The Indians already traded top prospect Francisco Mejia to the Padres in a deal for relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber , but they still have some attractive pieces that they might be willing to move with their window to contend open now. Oakland A's Harper for left-hander A. When the A's are in position to contend, executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane usually likes to go for it at the Trade Deadline. The A's entered Friday within one game of the Mariners in the AL Wild Card race, and they could use an upgrade in the outfield, making Harper a perfect fit.
Oakland and Washington pulled off a deal just last year that worked out well for both clubs, with Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson going to D. While Luzardo may be off the table because of Harper's impending free agency, a package centered around Puk, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery but was the No. The Mariners have the longest postseason drought in the Majors, as they haven't made it since , and the red-hot A's have closed the gap in the AL Wild Card race. While Robinson Cano should help once he returns from his suspension in August, Seattle might need to make a big splash to hold off Oakland.
There aren't many bigger moves the M's could make than trading for Harper, though they would likely need to include Lewis or White just to get the conversation started. Even after trading for Seunghwan Oh , the Rockies' biggest area of need remains the pitching staff.
But instead of dealing for another hurler, Colorado could go the other way and attempt to outslug its opponents all the way to the postseason. With Harper in the fold, the Rockies could move Gerardo Parra to a reserve role, for which he's better suited. Rodgers or Lambert would have to headline any offer for Harper, and adding another top 15 prospect such as Tyler would make Colorado's package very competitive. Harper would remedy that problem, giving San Francisco's lineup some much-needed thump.
The Giants' farm system is not all that deep, so they would likely have to put Ramos in any offer to be a serious competitor for Harper's services. Jason Catania is a reporter for MLB. Auctions - Bid or Buy Now. What a Harper trade could look like. Former GM Duquette offers up potential deals for superstar slugger. I have just downloaded another by him and can't wait to listen. I've downloaded the unabridged audible version of almost all of Bryce Courtenay's books.
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The primary reason is that Humphrey Bower is one of my favorite audible book narrators. He makes a story come alive with his uncanny ability to change accents, and even makes me believe I'm hearing a woman's voice. As for the story-- this one is very epic. I had just finished listening to "Jessica" which is one of the saddest stories I've heard in a long time. With this book, I found the Maloney family to be I've downloaded the unabridged audible version of almost all of Bryce Courtenay's books. With this book, I found the Maloney family to be fascinating. Nancy, as the feisty mom, is a woman I grew to admire as the fought to make sure her kids were given every opportunity to make something grand of their lives.
She wanted them to have a better life than she did. Rough as she was, around the edges, I admired her devotion to her children.
I've noticed a repeating theme, with the author's books-- the Christian characters are often portrayed as hypocrites, and misguided in what Christianity is all about. I notice this, because I'm a Christian. So, it saddens me to see a rather unfavorable view of Christians I'm a bit of a girly-girl, so I have a tough time reading about war and torture and gore. So, when Tommy finally reveals the story of his time as a prisoner and this is not a spoiler, because you know it's coming , I found his story to be like a train wreck.
I wanted to look away albeit, fast forward. Yet, I listened to it. It's heart-breaking, to be reminded about prisoners of war, and the suffering they endured. I've never been to Australia, so his stories are my armchair to traveling the world. A grand, sweeping novel about the Maloneys, an Irish Catholic family living in the bush in Southeastern Australia. It picks up in the mids and takes us through the s, but its span of characters also includes "Mr.
The tale is skillfully narrated by "Mole" Maloney, one of the five children of iron-willed Nancy who in so many ways reminded me of my mother's family of three very di A grand, sweeping novel about the Maloneys, an Irish Catholic family living in the bush in Southeastern Australia. The tale is skillfully narrated by "Mole" Maloney, one of the five children of iron-willed Nancy who in so many ways reminded me of my mother's family of three very different brothers book-ended by strong sisters on either end.
It's a great study of mid-century life and culture in Australia and the dialect, and the audiobook is beautifully narrated. It's a story about a family that rises from the garbage heap literally and figuratively through sheer force of will, pride, strong work ethic, persistence and hope. Through the stories of the family members Courtenay addresses themes such as torture in war, gender discrimination, multi-generational post-traumatic stress disorder, unjust social hierarchies, religious discrimination, and the lasting impact of the holocaust on its survivors.
