Smoky Joe's Cafe

by Bryce Courtenay

Thommo returns from Vietnam to an Australia that regards him as a mercenary guilty of war crimes. He begins to develop all kinds of physical and mental problems, and thinks it must only be him until he finds he is not alone. Ten mates, all who remain of his platoon who fought and died in the Battle of Long Tan, are affected the same way.

Now Thommo and his mates are eleven angry men out for revenge. They rope in an ex-Viet Cong with 'special skills' and his own secret agenda. They're the 'Dirty Dozen', just like the movie. Only it's real life, and they're so screwed up they couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

That is, until a woman of character steps in. Wendy's infant daughter is dying and needs a bone-marrow transplant. Hell hath no fury... as she sets out to mould this bunch of ex-jungle fighters into a unit that will fight for justice, by fair means or foul.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Australia, War, Historical, Novels

237 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please visit my Facebook page and blog to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/kyliesbookad...
https://kyliesbookaddictreviews.blogs...

Thommo is a returned vet from Vietnam, and is damaged with PTSD and multiple undiagnosed skin conditions, of which the Department of Vet Affairs denies is a result of the war. Thommo has nightmares from the war, has violent outbursts, and struggles to fit into normal civilian life.

"I'm a bloody coward. Oh shit, what am I gunna do? I'm a heap o' shit. They give me a medal. I let me best mate die, took the ditch for meself and they give me a fucking medal! A lousy medal."

Thommo has married his childhood sweetheart, and life is not going well for them. Between the nightmares and the outbursts, Thommo is hanging together by a thread, his marriage is on the rocks, and his only care in life is the welfare of his wife and young daughter.

Thommo's and his wife Wendy have a little girl together, Anna who is sick with cancer, leukaemia. Anna's only chance of survival is a bone marrow transport, not only are the costs of the surgery horrendous, but the hope of finding a donor match is next to impossible.

Thommo's old Platoon captain, reaches out to him, to organise a reunion of sorts, he asks if it can be held at Thommos' cafe (Smokey Joe's Cafe) which his wife inherited, when her father passed away.

Thommo's Platoon with the assistance of Wendy's fighting spirit, hitch a plan in an attempt to save little Anna's life.

"No more government, no more handouts and being thought of as bludgers working the system. We're helping ourselves, doing it our way and, as I said, it feels fucking wonderful"

I found the book to be a fast paced quick read. Bryce Courtenay does what Bryce does best, he has written a wonderful Australian Historical Fiction.

5 Stars: It was amazing. It was compelling, well-researched, entertaining and/or moving and often complex. I will definitely want to read more books by this author.

[Sharon Metcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
There's no doubt Bryce Courtney can tell a story.     I've read and enjoyed most of his books and didn't bother reading the blurb for Smoky Joe's Cafe such was my confidence in his talent.    This is a comparatively short book, started and finished in the space of a day, and tells the story of group of Aussie Vietnam Veterans.      Based upon thorough research of the conditions endured in Vietnam, the battle of LongTan, and treatment of the reurned servicemen it painted a woeful and frankly shameful picture for these young men and their families.     Courtney captured the voice of the Aussie ocker of this era especially well.    So well it may make for challenging reading to non-Aussies.    The vernacular, the rhyming slang, the colloquialisms, not to mention the lack of political correctness, and sexist attidues all  combined to make it feel authentic.    

It's several years since his return from the war but Thommo the protagonist is struggling to assimilate back into civilian life.      Not only does he suffer nightmares and anxiety, he has trouble holding down a job, he has a temper that flares out of control and his wifes' patience has reached its limit.    Today he would be diagnosed with PTSD but the official government attitude was one of denial.    Thommo's  reported symptoms were blamed upon all manner of things except the war.     Worse still,  their three year old daughter Anna has leukaemia and is not expected to live yet there is zero recognition of the possibility that Agent Orange could have contributed in any way to her condition.     At a reunion of the remaining members of their platoon a plan is devised to raise funds which will help Anna, and other children of Vietnam Vets born with birth defects.    Though the scheme is outside the law, the group is successful and they ultimately create a support group for vets and their families as well as drawing valuable public and political attention to their plight.

