Jack of Diamonds

by Bryce Courtenay, Humphrey Bower (Narrator)

Listening Length: 21 audio discs - 26 hr., 21 min.

If poker was an addiction then music was an overwhelming obsession; one could never replace the other in my life.

During the Great Depression there was little hope for a boy born into the slums of Cabbagetown, Toronto. But Jack Spayd is offered a ticket out in the form of a Hohner harmonica, won by his brutal drunken father in a late-night card game. Jack is a virtuoso and hits the road, stirring up success in wartime Europe and Canada before travelling to Las Vegas and mixing with the Mafia in the seedy world of elite poker.

Before long Jack will be running for his life, and adventuring in the far reaches of Africa on a journey that may seal his fate.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, Coming Of Age, Contemporary, Book Club

27 pages, Audio CD

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Arthur Bryce Courtenay, AM was a South African-Australian advertising director and novelist. He is one of Australia's best-selling authors, notable for his book The Power of One.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a great pleasure to read anything by Bryce Courtenay, as he takes a simple story idea and allows it to blossom. This style takes an idea and allows it to develop into something miraculous by the final page. In this novel, set mostly in Canada, I was able to have a true sense of nationalism as I allowed Courtenay to direct the story throughout the decades and lull me into a sense of reading comfort. Jack Spayd began life in the poorest part of Toronto, referred to as Cabbagetown. Making the best of the lot he has been given, Jack finds a lovely connection with his mother, but cowers whenever his alcoholic father approaches. With the Depression in full swing, Jack and his family are barely able to rub two coins together, but somehow they can find some degree of happiness. When, as a belated birthday present, Jack receives a harmonica from his father, he learns the power of music. Hanging outside the local jazz club, Jack hones his skills and makes an impression of the proprietress, Ms. Frostbite, who wants top open as many doors for him as she can. Enrolling him in formal piano lessons, Ms. Frostbite hopes that a classical foundation will allow him to develop further as a jazz musician. As with most everything else he tries, Jack masters it, though he pines for for the blues than anything Bach. Still not yet eighteen, Jack muddles around on the piano for Ms. Frostbite and others at the club, though he needs more experience and to make a name for himself. Jack heads out west, finding work and a new set of passions in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where yet another female influence steers him along a new and exciting pathway. Juicy Fruit may be a prostitute, but she has aspirations of being more under the big lights of New York. After a brief sojourn in Canada’s Prairies, Jack learns the art of poker, though it helps get him into more trouble than he can handle. Leaving trouble in the rear view mirror, Jack takes up the war effort and serves overseas, where he is able to discover new and exciting skills, before returning and trying to make a name for himself. An invitation to work in a still developing Las Vegas opens his eyes to both the racial divide of the United States and the mafia-run casinos of the city. While working as a jazz pianist, Jack discovers that Vegas is more than bright lights, seeing its seedier sides behind the proverbial curtain. There is much for him to learn at a time when Jack is coming of age, including more voyages and new-found friendships. Courtenay’s final novel before his death is as riveting as any of the others I have read. Full of powerful themes and highly entertaining plots, the reader is in for a treat as they watch the story come to life. Highly recommended for those readers who love detailed stories than have numerous plot twists, as well as those who love Bryce Courtenay’s work.