It's long, but I really hated for it to end. I would have given it five stars but for the almost too-lengthy retelling of Tommy's war experience and slightly contrived epilogue which wraps up things pretty neatly - but then concludes in the last sentence or two with a cool twist that rewards readers for their patience. Jul 23, Janine rated it it was amazing.
I loved this audiobook. Great characters, each with their own sub plot. Takes place in Australia. Jun 26, Marietjie Steyn rated it really liked it. Dis altyd wonderlik om 'n Bryce Courtenay te lees. Laaang boek, maar baie mooi. Ek sou nog 'n duisend van hierdie bladsye kon lees. Dec 30, Kathleen Hagen added it Shelves: This is a three-generation family narrative covering years, in Australian history, the majority of the narrative taking place from to about Nancy Maloney is the mother of all five children in this narrative, but three of them are by different fathers. He came back from the war damaged, and spent many years as a drunk and a thief.
But Nancy was determined that the five children would turn out well and bring the Maloney name up in the world. Sarah, the oldest, unfortunately became pregnant in highschool, but this did not stop her seeking to become one of the first Australian female doctors.
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Mike had the ambition to become a top fashion designer. Bozo was first a boxer who achieved Olympic status, and then became a very good businessman involving the transportation of goods, Mole, the narrator of the story was closest to his step-father, Tommy, learned his skills in the bush and tracking fires, and followed his lead into the army putting himself there just in time to go to Vietnam with predictable results.
Little Colene was younger than the rest and was just coming into her own. The Maloneys were scrappers and lifted themselves out of the bottom rung of the town where Tommy and his father before him, had put the Maloney family. Humphrey Bower does his usual wonderful job of narration.
Mar 29, Steve rated it really liked it Shelves: This book was a complete slog to get through -- but only due to the length and the level of detail of that everything is described in. The story is incredibly disjointed at times, moving back and forth until you don't know which way is up, and then the chapter ends and you have to start again. There weren't many plot twists, some that I saw coming, and others that I didn't.
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I did really enjoy this book, the "climax" of the book left me entirely speechless, and the resolution and ending left me c This book was a complete slog to get through -- but only due to the length and the level of detail of that everything is described in. I did really enjoy this book, the "climax" of the book left me entirely speechless, and the resolution and ending left me completely gobsmacked. Mar 10, Susan rated it it was amazing. Admittedly, I listened to it, and the reader, Humphrey Bower, is more an actor than a reader. He made the book come alive as he adopted the tones and accents of men and women, boys and girls, all with their accented English Yiddish, German, Japanese, Indian, Irish, Australian This is a story of a wildly unusual Australian family surviving by intelligence and drive and endless courage.
I was sorry to have it end. This was my first audiobook and Humphrey Bower's narration made it a real treat. Some of the war stuff was tough to get through, though. I generally avoid war stories, but this had a lot of family saga stuff mingled in. In fact, the war stuff doesn't really come in until the second half of the book.
Overall, a worthwhile read that kept me entertained while I logged around 60 miles walking round and round my backyard. Jan 02, Jana Ulrich rated it it was amazing. One of my alltime favorite books, this was a re-read for me in preparation for an upcoming book club discussion. Mole Maloney's narrative and perspective of his life in the Australian Bush is bittersweet.
I laughed and cried and laughed some more. There are lots of layers here and Courtenay, as usual, weaves a colorful and bittersweet story from well-researched history. Mar 27, Pam rated it really liked it. I enjoy the sagas Courtenay seems to write. This was no exception and I had a fondness for most of the characters and their individual storylines. I was slightly disappointed that he chose to wrap it all up so quickly at the end. As if he felt he'd written enough and needed to close. I will read more of his work for sure. Aug 26, Carol rated it it was amazing.
This book is long, at pages, but is a real page-turner.
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This is a delightful story of a poor but respectable family in a small town in Australia. The 5 children work hard along with their strong, determined mother to This book is long, at pages, but is a real page-turner. The 5 children work hard along with their strong, determined mother to build a good life. This book has its dark side, however, with Tommy, the father who is usually away on either a binge or a walkabout. It makes for horrifying reading in an otherwise light read. Tommy, despite his demons, is a respected reader of these wild fires, and expert on the Australian bush.
