Smoky Joe's Cafe

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

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.

©2013 Bryce Courtenay. By arrangement with Penguin Books Australia Ltd. Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pyt Ltd

Critic reviews

"Humphrey Bower is Thommo, stressed-out Aussie Vietnam vet. His pace is frantic, his language raw, his accent spot-on. Thommo and his fellow vets grow marijuana to benefit Thommo's leukemia-stricken daughter and other children damaged by Agent Orange. The project is a huge success. All the characters are memorable, especially Thommo's wife, owner of the titular café, and the brains behind these operations. The final chapter is read in the voice of Thommo's daughter. Not all the jargon will be familiar to Statesiders, but that shouldn't matter." (AudioFile Magazine)

Great Book as always!!!

This is one is one of the shortest Bryce Courtney's books but definitely never disappointing. Bryce always writes to enlighten his public. If one has never serviced in war and lived after the experience, Bryce is an author to make the experience real for others. He always has a message in his writing and is always up lifting. He will be missed. Thank you Bryce!!!

Excellent

Bryce has lived up to all expectations. Loved this book.

Wonderful as always

I laughed and I cried, sadness over the mess left from the Vietnam Nam war, the generations left to deal with the disease and hate in its aftermath. I was a teen when it was going on, saw the news, knew people affected by the poison unleashed, Agent Orange. I had no idea of the Australian involvement until this book.
The story here is so so sad yet uplifting. The characters were fictional but life in the day to day life wasn’t. As usual Bryce Courtenay told of it so beautifully and Humphrey gave voice so splendidly that these characters mattered to you. I loved the solution they came up with to help others, brilliant!
Thank you Bryce Courtenay and Humphrey Bower for bringing this amazing story to life.

Too Short!

I'd barely gotten into this and it was over! That's the fastest time gone by. I was disappointed Courtenay cut this book off so quickly because I loved where this story was headed.

A GUT WRENCHER

THIS IS A WELL TOLD, HEARTWARMING STORY. I'M TEMPTED TO READ OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR WHEN I HAVE TIME