Brother Fish

Brother Fish chronicles the 80-year saga of two men who form an unbreakable bond as prisoners of war in Korea. The story centers on Jacko McKenzie from Tasmania's Bass Strait and James 'Jimmy' Oldcorn, an American ex-soldier, who meet weekly at a local pub to recount their shared past. The narrative spans multiple timelines and settings, from the Korean War battlefields to the peaceful shores of Tasmania. The friendship between Jacko and Jimmy faces numerous tests as they navigate post-war life in Australia, including Jimmy's struggle for permanent residency under the White Australia policy. Music plays a central role in the story through Jacko's talent with the mouth organ, which becomes both a symbol of survival and a connection to his family heritage. The novel incorporates historical elements including the Korean War, Australia's immigration policies, and the treatment of Aboriginal peoples. The book explores themes of loyalty, survival, and the complex intersection of personal relationships with political realities. Through its examination of wartime experiences and post-war challenges, Brother Fish offers commentary on racism, national identity, and the enduring power of friendship.

Readers find Brother Fish an ambitious yet uneven novel. Many note the compelling portrayal of three interconnected lives and praise Courtenay's research into Korean War history and Tasmania's fishing industry. Positive reviews highlight: - Rich historical detail - Complex character relationships - Educational value about lesser-known events - Strong first third of the book Common criticisms: - Overly long at 800+ pages - Too many subplots and tangents - Uneven pacing in later sections - Some characters' stories feel rushed or unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "First 200 pages were gripping but lost momentum" - Goodreads reviewer "Needed stronger editing to trim excess storylines" - Amazon reviewer "Korean War sections were meticulously researched" - LibraryThing user Several readers note they abandoned the book partway through due to length, while others pushed through slow middle sections to reach what they considered a satisfying conclusion.

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🎵 The mouth organ (harmonica) was a common companion for soldiers during the Korean War, small enough to carry and providing both entertainment and emotional comfort in difficult conditions. 🌏 The White Australia policy, featured prominently in the book, was a set of immigration restrictions that effectively barred non-European immigration to Australia from 1901 until it was fully dismantled in 1973. ✍️ Bryce Courtenay began his writing career at age 55, after a successful career in advertising, and went on to become one of Australia's best-selling authors with over 20 million books sold. 🎖️ The Korean War (1950-1953) saw the participation of over 17,000 Australian troops, with 339 killed in action and over 1,200 wounded - marking Australia's third-largest military commitment after the two World Wars. 🤝 Tasmania, where part of the book is set, has had a complex relationship with its Aboriginal population, with the Black War of the 1820s leading to near-genocide of the indigenous Tasmanian people.