Tasmanian Trilogy by Bryce Courtney ***1/2

1. The Potato Factory
2. Tommo & Hawk
3. Solomon's Gold

These three historical novels takes place over 4 generations. "The Potato Factory" starts in England in the early 1800's and focuses on the feature character Ikey Solomon (who is apparently was a genuine individual) Solomon is nothing short of a scoundrel and a thief and schemining individual who exploits a band of homeless youngsters to commit much of the crime. It is suggested that the Charles Dickens (who makes a brief appearance in the book) based his character "Fagan" in the novel "Oliver" on Solomon. With some assistant from his disreputable wife and ultimately from the hiring of a homeless but talented and intelligent woman, "Mary Abacuss", he amasses considerable wealth. Eventually the police catch up with him and in remotely connected circumstances both his wife and Mary are arrested and sentenced to a prison in Tasmania. Ultimately Ikey is also transported to the colony to serve his prison term.

The second in the series, Tommo and Hawk, focuese on the two boys that Mary adopts who are twins...meaning only that they were given birth by the same prostitute mother but had two different fathers. Tommo is white and Hawk is black. The book journals their abduction and abuse by separate wildmen but are eventually returned and raised by Mary. As a result of abuse Tommo is addicted to both alcohol and heroine but under the care of Hawk they join a whaling ship and work for 3 years in treacherous circumstances. They end up in New Zealand where they join the Maoris in their fight against the British and Tommo marries a Maori woman and they have a child. During this time Mary establishes a series of industies including a brewery "the potato factor" and starts to thrive. When the boys eventually return to Tasmania they become involved in supporting the business, but Tommo has two children but is not able to overcome his addictions. His restless wife also gets caught up in the seedy side of life which takes its unavoidable toll.

The final book, "Solomon's Song" begins with the death of Tommo, and the business success of Hawk and Mary. A considerable amount of the book depicts in graphic, but tragic detail the doomed invasion of Gallipoli by the ANZACS. The grandson of Tommo, Ben, and one of the grandson's of Solomon's wife are primarily featured in the war sequence. The grandaughter, Victoria, evolves into a highly successful business woman and succeeds Mary Abacus & Hawk in the management of the families various enterprises.

Within the book there are graphic descriptions of violence and human abuse that although disturbing are probably accurate descriptions of the historical times. Notwithstanding the vividness of these occassional passages, all three books are captivating reading.