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April Fool's Day cover art

April Fool's Day

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Publisher's Summary

This is Bryce Courtenay's moving tribute to his son, Damon, a hemophiliac who died from medically acquired AIDS on April 1, 1991, at the age of 24.

April Fool's Day is controversial, painful and heartbreaking, yet has a gentle humor. It is also life-affirming and, above all, a testimony to the incredible regenerative strength of love: how when we confront our worst, we can become our best. This tragic yet uplifting story will change the way you think. From the author of The Power of One.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"April Fool's Day is one of those rare, wholly beautiful books that lets life speak for itself." (The Australian)

What listeners say about April Fool's Day

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Amazing true story

[{ "answer" : "Honest, vibrant, sad.", "type" : "Overall", "question" : "If you could sum up April Fool's Day in three words, what would they be?", "id" : 44, "typeString" : "overall" }, { "answer" : "The \"no holds barred'' approach that makes you feel like you're actually there. Humphrey Bower's magnificent narration, once again, brought this story to life.", "type" : "Story", "question" : "What did you like best about this story?", "id" : 1, "typeString" : "story" }, { "answer" : "Every scene was relevant and wonderfully written and narrated.", "type" : "Performance", "question" : "Which scene did you most enjoy?", "id" : 25, "typeString" : "performance" }, { "answer" : "I laughed and cried repeatedly!", "type" : "Genre", "question" : "Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?", "id" : 56, "typeString" : "genre" }, { "answer" : "An honest and informative portrayal of the life of a special young man.", "type" : "Misc", "question" : "Any additional comments?", "id" : -1, "typeString" : "misc" } ]

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2 people found this helpful

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A beautifully written and narrated love story

I had only just joined Audible, April Fools Day was my free book and what a way to hook me in. Absolutely loved this Bryce Courtney dedication to his beautiful boy. So wonderfully narrated, I laughed, cried and loved every minute.

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Frustrating but heartbreaking

A beautiful, bitter wonderful story of a family, young love and a needless tragedy. A must read for those with courage.

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inspiring

I don't normally like these types of books. I found it difficult to get into at first. However, in typical Bryce style I felt compelled to keep listening. I loved it and more than once found myself crying or almost crying. I found the end so satisfying and will be eternally grateful yo Bryce for sharing hid family with me.

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Incredible heartfelt story ❤️

Thank you Bruce and family for sharing this amazingly heartfelt story. Damon’s story and life certainly brings it home for
those who have experienced pain and loss. Haemophilia together with HIV what a strong man your son was. The whole story is beautiful whilst heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing. A definite must listen/read ❤️

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Raw and powerful

Humphrey Bower is a powerful storyteller, my favourites storyteller ever! He gives Bryce’s life experience such a raw power that is not always found in audiobook. This different to his usual fiction, it’s heart breaking and warming and heart breaking all at the same time.

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Heartbreaking and necessary

A beautifully written, gripping and devastating book about the author's son, Damon, a haemophiliac who died aged 24 of AIDS acquired from infected blood. The medical profession does not cover themselves in glory in this tale, and the insensitive care from so many and so vividly described should put doctors to shame and patients and their loved ones on notice.

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Heartbreaking

Wow. Everyone has a story and wow, this one is just tearjerker g from start to finish. How cruel life can be. But how love can be found in the midst of the worst situations is an incredible twist. Such a journey, told by a master and wonderfully narrated. Thanks Bryce for the raw open honest grind, this can't have been easy to write. You are a true legend.

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sad but beautifully written a life story

loved it. my best friend is going through a similar life incurable disease currently. Bryce described the feelings of everyone very accurately.
Bower narrated it perfectly like every other of his narratives.

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Eye Opener

This book was such an eye opener, I’m so sorry Damon went through all this because of bad blood, and what you all went through as a family. I was in tears more times than I would like to say.

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