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)

Great Book!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It is a terrific story that grabbed me from the very beginning and I highly recommend it. The narrator is one of the best I've ever heard.

Good Story

Very raw, realistic account of life (or as it REALLY might have been). Good narration. Definately worth listening to.

Awesome

I can't believe I have not written a review on this series. WOW! Excellent. The beginning was a bit Dickens-esk (I am so glad I didn't have to grow up in those times)! What a ride. Amazing characters and none of them were without interesting strengths and/or flaws. I have recommended this book to several people and they had the same reaction I did.

Humphrey Bower is awesome and makes a huge contribution. The story is historically true to Australia???s history with characters that could have existed. I highly recommend this book and series. I loved every one of them and have listened to them more than once.

I had some trepidation about getting involved in a series of very long books but what a ride! I cried, laughed, hated, loved ??? this has it all!

Well worth the credit!!

Stick with it!

I loved previous books by Courtenay and I can listen to Humphrey Bower forever. (Good thing, since all of these books are long)
I generally don’t like books where the main characters have little redeeming value. Initially I thought I couldn’t stand a long book where I didn’t like the characters. However, I stuck with it because Courtenay’s descriptive writing is incredible, Bower’s performance is beautiful! So many voices out of one man’s larynx!
Eventually, I started caring about some of the characters, especially Mary. Despite the book’s length, the ending snuck up on me, as I was engrossed. It is a book that I can recommend and encourage friends to read.

Great Storyteller

Beautiful narration of a good story about fascinating characters blending fact with fiction. Bryce Courtenay follows a formula in his stories that is always a little familiar with larger than life women characters but always entertaining.

Simply Outstanding!

This is by far the best fiction I've listened to or read in my lifetime. You cannot go wrong with this entire series, "The Australian Trilogy," of which this is the first book. Bryce Courtney is a genius storyteller, and this history of the founding of Australia is pin-you-to-your-chair riveting listening. Humphrey Bower is masterful in his narration. I understand he narrates all of Courtney's work, and I can see why. Get this book and enjoy!!

Excellent book, better performance

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

Anyone who enjoys audio books will definitely like this book.The descriptions are precise yet detailed.There was information about conditions and circumstances of that era that were heretofore romanticized yet the reality of the rawness was still compelling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Iccy is definitely a standout character. He's so Dickensian, a dichotomy of greed and compassion.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Humphrey Bower's performance is one of the best I've ever heard. Both my husband and I wondered if we would have liked the book half as much were it not for his rendering. Each character has a distinct voice and accent. It was like listening to an old radio play. Absolutely first rate.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I like a book that makes me search out additional information about the place, times, and people and I have done that with this book.

What a great duo!

I now have a mission to listen to every book written by Bryce Courtenay and read by Humphrey Bower!

Great Book! Great Narrator!

After the Power of One , I doubted that another Bryce Courtney novel would match up.... I was so wrong. This book totally drew me in ... and I can't wait to read Book 2 in this Trilogy.

Great book

Love this book! Love reading something that teaches me a little history along the way. Story is great narration is better than great. Can't wait to read the next in the series, Tommo and Hawk.