32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT book from one of Oz's best authors, Dec 15 2000
By Michael J Harrington - Published on Amazon.com
This book - part one of a trilogy - is a heart-rendering novel of the souls that were taken to 'The fatal shore' of Australia and survived against ALL odds. I have been a HUGE fan of Bryce after living in Australia and actually meeting him at a book reading of 'April Fools Day'. He is truly a sincere and great man who can spin a yarn that will keep one interested from page 1 till the end.
As with all great authors, and knowing what went on in Bryce's life, I knew that 'The Potato factory' was to be a fresh start for him back into literature. So how was he to live up to 'The Power of One'? One of my favorite novels of all time? Well, he did it here, with a story of passion and pain, as well as the careful creation of characters that you won't soon forget and learn to care about. He creates a novel that is cross between Dickens and Hemingway in his style - full of passion, yet using a 'down to earth' style of prose - nothing too cerebral, however 1 notch above the 'cut a paste page turner' novels of today. One guy you really just want to know, and have him tell one of his many stories 'round a grown-up campfire'. The stage is set in this one for the 2 to come to be what looks to add up to rather compelling trilogy. Even if you don't do the whole 'trilogy thing', this novel in and of itself is very satisfying.
I just finally got around to starting to read 'Tommo and Hawk' (GREAT so far), and got 'Solomons Song' as well (on the shelf beckoning...). I am just disappointed like so many other American fans of his work that he does not have more presence in the US market - it is not as if his stuff is entirely foreign or that it has to be translated or anything, and after living in Australia for 8 years, I cannot see anything in his novels that require my 'life experience' to read!
Even if you have not read any of Bryce's novels, this one is as good a start as any. Snuggle up on the sofa with this one!
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting Story That Needs More Publicity!, Nov 16 1999
By P. Wade Burgess - Published on Amazon.com
This story transports the reader from the South Africa of POWER OF ONE and TANDIA to Mr. Courtenay's new homeland, Australasia. The story is exciting and moving. A fantastic read. Don't forget to read the other two in the trilogy! Courtenay has lost his readership for some reason since the publication of THE POWER OF ONE his first book. It is followed by TANDIA. He also wrote THE POTATO FACTORY (of course), TOMMO & HAWK, and their final chapter, the third in that trilogy, SOLOMON'S SONG, which is due to be released in the rest of the world very soon. Other almost unknown works by Courtenay are: THE NIGHT COUNTRY, THE FAMILY FRYING PAN, A RECIPE FOR DREAMING and JESSICA. I encourage all of you who read this review to discover ALL of Courtenay's novels, not just THE POWER OF ONE. I do not know why he isn't more popular over here in the USA. Feel free to email to chat about Courtenay or collecting his books, of which I have many, many and some to spare!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A STORY TO ROB YOUR SLEEP, Sep 12 2004
By Brady Buchanan - Published on Amazon.com
This book is the first of a trilogy with "Tommo & Hawk" sand "Solomon's Song" coming after. The Potato Factory is an interesting title and most significant, but not what you might think. The time period is the early 1800's and most reminiscent of what Charles Dickens would write. The first half of the 832 pages in the pocketbook takes place in London and the second half in Australia. This story has many, many layers and all are easy to keep track of. Most of the problems are resolved by the end, but a major one would be explained and expanded in Tommo & Hawk as I shall soon discover. The writing is superb and the characters are etched in your memory for all time. The subjet matter is crass in the first half, yet is the foundation for what happens in the second half. This is a tale of Australia's beginnings and an engrossing one you will not put down 'til finished.