You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This book is really good and exceeded my expectations. 4.5…..it is interesting how history repeats itself.
I appreciate that the author based most of the main characters on the lives of the people in this difficult story. Be sure to read the author’s notes in which she explains where she fictionalized some characters and events. The control the remote mine owners and the local manager had over the workers, their housing and sources for groceries and goods are typical of the worst of big business in that era; difficult to read but accurate. Strong characters sacrifice and some gain positive changes for themselves and eventually the union movement.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Although part of the ending was not what I would have liked to have seen, it was true to the history of the story. I am not a stranger to the Copper Country and yet I learned a great deal in this book. The amount of research and detail was amazing. Historical fiction that comes so close to actual history is one of my favorite reads these days. And, this book certainly was true to that.
Set in Calumet in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 1913, The Women of the Copper Country beautifully unravels the harsh life of mining, mining towns, being female, and fighting for justice. Big Annie Clements has never felt accepted her entire life. Standing over 6' tall, she was often ostracized and didn't think she would ever find a place. When she married her husband - one of the main reasons being his big size - she relegated herself to being a housewife. When conditions come to a head with miners barely making enough money to survive and the mine owners raking in record profits, Annie and others decide to do something about it and begin to organize and go on strike. The true story of the miners strike is told in heartbreaking detail and Annie becomes involved in things beyond her; she faces the threat of prison and must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice for the people of Calumet - and her own independence. I wasn't sure I was going to like this novel, but I was very pleasantly surprised and moved by the account of a part of history I wasn't very familiar with.
Well written historical fiction. I appreciated the author’s specific focus on the women on the story.
I found the narrator’s mispronunciation of Houghton & pasty/pasties to be incredibly frustrating & hard to get past at some points.
The story was interesting. I felt like it was dragging from about halfway to 2/3rds of the way through.
The story was interesting. I felt like it was dragging from about halfway to 2/3rds of the way through.
Its is a testament to Russell's impeccable writing ability that I loved this story about labor union activists. I was intrigued by James MacNaughton and wanted to learn more about his hyper efficient routines and quite liked him at first. But how can you not love Big Annie, even if like me you don't always agree with her? I learned a lot and was especially surprised that the most surreal part of the story was true! Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No