Amazing, but a bit over the top and over long.

How to give this book less than 5 stars.... I wanted to give it 1 star after the first third, but it improved about half way through to be a very enjoyable listen. Unlike his first book, The Power of One, which is one of my favourites, and also read by H. Bower, this story can't quite cope with the vast scale Courtney is trying to convey. There are about 10 books worth in the first third alone, and the characterisation suffers for it. Courtney has very strong views about people, their motives and how much they can suffer or cause others to suffer, to which he gives full reign in this book. Personally, I found him a bit too hectoring at first and I got a bit bogged down in all the terrible violence, squalor, and general depravity. If it wasn't for the wonderful reading I would have given up after hour 9. Other people listening may not mind, but I found it both very nasty and a bit dull.... however, things definately improved. By the time the characters got on the way to Oz, his story settled down to become gripping and the characters were able to grow and become likable in their own right, rather than just being vehicles for displaying the writer's considerable research.
So, worth getting over the first third, but be prepared for lots of violence, depravity and human waste!!

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15 people found this helpful

Dickins meets EJ thompson

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

Already recommended this book/audible book several times , this is a powerful well researched work , that demonstrates truth is stranger than fiction. I can only describe it as having the best aspects of Dickens and EJ Thompson . Dickens descriptive narrative and E J Thompson's superb emotional intelligence ....

What other book might you compare The Potato Factory to, and why?

Well obviously Oliver Twist.... much better and accurate personalisation of Ike rather that the politically satirically Fagin however

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Learning a lot about Australian History.

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

In the depths of human depravity , humanity still wins through.
Immensely enjoyable novel with superb narration painting a very powerful picture of Australian history...

Any additional comments?

Will definitely be listening to the next two books in the trilogy

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1 person found this helpful

Enthralling to the end

One of the better narrated books I've listed to, excellent range of accents. Brought the story to life and did the characters justice.

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Excellent narration, brilliant story

This book was spellbinding. Every character brought vividly to life and a plot that twisted and turned so often. Loved the historical context and the depiction of often brutal treatment of convicts transported. Weaving fact and fiction to a seamless blend is magic. Going to buy the next two in the series now.

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loved it

I carried this book from room to room listening to it. Loved every minute and was sad to get to the end. Most heartily recommend it :)

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Stunning!

This is the first of a trilogy; I listened and had to buy the next two volumes. Well written, well plotted, well researched, and Humphrey Bower is rapidly becoming a serious contender for my number 1 narrator. Awesome.

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2 people found this helpful

Everything about this book is wonderful!

The Potato Factory is so well written it transported me to another world.
The reading of the audiobook by Humphrey Bower was, as usual, incredible.
It’s historical & informative but above and beyond that, it’s funny and sad.
Full of characters with real personality.
I absolutely love this book.

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Brilliant in every way

What made the experience of listening to The Potato Factory the most enjoyable?

Excellent storyline, plot, outcome, research, and of course the way it was bought to life by Humphrey Bower, a master narrator.

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Understanding, clarity, a sense of being right there.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Resilience, love, acceptance.

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Good historical novel with plenty of twists

What did you like most about The Potato Factory?

The Potato Factory covers the period of English history when villains were readily hanged or transported to the new world of Australia or Tasmania (Van Demons Land).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ikey, the main character is the rouge on whom Fagin could have been based, he ran a gang of young boys teaching them all the tricks they would need for a life of crime, and making profit from them at the same time, but he had his fingers in many pies, fencing and forging of bank notes, this later was his downfall

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scramble to avoid arrest by the Bank of England officers by removing the high value printing plates from where the press is kept and as much of value that he can hide elsewhere.

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I could not put this down amazing

Do you know from the very first 10 minutes that it’s gonna be a good book it gets you and you just Gotta keep on going

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