The third installment in the Australian historical series

focuses on the convicts who were sent from England in the 19th century to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania), a notoriously harsh penal settlement.

This installment delves deeper into the lives and experiences of these convicts, exploring the arduous journey they endured across the ocean and the difficult conditions they faced upon arrival.

It examines the strict discipline and punishment meted out by the authorities, as well as the various ways in which the convicts adapted and survived in this unforgiving environment.

Through vivid descriptions and detailed accounts, readers will gain a greater understanding of the complex and often tragic history of these individuals and their impact on the development of Australia.

The final installment in the trilogy, this is a truly remarkable series penned by Bryce Courtenay.

Each book in the trilogy has its own unique charm and together they form a captivating narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Bryce Courtenay's writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing readers to vividly imagine the characters and settings.

The storylines are filled with drama, emotion, and unexpected twists, making it impossible to put the books down.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, adventure, or character-driven stories, this trilogy has something for everyone.

It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to be transported to another world through the power of words.

Bryce Courtenay is an author who has had a profound and lasting impact on my reading experience. His extensive body of work covers a wide range of topics, all of which are not only enriching but also highly impactful.

Courtenay's decision to write an epic story as a tribute to his adopted homeland of Australia is truly remarkable. Told through three long novels, this trilogy offers a multi-generational exploration of the Solomons, filled with themes and key characters from early Australian history.

The story progresses beyond the date of federation, highlighting Australia's journey towards independence while still under the umbrella of the British Commonwealth. It is not just a tale of individual characters but also a reflection of a nation striving to break free from its infancy and stand on its own.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, as seen in the discovery of Tommo Solomon's body and the subsequent events that unfold. Mary and Hawk's efforts to identify the body and make arrangements lead to the return of Hinetitama, who has her own struggles as a 'half-caste' in a colonized country.

As the story continues, we see the Solomon clan face various challenges, including family feuds and power struggles within the business conglomeration. The arrival of war further complicates matters, with Ben and Joshua answering the call to serve their country.

Courtenay's writing is outstanding, placing the characters in historical contexts that shape the narrative in numerous ways. The key characters, such as Hawk, Hinetitama, and Ben, are well-developed and bring the story to life.

While racism is a prevalent theme throughout the series, it serves to explore the pig-headedness of a new country and the hardships faced by minorities. Ben Teekleman, in particular, stands out as a strong and selfless character who rises above the politics and serves his country without hesitation.

Overall, Courtenay's trilogy is a masterful work of storytelling that should not be missed by anyone with a passion for inter-generational novels. It offers a powerful and thought-provoking look at the rougher side of life in and around Australia.

Kudos to Mr. Courtenay for this outstanding achievement.

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I had the impression that this book was more of a detailed accounting of events rather than a captivating story-telling. It consisted of long explanations, with just a bit of dialogue interspersed.

Nonetheless, it was still a good story, and I'm happy that I read it. However, you don't establish the same kind of connection with the characters as you might in a more character-driven narrative.

It seemed as if the author was determined to make this only a trilogy, so he felt compelled to cram everything he wanted to convey into this one book.

As an Outlander fan who adores long, drawn-out sagas spread over multiple books, I believe that Solomon's Song could have effortlessly been two or three additional books. This would have allowed for the new characters to have their own voices and stories, rather than attempting to cover more than 50 years within the confines of a single book.

It's a shame that the author didn't take this approach, as it could have enhanced the overall reading experience and made the characters more relatable and engaging.

Despite these drawbacks, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others who are interested in historical fiction or stories that span a long period of time.

The final installment of the Solomon trilogy is truly a masterpiece.

Each book in this trilogy has progressively improved, and this last novel takes it to a whole new level of excellence.

It delves into the era of World War I, providing a brutally honest and candid observation of the tragic events that unfolded.

The story shines a light on the incompetence of the privileged, which ultimately led to great suffering and loss.

It is a powerful and thought-provoking read that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in historical fiction or a deep exploration of the human condition during times of war.

Don't miss out on this final chapter of the Solomon trilogy.

Like others have said, this is a very unsatisfactory end to a trilogy.

It seems that Courtenay made a misstep in choosing to handle the war aspect in this way. Instead of seamlessly integrating it into the trilogy, it feels more like an afterthought.

I truly believe that Courtenay would have been better off writing a separate book about the war. This would have allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the war's impact and the characters' experiences during that time.

As it stands, the addition of the war storyline at the end of the trilogy comes across as rushed and forced. It doesn't do justice to the complexity and significance of the war.

Overall, it's a disappointing conclusion to what could have been a great trilogy. Courtenay had the opportunity to create something truly memorable, but unfortunately, this aspect of the story falls short.

Perhaps in the future, Courtenay will consider revisiting this idea and give the war the attention it deserves in a standalone book.

The trilogy has reached an amazing finale.

It has been a journey filled with excitement, adventure, and unexpected twists.

The final installment ties up all the loose ends and provides a satisfying conclusion to the story.

The characters have grown and developed throughout the trilogy, and their arcs come to a natural and fulfilling end.

The plot is engaging and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the very last page.

The writing is excellent, with vivid descriptions and well-developed dialogue.

