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)

Flawed story, brilliant narration

There has been much debate about this book since it is fiction, but uses some characters who were real people. I didn't have much trouble with that, but I think there are some flaws in the narrative. Although it's called "The Australian Trilogy" much of this first book takes place in London and truly covers no new ground. Both the London and Australian sections of the book reflect little but the stark brutality of both settings and you get the sense that the only people on the planet in the early 19th century were criminals, prostitutes, and hypocritical aristocracy all lacking any compassion or decency. The story is gripping and I acknowledge that it is a well-told tale, but although much of the detail may be accurate, I don't think there is much of a real historical perspective to the story. In addition, although many of the characters are low class people and vulgarity in their language is in keeping with their character, it seemed to me that the vulgarity in the narrative sections (the book is written in 3rd person) was unnecessary and rather unpleasant to listen to. The book certainly held my attention but it paints such a black picture of humanity especially of the 1/2 of people who are male, that it is kind of depressing. That said, Humphrey Bower is a fabulous narrator. His style is perfect for the form of narration the book takes and he does wonderful characterizations and accents. I would recommend the book but with some caution - it is fairly dark and has several scenes of graphic violence.

One fabulous series

I was too snooty to read these books for a long time. Then I started to listen to them and fell into the spell. Yes, there are better books. But, for entertainment, great characters and a world-class narrator, these are at the top of the heap. And, as a terrific bonus, I always learn something from this author. I just listened to this series over a two-week period and was completely swept into the world of Mary Abacus. Terrific summer books!

Well Mr Courtenay

This is the first Bryce C I have read, have avoided him in the past cause I perceived him to be a bit of a fast food restaurant type author.... well I loved this book, and the whole trilogy... Was it because I am a New Zealander living in Australia?, as the book took place in both places.. No, this book would grab you no matter where you live... a great insight into early ship travel and whaling and life in the 1800's in England and the colonies... Great...

Disappointing

I am certainly happy that I had the pleasure of reading the Power of One and then Tandia. The Potato Factory was highly recommended by many Audible reviewer's and by a close friend who also is a lover of books by Bruce Courtenay. My biggest problem was the fact that except for one character, for the most part the main characters were horrible people for whom you could not have much sympathy. Try as I might I simply could not give myself any reason to care about what was happening to them. I admit that the last quarter of the book was somewhat better in that regard. Also, the storyline and different significant events were so completely implausible that it was difficult to get involved. The minor stories and little anecdotes or sometimes quite interesting, but a number of them had nothing to do with the central storyline . This was certainly not the case with the earlier books. just as in the earlier books, the narrator was incredibly good.

Great story

fascinating story with a narrator that is amazing. couldn't stop listening.

I Love It When A Book Is Surprisingly Good!

I downloaded this several months ago, just because the reviews were so great. But it didn't seem like something I would enjoy, so I sort of ignored it. Once I started listening I finished it in less then 3 days! I agree with one reviewer, in the beginning it does remind one of a Dickens novel, but as the story unwinds, it gets better and better. Mr. Courtenay actually created a character in Ikey that I loved to hate in the beginning, and then just loved... The twists and turns of the scams had me in stitches! Thank you Mr. Courtenay for starting another career at age 55!

Excellent Book

I really enjoyed this work of historical fiction. I loved the narrator, he was excellent. He did each character distinctly and with emotion. He was stunning with all the different accents. I can't wait to listen to more of his narrations.

The book was very good also, The story was fast paced and interesting. I had a little problem with the end, I felt that a little more explination was in order and the way it ended nicely and neatly in a letter from Mary I felt was not up to the standard of the rest of the book.

Fantastic!

I will miss Bryce Courtenay's work so very much. His writings are so uplifting, as his characters overcome their demons and at times, tragedies and somehow seem to rise above them and learn from them.

This story was just as wonderful as the others. It is part 1 of a series of 2 (the next is Tommo and Hawk) and is about a woman who ventures out trying to find work in a man's world, suffers consequences as a result of this and spends a good part of her life rising above all of these misfortunes to a level that I found very uplifting. What a testiment to the human spirit!

As always, Humphrey Bower is a joy to listen to; his voice fits Bryce's work so well, and he does different characters so convincingly that you forget that it's one person narrating!

All in all, a wonderful read, I am greatly saddened by Mr. Courtenay's death and the stories that he had yet to tell. RIP Mr. Courtenay, and thank you for gracing us with your words.

WE LOST A GREAT WRITER

I read this trilogy ( as well as The Power of One ) earlier this year but did not write a review but today upon hearing that Bryce Courtenay had passed away I thought that I would like o write a short review just to say 'Thank You'. The Australian trilogy is a wonderful stroll through the lives of one particular family from England to Galipoli. The characterizations are incredible and Humphrey Bower is Humphrey Bower without doubt one of the best narrators. The three books represent a terrific investment in time but they are worth every momen as they envelope you and do not let you got. I will now read 'Jack of Diamonds' next and I know that it will be with a heavy heart as I that I know there will not be another Bryce Courtenay novel to follow.

Tragic Story - Incredible Narrator

This is the fictionalized story of real life prince of fences - Ikey Solomon - and his long suffering mistress, the fictional Mary Abacus. In every way a brutal tale, chilling heartbreaking and riveting. I was not sure I could bear the brutality of certain scenes - but for the amazing talents of Narrator Humphrey Bower! This book was all the more powerful and heart-wrenching thanks to Bower's ability to bring the voices, dialects and 19th Century slang to life and to carry us through the hell that Courtenay's characters endure with the spunk and determination that prevented this story from wallowing in its own despair.

I was captivated by the world Bryce portrays and horrified by the cruelty of its inhabitants. This is not a tale for the faint of heart, and I may need to catch my breath before picking up the sequel, Tommo & Hawk, but I will long have these voices in my head - not to mention the song sung by Sperm Whale Sally . . . . Well done Mr. Bower. Well done, me dearie.