| Title | : | Tommo and Hawk (The Potato Factory, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0140271562 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780140271560 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 688 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1998 |
Tommo and Hawk (The Potato Factory, #2) Reviews
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Bryce Courtenay is one of those authors who have made a life-long impact on my reading journey. Courtenay’s many books have touched on a variety of topic, all of which prove enriching and impactful. Courtenay chose to write an epic story to thank his adopted homeland of Australia, this being the second of the trilogy. The book deals primarily with Tommo and Hawk, twin boys born of the gargantuan dockside whore—Spermwhale Sally—they could not be more different. While the former is a small white boy whose intellect was drowned after his extended capture at the hands of a madman, the latter is a giant of a child, whose skin is as dark as the midnight sky. Living with their adoptive mother, the boys grow under Mary Abacus’ tutelage. The story explores how whaling helped form the Australian colony, as well as the Maori Wars of New Zealand. Tommo and Hawn matured under these shadows, but also found themselves in ways not easily summarized in a sentence of two. Bryce Courtenay dazzles and paints quite the picture herein, a perfect accompaniment to. the first book in the trilogy.
Those who read the opening tome—The Potato Factory—will be familiar with Tommo and Hawk, as well as the importance they play in the Solomon family. Both have suffered greatly and wish not speak of the horrors while kidnapped, but are trying to make the best of it while back at home. A skirmish there sends them off to explore the world, feeling the sense of adventure flowing through their veins. Both are hired to work aboard a whaling ship—like their biological fathers—and learn the ways of the seas, though it is anything but joyous. With alcohol being the only outlet after a hard day’s labour, they turn to it, though it is forbidden by the Quaker captain. Punitive action follows in the form of the whip, which leaves Hawk scarred for life, though he is to make another acquaintance with this form of punishment down the road, when a Maori sailor is injured. Forced to stand trial, the boys are locked away in New Zealand, where the Maori storm the barracks and take them back to their tribe.
Rather than instil their own form of justice, the Maori adopt them into their ways and both soon become honourary members. When the Maori face the British colonial soldiers in the region, Tommo and Hawk fight alongside their brethren, whose ancient and somewhat primitive style of fighting, prove no match for muskets and other guns. These are the Maori Wars, where ancient lands were lost and taken by the British before formal colonision of what is now Australia and New Zealand.
Agreeing to make their way to the Australian mainland—for both had settled with Mary in what is now Tasmania—the young men see the city life in Sydney before them, where an old compatriot of their adoptive father, Ikey Solomon, appears and has plans for them both. This is but the beginning of their adventures as men! While their lives diverge on numerous occasions, the brotherhood Tommo and Hawk share can never be broken and their love will surely withstand any challenge, including one embedded in the cliffhanger ending. Those who know and love Bryce Courtenay will likely enjoy this middle book in the Australian Trilogy. Its length ought not deter the reader, as the storytelling found within makes the pages melt away and will transport anyone on an adventure like no other. Highly recommended to one and all, as we continue the thorough discovery of Australia and the people who dwell there!
I have long been a fan of Bryce Courtenay and have yet to find a book that did not surpass my expectations. The writing is outstanding and the adventures on which key characters go are so well explored that the reader can almost picture them as they read. The story does offer significant focus on the twins, Tommo and Hawk, as well it should. These two are very closely tied and yet so different. Tommo, seemingly born with his American Indian (I use the word as offered in the text, not its modern equivalence) father’s blood, though not his looks. Tommo would seem to be the more sensible one and who is always looking out for himself, as he is much smaller and seems to be taken for granted. He is the talker that takes the twins on their adventures and barters when it comes to deal making. That said, he is also the first to succumb to temptations that cannot be stopped by his status. Addiction comes knocking at his door and he readily accepts it, finding himself wrapped up in what will become the opium malady from the Chinese who make their way to Australia.
On the other hand, Hawk is a giant and stands out wherever he goes. Mute for a time, he relied on non-verbal communication and knows how to relay his message with fists, which becomes a theme throughout. He is more willing to storm off and act as he sees fit rather than listen to the common sense approach that Tommo has to offer.
There are a handful of other key characters throughout, though their presence is more isolated to the section of the book pertaining to that piece of the adventure. However, as Courtenay has done in most of his books—and proves here—the attentive reader will see minor characters reemerge at key points, bringing their backstories into the narrative and weaving new tales. All those who play some role in influencing the lives of the twins also push the story along in some way or another and I can only imagine that the final volume will be rich with additional vignettes as needed.
