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133rd out of 385 books
—
184 voters
The Story Of Danny Dunn
The Story of Danny Dunn is an Australian family saga centring on a working-class family of publicans who make their first mark in Balmain in the 1930s.
Hardcover
Published
November 1st 2009
by Viking
(first published 2009)
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Gah. Two days of stupid thickly laid on perfect characters ending in a chapter of tears... typical Bryce Courternay.
There are a plenty of characters in the book, and plenty of time to get to know each one of them. However each character seemed so steotypical and so perfect. The young Danny Dunn is clearly perfect in every single way, as an athlete, a soldier and later in his career. His mother is a miracle worker, his father undergoes a transformation that makes him completely unrecognisable, Da...more
There are a plenty of characters in the book, and plenty of time to get to know each one of them. However each character seemed so steotypical and so perfect. The young Danny Dunn is clearly perfect in every single way, as an athlete, a soldier and later in his career. His mother is a miracle worker, his father undergoes a transformation that makes him completely unrecognisable, Da...more
Except for a stint in Asia during World War II, Danny Dunn lives all his life in the Sydney suburb of Balmain. With street smarts and gumption, he manages to crawl out of poverty. His story? A lot of beer and sport mixed together with war, class politics, and an occasional bit of spirited sex.
Against the odds, Danny is quickly and uneventfully domesticated by Helen; after a side trip to America to fix up his war-smashed face, the two settle down. For a nuclear family of the 1950s, their lives ar...more
The Story of Danny Dunn, by Bryce Courtenay, Narrated by Humphrey Bower, Produced by Bolyn Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
The Story of Danny Dunn is an Australian family saga centering on a working-class
family of publicans who make their first mark in Balmain in the 1930s. In that decade, two opportunities existed for boys of Balmain, a working-class Sydney
suburb: to be selected into Fort Street Boys School or to excel as a sportsman. At just 16 years, Danny Dunn has everything going for him...more
The Story of Danny Dunn is an Australian family saga centering on a working-class
family of publicans who make their first mark in Balmain in the 1930s. In that decade, two opportunities existed for boys of Balmain, a working-class Sydney
suburb: to be selected into Fort Street Boys School or to excel as a sportsman. At just 16 years, Danny Dunn has everything going for him...more
The biggest flaw in the Story of Danny Dunn is mr. Dunn himself. He isn't a likeable character, and is pretty much the same perfect character featured in other Bryce Courtenay novels. Apparently he has suffered terribly in the war, but since the author skips that period of time in the novel, it is difficult to become emotionally attached to the character and his supposed problems. I was half expecting him to become the Prime Minister of Australia, or the first man on the moon, or something simil...more
I haven't read a Bryce Courtenay book for several years (the last one was Four Fires) and was wondering if I'd 'grown out' of them.
The answer is no. This book reminded me what good, true Australia literature is about and I was able to relate to many things (seems not much has changed in NSW since the fifties). The story is about Danny Dunn, who lives in the working class Sydney suburb of Balmain and has it all going for him- looks, brains and brawn. Unfortunately WWII put paid to that and Danny...more
The answer is no. This book reminded me what good, true Australia literature is about and I was able to relate to many things (seems not much has changed in NSW since the fifties). The story is about Danny Dunn, who lives in the working class Sydney suburb of Balmain and has it all going for him- looks, brains and brawn. Unfortunately WWII put paid to that and Danny...more
I really wanted to enjoy this book; in the past I have been enthralled by some of Bryce Courtenay's novels, and I still remember reading The Power of One in a single sitting, hanging on every word. Unfortunately I found The Story Of Danny Dunn to be awful - really skin crawlingly bad, so that I found myself skimming to try and find anything worth reading. The characters are strictly one dimensional, the attempts to use accents in dialogue are sometimes incomprehensible and the love / sex scenes...more
The saving grace for this book was that I listened while travelling and did not have to actually read it and if I had tried I don't think I would have finished it
Most of it was boring, predictable and did I say - boring. I have not read a Courtenay book for ages as the ones I have read are full of perfect characters with predictable story lines. April Fools Day and Four Fires being the exceptions.
I only picked up the audio as there were no other choices and I had plenty of driving to do.
Most of it was boring, predictable and did I say - boring. I have not read a Courtenay book for ages as the ones I have read are full of perfect characters with predictable story lines. April Fools Day and Four Fires being the exceptions.
I only picked up the audio as there were no other choices and I had plenty of driving to do.
I generally like Bryce Courtenay, but this book wasn't as enjoyable as most of his others. It started off well, and I did like the references to the war and the exploration of it's effects. Delving into the early stages of cosmetic surgery was interesting and intriguing as well. However, the middle of the book was just difficult to wade through and the ending felt hurried and disappointing.
I suppose this book is an histoical fiction or a love story or a bit of an adventure book.but if you ask me it is just a great book lots and lots of great characters and a excellent story line. this is a very odd book in that some of the other revues that I glanced were either a four or five star or a one star, so it is either it was loved or hated and I was one of the people that loved it.
Listening to this wonderful story. The audiobook is excellent. Learned about it on a webinar. A long 20 CD investment, this story was really good. I loved the characters, the author had me so invested in the lives of the characters that it was almost unhealthy! If you like epic family drama, this is a really good one. Set in Australia, the character and culture of the people play a huge part in the story-but not the geography. It begins in pre WWII and takes us into the 70's with all the dynamic...more
Started off well but deteriorated into one of the worst reads I have had this year. Perfect characters and a sickly sweet plot made for a lousy book. It's almost like a collaborative job where the author passed the book to the next person who tried to outdo the last author. Poorly written and so tiresome it served as a great sleep inducer. Very disappointing.
