The Potato Factory

By Bryce Courtenay

"The Potato Factory" is a novel written by Bryce Courtenay, an Australian author. It was published in 1995 and is the first book in a trilogy, followed by "Tommo & Hawk" and "Solomon's Song".

The novel is set in the mid-19th century and follows the life of Ikey Solomon, a notorious London criminal who is arrested and transported to Australia. There, he becomes involved in the potato trade, opening a factory to process and export potatoes to England.

The story also focuses on the relationship between Ikey and his wife, Hannah, who remains in London and eventually joins him in Australia. It explores the themes of survival, redemption, and the struggle for power and control.

Penguin Random House. 1995. 696p.