This is an excellent final book of the trilogy.

The story has been building up throughout the series, and this installment does not disappoint.

The author has done a great job of tying up loose ends while still leaving some room for the reader's imagination.

The ending, however, was left quite open.

It made one feel at a loss to finish the book, as there were still many unanswered questions.

Despite this, the book was a great read and a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was engaging from start to finish.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading trilogies or stories with complex plots and well-developed characters.

It is a must-read for fans of the genre.

The Potato Factory kicks off this epic family story. It introduces us to a world filled with drama and excitement.

Next comes Tommo & Hawk, which continues to unfold the complex web of relationships within the family. We are drawn deeper into their lives and the challenges they face.

Finally, Solomon's Song brings the story to a close. It ties up loose ends and provides a sense of resolution.

This trilogy of books takes us on a journey through generations of a family, showing us their joys, sorrows, and everything in between. It is a captivating and engaging read that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of family sagas or just looking for a good story, this series is definitely worth checking out. You won't be disappointed.

Solomon's Song is the third installment in the Australia series by Courtenay.

I chose to start with this one as it focuses on Gallipoli, a subject I'm gradually becoming an expert in.

Although it's the finale of the series, it hasn't dampened my eagerness to read the rest as soon as possible.

The series revolves around two families, both connected and in competition, from the colonization of Australia (originally Van Dieman's Land - Tasmania) up until 1916.

I had to read half the book before the Gallipoli section commenced, yet it was that initial part that made me eager to explore the remainder of the series.

Abacus Mary, a transported convict, has established an incredibly successful brewery during her time on the island. Her two sons are expected to take over, but through numerous intrigues, only one gets involved.

The two great-grandchildren of Mary are the center of attention in this part of the trilogy.

It's nearly impossible to begin to explain the complex relationships between and among the families. However, the ownership and management of the factory are the crucial aspects.

Ben, the great-grandson, volunteers with Australia's finest to fight in WWI for the Mother Country and demonstrate to her and the world what outstanding soldiers the Australians are.

It's not entirely unheard of, but extremely rare, for me to shed tears while reading a book. I can't recall the last one.

But Courtenay presents much of the actual fighting at Gallipoli through letters from Ben to his sister Victoria. It's a wonderful way of depicting the stupidity, the absurdity, and the completely unnecessary deaths that occurred during the operation.

When Ben, recuperating on a hospital ship, writes to Victoria about the fates of his company, comrades who would sacrifice their lives for each other (as is the case for almost all soldiers who fight together), the tears streamed down my cheeks and I could barely read.

This shows how moving the concept of writing through letters was.

This might not be a great review as I haven't said much about the story, what actually transpires, and why you should read it, but it's an attempt to convey how deeply this entire book touched my heart.

I feel traumatised, again, having delved into the accounts of WW1.

Recently, I completed reading "Birds without Wings" and gained an understanding of this war from the Turkish perspective.

This time, I explored it from the Australian side.

And astonishingly, it is the same from both vantage points - the horror, the sheer horror that war unleashes.

Both authors have eloquently expressed the utter futility of war, the senseless and brutal killing that takes place.

And now, I am left with a profound sense of despair.

Because, it seems, history just keeps repeating itself. We, as a species, appear to be incapable of learning from the mistakes of the past.

I feel, much like one of the soldiers in this story, that I am in desperate need of cleansing my soul.

The weight of the atrocities committed during war weighs heavily on my conscience, and I long for a way to find some semblance of peace and understanding in the face of such overwhelming horror.

This is truly a captivating read that offers a very personal account of the events that took place around Gallipoli.

The author's ability to tell this story is nothing short of amazing.

As you delve into the pages, you are transported back in time to that fateful place and era.

The vivid descriptions bring the events to life, allowing you to experience the emotions, the hardships, and the courage of those involved.

It is not just a historical account but a deeply human one, filled with personal anecdotes and insights.

This makes it a truly engaging and unforgettable read that will leave you with a newfound understanding and appreciation of the events at Gallipoli.

Whether you are a history buff or simply looking for a great story, this book is sure to captivate you from start to finish.

This is a well-written story that presents an interesting history and features well-developed characters. However, there is one drawback. There is simply too much dialogue. The excessive amount of dialogue makes the story feel too long and overly slow-paced.