I believe that I have read every one of Bryce Courtenay’s novels and have loved them all! His attention to detail is like no author I have ever read, taking a story idea and spinning it in many directions, whereby the early characters seem to fade into the background as plots thicken and narratives weave in countless directions. Courtenay novels are not for the inexperienced reader, as they encompass not only a massive amount of information, but also go on for hundreds of pages, captivating those who can endure the journey. Jack Spayd is the perfect protagonist throughout this piece, allowing Courtenay to paint a wonderful portrait of his life through decades of life experiences, from the shanty homes in Cabbagetown to the pinnacle of his career as a piano bar worker in Las Vegas. Jack experiences much along the way and encounters a number of influential people along the way. As with many of Courtenay’s pieces, these characters enrich the life of the protagonist and serve to offer wonderful life lessons, even if they are only discovered later on in the novel. As Jack grows, his passion turns from protecting his mother to the wonders of music and even the love of various women in a romantic sense. His coming of age transpires in his late teens, though Courtenay eases him into it with experiences that keep the reader wanting to know more. I am blessed to have had the time to see Jack grow and develop all his skills, as the journey is one that could not be quickly stitched together by a lesser author. As I mentioned before, there are a handful of strong secondary characters whose influence and unique nature is an indelible mark on both the lives of the reader and Jack himself. Growth occurs throughout and the helpful advice resonates throughout this piece, helping the reader and Jack himself grow on a personal level. The story, Courtenay’s last, is as strong as any I have read, hitting the mark on the plight of history in the early to mid-20th century. Courtenay uses actual events in history as a backdrop while honing the wonders of this created plot that serves to teach the reader something along the way. While I will miss Bryce Courtenay and his ideas a great deal, I have many wonderful novels on which to pull insightful ideas and with a strong collection of characters. Be it the painful existence of apartheid-era South Africa, Australia’s outback, Dickensian England, or even the Orient (to name a few), Courtenay has left a mark just as strong as he did in this piece. For that I am blessed, as is any reader who accepts the challenge to come along as well.

Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for a spectacular personal farewell. You will be missed and it was a blessing to be a part of your writing life. May the angels gather at your feet for more storytelling!

The book fulfils Topic #4: Other Than Books in the Equinox #8 Reading Challenge.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Tania · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't you hate it when you're so looking forward to a book, and then (maybe because of the high expectations) it's so disappointing you can't even finish it. After reading 400 pages I gave up on Jack. He is just oh so perfect - best at school, music prodigy, so attractive, poker expert etc. I started hoping that something bad would happen to him, so I could feel something for him, and it would become more than just a story. And I really wanted to like this as it was Bryce Courtenay's last book, and I thoroughly enjoyed some of his previous work, like Whitethorn and potato factory, but that was years ago. So if you are a current fan I'm sure you'll enjoy this, my husband loved it.

The story: Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. But when he is given a harmonica as a young boy, he discovers a talent for music that will change his life forever. After being taken under the wing of 'Miss Frostbite', the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. After the death of his mother, he travels to Las Vegas and finds work in the clubs there, but is increasingly drawn to gambling. He earns a reputation as a good player, which brings him to the attention of the mafia. Jack wants to join the professional circuit, and to do that he needs serious money behind him. It's this need that sees him travel to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines. He gradually falls in love with Africa - and then with a beautiful Ethiopian woman. They move to London, where they bring up a daughter who becomes a supermodel. In a dramatic twist, the story returns to Africa - and to a fortune in diamonds. Jack of Diamonds is the story of a young, talented man, fighting to achieve his ambitions, and having to use his considerable talents to find his way in a perilous world.

See it still sounds brilliant.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryce Courtney will always be one of my favorite authors, the way he is able to evoke such emotion out of simple things in his novels truly inspires my love for reading. I am definitely at a loss now he has passed away; and I feel a void where his characters always danced to life in my imagination.

This book was very different to the Bryce I have been reading; but none-the-less it is a beautiful journey of Jack growing up through adverse situations and overall overcoming the odds (haha no pun intended). Though the ending was a bit rushed (for obvious reasons) I wish he was able to spend a bit more time on the remainder of the book as it was a tad cliche'(but i completely understand and congratulate him on this fantastic piece of literature). I personally enjoy the more mature reading,and even though I am only 17; I feel like I can draw some pretty important knowledge and understanding from other 'peoples' experiences. Especially situations that force me to question my own reaction and identity; I love having my beliefs challenged so I can remind myself why I stand for these things and this is the true value of a good novel.

I know i am being a bit vague in my review; but if you love Bryce Courtney and his other books im sure you will love this one too.

Thank you Bryce and may you rest in peace.

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this epic. Bryce Cortenay is an excellent story teller and Humphrey Bower did an amazing job narrating. The voices and different dialects helped bring these interesting characters to life.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite things about a Bryce Courtenay novel is the way you typically follow a character through their entire life. There's something lovely about getting swept up in these sagas, sometimes spreading across several books.

