and Nick Duncan is a young Australian butterfly collector in search of a single exotic butterfly. With invading Japanese forces coming closer by the day, Nick falls in love with the beguiling Anna van Heerden.

Their time together is brief, as both are forced into separate, dangerous escapes. They plan to reunite and marry in Australia but it is several years before their paths cross again, scarred forever by the dark events of a long, cruel war.

In The Persimmon Tree, Bryce Courtenay gives us a story of love and friendship set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific during the Second World War.

User Reviews

• Comment by Ronald G. Roth March 23, 2010
  Excellent and most believeable love story. I enjoyed the romance and thrills of the adventures of Nick Duncan. Such a believeable ending, I hoped for them together but would never have thought of the addiction. What a mind you have Bryce. Keep writing.
• Comment by Annette Donoghue March 22, 2010
  It is the MOST amazing book I have ever read, when I read the Potato Factory, Tommo and Hawk and Solomon's Song I didn't think you could get better - I was wrong. The Persimmon Tree was fantastic and now I am in pursuit of Fishing for Stars. Thank you Bryce, you are truly wonderful. My best regards. Annette
• Comment by Janet Ackland October 12, 2009
  I'm not usually one for war stories. Especially WW2 . Thanks Bryce, because as usual your books weave the truth and fiction together to create stories that recall our Australian history in such an interesting way that when I've finished them I realise just how much I've learnt. I knew of most of these places and events but you jelled them together very nicely. I couldn't put this book down and become very antisocial and very anti house work until I turned the last page. I'm presuming there's going to be a follow-up from the way it ended.
• Comment by kirsten pauli October 4, 2009
  In my opinion by far the best book I have read in a long time.. could not put it down.
• Comment by Carlene Parker July 18, 2009
  I loved The Persimmon Tree, I thought it was an amazing book that everyone should read and I’m 15 and read this massive book, so I think adults can defiantly read it and like it. I fell head over heels in love with Nick Duncan and he beats Harry Potter and that’s saying something. If people want to know other books to read you might like to try Fishing for Stars (it goes on from this book) or The Power of One or Four Fires. I love them all and can’t put them down. Courtenay is a fantastic writer and if I wanted to be any writer it would be him because I love the experiences that happens in the books. Please write more Bryce, because I would love to read more exhilarating books.