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ben_r's review against another edition
5.0
Two brothers, trying to keep their heads above water, searching for work in the tumult of the early twentieth century. Walter presents a story of love and longing amidst poverty and riches, graft and kindness.
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars Really enjoyed the characters and the story, when the book stuck to the main story line. Some of the offshoots distracted from the overall enjoyment, but it was doable. I liked that the story took place in a location you don't tend to see as a setting. That was a great change from the norm. There was a classic flow to the book, with orthogonality and creativity to set the book apart.
madmollyann's review against another edition
2.0
Not a fan. The story jumped between characters (love it, usually), but the chronology was inconsistent- sometimes it went back in time between characters, sometimes simultaneous, sometimes forward. So little time was spent on each character that it was hard to get to know them and very little development happened.
brown_and_lovely's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
The Cold Millions is the story of two tramp brothers, Gig and Rye, who speak out against the work practices of the wealthy mine owners in Spokane, WA. When a cop is killed, the police come down hard on the protestors. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn speaks on behalf of the workers. Lem Bland is the mine owner and manipulator of many of the players.
The story takes place primarily in 1909 and 1910, with the epilogue in 1964.
This novel details the struggles for workers rights, and the dirty tactics that the owners took to quiet the uprisings. The love between Gig and Rye was so strong, the brothers sacrificed so much for each other, it was very touching. While much of the novel was difficult, I felt there was some redemption in the end.
The story takes place primarily in 1909 and 1910, with the epilogue in 1964.
This novel details the struggles for workers rights, and the dirty tactics that the owners took to quiet the uprisings. The love between Gig and Rye was so strong, the brothers sacrificed so much for each other, it was very touching. While much of the novel was difficult, I felt there was some redemption in the end.
crschu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This book was hard for me to get into and a slow read, but overall a great story.
The Cold Millions reminds me of something I would have been required to read in school (as a well-researched, historical fiction novel), and I enjoyed the book when framing it in that way.
In his story, Jess Walter portrays Spokane, WA, as a town with rampant income disparity, where super-rich employers have too much power. The main characters are a young man swept up in the union, a feminist-communist-union woman, and an anarchist — all of whom, in their own ways, act out against the government of Spokane for allowing millionaires to control the city. Even in the brief vignettes from police, we get the sense that they too feel like they are pawns in a rich man’s game.
I think the power of this story is that through the historical setting, Walter can make highly relevant commentary on wealth disparity and corporate greed without preaching or pointing fingers (at anyone who’s alive, anyways).
Lastly, I love Rye! Seeing these historical events through the eyes of a curious, hopeful, and heartbroken young person was very moving. His growth throughout the story was heartwarming, and I LOVE that despite everything he went through, he donated over half the money from Brand in various ways. Also, I chuckled that he had a conservative son… isn’t that how it goes.
The Cold Millions reminds me of something I would have been required to read in school (as a well-researched, historical fiction novel), and I enjoyed the book when framing it in that way.
In his story, Jess Walter portrays Spokane, WA, as a town with rampant income disparity, where super-rich employers have too much power. The main characters are a young man swept up in the union, a feminist-communist-union woman, and an anarchist — all of whom, in their own ways, act out against the government of Spokane for allowing millionaires to control the city. Even in the brief vignettes from police, we get the sense that they too feel like they are pawns in a rich man’s game.
I think the power of this story is that through the historical setting, Walter can make highly relevant commentary on wealth disparity and corporate greed without preaching or pointing fingers (at anyone who’s alive, anyways).
csweet49's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable, impossible plot. 1 dimensional characters. DNF
sbsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/11/19/review-1756-the-cold-millions/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/11/19/review-1756-the-cold-millions/
lgmaxwell722's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Was it the lyrical prose or the story line which held me? The Cold Millions follows the lives of the Dolan brothers who come to Spokane, WA in search of work, but find themselves getting involved in the local labor strike against bogus hiring companies who take advantage of day laborers. I liked how the stories of each character was interwoven with that of the next. The relationship between Ursula and Gig felt a little flat for the weight it had in the narrative. I also found the epilogue a bit repetitive in parts as if the reader hadn’t been paying attention to the story line. A coming of age meets Wild West and espionage.