Much continues to be made of some of the descriptions and language Courtenay uses throughout this piece. While the opening novel had the derogatory mention of certain races and the blatant anti-Semitic sentiment, this volume tackles some of the same areas, with a significant focus on Hawk’s race, as well as treatment of the Maori. Courtenay is not looking to write a novel about the niceties of the people or their interactions with others, but to reflect the language and sentiments of the times. Australia was by no means a stuffed-shirt society of high tea and polo. Racism and class systems were rampant—much like Mother England—and Courtenay seeks to portray this. In order to tell the story as truthfully as possible, Courtenay uses the honest, though negative, themes to develop his narrative and peppers the dialogue with derogatory sentiments on almost every page. While I deplore racist language or actions, one cannot divorce the way characters speak or how society treated certain groups from the time in which they lived. Some will call the book racist or pig-headed but it is that naiveté that surely drove Courtenay to be as blunt as he was throughout. The world lost one of its best storytellers when Bryce Courtenay died, but his novels live on and I would easily call them classics that generations can enjoy!
Kudos, Mr. Courtenay, for another stellar read. I have recommended your books to any and all who want a deeper and more thought-provoking read. Few have ever returned to tell me I was wrong!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/ -
This is the 2nd book in Bryce Courtenay's series the Potato Factory.
The story is continued with Tommo & Hawk, Mary Abacus' two sons. Their birth mother, died during child birth and they were found by Ikey Solomon who gave the two boys his name, and Mary raised them and loved them as her own sons.
The two boys were abducted when then were 7 and this experience has effected them both deeply. The story of Tommo and Hawk begins from when Tommo returns to Mary badly damaged both mentally and physically.
Tommo and Hawk leave the comforts of their mother, and find themselves on many adventures, they initially start out as workers on a whale ship, the embark in New Zealand and find themselves living amongst the Maori's, where Tommo meets his love Maraketa.
They leave New Zealand and return to Australia, but to Sydney where they travel to the gold mines and Tommo plays the Flats to get set for the next part of their journey. Hawk meets the love of his love Maggie Pye in Sydney.
Whilst they have been away, Mary has been writing to Hawk asking her boys to return to Hobart. Hawk gets himself in a spot of trouble and Tommo writes to Mary asking her to come to Sydney to help Hawk, whilst she is in Sydney, Mary continues to push Hawk and Tommo to return home.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... -
I didn't think it could get better but this one was just as amazing as The Potato Factory. Mr. Courtenay continued the story of Ikey and Mary through to the lives of their adopted children, Tommo and Hawk. OMG! I am sorry that this book is over but so glad there is a 3rd book!!!! I am continually amazed by how real Bryce Courtney can make history seem. I learn so much about history and human nature while reading his books. While it is true that life is stranger than fiction- Bryce's fiction carries with it all the dark tragedies that define real people and make his characters' motivations all the more real and all the more devastating. An amazing author- MUST READ!
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And again, actor Humphrey Bower’s narration is magnificent.
The Story continues with Tommo and Hawk, the 2nd instalment in the Potato Factory trilogy. Set in New Zealand and Australia…amazing vivid descriptions.
Haunting, brutal and unbelievably sad but a beautiful epic tale.
Looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy. My tissues are ready.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2020: #27 - A book with at least a four-star rating on Goodreads
*Book #67/72 of my 2019 coffee table to-read challenge, cont. 2020 -
Like probably the majority of sequels, this one the second installment of a trilogy, it didn’t live up to the original. Granted the storyline got advanced, but often not in a good way - I found myself not buying in emotionally to the characters or their problems. I think it could have been a much more interesting story had the author expanded on different aspects of the brothers’ travels. Don’t get me wrong, Tommo and Hawk had a lot of good moments. But by the end, I wanted to move on. I didn’t care that Hawk’s fiancée got killed. Actually I got kind of angry that Courtenay pulled the rug out at the last minute for the sole purpose of setting up a cliffhanger ending, thus forcing the reader to buy Part 3 to find out how Part 2 actually ended. I’ll probably eventually get sucked in to find out, but definitely not right away. One thing this story did for me was to open an interest in the Maori people. I have a copy of The Whale Rider which I'm going to re-read right now.....
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This book was a little too coarse for my taste, but I did enjoy it for its historical value.
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Tommo returns and a drunkard trying to forget the mongrels that ruined his life. Hawk trying to save his twin from the spiral of destruction that Tommo is on follows him onto a whaling ship. Following in both of their fathers footsteps their life changes yet again as they both find love and adventure as well as sorrow. WARNING: this book ends tragicly.
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excellent story, most exciting adventures.
