Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Although a work of fiction, the main character is loosely based on a real person and as it's set in the nineteenth century you learn a lot about the times, and how harsh they were for the poor and working class. Really interesting and engrossing. Well written.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ikey Solomon, - who some say was the inspiration for Dickens' character Fagin - is a counterfeiter and thief in the underbelly of early nineteenth century London.
When Ikey, his wife Hannah and mistress Mary Abacus, find themselves on the wrong side of the law for various reasons, they are all shipped out to the island 'Van Diemans Land', later renamed Tasmania.
Life in the penal colony is brutal and all three characters must find their own ways to survive.
This book, although uncomfortable to read at times, was interesting and compelling.
When Ikey, his wife Hannah and mistress Mary Abacus, find themselves on the wrong side of the law for various reasons, they are all shipped out to the island 'Van Diemans Land', later renamed Tasmania.
Life in the penal colony is brutal and all three characters must find their own ways to survive.
This book, although uncomfortable to read at times, was interesting and compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Racism
Could not locate a hard copy of this book, so I'm listening to an unabridged audio edition. So far, so good.
I loved the storytelling and how this story has so many facets and smaller stories within. The main characters suffer quite horribly when they're down on their luck. Also, listening to the graphic details of prostitutes' lives in the 1820s... I didn't enjoy that. The second half of the book was less gruesome though. The ending was a little rushed but satisfying how the plot was wrapped up. Looking forward to continuing with Tommo and Hawk!
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 3 stars
This is my third Bryce Courtenay book, my second this year, and I am noticing a trend. The premises of his books I am overall interested in - they tend to be historical fiction set in or around Australia (which I appreciate because Australian is a quite a large part of my nationality) and they usually have to do with characters, with a prostitute or two thrown in there, who are down on their luck and pick themselves up to keep going with life. And one thing I think Courtenay does really well in his books is consequences for his characters. If someone gets hurt, they get hurt. So on face value, that sounds like something I would quite enjoy. But I always find that I am really interested in some parts of his books, and then really bored in others. Like, at one point I'm saying "wow! I'm quite intrigued! I want to know more!" and three pages later I'm saying "ugh. Just finish already." But I think I will once again settle on three stars.
Anyway, that was my experience with The Potato Factory, as well as a couple of days ago with Tania and The Power of One last year. I will probably read more Courtenay in future, as my grandfather was quite fond of him and I like to read books family members or close friends enjoy.
This is my third Bryce Courtenay book, my second this year, and I am noticing a trend. The premises of his books I am overall interested in - they tend to be historical fiction set in or around Australia (which I appreciate because Australian is a quite a large part of my nationality) and they usually have to do with characters, with a prostitute or two thrown in there, who are down on their luck and pick themselves up to keep going with life. And one thing I think Courtenay does really well in his books is consequences for his characters. If someone gets hurt, they get hurt. So on face value, that sounds like something I would quite enjoy. But I always find that I am really interested in some parts of his books, and then really bored in others. Like, at one point I'm saying "wow! I'm quite intrigued! I want to know more!" and three pages later I'm saying "ugh. Just finish already." But I think I will once again settle on three stars.
Anyway, that was my experience with The Potato Factory, as well as a couple of days ago with Tania and The Power of One last year. I will probably read more Courtenay in future, as my grandfather was quite fond of him and I like to read books family members or close friends enjoy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There has been debate about the accuracy of the information contained in the book about Ikey Solomon but that did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book. While it is historical fiction, it is fiction and I would expect the author built a robust story around a few historical details of the infamous life of Ikey. I found the historical references to life in London as well as Van Diemen's Land, which we now know as a part of Australia captivating. This was just an all-around well-written book.