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)

Flawless Narration of a Highly Intiguing Story

This was my first time listening to a Humphrey Bower narration, and I could not be more impressed! He read this amazing tale with so much emotion and brought each character to life. Every character had their own voice, quirks, and speaking tempo. Humphrey Bower is the gold standard for narrations!

The story itself is simply excellent. Although it is quite long, it never feels to drag on - Courtenay develops each of the characters with so much depth, that you cannot help but cheer for the Despicable Isaac Solomon. Solomon and Mary Abacus make a wonderful team without falling into the typical plot lines of forcing a love story. While love is there, Courtenay stays true to the story and the desires and ambitions of his main characters. The transformation of Isaac Solomon throughout the book is fantastic - and even as he tries to move away from a life of crime and slowly becomes more human, he always remains the same, horrible person at his core. The only character I would have loved to see more of was the amazing Sperm Whale Sally.

The criticisms that the story was vulgar or racist are simply unfounded. There is certainly language, and some pretty graphic sexual scenes, they are never over the top or out of context. Everything is well written and intricately planned to develop the characters and progress the story line.

I cannot wait to start book two, as the development of Hawk's character towards the end of this book left me yearning for much more!

Dickens + McMurtry = Outstanding Entertainment

From the very beginning I fell in love with the quirky characters. Set in early 19th century London it was easy to pick up on the Dickens-like portrayals. At the point when one of the street urchins (one of the smartest students in the Light Fingers Academy) was questioned outside a London courthouse by a reporter who identified himself as Charles Dickens (his only appearance in the book) I became intrigued with the connections. The urchin gave the reporter a made-up name of "Artful Dodger". It was a pretty quick step to realize from there that one of the main characters, Ikey Solomon, was a real life London thief. Dickens used Solomon as his model for Fagin in Oliver Twist -- where the Artful Dodger also appears.

Yes, it's a long book. But I never once wanted it to speed up. The story is action-packed with fascinating characters and much intrigue. Since it's a triology, do not expect all story lines to be resolved. There is much more grist here for future mills!

This is most definitely fiction but based on real history: places, characters and legal systems. It moves from London to the Australian penal colony where it picks up a very McMurtry-like tone (think Lonesome Dove). This book has given me the gift of a new favorite author and a new wonderful narrator. I bought it based on the recommendation of a reviewer I follow. What a tremendous discovery. And, thank you, fellow reviewer.

Just GET it!!!

Really seriously a very very great listen!!!
Bryce Courtenay calls this book "My thank you note to Australia", explaining that most people learn history from novels, not history books...
Beginning in late 18th/early 19th century London, and following a cast of characters to Australia as convicts, this is entertainment at its finest. The narration is perfect. I can not say enough good things about this book! As it ended I wanted to applaud!
What are DOING!?!?! You could be listening to it already!!!

One of the best I've ever listening to !!!

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

I highly recommend this book. The story line was original!

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the story and the reader

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Courtenay at his best

I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than ‘The Power of One’ . And Humphrey Bower’s performance is sublime.
The story itself is completely different to anything I’ve read before and gives a true insight into the Colonial days when convicts were shipped out from England to what is today Tasmania. Worth the credit.

Outstanding!

This is my favorite book and story! Superbly and comprehensively written. Excellent narration. Not one negative thing to say. Thank you!

A great book with a masterfull performance!!

If you could sum up The Potato Factory in three words, what would they be?

Survival, unbroken, spirit

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

The ingenious ways Mary found to keep her self sane in an insane journey to serve her sentence.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Deep onto the core of the character

Who was the most memorable character of The Potato Factory and why?

Mary. To hell and back again and again didn't changed the good in her.

Any additional comments?

Traffic? I couldn't wait the hour plus drive to work just so I could continue the story.

Captivating!!!

Any additional comments?

Since there are so many very well written and in depth reviews, I'll keep this simple. If you enjoy clever use of lanuage, this writer/series has it in spades. The character development, pace, paths, and historical aspects of this book are absolutely enthralling.

I will warn you that he pulls no punches. If you want a Cinderella story, this isn't it. If you want a very interesting ride through a rough time in history, this is it...hold on tight and don't stop at the first book.

P.S. The narrator is one of the very best that I have ever heard. Each character is distinct and well acted. He performs a multitude of accents, men, women, and childeren equally well. And, he even sings a bit.

What a read

Oh so lovely. Poignant. Indescribable fantastic!!!! I have read so many of his books and they are all magnificent.

Fine Historical Fiction

What a marvelous adventure this story is! It is historical fiction at its best--meticulously researched and thoroughly entertaining. This novel ranks with the best of Ken Follett or Wilbur Smith. It gives an unflinching look at life in 19th century London and the beginnings of modern Australia. The narration was exceptionally good. I highly recommend this book.