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Tommo and Hawk continue the saga of the Solomon family in the land of Australia and also this time we go to New Zealand. Bryce Courtney is telling the early settlement history of these territories through the adventures of the Solomons. Tommo and Hawk are twins that we met in book 1. They are the much loved adoptive sons of Mary who is devastated when they are kidnapped aged 7. They return some years later very damaged by their horrendous treatment by their respective masters. Still in their teenage years they decide to set off on an adventure together and start the journey on a whaling ship. Although I know this is part of history and is still happening I found this part of the book very difficult to listen to. My heart just goes out to the whales and no matter how difficult the job of the men was, and it was a mighty ordeal to catch one of these mighty giants, I will always be on the side of the whale. On to New Zealand and the Māori wars and poker games and daring escapes. Not as good as book 1 but I will continue with the Solomon saga. Read excellently as always by Humphrey Bower.
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I have a love hate relationship with this series (the only books by Courtenay that I've read so far).
At some moments I'm anxiously turning the pages and next thing I know I'm wishing it would just end already, more so with Potato Factory #1, as now I'm quite invested in Tommo and Hawk's story for book #2
You can tell a large amount of research has been put into the historical aspects of this book and his writing is very vivid. I thought I'd give up after book #2 but ofcourse the way this just ended, I'm off to go search out book #3.
These books won't be for everyone but definitely recommend, as far as drama and historical fiction go. -
I won't write a long and detailed review, as so many others have done a great job of it. I listened to this in audio, narrated by Humphrey Bower. Love this narrator, and I felt as I though there were multiple characters narrating. I strongly recommend that The Potato Factory is where to start. Vital info in the first book hinder getting to know many of the key characters-- especially Ikey Solomon. I grew to admire Hawk's integrity and his devotion to his brother. As a woman, the preparation for the fight got to be a little tedious for me. I grew to like Maggie Pie, and I got past the fact that she was a "whore". To hear Humphrey Bower narrate her character she was cheeky, funny and smart-- my kind of gal! The ending-- it left me totally hanging! I have to wait for two more days until my new audible credits come in. I cannot wait to hear Book 3...and I won't say how it ends, as I'm not one to spoil a plot line. Great story!
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This is the second book in The Australian Trilogy by Bruce Courtenay. I finished the first book, and moved hungrily on to this one because I had to find out what happens to Tommo and Hawk as they develop as human beings in their world. Their inner thoughts, their conflicts, the choices they make, what happens to their families: I had to know.
All of the characters remain true to themselves throughout the story, and I know this because I have been given the inside story in the narrative. And, I know that it is something we all do, as human beings, for better or for worse. That is why it is so easy to connect to the characters and learn from them. Beliefs are shaped, attitudes and actions are chosen in the rawness of life in Tasmania, New Zealand and Western Australia. They start from scratch, in the milieu of cultures, ancient and new, in human history.
There is a richness here, simply and clearly stated, that enriches and satisfies this reader. -
When I read this book, I didn't know it was the second book in a trilogy. I thought I'd get lost in story, but that wasn't the case at all. I enjoyed it so much that I went to buy the first and the third books. There wasn't a boring instance in this thick book. The characters were so alive and movingly portrayed they were really leaping out of the pages. The ending was hanging, which of course was understandable, but the book can stand on its own. The bits about New Zealand and Australia - and the Maori - during the Victorian period were fascinating.
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I love Bryce Courtenay's books, however this sequel started of well, but became too predictable. The characters of Tommo and Hawk were difficult to fall in love with, which was entirely the opposite of Ikey and Mary in The Potato Factory. The story showed very little personal growth in the characters, which was what I was looking for after all the adventures. However I recommend it only as a continuation of the Solomon's story.
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4.5🌟
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I am about potatoed out at this point. Gotta get back to my real nitty-gritty, I will probably finish this one if and when I have an overwhelming craving for french fries.....
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This is Book #2 in this trilogy of the history of Australia.. I met Hawk and Tommo in the first book and was anxious to learn more about these men and how Australian history was woven into their adventures.
I gave this book 3 stars because all the dialogue bored me.. There was a lot of dialogue, which did add a certain understanding to each particular situation... but I wanted to move more quickly to the next historical situation and the next adventure..
And oh, the adventures Hawk and Tomma had in this book...from 1856 to 1861 ..from teens to young men..from whale hunting to the Maori wars to the Rocks in Sydney to the miners' riots in the goldfields....and yes, first loves for both of our boys..
These young men prove over and over again that what happens to a child up to age 7 or 8 molds the child for life. The age old contravery: genetics verse environment and/or good parenting.. Ikey and Mary and the skills they taught these boys early in life are discussed by the boys often in this book .. and the love these boys have for each other kept them moving forward and making the "right" choices..
Greed,family devotion, hatred, voilence, addictions, first loves, separations, death.. and yes, to some extent, good over evil - Bryce Courtenay has told of raw Australian history in the making.. the book ends with a cliff hanger ... and I have already started Book #3 in the trilogy "Solomon's Song". -
Excellent addition to the Potato Factory saga richly portraying life in early Hobart Town with Tommo and Hawk's early life with Mary Abacus.
