Ikey Solomon is the King Rat of the dark backstreets of 19th-century Stepney. A notorious criminal, his only fear is that Hannah, his resentful and...
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Nov 03, 2011
Velvetink
rated it: 
review finally!.
Ikey Solomon and his partner in crime, Mary Abacus, 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 builds The Potato Factory - a brewery, where she plans a new future. But her ambitions are threatened by Ikey's wife, Hannah, her old enemy. As each woman sets out to destroy the other, the families are brought to the edge of disaster.
The cha More...
Ikey Solomon and his partner in crime, Mary Abacus, 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 builds The Potato Factory - a brewery, where she plans a new future. But her ambitions are threatened by Ikey's wife, Hannah, her old enemy. As each woman sets out to destroy the other, the families are brought to the edge of disaster.
The cha More...
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Dec 17, 2009
Marissa
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Holy hell! This is one damn good book. Bryce Courtenay still amazes me in his level of research comparable to only authors such as Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte. It deals with the populating of the British colonies in Australia, Tasmaina, and New Zealand. While the accuracy of detail is impeccable, his skill as a storyteller is what keeps me hooked on ordering his books from Australia. Good God, I hope this man lives forever and keeps writing! Thank goodness that it is one book in a series
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Nov 11, 2011
Lissa
rated it: 
Bryce Courtenay plagiarised two pages from the book Notorious Strumpets and Dangerous Girls: Convict Women in Van Diemen's Land, 1803-1829, written by a family friend. The textbook is rather large, nearly two thousand pages (I did not read all of it), and details the lives and histories of the female convicts of Tasmania.
Notorious Strumpets was not a popular book and was in fact incredibly niche, which is why Courtenay got away with it for so long. I noticed it myself when I was forced More...
Notorious Strumpets was not a popular book and was in fact incredibly niche, which is why Courtenay got away with it for so long. I noticed it myself when I was forced More...
Oct 12, 2010
M.j.
rated it:
‘The Potato Factory’ by Bryce Courtnay.
This excellent novel sat on my bookshelf for some months before I finally got around to reading it. I am not sure why, perhaps it was the title that did not strike the right cords. I even picked it up a couple of times, but dismissed it. What an oversight that was.
'The Potato Factory' is a journey back in time to Dickensian London and all the filth and squalor that inspired Charles Dickens to pen his many novels, and in particular ‘Oliv More...
This excellent novel sat on my bookshelf for some months before I finally got around to reading it. I am not sure why, perhaps it was the title that did not strike the right cords. I even picked it up a couple of times, but dismissed it. What an oversight that was.
'The Potato Factory' is a journey back in time to Dickensian London and all the filth and squalor that inspired Charles Dickens to pen his many novels, and in particular ‘Oliv More...
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Apr 30, 2011
Betty410
rated it: 
My Christmas book is finally finished--all 666 pages of very small print. My 5 star books all hit my heart and emotions but this one earned 4 for many reasons. Taking place in early 1800's starting in England with a actual character from history, the author weaves a story involving people in the lower levels of humanity; Ikey Solomon (he was the real man), the fence, his street urchins, the whore houses--the scenes that had I lived then I hopefully would not have known. Ikey schemes got him
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Jan 05, 2009
The Potato Factory, by Bryce Courtenay, Narrated by Humphrey Bower, Produced by Bolinda Publishing, downloaded from audible.com.
This book is the first in a series of three. Bryce Courtenay, in an introduction which he read personally in the audio version, states that it is his tribute to Australia, a country which has given him much. (He was born in South Africa.)
This book is about Ikey Solomon, apparently a real person. He was raised in the poorest streets of London More...
This book is the first in a series of three. Bryce Courtenay, in an introduction which he read personally in the audio version, states that it is his tribute to Australia, a country which has given him much. (He was born in South Africa.)
This book is about Ikey Solomon, apparently a real person. He was raised in the poorest streets of London More...