For me the story was an eyeopener in more ways than one.   Though vaguely aware of the backlash against young men who had fought in the Vietnam War I was not aware of the official attitude of denial that existed, particularly surrounding the dangers of exposure to Agent Orange.     It was moving and thought provoking and once again reinforced my feelings about the futility of war.  A very well written book about a traumatic time in our history with an interesting side story.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing like Bryce Courtenay for the reader looking to explore sensational writing and stories that are sure to transport them to various parts of the world. Likely one of the greatest storytellers I have had the honour of reading, Courtenay can spin any tale into an addictive piece of writing the reader will not want to put down. This was no exception, in one of the shorter pieces about a topic that is highly controversial. While I read this one years ago, I needed a reset and this hit the spot.

Thommo is an energetic young man who has lived quite the life already. Having served in Vietnam with the Australian Army, Thommo has stories that could fill a million notebooks. But when he made it back home, he could not find work, having been turned into a pariah for his service. However, he’s found one thing that brings him happiness in the form of a young woman, Wendy. While many wonder if Thommo and Wendy can make it, they defy the odds and even find themselves with a little one to boot.

While little Anna is a blessing to them, she develops leukaemia and is not given a great diagnosis. The only thing Thommo and Wendy can do to distract themselves is to run the town’s small restaurant, Smokey Joe’s Café. Known for its great music and stellar food, Smokey Joe’s is talked about for miles around.

When Thommo receives a visit from a number of his Vietnam vets, they have a proposal for him, all in the hopes of raising money to pay for Anna’s treatment and surgery. While Thommo and Wendy are touched, the risk is high and will require significant planning. However, it’s for Anna and so some of the illegality is diluted by the need to keep the little one alive. Thommo is willing to do it, but there is always more to the story when the Dirty Dozen are involved.

All the while, Thommo has many a flashback to his time in Vietnam. Some great stories but also a significant number of traumatic events fill Thommo with emotion. Wendy can only wait patiently as the man she loves is forced to relive some of the most horrible moments of his life. Bryce Courtenay proves he is a master and provides the reader with a great deal of entertainment and education in equal measure.

I remember discovering the writing of Bryce Courtenay years ago. I could not get enough of the writing, the characters, and the way it is all woven together. Courtenay has a way with words, such that the narrative takes on a life of its own, guiding the reader along with sensational detail. Alongside the wonderful storytelling are multi-dimensional characters, all of whom have a life of their own. Courtenay paints them with attributes and personalities that flavour the story and keep the reader feeling as though they are right there. Plot twists emerge and develop with ease, permitting the reader to feel a part of the action. As with most of his novels, Courtenay provides social commentary and emotional connection on a number of issues. I found myself fully committed early on and feel so happy I took the time to indulge in one of Courtenay’s shorter pieces. Now to decide if I want to take the full plunge into one of his epic books.

Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for a stunning exploration fo Vietnam from the Australian perspective and the power of a father’s love for his daughter.

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

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, read it in one sitting, crying my way through it. I was a young teenager during the Vietnam War, but was deeply affected by it. I still cry over it when reminded of it by music, books or pictures. Told a friend a couple of years ago that I was sad because of the Vietnam War. She told me it was over. I laughed as that statement hit me with a kind of shock. I know it is over, obviously, but in my heart I guess it is not over.
I knew only casually a boy who had been in the war, I was not personally affected through a family member or good friend. Yet that war colored my world. I grieved, I still grieve. It made me more of a patriot, not because I was impressed with our government as I was not, but because I loved our boys and couldn't stand how our country gave away their lives and didn't even thank them. I want very much to visit the Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. and I try to attend Memorial Day events. These were our boys, they deserve recognition, thanks and love. I also think the Australians were a lot smarter sending boys who were older and better trained for jungle warfare. Even so, it was terrible for everyone. The Agent Orange spraying was simply criminal and the cover-ups and denials made it just that much worse.

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book the main character through which we read the story is Thommo, a Vietnam vet who is married to his childhood sweetheart and living in a small town in Rural Australia. The Smoky Joe's cafe of the title is the name of the diner owned by his wife's family and Thommo works there.