There are political elements too — Sarah, the oldest, has the second-highest marks in the state and wants to be a Doctor; can obtain a full scholarship; but… the medical faculty will not allow a pregnant young woman to join the student body! The pregnancy is a worthy story in itself! The family gets some help from people with influence, and history is made. This book is bursting with humor and a delightful read. May 19, Carinya Kappler rated it really liked it.
It is an enormous task to present in one package the fictional biographies of an entire family. This family the Maloneys lived hand to mouth in a small country town Yankalilee where the matriarch Nancy proudly reared her brood. They were a product of the nineteen fifties and suffered the prejudices of that era with resignation and stoicism. Those who were the the prodigy of chance encounters were liberally gifted with exceptional trait It is an enormous task to present in one package the fictional biographies of an entire family.
Those who were the the prodigy of chance encounters were liberally gifted with exceptional traits attributed to their absent biological parent. Although I found the story telling through the eyes of Mole Maloney engaging, interesting and at times heroic, I believe Bryce Courtenay is expecting a great deal of his readership. The reader is led on a road so long and varied that it is inconceivable that most could manage to retain their interest for the whole saga. Truly an epic novel encompassing both war and peace.
The time I took to read this book is no reflection on the book - just on how busy I've been lately. I had never heard of the book until I found it in the cancer society second hand bookshelf - the source of many of my reads these days. It was a surprise as I thought I had read all of Bryce Courtenay. Set in small town Australia between WW2 and the Vietnam war, it revolves around one family - mum Nancy who is a large lady who drives a garbage truck but does delicate embroidery, father Tommy broken The time I took to read this book is no reflection on the book - just on how busy I've been lately.
The story covers so many aspects of the time I found Tommy's stories of WW2 especially moving. A thick book of pages, it is a heavy one but well worth the read. Dec 20, Douglas Cosby rated it really liked it. A truly epic story about the Maloney family who are the trash collectors for a small town in Australia. And throughout it all are the brush fires that shape so much of Australia's landscape. A little too much time spent on the boxing, although I have to admit it was exciting; and while the POW scenes were central to under 4.
A little too much time spent on the boxing, although I have to admit it was exciting; and while the POW scenes were central to understanding the father's dysfunction, they went on too long. Sep 17, Jean rated it really liked it. This is one of those books that I did not want to end.
I truly enjoyed the characters, and felt uplifted by the "sense of family" in the book. I'm quite sure Humphrey Bower's audio performance enhanced my enjoyment of these books. Mar 17, Kathleen Wrigglesworth rated it it was amazing. What a beautiful story of family, triumph and love.
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Jun 19, Paula rated it really liked it Shelves: Really loved this book, especially the first half. Second half was good, but not as tight and felt like he was trying too hard to tie up loose ends. Bryce Courtenay is becoming a favorite author. Amazing characters that you absolutely fall in love with--great metaphors about making the best of what life deals you that stick!
Aug 20, Paul Hock rated it it was amazing. I found this book engrossing. Courtenay has woven a mesmerizing tale about an Australian family of Irish decent. It culminates in the father's war experience as finally divuldged to one son. I love his style of writing in this Historical Fiction novel. Oct 18, Barbara rated it really liked it. A simple but compelling story about a family who was financially poor but filled with love and commitment to each other. The book reminded me a little of The Bothers K. Although it was a little slow at the beginning, I became quite attached to the characters and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jul 07, Shirley Baerken rated it it was amazing. This book was made even more special as I lived around where the Four Fires was based and I could relate to the area and the story. What a powerful book!! Dec 25, Jason rated it it was amazing. Listen to this great story and just enjoy! So much to learn and appreciate in a Bryce Courtney tale.
Four Fires
Aug 29, Kim rated it it was amazing. Another amazing story of Australia the strength of it's people, land and history. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. I was born illegitimately in 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 I was born illegitimately in in South Africa and spent my early childhood years in a small town deep in the heart of the Lebombo mountains.