The boys are separated and spend seven years apart before being reunited once more.
They leave Hobart and become members of the crew of a whaling vessel out of Nantucket captained by a Quaker who imposes severe draconian conditions aboard his ship.
The boys befriend an Aboriginal and several Maori crew members.
They eventually end up in Kororareka, the Hellhole of the Pacific, and find themselves on some fairly serious charges.
The Maori they have befriended manage to break them both oft of gaol and take them to their tribe where they both eventually become rangatira.
The book covers the first Maori war in the Taranaki and the making of the very first Maori king.
After battling the government forces in a number of battles the two boys manage to return to Australia, but this time to Sydney.
The story covers the the anti-Chinese riots on the Burrangong goldfield at Lambing Flat and the early days of Sydney's Chinatown.
As with all Bryce Courtenay's books this one is extremely well written and very well researched, plus it is a joy to read and catch up with characters from earlier books.
Another must-read for all Bryce Courtenay fans. -
Overall, a decent, captivating novel. However I have a couple issues with it.
Firstly it is extremely gruesome and quite explicate in content with scenes that are present just for the hell of it and barley contribute in any way to the development or expansion of the plot.
Secondly, what's to go with Bryce's novels?? I swear the is just the Australian The Power Of One all over again. Same themes (fighting, betting, fixed betting, racism, same punch combinations, same lame sun-in-their-eyes trick used in the power of one, and the same damn endings )pretty much the same plot. I find it really poor that mr Courtney had to stick in these same old themes and issues, with similar roles and twists.
Contrary to other reviews, I don't mind the ending. It wasn't nice but it left me impacted.
It was nice but I don't think I would read the next book in the trilogy. -
An excellent continuation of the story started in the book 'The Potato Factory', following the twin brothers Tommo and Hawk as they become young men finding their way in an often cruel world. So incredibly well written, with descriptions that paint vivid pictures that really let you in on the tales as if you were right along side them as their adventures unwind. Often tragic but always uplifting, it's really an epic tale of how you can become you're own person in a world that seems fraught with despair and anger and greed. And the importance of love and family to help you get through the worst of whatever you're in. Looking forward to continue the story of the Soloman family into the next book.
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A very weak ending which I find extremely irritating. This author appears to be lazy or greedy as the story is unfinished requiring reader to purchase the next book of the triad to learn the demise of a principle character. Good books in a series stand alone and don't resort to such cheap tricks. Had I not already purchased the third and final book of the series I would not have made the purchase on principle alone. I find it so ironic this book is a about greed & standing up to the injustices to the poor committed by the evil, more affluent or both. Farty Sparrer is alive and well in more than one fashion.
It is impossible to give this book the four stars I might have when the book is unfinished. Had I not enjoyed the book otherwise I would have given this book one star. -
While I enjoyed this follow-up to The Potato Factory, it was another take on the storyline that didn't focus on the characters that I love so much, Ikey and Mary. Nothing in Courtenay's stories allow for characters' happiness to last for long. And being that the reviews for the third book in the series had poor comments, I knew I wasn't going to read it so I should have stopped at the second to last chapter of this book where everything seemed to be nice and tidy at the end. Still, the writing was impeccable and I really cared for the characters. However, there is a rhythm of heartache and misery that becomes predictable. End the story before the last chapter and you'll end at a point that will leave you satisfied.
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Courtenay has written a book steeped in the richness of early Australian History.
I did find this book a little disappointing. I am not much into violence and I found that whilst historically correct (assumption) many of the violent scenes were too long and graphic for my liking.
The book depicts in detail the quality of characters and hardships of early Australia in a pleasing and vivid way. -
OK, but in many ways it read like a series of vignettes designed to showcase historical conditions, focusing on social, at the time, which were fairly terrible. Hence the two stars as I don't think it drove the characters very well at all and it was a bit of a struggle to finish it! I wont bother with the third in the series as by all accounts it's a bit of a depressing read. Also I hate books that finish on a cliff edge as you have to read the next one to find out what happens!
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Gosh darn, I was hoping not to like this book so I didn’t have to read the third one. Truly there were some places that dragged, particularly for me, the Maori wars, and a few other places, but all in all, it is a great Bryce Courtenay book. I was sucked in. I love these characters, so I guess there is a big part of me that is happy to continue the relationship in book three.
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This was a bit, well, boring. It also contained a truly laughable sex scene. Still, I did learn some history about the New Zealand wars - mainly because I looked them up from other sources - so not all was most.
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While I am eager to follow the story of Mary Abacus and her boys Tommo & Hawk I find the books slow to read. The language used is true to the period but harder to read. It's a little too easy to put the book down, not what I would call a page turner but it is enjoyable.