Jack of Diamonds was his final novel and that made for a somewhat bittersweet reading experience, especially once you reach the Epilogue and the Acknowledgements. This book follows Jack from his childhood in Canada, to Las Vegas and beyond. I greatly enjoyed this story of Jazz and poker. And though I still have several Bryce Courtenay books left to read, his note saying, 'It's been a privilege to write for you and to have you accept me as a storyteller in your lives', was beautiful and heartbreaking to read, and reminded me just how much I have appreciated his books over the years, and that it was just as much a privilege for me (and countless others) to read them, as it was for him to write them.

[Jasmine's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome story by one of my favourite Aussie authors x

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cathy Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems like The Power Of One story line revisited in a Canadian setting with music replacing boxing.

[Jackie McCarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to adore this book, and see one last masterpiece from one of Australia’s best-loved authors. I remember reading "The Power of One" as a teenager, and it had a profound effect on me, leaving an indelible imprint of a harsh African vista and a powerful punch to the solar plexus. Boxing, boys, apartheid and the most wonderful and horrible characters. Who will ever forget the black prisoners standing up to the brutal prison guards, and the carnage that followed? I next delved head-first into "The Potato Factory", and was mesmerised once more by conniving characters and a protagonist who endured so much - and overcame it all - to our intense satisfaction.

I don’t know if I’m just a more discerning reader now, but I’m sorry to say that I didn’t enjoy Jack of Diamonds nearly as much as I would have liked to. I don’t think this was all Mr Courtney’s fault – he was on a deadline that no publisher could negotiate with, as he sadly passed away late last year. So I will say that the faults of this book are mainly in the editing – a good editor would have done the tale justice. Alas, it was full of repetition and paragraphs ordered about the wrong way, and spoilers for the very chapter he was about to reveal to us. Maybe it’s a sign of the times of reduced editing budgets of the publishing industry these days. But I’d like to think that, had Mr Courtney more time, he’d have ironed out the kinks.

The other major fault I found with this book is that things were too easy for the protagonist (Jack), and he was also a little arrogant. I just didn’t warm to him, he seemed to excel at everything he turned his hand to, and although he came from poor circumstances and his father was an abusive drunk, none of this seemed to penetrate Jack’s world in a profound way. There’s a curious thing in literature where as readers we want to see the stakes raised, and (whether we know it or not) see our hero flounder. But he breezed through life and as a result I didn’t care as much as I should have. It wasn’t until he was truly in hot water some way through the book that I finally cared about our hero, and was fearful for what would happen to him. But by then I’d already invested a good amount of time and the payback was not worth it. Unfortunately it was a struggle to finish the book, and it’s only because I’m so stubborn that I read to the very last page.

Sorry to say, I only gave the book 2 stars. A sad way for a wonderful writer and human being to end his career and his legacy to publishing in Australia. I’ll rather remember him for influencing my late teenage years and will love him always – thanks Bryce, for the memories - rest in peace.

[Tony Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about Jack of Diamonds on two fronts. Firstly I knew it was Bryce Courtenay's 21st and final book, in fact he died before I got to start it. Secondly although I have read all of his novels and really liked many of them, of late I felt that they were getting a little on the "soppy" side, even condescending, dare I say it. By the time I was halfway through this one I was already marking it down as a 2 or 3 stars, but I then got drawn more into the story. Jack is a self deprecating young man with a love of jazz, and a talent to mix it with the best of the idioms pianists. He ends up in Las Vegas, as the heydays of the desert-town's transformation get under way. While he's appreciated by some, the local members of "the family" are not endeared towards him. Jack is also has another talent, as a very handy card sharp at the game of poker. However his luck runs out in every sense and he is on the run, finding himself in the copper mines of Africa. I guess this will go down as the last in Bryce Courtenay's storytelling career, but I'm pleased to say he redeemed himself for me with a worthy tale to sign off on.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am honered to have chosen to read Mr. Courtenay's last book as my first of his, and I am looking forward to reading his other 20.

It was a long story, but a good one. It was well written and the characters all seemed very real. I thought it dragged just a little in places, but I did not really mind.