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Oct 19, 2010
Jan
rated it:
This is the first in the Australian trilogy:
1.The Potato Factory
2.Tommo & Hawk
3.Solomon's Song
I was hooked after the first chapter!
Bryce Courtenay is noted for his ability to weave dramatic, graphic, human stories with historic fact. He did not disappoint with this book. I could not put it down. We meet Ikey, Hannah and Mary in 1820's England.. "dark times, bleak times, hard times". They survive in the under belly of English society. Their li More...
1.The Potato Factory
2.Tommo & Hawk
3.Solomon's Song
I was hooked after the first chapter!
Bryce Courtenay is noted for his ability to weave dramatic, graphic, human stories with historic fact. He did not disappoint with this book. I could not put it down. We meet Ikey, Hannah and Mary in 1820's England.. "dark times, bleak times, hard times". They survive in the under belly of English society. Their li More...
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Mar 20, 2011
Dancerhjr
rated it:
I was initially a little intimidated by the size...and the start was a slight bit slow. But I so enjoyed this historical novel. It is a well-researched novel about the growth of the colonies of England, Australia and New Zealand in the early 1800's and is told in a Dickensian manner. The central character in this story is Ikey Solomon whom most readers will recognize as ‘Fagan’ from ‘Oliver Twist.’ There are many other Dickens' parallel characters. Once in a while I would get caught up by the la
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Jan 16, 2009
Erika
rated it:
First - I loved this book. After starting it on vacation (it was the only book at the rental home on the beach where we were) I had to find the others in this series.
The storyline was so fascinating to me as a look into the lives of the poor and downtrodden - prisoners sent from Britain to Australia. Because of the people involved the language is very course and I wouldn't recommend it to people who are offended by such. I don't believe it is filthy for the sake of filth, but if this More...
The storyline was so fascinating to me as a look into the lives of the poor and downtrodden - prisoners sent from Britain to Australia. Because of the people involved the language is very course and I wouldn't recommend it to people who are offended by such. I don't believe it is filthy for the sake of filth, but if this More...
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Jul 05, 2011
Esther
rated it:
Of course it was the mention of Dicken's "Fagan" that hooked me into reading this monster. I went back and forth in my opinion while reading it - feeling more than a little weary of the whole underworld aspect(there is only so much pick-pocketing, fencing, bawdy-house, filthy rathole-type content I can take before I start feeling jaded). However! The characters really held me, and I stayed with them, hoping they would somehow (however unlikely) get to a better place. Ikey and Mary are
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Jan 10, 2010
Teresa
rated it:
I'm a bit undecided with The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay.
Yes, there's no doubt that Bryce Courtenay is a great writer. He has the ability to make you believe that you are experiencing the same things with the characters whether its in the streets of 19th century London or the colonial outpost that was Van Damien Island and even projecting sympathy towards the lowest scums of English society. Also, the way he sets up the background of the story is nothing short of perfect, you More...
Yes, there's no doubt that Bryce Courtenay is a great writer. He has the ability to make you believe that you are experiencing the same things with the characters whether its in the streets of 19th century London or the colonial outpost that was Van Damien Island and even projecting sympathy towards the lowest scums of English society. Also, the way he sets up the background of the story is nothing short of perfect, you More...
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Nov 20, 2009
Charles
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This book has the quality of a folk legend re-imagined. The characters loom larger than life and protagonists endure years of the worst kinds of suffering before triumphing over their oppressors. The first half of this novel, set in nineteenth century London, is slowly-paced, but packed with eccentric, Dickensian characters, complete with dialect. The very eventful second half takes place mostly in Australia during its penal colony days, as the feud that boils for over 700 pages comes to a hea
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Mar 05, 2010
Kenyon
rated it:
A rip-roarin' tale. The book follows Ikey Solomon, his genuinely evil wife, Hannah, and also Ikey's sometime-business-partner and sometime-lover(maybe) Mary Abacus, from Dickensian London, ultimately to Tasmania, in Australia. They are all individually "transported" there under Britian's criminal punishment policy, which generated much of the early (non-native) population of Australia. (Solomon, incidentally, was apparently a real-life figure, who formed the basis of Fagin in Dicken
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Jan 28, 2012
Michelle
rated it:
I really did enjoy this book for the most part. During some of it I felt like it did drag on a little but I guess all that detail added to the realness of the story and the building of the characters.
