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)

Amazing!

I can not say enough good things about this book. It grabs you from the begining and takes you on a journey. Brutally honest in detail about the "class" system in the U.K. and how it traveled to Oz. I will always "leave a little salt on the bread"!

Poor language diminishes a good story

The overall story was excellent. The choice of words and descriptions reduces the value significantly. I would not recommend it for that reason.

Amazing historical novel of early Australia

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

Best yet

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ike Solomon is a despicable thief, yet becomes endearing

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

He does so well with all of the voices to make them believably different people.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This may be a bit too gruesome for the movies - it turns your stomach with the brutality of the times, I don't think I would want to see all that.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for book 2!

Amazing Story

This book is well written and obviously well researched. The characters are engaging and interesting, whether you end up like them or not. At times it was a little brutal and graphic and you start to wonder if anything good will ever happen to the characters, but it is well worth sticking with. I love a novel that is both a good story and a learning opportunity and this book is both. Humphrey Bower does one of the best narrations I have ever heard and I have listened to over a hundred Audible books. Highly recommended!

Good time!

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

It's in my top 5.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are colorful and despicable, the descriptions are fun and the narrator gives great voice to the characters.

great narration, a lot of horrific scenes

I found myself cringing several times at the horrific and sad ways people lived during those times. It was a. It was the kind of story found yourself hoping For the little guy.

gripping epic saga

Most excellent narraion. Masterfully crafted story that you just have to know what happens next. Characters are very well developed. Probably, wretchedly acurate in descriptions of the cast system, misguided piety, and the gross prejudice and imperialistic history that all civilizations share. Heart and gut wrenching circumstances......full gamut of emotions: laughing, crying, feeling so angry at the injustices and then so relieved and psyched for the triumphant underdogs. Phew!
I musr read the next one in the series.

Very good story.

This is one of the best books I have listened to on audible books. I am so pleased with this book. Well done. Kudos to the author.

Most excellent!

Author and Reader are fantastic! I look forward to the next two books of the Australian Trilogy

3rd person Trillogy

Any additional comments?

3rd. person Trilogy
this was a pretty good trilogy. Not my Genre but a pretty good story line. I would recommend this book.