Like many vets, Thommo came home with acute PTSD and multiple strange skin conditions all of which the department of veteran affairs refuses to admit have anything to do with Vietnam or agent orange or anything else that they were exposed to. Thommo, like many vets is barely hanging on to civilian life and the only things he cares about are his wife and daughter. Thommos's daughter Anna however is sick from birth, now she has leukaemia and her only chance of life is a bone marrow transplant. The problem is raising the money and finding a donor which is like finding a needle in a haystack. It seems impossible - until the remnants of Thommos old platoon step in with a not-entirely-legal plan.

Look, if you like Bryce Courtenay, you will like this book. He has very specific characters, motifs, writing plans and styles ect ect. I am not a huge fan of Courtenay's writing, I just don't enjoy it that much conversely, I do really like his settings, his strong Australian themes and the THINGS he writes about. I read this book for the Vietnam vet theme and I don't regret it, I just didn't enjoy it all that much.

Sure, I do see what he was trying to do here; the Vietnam vets copped a horrible deal. Of all the soldiers Australia has sent overseas to wars, these guys had a totally unique scenario and the abdication of responsibility by the government was appalling. I love ow this book highlighted that, how it brought some of the problems into view through fiction... I just did not enjoy the characters as much as I could have. Good ending, though.

[Binet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet, sad story. Also, I think, a timely affirmation that you can support your vets and troops no matter how you feel about a war.

[Kaj Samuelsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an odd story of some Vietnam veterans WHO get together to save a child. It is touching and very interesting with stories from the war in between.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a habit of rating authors against themselves... This is probably more like a 4 star book, but as it's my least favourite Courtenay book I've read so far, it's getting 3 stars.

[Bill Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found a Bryce Courtney book I have not read. This so different but easy to read typical Courtney. Short story for him but still captivating. Will eventually will reread all of his books. Enjoyed.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Smoky Joe’s Café, by Bryce Courtenay, read by Humphrey Bowers, produced by Bolinda Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

I have a whole series of Courtenay books that I haven’t read, so I’m going back to catch up. They’re all read by my favorite Australian narrator, Humphrey Bowers. This one deals with an Australian Vietnam vet who comes home after the war and seems to not be able to get hold of anything. He runs Smoky Joe’s café, which his wife inherited from her father. It’s an old-style diner with American music from the ‘50’s and ‘60’s which most of the current patrons wouldn’t even know about except for hearing it in the café. This book is set, I believe in the 1980’s. The vet is suffering from Agent Orange exposure, but it is before either the U.S. or Australia are admitting that Agent Orange is the cause of so much damage. So in this book, a group of Vietnam vets who served together decide to grow hashish and sell it in has honey to earn enough to help vets who have been harmed and who aren’t getting help from the government. It’s totally illegal, but they have this enterprise for a year, raise a lot of money and help a lot of people. It’s a very interesting book with the vet and his wife coming back together after having almost been separated by the events of the war because he can’t talk about them. Also, some interesting contrasts between experiences of Australian Vietnam vets and American Vietnam vets.

[Lee Krieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Courtenay classic. Quick, fun read with typical proud Aussie characters in a not-so-typical story. Sheds a kind, but realistic, light on the troubled Vietnam Vets and their difficulty adapting back to normal life.
The plot, which at first seems convoluted, comes together nicely and you can tell Bryce did his research, as always. By including a collection of Vet characters, even a North Vietnamese, Courtenay covers all bases and paints a rainbow of kind-hearted, but slightly damaged, souls.
By the end of the story, you really feel for Thommo and all of his extended family. The last chapter, without giving anything away, tugs at the heartstrings, but not in a maudlin way.
I have read almost everything that Courtenay has written (except April Fool's... seems too sad) and I have never been disappointed. He remains one of my favorite writers, and I look forward to reading more.
Good on you, mate.

[Melissa Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Bryce Courtenay book I ever read and I loved it. That was 12 years ago and am now re reading it as part of the Goodreads summer reading challenge.

I still love the story, a rag tag bunch of Vietnam vets who survived the battle of Long Tan. This story is beautifully written and the language is perfect. It gives an insight into life after the Vietnam war, the isolation from society, being shunned by the government and effects of Agent Orange on the returned soldiers and their children, among other things.

You are on the edge of your seat up until the very end to see how the story of Thommo and his family will end, with a twist you don't expect.