I could not believe how much character development there was in this book. It virtually ran over a period of almost 20 years and it was kind of exciting to see where the main characters ended up after all that time. You almost felt like you were part of the lives of Ikey and Mary by the More...
I could not believe how much character development there was in this book. It virtually ran over a period of almost 20 years and it was kind of exciting to see where the main characters ended up after all that time. You almost felt like you were part of the lives of Ikey and Mary by the More...
May 01, 2008
Jacula
rated it:
This book was given to me by the lady in the next apartment to ours whilst we were holidaying on Crete. We'd struck up a 'Lovely weather again/how's your day been?' relationship whilst sitting on our ground floor balconies reading.
"You won't be able to put it down," she told me.
She was right.
The book is based on Ikey Solomon, the so-called "Prince of Fences" and the basis of the Fagin character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. It More...
"You won't be able to put it down," she told me.
She was right.
The book is based on Ikey Solomon, the so-called "Prince of Fences" and the basis of the Fagin character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. It More...
Aug 26, 2011
Ella
rated it:
Dit boek begint begin 19e eeuw in de onderwereld van Londen. De drie hoofdpersonen uit de laagste klassen, hoeren, dieven en sjoemelaars, belanden allemaal op 'convictships' naar van Diemensland.
Ikey Solomon, een jood, is een rasbedrieger waar je heel gauw sympathie voor krijgt. Ik heb het in het Engels gelezen en je moet even wennen aan het taalgebruik van 'de slums'.
De in Zuid-Afrika geboren Australier Bryce Courtenay heeft naar mijn mening een prachtig verhaal verteld over die tijd. More...
Ikey Solomon, een jood, is een rasbedrieger waar je heel gauw sympathie voor krijgt. Ik heb het in het Engels gelezen en je moet even wennen aan het taalgebruik van 'de slums'.
De in Zuid-Afrika geboren Australier Bryce Courtenay heeft naar mijn mening een prachtig verhaal verteld over die tijd. More...
Jan 29, 2012
Shari
rated it:
The first book of the Potato Factory trilogy. I read this after reading the second book. That is supposed to confuse, reading a series in reverse, but that wasn't the case for me for some reason. I enjoyed this one just as much as Tommo and Hawk. The Dickensian description of the characters and setting was great. The historical background to the early settlement of Australia and the hardships the settlers went through was touchingly portrayed.
Apr 02, 2011
Mirjana
rated it:
I enjoyed every word of this book,and who ever likes historical novels, will love it.
Australian's are lately so proud of their convict heritage(you can't become Australian now if you have a criminal record!), and most have romantic idea of settlers drinking Billy Tea and singing Waltzing Matilda, sitting around the fire in the bush, but reality of the times 200 years ago is much closer to this book.
Bryce Courtney likes to bring out "dirty laundry" and he does it with su More...
Australian's are lately so proud of their convict heritage(you can't become Australian now if you have a criminal record!), and most have romantic idea of settlers drinking Billy Tea and singing Waltzing Matilda, sitting around the fire in the bush, but reality of the times 200 years ago is much closer to this book.
Bryce Courtney likes to bring out "dirty laundry" and he does it with su More...
