What looks liked to be an historical novel turned to quite fictitious in places, but where?, asks the reader.
| Author: | Bryce Courtney |
| Publisher: | William Heinemann, Australia, 1995 |
| ISBN: | 0 85561 653 9 |
| Characteristics: | 665 pages, Hardcover ; 24 cm. |
| Source: | . |
| Date Read: | 18-Apr-2025 |
Book Summary
The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay is a gripping historical novel set in the 19th century. It follows the lives of Ikey Solomon, a cunning thief and counterfeiter, and Mary Abacus, a strong-willed woman who rises from hardship to become a successful businesswoman.
The story begins in London, where Ikey and Mary navigate the criminal underworld. However, fate separates them, and both are exiled to Van Diemen’s Land (modern-day Tasmania). There, Mary learns the art of brewing and establishes The Potato Factory, a brewery that symbolises her determination to build a new life.
Her ambitions are soon threatened by Hannah, Ikey’s estranged wife, leading to a fierce rivalry between the two women. As they struggle for power and survival, their families become entangled in a web of betrayal, ambition, and revenge. The novel explores themes of resilience, conflict, and redemption, painting a vivid picture of colonial Australia.
Reader’s Notes
From the era the book is set and the fact that the main character is based on the real historical figure, Ikey Solomon, I got the impression that it was a true historical story. The included maps, the background and environment described by the author gives a strong impression that it’s based on fact, but disappointingly there’s a lot of fiction in The Potato Factory. And being keen on historical novels, the book was a let-down somewhat.
After doing some research, Ikey’s partner in the book, Mary Abacus, is completely fictional. The author spends a lot of text building up her abacus skills (hence her nickname adopted as a surname), her rough treatment suffered in England, and how she absolutely shines in convict Australia. It’s unlikely Mary is based on a real person, as her numerical skills are unlikely to be possessed by a woman.
Sperm Whale Sally is another larger than life character, and once again, it’s highly unlikely a female would win so easily against sea faring men in arm wrestling bouts. It may be fiction, but the story should be plausible, otherwise the reader falls out of the illusion the book creates.
The book is the first of a trilogy, the second being Tommo & Hawk, and lastly Solomon’s Song. Tommo and Hawk are the twin sons of Sperm Whale Sally introduced towards the end of the book. The mother dies and Mary adopts them as her own. Unbelievably, one is fair skinned and the other dark, and they are both larger than life and irritating.
Conclusion
One can’t help to think that there’s an agenda with Bryce Courtney’s books. The Potato Factory was an enjoyable read, but it’s a turn-off when fiction is presented as history for political reasons.
