The Potato Factory

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 head. The ambitious scope of the story is realized with solidly-crafted prose and compelling characters. Though some of these characters come uncomfortably close to stereotypes, the feeling that the story was being shared with me by an eccentric uncle show more made this feel okay somehow. show less

This was a fantastic homage to Dickens and captivating historical fiction. Most of us know of Australia's penal colony history but this book brings that history to life. The characters are memorable, imperfect and quirky. The story carries you along through the ups, the downs, the twists, the turns, the triumphs and the struggles of these wonderful characters. There are at least two scenes deeply imbedded in my psyche just as the horse beating scene in Crime and Punishment will be with me forever. That means that this book will not soon be forgotten - if ever - and I look forward to the second book in this trilogy.

Really enjoyed this book. Despite his many faults, you can’t help rooting for Ikey and hoping he gets the upper hand. A Dickensian London with all the horrors, violence and stench of the rabble, the poorest of the poor. Scams and cheats galore, and larger than life characters. A lot of detail (sometimes a little too much?) but a rollicking read and satisfying ending.

I'm alternating novels by Bryce Courtenay and John Irving and, while both are excellent storytellers, I like Courtenay better. While Irving seems more limited in his themes and images, always coming back to the same obsessions when you read several of his novels, that does not happen with Courtenay. He is just a master storyteller, with no frills.

I read first The Power of One and Tandia, which I loved, particularly the first one, and I have now read The Potato Factory, the first in the Australia trilogy. It's as good as the Power of One, with unforgettable characters that you get to know deeply, full of humanity and hardship. The beginning of an epic saga beginning in 19th century London, among the destitute and criminal, and show more continuing in Australia. Highly recommended. show less

I’ve slowly come to the conclusion that Bryce Courtney can’t write. Or, maybe he could once, but he’s lost the knack. There’s much to admire in this story, supposedly a fictional account of the real person behind Charles Dickens’s Fagin, but the overall effect is disappointing. Ikey Solomon begins as the main character, but by the end of the book, he is such a minor character that even his death is described almost as an afterthought. I’m not sure if a better editor would have done a better job, or whether Courtney himself needs to sharpen his act. This one won’t stay in my mind for long, thank goodness.

I taught her to use the word 'abrogate' during a briefing, and she recommended this book early on in our correspondence. Of course, being the precocious flirt that I am, I picked up a copy at a local independent book-seller.

Courtenay takes characters from Dickens and translates them into relatable anti-heroes.

Bryce Courtenay never ceases to impress me with his wonderful storytelling skills. The plot, while slow in some parts, was riveting and by the last three hundred or so pages I was turning those pages as fast as I could. The characters were beautifully crafted and developed over the novel, and I am curious to know how much is indeed fact and how much is fiction. I would have liked to know what happened to the secondary characters such as Bob Marley and Sparrer Fart, but I could understand when they were no longer necessary to the plot. I look forward to getting my hands on the next two books of the trilogy.