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Apr 29, 2010
Deb
rated it:
I loved this book! It is Historical fiction at its best. The main character, Ikey Solomon,is a quirky self-righteous scoundrel who makes his money through devious means. Using terrific writing and characterization the Australian author had me rooting for Ikey as he is "transported" from England to be incarcerated in a penal colony in Australia. This is a book I would really suggest you listen to if possible. I finished this one and immediately downloaded Tommo and Hawk, the second boo
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Apr 15, 2008
Katie
rated it:
This was a hojillion pages of surprisingly well-paced storytelling. Usually longer books like these drag in places, but each time I started to think, "Okay, I'm about done hearing about this," the author immediately moved on.
If I were more motivated, I'd look into where the author got his information about jewish culture, but regardless of whether he actually went to the trouble to be authentic, it seems to jive pretty well with the culturally-but-not-spiritually-jewish More...
If I were more motivated, I'd look into where the author got his information about jewish culture, but regardless of whether he actually went to the trouble to be authentic, it seems to jive pretty well with the culturally-but-not-spiritually-jewish More...
Dec 14, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Well I haven't finished reading this yet as it's my current book, but having got 25% of the way through I know I am going to finish it. It's an easy read to me, the character pop out of the page along with the dirty streets of London. From the cobbled streets to the bawdy houses your drawn into life and how hard it was immediately.................
Looking forward to finishing this monster.
Looking forward to finishing this monster.
Dec 26, 2010
Dusty
rated it:
This is the 1st in the Potato Factory trilogy. Start with Potato Factory, then Tommo & Hawk, then Solomon's Song! I just loved this whole series! Read the synopsis but be ready for a rich history of Australia and well developed characters you truly care about. Don't read just one of these and best to read them in order. I listened to the audio version and the reader was exceptional!
Dec 01, 2009
Kathy
rated it:
I am a fan of Bryce Courtenay. This book starts out in London with low life characters....some whom I began to care for as the story unfolds. Reminds me of Dickens.....in fact Charles Dickens appears for a half paragraph somewhere in the middle. It is a long book.....over 600 pages. I appreciate the book most after page 400 when the characters are sent to prison in Australia. This is the history of Australia which now unfolds in this book and the other two in the "Potato Factory Trilogy
Dec 27, 2011
Richard
rated it:
I "read" this as a download from Audible.com. Humphrey Bower is an exceptional narrator effortlessly giving each character their own distinct voice. I was enthralled with Courtenay's writing and Bower's narration. I don't know if I'd give it five stars as a print book or not, but I recommend it as an audible book to anyone.
Mar 28, 2010
David
rated it:
Listened to on my IPod. Amazing Narration with Humphrey Bower doing many dialects with great skill. The story is about Fagan, the "villain" from Oliver, who is a real life character who Dickens used to tell the story of the young thieves. Much of the story takes place in Australia after his deportment for his crimes.
May 20, 2010
Outstanding "listen," from audible.com. Based on the history of Austrailia's birth through criminal deportation. Depicts some what too graphically how tough life was in the 1800s in England and at the penal colony down under. The reader was great. I now plan to read more by the author.
Mar 16, 2010
Marius
rated it:
After the extraordinary quality of Courtenay’s “The Power of One” this book is a massive disappointment. The writing is turgid and the characters are poorly-drawn one-dimensional caricatures. The theme of the book lent itself to an epic work, but this book is not that epic.
Aug 25, 2011
Sandra
rated it:
I found this book a little hard to get into. I later re-read it from the beginning again and when I finished it, was pleased I re-read it from the beginning to end. I was then eager to read the follow-up of The Potato Factory - "Tommo and Hawk" and "Solomon's Song".
Jul 16, 2011
Tracey
rated it:
intriguing. amazing time and characters. extremely graphic and often relentless descriptions of violence and brutality. However, rivioting storyline and character development. reading Tomo and Hawk. just as good and just as violent. rough times for the under class.
Oct 28, 2009
Julie
rated it:
Enjoyable, but not as good as The Power of One. I give a book 5-stars if I think it is incredible and would recommend highly. I give a book 4-stars if it is a good read that is hard to put down. Just an ordinary good read is 3-stars, and this was a 3-star for me.
