The Potato Factory

The Potato Factory is a 1995 fictionalised historical novel by Bryce Courtenay,[1] which was made into a four-part miniseries in Australia in 2000.

The book is based on Ikey Solomon, known as the "Prince of Fences" and the basis of the Fagin character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist.

Courtenay states that it is a fictional historical novel based on extensive research, but it depicts fictionalised versions of the characters.

Abacus goes from serving girl, to prostitute, to high-class madam, to prisoner transported to Tasmania, to successful businesswoman.

Abacus takes up the art of brewing and establishes a pub called The Potato Factory while raising her children by Solomon.