I learned about jazz music and early Las Vegas in Nevada, USA. About piano bars and gambling, not to mention about Cabbagetown, near Toronto, in Quebec, Canada. I learned a little about Canada's involvement in WWII in Europe and about copper mining in Africa. This was a story about black and white values and black and white characters. It began and ended with love.

[Ita · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable but very long story, I listened to it in the car and it took me some weeks to get through it. It would be quicker if you read it yourself, but then I might have not bothered to finish it. Jack got a bit on my nerves in the end, he seemed too good to be true and too lucky.

Book Riot Read Harder Challenge Task 16. An audiobook

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Editor? Hello? Why did we need to know facts over and over again - if I read Rachmaninoff one more time I was going to stop (not really. I wanted to finish it for bookclub and it was an easy to read although unbelievable story).

[Richard Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, Courtenay really was a "damn fine story teller" found myself quite melancholy as I finished it. I'd recommend this to any Courtenay fan, the man fas a master right up to the end.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable story but as usual the story is too long, very wordy and the main character excels at everything which is annoying.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who has never read courtenay novels before, this was great but long. Definitely some parts could have easily been cut out.

[Charmaine Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, story telling at its best. This last novel from Bryce Courtenay was in my opinion his best. An epic story that was an easy five stars from me.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Jack of Diamonds, by Bryce Courtenay, Narrated by Humphrey Bowers, Produced by Bolinda Publishing, Downloaded from audible.com.

And here we come to Bryce Courtenay’s very last book. He passed away very soon after finishing it. In this book he places his hero, Jack, in Toronto Canada. He has a father who is a drunk and beats his mother and him. Finally, with the help of the police chief, they rid the family of the father, who moves on to live with someone else. Jack has wonderful musical talent early discovered and, through his mother’s continued dedication and the charity of others, he becomes a classical pianist with clear concert potential, but he has always wanted to be a jazz piano player, and to raise jazz to the technical art of classical playing. He leaves Canada and comes to the United States. He is convinced through an army buddy to come to Las Vegas and throw in his lot with a casino owner, Bridget Fuller. But Jack has another addiction, poker playing, which ultimately throws him into terrible trouble with the mob. This is a wonderful book in the positive looking swashbuckling tradition which was definitely Courtenay’s forte. And Courtenay does his readers the inestimable favor, since he knows he won’t be around to write the next book about Jack, to give us an epilogue which helps us know what was to happen to Jack later and leaves us very satisfied, as Courtenay’s stories always did. I will miss looking for the next Bryce Courtenay book read by the inestimable Humphrey Bowers, but there may be afew of the 21 novels Courtenay published in the last 23 years of his life that I haven’t yet read, and I will look for those now.

[Kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Esil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads. I had never heard of Bryce Courtenay and was a bit disheartened when I realized that this book was 700 pages long. I am happy to read first-read books that I might normally not choose to read from time to time, but 700 is a major commitment. Having made my way through the whole book, I would probably not choose to read this book if I had not won it and therefore had a sense of comitment to reading it. The narrative voice is oddly flat and the events in the main character's life are very random, depending over and over on good luck in meeting people wiling to help Jack out. But I must admit that Jack is quite likeable and he did grow on me. And the Epilogue and note at the end are very sad -- it becomes evident that Courtenay finished this book somewhat abruptly knowing that he was dying and that this was his last book. He was perhaps not a brilliant writer, but he was clearly committed and enjoyed his craft, and from the comments he seems to have many loyal readers.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bryce Courtenay is a superb story teller but Jack of Diamonds was far too long. The first 350 pages covered Jack Spayd's upbringing and this could've been condensed into a punchy 100 pages. The book actually gets interesting when Las Vegas and the Mafia are introduced and Courtenay cleverly blends the true life events regarding the building of the Flamingo, Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky into his story. I read about 25 pages a night up until about half way...I finished the last half in two nights. That really sums up the novel...a slow and boring first half and a superb and entertaining second half. Yes, there were similarities to The Power of One, but in my opinion that was the author's finest work and did not contain one boring page. Jack of Diamonds is okay but it's not in the same league as The Power of One.
I have read all of John Grisham's novels and he will always be remembered for The Firm....ditto Bryce Courtenay and The Power of One.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a coming of age story, and I could certainly see the similarities between it and the authors first book, The Power of One, and I found it fascinating to do so, since this book is his last; but that is not to say that it is a facsimile of his first book. The chapters were overly long, and some parts were quite hard to read, due to the author puling no punches about calling a spade a spade -- even in the case of domestic violence, but even weighing in at over 700 pages, it didn't feel overly long. I was touched by the authors note at the end of the book, and how he had felt compelled to finish the main character's story even though he could not do what he wished and write a sequel. I am looking forward to reading more of his work.

