The Potato Factory

The Australian Trilogy, Book 1

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 23 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Always leave a little salt on the bread...

Ikey Solomon's favorite saying is also his way of doing business, and in the business of thieving he's very successful indeed. Ikey's partner in crime is his mistress, the forthright Mary Abacus, until misfortune befalls them. They are parted and each must make the harsh journey from thriving nineteenth century London to the convict settlement of Van Diemen's Land.

In the backstreets and dives of Hobart Town, Mary learns the art of brewing and builds The Potato Factory, where she plans a new future. But her ambitions are threatened by Ikey's wife, Hannah, her old enemy. The two women raise their separate families, one legitimate and the other bastard. As each woman sets out to destroy the other, the families are brought to the edge of disaster.

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

Critic reviews

"In the tradition of Charles Dickens, Courtenay creates a unique cast of characters from the outset of this epic novel....Humphrey Bower's performance is a marvel...making this one of those rare books with a sweep of characters the readers come to care about deeply." (AudioFile)

Powerful historical, humorous, Must Have!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Potato Factory to be better than the print version?

Havent read it, but I think both would be good. This audio is great as the reader manages to give so much variation to each character,especially Solomon and Mary who's voices seem to make them actualy visible.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Has to be Mary, with Solomon a close second

Which scene was your favorite?

There were too many scenes to pick out just one. But the most powerful scene for me was when Mary applies for her job on the docks.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to sit on my back porch and listen to the whole thing - it was entirely too engrossing to put down. Sadly, life does get in the way.

Any additional comments?

Dont let the crazy title get in the way. There is no potato, no factory in this book. There is a wonderfully drawn picture of life for the lower classes in not so jolly England on the 19th century where it was known by all that women were born inferior as were the lower classses, you couldnt teach the childrent of lower classes so dont waste your time on that. Being sentenced to criminal island Australia turned out for many to be the beginning of a new and better life - but more about that in book two!

Amazing Story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Potato Factory to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but the narrator is very skilled he brings to life the full character of Ikey Solomon.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Ikey Solomon. The man is a down right scoundrel, but you find yourself rooting for him.

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings to life all of the characters and really gives a voice to Ikey.

If you could rename The Potato Factory, what would you call it?

Salt on the Bread

Any additional comments?

This book and the later two in the trilogy are definitely worth the time to listen to.

Bryce Courtenay always gets five

Bryce Courtenay is one of my favorite writers. Very sorry to hear of his death. Every book I have read or listen too I have given five stars. Original well written entertaining with great characters.

Fantastic writer and story!!

A great story, written so well!!! The acting reader was excellent!!! I fell in love with Mary, Ikey and others! Looking for to tommo and hawk!

Difficult Start...Don't Give Up

The beginning of this book was so dark and violent that I nearly gave up on it, but at the urging of other reviewers I kept going and am glad I did. The history of the exportation of persons judged to be criminals in London and banished to settle Australia came to life as Courtenay wove his tale, and the book culminates as a wonderful story of determination and survival.

During the tale, I was a little put off by what I thought was unnecessary antisemitism, but in his preface Courtenay had addressed that as factual so I looked upon it as a fact of life as it was at the time.

The narrator does an admirable job of using accents and a heavy brogue but speaks too quickly at times. At other times, the audio sounds as though it was artificially engineered to speed the narration, which also challenged comprehension. Nevertheless, the narration added greatly to the effectiveness of the story, and overall the book was a great listen.

Wonderful historical novel!

Would you listen to The Potato Factory again? Why?

It is a wonderful book, but I never listen to a book again nor do I watch a movie twice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really liked Iky Soloman and Mary Abacus. Although they had to do many illegal, immoral things, it was because of their life situations and I loved that they had integrity and and that they used their intelligence and instincts to survive unthinkable conditions.

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

Iky Solomon. I cannot imagine any other voice for him, he was perfect!

If you could rename The Potato Factory, what would you call it?

I thought that was a perfect name. When you begin with the book, it does not seem to fit but as Mary is imprisioned on the island and then creates her own brewery, it all goes back to Iky and his influence over her and then her adopted sons. It is her salvation.

Any additional comments?

I loved the book. Historical fiction has never interested me before and I do not know why I bought this book but I am so glad that I did. I love the characters and seeing how their backgrounds have affected their development. The historical information included also has been extremely interesting. I am now listening to the 2nd part of the trilogy, Tommo and Hawk and am engrossed in it also.

What a Great Find!

Where does The Potato Factory rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top five. Not romantized..When I initially began to listen I felt as if I was listening to a modern Dickens Tale. Interestingly, Dickens is later introduced into the story as a minor character. Initially I was concerned that the book was going to be a bit too graphic for my taste but these were brutal times!

What other book might you compare The Potato Factory to and why?

Well researched looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

He brought the book to life!!!I felt the narrator performance was exquisite. He gave the characters a true voice and personality.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Actually, too long to enjoy in one sitting.I listen to audio books a lot when I drive and a true test is when I sit in the garage and listen because the story is so engaging. I did this with this book!

Brilliant Story - Couldn't stop listening

Would you consider the audio edition of The Potato Factory to be better than the print version?

I cannot say whether the audio is better than the printed version as it's years ago I read the book.

Any additional comments?

I highlty recommend this audio book to everyone. This is the first review I have written. The audio book was hard to pause. Humphrey Bower is an amazing narrator. He covered so many different voices. I really fealt like I was there witnessing the story. I'm a Bryce Courtenay fan, so I knew I'd like the story, I had just never listened to his books on audio before. I'm hooked. If anyone asked me to recommend a book to try audio I would recommend this one. I was captivated from the very beginning right to the end. I have now downloaded Tommo & Hawk and hope it's as captivating & good narrating as the potato factory.

The best yet

I joined Audible last November and have listened to many books but this one is by far THE BEST!!! The plot is intricate and spellbinding and I wanted it to go on forever. I can't say enough about the narrator Humphrey Bower. Mr Bower provides the accent and voice of each character seamlessly and it's often hard to believe there is only one reader. If there is an award for Audible narrators Mr. Bower should win it hands down. Definitely give this book a try. I'm going to look for another book with this suberb combo of Courtenay and Bower.

fantastic!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES!! The writting and narrative combine to make the best audible book of all time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Potato Factory?

Every scene is etched in my mind. But the boat ride was so visceral I thought I was aboard.

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Humphrey Bower can do every accent and voice…….it becomes a play in your mind.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is a little long for that concept but it is hard to 'put down'.

Any additional comments?

I am hooked on Bryce Courtney's writings and have NEVER been dissapointed. His historical research is exhaustive and Humphrey Bower is the perfect compliment.