I'm never dissappointed in a Bryce Courtenay novel.
Set in thge 20th century in Austrailia we follow an Irish immigrant family make good Sydney.
With humour and pathos we witness the rise and fall of Danny Dunn an athletic hero to the local working class community. When the second world war breaks out he enlists and is broken by his Japanese captures on the Burma railroad. Rescued by the Americans he takes his broken face and body home.
He is haunted by war demons and his disfigurement but finds r...more
Set in thge 20th century in Austrailia we follow an Irish immigrant family make good Sydney.
With humour and pathos we witness the rise and fall of Danny Dunn an athletic hero to the local working class community. When the second world war breaks out he enlists and is broken by his Japanese captures on the Burma railroad. Rescued by the Americans he takes his broken face and body home.
He is haunted by war demons and his disfigurement but finds r...more
Mr. Courtney's books are showing a pattern: The main character goes to war, comes back a hero, and proceeds to continue doing heroic stuff at home against all odds. That said, I really enjoy reading how the hero gets from childhood to conclusion of the story, and it is just fine with me.
The magic of a Bryce Courtney book is that no matter how busy you are and how many other things are on your mind, you are quickly swept up into that characters saga. Danny Dunn made me leave my world and put the Hi-Five DVD on repeat for my son but I was a little disappointed in the ending
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Really not happy with the last third of this book.
One of those books where it seems the main character can overcome any possible crisis, which becomes a bit tedious and boring.
My first Bryce Courtenay book, so I'll give it another try. He's a very descriptive writer and a good storyteller, but I'm not bought in to the development of the story....
One of those books where it seems the main character can overcome any possible crisis, which becomes a bit tedious and boring.
My first Bryce Courtenay book, so I'll give it another try. He's a very descriptive writer and a good storyteller, but I'm not bought in to the development of the story....
A compelling read. A great insight into sydney at the time and also another reminder of the futility of war. Compared to other Australian recent releases this is the best. Compared to the author's other works not his best, and found Brother Fish far more enlightening.
I really liked this book and it had quite an unexpected ending. The book spanned 3 generations of a family and it was very interesting and easy reading. It was really enjoyable. I hope there is a part 2 because I would like to know what happens next......
I have read and enjoyed many Courtenay books. This one was horrible. He must have realised near the end of the book that it had little substance and tried to make up for it at the end. Very disappointing book from one of my favourite authors.
Just loved it! Brice Courtenay is "spot on" as far as Australian politics , and politics in other countries is probably not any different.
If this book was made compulsory reading for our young people, government would have lots of trouble getting volunteers to go and fight in wars all over the world for someone else's interests.
If this book was made compulsory reading for our young people, government would have lots of trouble getting volunteers to go and fight in wars all over the world for someone else's interests.
I plodded through this book and found it completely unrealistic and unbelievable. Most of Bryce Courtneys books have an element of "as if" to them but this one just seemed to jump from one contrived drama to the next leaving you feeling like Mr Courtney was trying to to hard to pull the emotional heart strings (unsuccessfully). I found the main characters stereo typed, impossible over achievers and often just plain annoying in their perfectionism.
Loved it as I always love his stories (except one) set in Balmain, it gave me a bit of in site as to how Sydney Harbour used to be a stink hole! And some of the politics and corruption that went on back then and probably still does today!
Jan 14, 2010
Gayle
added it
Started this immediately after Fishing for Stars. Loved it. Great read knowing the Balmain area due to visiting my friend Lynelle who lives in the area. This made it easy to picture the setting and understand the people in the story.
Cheesy or what. One dimensional characters overcoming every obstacle life places in their path. The sad event that occurs in the last few pages is not enough to make this book interesting. Very disappointing
Another good story by Bryce Courtenay. A quick read. I wasn't too keen on the ending- it felt a bit rushed to me, but that's probably just because of where I was at the time, not any fault of the author's.
I think I'm getting sick of these books. They all seem to follow the same pattern & although entertaining, that's kind of it. Must remember to ask family not to buy me any more.
Once again Bryce wins with this book. I loved this book, I loved the main character. I wont give anything away, but you wont be dissapointed if you read this book.
Hummm.....found the development of the story interesting - BUT did not like the ending at all. I felt as though Courtenay got bored with the characters or had reached a word commitment and needed to wind the story up so he disposed of the characters quickly rather than thoughtfully. Also left loose ends that irritate me. Not one of my favourites - I have another book by this author on my "to read" list, hopefully it pleases more.
wooooooooooooow. amazing wrk man!!!!!!!!!! so emotional and at the same time so practical.........loved reading it so much...........
My first foray into Bryce Courtenay and I was pleasantly surprised. A good family saga with a story line that keeps you entranced. Not sure I'll read Bryce again but this story kept me interested.
I really enjoyed this book which was enhanced by being read by the incomparable Humphrey Bower.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Bryce Courtenay | 3 | 6 | Jan 20, 2013 12:11am |
I was born illegitimately in 1933 in South Africa and spent my early childhood years in a small town deep in the heart of the Lebombo mountains.
It was a somewhat isolated community and I grew up among farm folk and the African people. At the age of five I was sent to a boarding school which might be better described as a combination orphanage and reform school, where I learned to box - though less...more
More about Bryce Courtenay...
It was a somewhat isolated community and I grew up among farm folk and the African people. At the age of five I was sent to a boarding school which might be better described as a combination orphanage and reform school, where I learned to box - though less...more
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