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)

One of my favorite series of all time

What did you love best about The Potato Factory?

Bryce Courtenay really knows how to develop characters and tell a rich and entertaining story. I just loved all of the characters. He placed me in the time period and I felt that I really knew every character in the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a favorite character. All of the characters were fully developed and were all critical to the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't identify a specific scene, I loved the entire book.

Any additional comments?

As soon as I finished this book I immediately downloaded Tommo and Hawk and Soloman's Song because I had to finish the trilogy. I was shattered when I finished Soloman's Song and knew that I would not hear from these characters again. My deepest thanks to Mr.Courtenay for such a fabulous story!

Worth presisting with

I almost gave up after an hour or so of listening but pushed on. Glad I did. Found the plot a bit weak book but enjoyable nonetheless.

Five stars all the way

This is by far one of the best books I have read. an absolute page turner.

Great Narrator!

So often the narrator can make or break a story. Humphrey Bower definitely makes this book come to life! One of the best narrators that I’ve heard. The story itself is well written and very interesting from a historical point of few. While I was entertained throughout, it felt like Bryce Courtenay took the easy way out at the end and just ended the story abruptly. That’s the main reason for the four stars instead of five. Overall an enjoyable listen.

Terrific character development

What made the experience of listening to The Potato Factory the most enjoyable?

Skillful story telling and expertly crafted character development make for a terrific read. This first of the trilogy sets up the next two in the series which were equally wonderful. Best written book I've read in quite some time.

Potato Factory!

Love this book, very captivating. with an excellent narrative! Could not stop listening! Part two next.

Redeeming, Tragic, and Lovely

Mr. Courtenay is extremely talented at building characters that one loves and love to hate. Even some who are dastardly but follow a code that is fascinating and I’m sure a true representation borne of the harsh lives endured by the British poor. His portrayal of the prison island which has in a relatively short time become a respected nation and the dream destination of many an aspiring traveler, is colorful and while uncivilized represents an unprecedented opportunity for the tough, streetwise London criminals who landed there. Well worth the read! And now I will begin book 2 of the trilogy.

riveting story

Violence hideous beautiful riveting Greek characters great story fabulous performance with all the voices it was fantastic

Bryce is the best<br />

I love how Courtney mixes history lessons into his writing without question he is my favorite author

Don't Expect A Fairytale

Any additional comments?

This book had all the things I look for in a book that I would give a higher than normal rating to. The characters are "real" and what I mean by that is that they don't have a definitive role. Sometimes you despise a certain character and then they do something and your heart breaks for them or you see a kinder gentler side of someone who has been cruel or mean and you begin to understand why they are the way they are. Courtenay shows you the absolute cruelty that some humans are capable of and then will show you a character that has a heart of gold. I enjoyed the colorful side characters that you become totally wrapped up in as well. Sperm Whale Sally was incredibly fun. The narrator was also fantastic which always makes a book so much more enjoyable.

To be sure this book is not for the faint of heart some of the characters are able to overcome the most desperate of circumstances and some are bound to be forever trapped by them. There is sadness, heartbreak, cruelty and hard times, but there is also great love and kindness shown by the characters. I love it when an author can make me love and understand a villain and make sure to show that a hard life is just that, hard, and rarely do people escape from those circumstances.