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)

Australian Vietnam vet with Agent Orange

book is set, I believe in the 1980’s. The vet is suffering from Agent Orange exposure, but it is before either the U.S. or Australia are admitting that Agent Orange is the cause of so much damage. So in this book, a group of Vietnam vets who served together decide to grow hashish and sell it in has honey to earn enough to help vets who have been harmed and who aren’t getting help from the government. It’s totally illegal, but they have this enterprise for a year, raise a lot of money and help a lot of people. It’s a very interesting book with the vet and his wife coming back together after having almost been separated by the events of the war because he can’t talk about them. Also, some interesting contrasts between experiences of Australian Vietnam vets and American Vietnam vets.

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

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.

Worth listening to!

Short, but very engaging. I very much enjoy the book & again the narrator was great!

Absolutely amazing- everyone should experience this.

Such a great story of what corrupt war and government can inflict on good men women and children. I suspect it has its basis in a true story. Today,in 2024,I learned of someone’s father who was dying right now from the effects of Agent Orange!! Still going.

A great short story with some powerful moments

A short story about Aussie soldiers during and after the Vietnam war. Courteney builds his characters well and there is a really powerful moment, exentuated by the excellent narration, when the main character recounts the harrow tale of the key battle of Long Tan. This is a raw and emotive story with a postive twist. Have not read anything yet by Courtenay that I did not enjoy.

Short but still good

Can get enough of this author, I set out to listen to all of them.
This was one of theist I had left, it is good, but too short to be as good as his others.
Still worth a listen!