[Ida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched novel which presents Australian Vietnam Vets in a sympathetic light having suffered from the horrendous effects of Agent Orange and other chemicals to which they were exposed. It is narrated by Thommo whose young daughter is dying from leukemia and whose wife, Wendy, feels as though she, too, is a Vietnam Vet despite the fact she never set foot in Vietnam. Her marriage to Thommo which is strained due to his escalating mental, emotional, and physical problems and Anna's potentially terminal illness bring out Wendy's fighting spirit and her need to see justice done. I thoroughly enjoyed and choked up over this raw novel.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read and a great story with a social conscience that gives a voice to the veterans and all their children. Its a sad plight for Vietnam Vets, who fought and died and if they survived were plagued with a lot of illness so hearing this story and the terrible way they were treated is a fact and really made me sad. But, I like the plot to save Anna who needed a bone marrow transplant and these men were always heroes to the end in my eyes.

[Paul R Kohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

This is a really well written novel that, while fictional, gave me an insight into the life of a Vietnam Veteran that I hadn’t really been exposed to, despite having distant relatives and family friends who are veterans.
It was an interesting view on the things that people will do in order to help those close to them and their families in their time of need. It also demonstrates what people will do for others that they don’t even know in order to fight for a common cause.

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio - If you aren't familiar with Courtenay's work, and if you can acquire the audio version, I hope you will listen to the story. Hope you will be as pleasantly surprised ...
***
Bought some imported Australian audios from Bolinda, including this one by Bryce. Great reader, too. Captivating story. Expensive imports.

[Michael]

Could only do 50 pages

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't. So I did. I shouldn't have. However YOU should. Especially if under 40yrs of age.
Why? Firstly, it is easy to read and POSITIVE.
Then:
Enter the still controversial discussions regarding medicinal use of banned or controlled substances; blood or adoption identification registers; the 'long hate' for Vietnam Veterans and Australia on account of following LBJ into the Vietnam conflict; the conflict for any veteran when it comes to the human and personal side of battle on behalf of children despite the use of children as front-line agents of war in Asia.
The long fight with the effects of genetic and carcinogenous diseases manifest long after the deposits of Agent Orange or 'mechanical toy weapons' were endured by enemy and antagonist alike. A fact often forgotten.
All these issues of ongoing relevance in a story of a modern time many still do not know.

This is not a blood and guts rendition of war. It is, in fact, a SHORT story of hope and positive action both at the time and many years later.

This is another face of Long Tan or at least, of some participants. Courtenay depicts an Australian platoon with all their own horrors who begin to understand the conflicts for their female scout, her half-caste child and the deadly implications of politics when Governments will not co-operate to find the father of a child. You probably all know the compelling image of the 'fleeing napalm girl' - well, this is the book. (Nick Ut's pic. of 9 yr old Vietnamese-Canadian girl aflame).
I will recommend "Smoky Joe's Cafe' to young people or tell reluctant Veterans they have not been forgotten. I'll not read it again.
Oh, unless I were teaching from it. ps. On Anzac Day try Donovan 'The Universal Soldier' for a change. Respect, with a question.
A novella of nuance, passion, dilemma and decision.

Too close to home for the reviewer who might have given a higher rating some years ago based on 'involvement' rather than decisions to 'cool it'-create distance-or show a 'cold face'
Remember, these men were not volunteers but conscripts. Underdog conscripts at that. It was noted and confirmed that US troops were far more lavishly treated by their Government than Australians when undertaking an unplanned wartime engagement.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of cliches and Aussie slang, typical of small rural communities, bring this story alive.
Brilliant Australian novelist, Bryce Courtenay, presents another engaging story that resonates with readers who are familiar with the 1960s and 70s - and the Vietnam war. This personalises the struggles of the Vietnam Veterans and their families.

