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Matthew Flinder's Cat

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Summary

The story of a drunk, a boy, and a cat. Billy O'Shannessy, once a prominent barrister, is now on the street where he sleeps on a bench outside the State Library. Above him on the window sill rests a bronze statue of Matthew Flinders' cat, Trim. Ryan is a 10-year-old, a near-street kid heading for the usual trouble. The two form an unlikely bond. Through telling Ryan the story of Flinders' circumnavigation of Australia as seen through Trim's eyes, Billy is drawn deeply into Ryan's life and into the Sydney underworld.
©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Publishing Pty. Ltd
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What listeners say about Matthew Flinder's Cat

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Gripping

Another gripping masterpiece from this duo.
A book full of sadness, loss, hope, friendship, trust and loyalty.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant story and journey

Loved it....brings Sydney to me....
liked hire he weaves everything into the story line
the ends comes a bit abruptly

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

As alway Bryce Courtney delivers.

Bruce Courtney always delivers. Mathew Flinders Cat is no different.

He captures the characters and their emotions and you end up knowing them, feeling their pain, sorrows and joy.

A captivating story of a man who has fallen a long way, but is rescued by his friendship with a young boy with problems, and his ingrained sense of justice and compassion. You become part of the journey and involved in the story and wanting a 'happy' positive outcome.

Bryce Courtney never disappoints in any of his stories and this is no exception.

A good listen with the reader bringing the story to life. You will not be disappointed.

A definite five stars. Can't wait to get more Bryce Courtney books.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

another brilliant narrative

Each book I listen to by Bryce Courtney appears better than the last one. I think the narrator Humphrey Bower really adds to the overall experience, always clear and so clever with the different voices. A winning combination.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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INTERESTING

Loved the perspective from the cat. As ever the narration steals the show. BC excellent.

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History Flinders Cat

did not want it to finish kept me close to the book so I could listen when ever I could

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Fantastic

I bought the hardback book when it was first released in 2002 on a trip to Australia.
I loved it so much I carried it in my backpack all the way home through various countries.
I found it on Audible recently and decided to give it a go.
The narrator is incredible. He portrayed all the characters excellently and gave the book an even better experience than I had read it in my head.
Well worth the purchase.

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A great combination

Loved this book. Courtney gets to the heart of things and Bower narrates with perfection.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A sad and sorry tale of the hope of the hopeless

Beautifully narrated as all of the readings by Humphrey Bower. Great characters, sympathetic characterisation. An honest tale of Australia's darker side

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Difficult to relate to & ended feeling rushed

Of course it is difficult to relate to an alcoholic ex-lawyer and a paedophile ring.

It was very difficult to find an sympathy or association for the lead character for the same reason. The telling of the alcoholics lifestyle, if you're going to go there, wasn't gritty enough - it was by no means fluffy but it didn't go as dark as the subject matter is. The paedophiliac side of the story, thankafully, was only touched on in terms of the disgusting detail.

The laying of the two main characters went into some depth and then, unfortunately, the ending was so rushed and so lacking in detail with the excuse of "the police didn't make me aware of the final details" was poor.

As for Matthew Flinders cat... introduced to show a parallel to a young boys life - failed miserably and seemed like it was a short story slightly embroiled into the main plot.

Overall - disappointing from the late Bryce Courtenay. There are many others much much better.

Excellently read as always by Humphrey Bower.

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