Overall, this trilogy is a must-read for fans of the genre, and the amazing finale is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The trilogy has been successfully completed.

Among all the characters, Tommo and Hawk are my absolute favorites.

Tommo is a character full of charm and complexity. His journey throughout the trilogy is one of growth and self-discovery. He faces numerous challenges and obstacles, but he never gives up. His determination and courage are truly inspiring.

Hawk, on the other hand, is a mysterious and powerful figure. There is an air of enigma surrounding him that makes him all the more captivating. His actions and decisions often have a significant impact on the story, and I found myself constantly intrigued by his character.

Together, Tommo and Hawk form a dynamic duo that adds depth and excitement to the trilogy. Their relationship is one of friendship, loyalty, and mutual respect. I can't wait to see what adventures they will embark on in the future.

In conclusion, the completion of this trilogy has been a great pleasure, and Tommo and Hawk will always hold a special place in my heart.

I didn't realize that this was the third and final book of a trilogy. It is an epic historical saga that focuses on Australia, or at least partly. A significant portion of this book is dedicated to the battles at Gallipoli. These battles are presented extremely well through correspondence, making the horrors of war very clear.

There are numerous characters in the story, and the dynamics between them are quite complex. This complexity managed to maintain my interest throughout the book.

The writing in this book is of a very high quality. However, I think that I would have derived even more enjoyment from it if I had read the first two books of the trilogy. Reading the earlier installments might have provided me with a better understanding of the characters and their backstories, enhancing my overall reading experience.

Despite not having read the first two books, I still found this book to be engaging and well-written. It offers a unique perspective on Australian history and the impact of war. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction or Australian history.

Bryce Courtenay is truly one of my top 5 favorite authors. His works have always had a special charm that draws me in. And this trilogy is simply amazing. I can't help but give all three books a perfect 5 bright and beautiful stars.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobooks on Audible, and let me tell you, the narrator, Humphrey Bower, was OUT OF THIS WORLD good. His voice brought the characters and the story to life in the most vivid way.

Each book in the trilogy is filled with rich and complex characters, engaging storylines, and powerful emotions. Courtenay's writing is so descriptive and detailed that it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, experiencing everything along with the characters.

I highly recommend this trilogy to anyone who loves a great read. It's a journey that you won't soon forget.

The story resumes shortly after the conclusion of the last book. Tommo manages to exact vengeance for Hawk and Maggie-pie, but unfortunately, he succumbs to the head injury he sustained during the Maori wars. As Mary ages, she firmly insists that Tommo's daughter, Hinetitama, be brought to Hobart to carry on the Solomon line and assume control of the Potato Factory. Initially, Hinetitama resists. Instead, she becomes a trained nurse and devotes herself to working with the unfortunate Maori on the streets of Auckland. However, she ultimately falls victim to her father's weakness for alcohol. When Hawk discovers her destitute in Wellington with a Dutchman named Slabbert Teekleman, he does take her to Mary in Hobart. Although Mary and Hinetitama grow close, Hinetitama rejects all the suitors in Hobart, insisting that she is in love with the Dutchman. Against Hawk's wishes, Mary brings Teekleman to Hobart, and Hinetitama marries him and has two children, Ben, the much-loved eldest, and Victoria, Mary's prodigy. Soon, the Solomon life is thrown into turmoil when Mary passes away, and Teekleman leads Hinetitama back to drinking, and they disappear, leaving Hawk with the children and The Potato Factory.

Hawk has a desire to expand The Potato Factory from Hobart to Melbourne. There, he discovers an almost completed brewery that has been repossessed by the government. To his astonishment, it was formerly owned by Ikey Solomon's vengeful son David Solomon, his son Abraham, and the third generation, Joshua. Under Hawk, who is attempting to make amends for his and Mary's appropriation of Ikey's fortune, the Solomon-Teekleman company is established. The company is left under Abraham as the chairman, with the authority to choose either Victoria Teekleman or Joshua Solomon to succeed him.

Fate intervenes in the story when Australia is called upon to assist the English in The Great War, and both Ben Teekleman and Joshua Solomon enlist and are dispatched overseas.

I found the read enjoyable. It was my least favorite among the three books, yet I felt that the 650 pages passed by quickly. I would have liked to know more about Hinetitama, perhaps even before she came to Hobart, but maybe that would be like reliving Tommo's story all over again. Mary remains a great character. At page 317, the main character shifts from Hawk to Ben as he joins the war effort. The story is captivating, but it is almost too realistic and very sad. I didn't have any major objections to the ending, but I might have preferred to see how Victoria and The Potato Factory fared in the end.

The third and final instalment of the excellent Potato Factory series is truly a remarkable piece of work.

It offers a very interesting and enjoyable reading experience, with some extremely insightful writing and valuable information about what the period of the First World War was like in Australia.

The author vividly描绘s the harrowing scenes of the Gallipoli invasions and the brutal trench warfare in Europe, which makes the readers feel as if they were there.

In addition to the historical aspects, the family saga and politics in the story also add depth and excitement, keeping the book moving along at a brisk pace.

Overall, this is a highly recommended book that not only provides entertainment but also educates and enlightens the readers about an important period in history.