[Bruce McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Bryce Courtenay book. And I must say I wasn't disappointed. The story follows Jack Spayd from childhood in the slums of Toronto during the Great Depression. Through the various life decisions he makes to become a great Jazz pianist and more than useful poker player. Unfortunately he falls foul of the Mafia in Las Vegas and high tails it to Africa, where unfortunately he falls foul of the miners he works with. But it all ends well in London. A very entertaining book in which the master storyteller really shows his skill.

[Jilly Lind · Rating 3 out of 5]

None of Courtenays' books will ever quite compare to reading The power of one but because of The Power of One I always keep coming back for more. I felt particularly sentimental about this book knowing this was his last. A good yarn with some lovable supporting characters. Bryce Courtenay you are an amazing writer and man you will be missed.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a mammoth read!! I got a little over the story after Jack left Las Vegas....I think it just got too long! But overall I loved most of the story, particularly the jazz scene in the 30s and 40s and the development of Las Vegas as a casino city. The research really added a depth to this story that only Bryce Courtenay could achieve. His story telling will be sorely missed!

[Irene Dunn-vella · Rating 2 out of 5]

would not recommend this book. Read previous books of his and I loved them maybe my expectations were too high!

[Peter Jochinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish every book I pick up and read is as good and refreshing as this adventure story.
Loved it thank you Mr Courtney

[Christins · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's was a good book but I found it dragged a little..

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Bryce Courtnay book to disappoint.

[Sunshine Biskaps · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Jack of Diamonds"
by Bryce Courtenay, narrated by Humphrey Bowers
Reviewed on 18 Feb 2021

I have bought most of Bryce Courtenay's books and am working my way through them in no particular order at all. In 2020, I read "The Power of One" and this book reminded me of "The Power of One" except you just replace the love of boxing with the love of music. Young Jack is born in Cabbagetown, Toronto to a drunken father and a hard-working mother. He meets "Mrs. Frostbite" who helps him to get educated with playing piano after she realises that he is very good at playing the harmonica and says he has perfect pitch. His passion for music takes him all over the world from Toronto to Las Vegas, where he developed an interest in gambling and getting caught up with the mob. Eventually, Jack made his way to Africa, falls in love, and had children.

The audiobook was well narrated by Humphrey Bowers. Overall, this is a very looooong book (around 26 hours) and keeps my interest as Courteney has a real knack for making his characters pop out and become very lovable. He is also very good at adding a bit of history into his books, which is good for me as I learn a bit here and there. I only rate it as a three though as it was very similar to the last book that I read of his, and I also felt that the story line is somewhat unrealistic. Jack also seemed a bit too perfect at everything.

There were a few sexual rendezvous situations and listening to Bowers talk about Jack's wee willy growing at a sight of a certain woman and knowing that a man in his 80's wrote this book made me feel amused, yet a bit uncomfortable, too. I think Courteney is too descriptive and gives too much details at times. I quite like his story-telling and did have a chuckle thinking of this elderly author's thoughts. The scenario of a more mature woman (and prostate) named Juicy Fruit giving Jack lessons about love is eerily similar to scenes in The Power of One (or was it Tandia?) where the young character also loses his virginity to a lady who is much more experienced (I think her name was Marge, if I remember correctly). To me, all of Bryce Courteney's books are starting to merge into one very long-lived story with many interesting characters.

Overall, Courteney is a great author and I recommend reading any of his books. I am not listening to the audiobook "April Fool's Day" and it's very good and seems quite different and emotionally raw.

The author passed away after writing "Jack of Diamonds". May the great story-teller Bryce Courtenay rest in peace.