Thommo returns from Vietnam to an Australia that regards him as a mercenary guilty of war crimes. He begins to develop all kinds of physical and mental problems, and thinks it must only be him until he finds he is not alone. Ten mates, all who remain of his platoon who fought and died in the Battle of Long Tan, are affected the same way.
Now Thommo and his mates are eleven angry men out for revenge. They rope in an ex-Viet Cong with 'special skills' and his own secret agenda. They're the 'Dirty Dozen', just like the movie. Only it's real life, and they're so screwed up they couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.
That is, until a woman of character steps in. Wendy's infant daughter is dying and needs a bone-marrow transplant. Hell hath no fury... as she sets out to mould this bunch of ex-jungle fighters into a unit that will fight for justice, by fair means or foul.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laugh my head off reading this book. The Australian slang is so funny I keep laughing while reading. I read it in just a day. Thommo a Vietnam war veteran found himself more of loner in his own country Australia after serving in an unpopular war. Married to a beautiful woman called Wendy but like in all wars the effects linger not just in his head but in his seven year old daughter Anna who was diagnosed with leukemia a sick believed to be related to exposure to agent orange during war time by veterans. The inevitable result of Anna's condition is death if there is no marrow transplant which requires a blood match. Shorty a commander in the platoon Thommo served in in Vietnam took things in his hand and began a movement which started out simply as a crusade to save Anna. The media attention took the world by storm and soon governments especially the US government started to acknowledge victims of Vietnam war and making efforts to support and assist those suffering in the aftermath of the war.

[Wyktor Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel on the plight of Vietnam vets in Australia, and around the world which highlights the medical problems and ostracism they and their families faced because they were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical the US, Australian, and I believe, the New Zealand governments said was not harmful to humans, even though it killed everything else it came into contact with.
A well-written book that definitely shows the reality that the vets and their families had to struggle through without any official assistance whatsoever.
As with the rest of his books, this one is well worth reading.

[MarkM Q · Rating 2 out of 5]

May be its my contemporary sensibilities or the Me2 move going on now, but I found the 'bash your wife into line Thommo' just offensive. But given the book is set in a time just after the Vietnam war and the characters are mentally ill, jaded vets from small Aussie country town, may be doing that was the 'norm'. This my first Courtenay book and I read it based on his reputation and I did find his writing style easy and engaging, but the content of this story, Vietnam vets growing dope for good causes, just not to my liking. I'll try reading some of Courtenay's other books.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ANZAC Day reading, Smoky Joe’s Cafe is about the trauma, physical and mental, that Australian Vietnam Vets suffered during the war and in the years afterwards. Unsupported by the Government and the general population, suffering the effects of Agent Orange, this band of Vets decide to take matters into their own hands and raise money to help the kids of Vets experiencing cancer and other physical problems. Moving and well-written.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been fortunate enough ( and I say 'fortunate' because I believe it is a privilege and gift to have a Vietnam Vet open up and talk about his closely kept personal experience in the Vietnam War.) To personally know a return serviceman of the Vietnam war. A man who's war experience both during and there on after have been reflected so true and brilliantly in this novel.
Excellently researched and an outstanding tale of events, Bryce. Another great job done!

[Trudy Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my normal kind of book. When I first started it, I wondered why I was reading it. But I ended up really enjoying it. I like what the Vietnam Vets did when not one else (i.e. government) would help them, they went out and helped themselves. I listed to this book and having the reader with a Aussie accent helped also. I loved listening to it.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy books by Bryce Courtenay but I didn’t love this book. The story was interesting but the delivery was strange. It was written as a story of a few people telling a story - so I felt removed from the story. I got tired of the dialogue, I just wanted the story, but there was so much about people taking that (for me) the story got lost. It was strange and I didn’t enjoy it that much.

[Lorna]

Another re- read, which was interesting twenty years down the track. I am changed, the world has changed, I've had it on my list to re-visit for some time. PTSD and how governments treated veterans at the time and now, in the 'apology culture' where they are acknowledging in some way, the short comings of their predecessors is an interesting study.

[Kym Hamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While ostensibly fiction, it gave me both insight into the plight of soldiers returning from Vietnam and a heart-warming and poignant epilogue to round out my reading experience. However, I found the lamguage style a little hard to take which turned a 4-star story into a 3-star rating overall. Still, thoroughly enjoyable.

[Sandy Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story but what really interested me was the Vietnam Vets and the suffering they had to go through long after the war was over. I think because it is written as fiction it doesn’t become political but still manages to show the horror that war causes. I enjoyed the book and many of the characters in it.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice surprise! An amazing mixture of Vietnam war horrors, returned damaged Aussie vets, a very sad story, with bits of humour thrown in.
Quite a compelling book, and I finished it in one day.
Unusual, to be sure, but I recommend it to anyone (especially if you have spent some time in the Riverina, around Wagga Wagga and up to Griffith, NSW)