It seems that the author may have relied too heavily on dialogue to convey the story and the characters' thoughts and emotions. While dialogue can be a powerful tool in storytelling, it should be used in moderation.

Perhaps the author could consider reducing the amount of dialogue and instead use more descriptive language and action to move the story forward. This would help to create a more engaging and dynamic reading experience.

Overall, despite the issue with the dialogue, the story has a lot of potential. With some adjustments, it could be an even more enjoyable and captivating read.

The trilogy was truly fantastic. It had captured the readers' imaginations from the very beginning. However, the third installment was a bit of a disappointing conclusion.

Despite this, it was still a good book in its own right. It had its own merits and qualities that made it worth reading. The story continued to unfold, and there were still some exciting moments and revelations.

Perhaps the expectations were just too high after the first two amazing books. But overall, it was still a worthy addition to the trilogy. It may not have lived up to the lofty standards set by its predecessors, but it still had enough to offer to keep the readers engaged and entertained.

It's important to remember that even a disappointing conclusion doesn't completely overshadow the brilliance of the entire trilogy. The first two books will always be remembered for their awesomeness, and the third book, while not perfect, still had its own charm.

So, while it may not have been the ending we all hoped for, it was still a good read that added to the overall experience of the trilogy.

Bryce Courtenay never fails to astonish me with his remarkable ability to craft fiction around historical events. This time, he delves into the First World War, specifically Gallipoli and the Western Front.

Solomon's Song marks the conclusion of the Australian Trilogy, and I truly didn't want it to end. The vivid and strong characters kept emerging, making one envision that the story and the history of the Solomons continue long after the trilogy concludes.

Just like all the other books of his that I have read, the characters in this one are extremely real and dear to me. As a result, the book evoked strong emotions within me in several places. This was especially the case when the events depicted were so real to me throughout my formative years. Back then, we still had a couple of Gallipoli veterans at the ANZAC parade every ANZAC Day.

Similar to the rest of his works, this book is highly recommended. It is a brilliant piece of literature, and the trilogy as a whole is equally outstanding.

There were certain sections of this book that I truly relished. The storylines in those parts were engaging, filled with excitement and unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. However, there were also other parts that seemed to go on and on without much progress. It felt as if the author was stretching out those particular segments, perhaps to build anticipation or develop the characters further. But despite these drawbacks, I still found the trilogy as a whole to be quite enjoyable. The overarching narrative was captivating, and it managed to hold my interest from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed, and I became invested in their fates. Overall, while this book had its highs and lows, it was a worthwhile read, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

This epic story, which is set in Australia and New Zealand, begins in the late 1800s and concludes in 1918. It is truly a remarkable read.

I have a deep affection for the characters within the story, and it has been a fascinating experience to gain a better understanding of the Australian 'personality'.

The ending, although sad, was not entirely unexpected. It left a profound impact on me.

Moreover, through this story, I have learned a significant amount about World War I and the crucial role that the Aussies and New Zealanders played during that tumultuous period.

It has been an enlightening and engaging journey, and I would highly recommend this story to others who are interested in history and character-driven narratives.

More than 4 stars actually. This final of 3 was every bit as good as the first 2. It was truly a remarkable conclusion to the series.
I didn’t expect the story to delve so deeply into WW11. Courtenay has done an excellent job of writing explicitly about the Anzacs and their role in such a dirty war. The details and descriptions were vivid, making it easy to imagine the hardships and sacrifices endured by the soldiers.
Great characters as always. Each character was well-developed and had their own unique personality and story. The relationships between the characters were complex and added depth to the overall narrative.
How I wish there was a 4th to this. I was so invested in the story and the characters that I didn't want it to end. I hope that Courtenay will consider writing another installment in the future.

Outstanding Trilogy

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Bryce Courtenay is truly one of my all-time favorite authors. His writing is simply second to none. It's like he has been blessed with a magical gift that allows him to create stories that touch the hearts and souls of readers.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version of his works, and it was absolutely AMAZING. Humphrey Bower, the narrator, is a top-shelf talent. His voice brings the characters to life and adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the stories. You really rock, mate!

The trilogy that Bryce Courtenay has written is outstanding. Each book in the series is a masterpiece, filled with engaging characters, a captivating plot, and beautiful prose. I was completely hooked from the very beginning and couldn't put it down until I had finished reading the last page.

If you haven't read Bryce Courtenay's works yet, I highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.