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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an interesting read. I'd never read about or even knew about the strikes that happened in 1913-1914 not too far from where I lived for 12 years or so. At times the book did drag a little. I didn't appreciate some of the language used. However, it was rather enlightening and gave me a greater appreciation for miners and their families.
Side note: I listened to the audio book and it was frustrating that the narrator didn't know how to pronounce "Houghton", "pasties", or "Mackinaw". Clearly she wasn't from MI and hadn't researched pronunciations for that area.
Side note: I listened to the audio book and it was frustrating that the narrator didn't know how to pronounce "Houghton", "pasties", or "Mackinaw". Clearly she wasn't from MI and hadn't researched pronunciations for that area.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and since I've been to Calumet I was especially interested in reading this book. Some parts were difficult to get through... tragic events, human suffering, and underneath everything the greed of cold, heartless, wealthy men... was emotional for me. This was not a feel-good story; maybe current situations added to my feelings of hopelessness as I read this. It is a story well-told, and the events are important to know - especially for people living in Michigan. The next tour I take of those grand old homes will have an entirely different effect on me now.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction but was inspired to read this one because Mary Doria Russell wrote one of my all time favorite books (The Sparrow). I really enjoyed learning about something I had no knowledge of at all - copper mining in the early 1900s.
There were many times I saw clear parallels to things that are happening in our world today - and many other times I was reminded to be grateful I live now and not then. Not least of which was the reminder of how quickly we can communicate information and stay connected to each other. This past year and the pandemic would have been immeasurably harder without that.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
There were many times I saw clear parallels to things that are happening in our world today - and many other times I was reminded to be grateful I live now and not then. Not least of which was the reminder of how quickly we can communicate information and stay connected to each other. This past year and the pandemic would have been immeasurably harder without that.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the overall story and the history of Michigan that I did not know about previously. However, this book was s l o w and it wasn't until the last 75 or so pages that I felt like it was moving. It also didn't seem like it had much of a plot or overarching storyline, either. It was just day to day life during a mine strike in the Copper Country. One thing that was also frustrating was that it almost felt like we started and ended the book in the same place. The character's didn't seem to change and there didn't seem to be growth for those who you would like to have grown.
I did enjoy reading the author's note at the end to learn what was based off of fact and what was fictionalized for the story. A lot of the storyline was pretty factual.
I did enjoy reading the author's note at the end to learn what was based off of fact and what was fictionalized for the story. A lot of the storyline was pretty factual.
4.5 stars!
This is truly a great work of historical fiction that touches on alarmingly similar socioeconomic issues that continue in America today. I even found myself annotating a novel for the first time ever because of how true to spirit corporate greed continues today.
Maria Doria Russell’s writing was detailed and made you really feel immersed in 1913 Copper Country (a small northern peninsula in Michigan). Character development was great, and I became so emotionally invested in Annie and Eva. Her portrayal of the ruthlessness of James MacNaughton was well executed and made you very uncomfortable.
This is truly a great work of historical fiction that touches on alarmingly similar socioeconomic issues that continue in America today. I even found myself annotating a novel for the first time ever because of how true to spirit corporate greed continues today.
Maria Doria Russell’s writing was detailed and made you really feel immersed in 1913 Copper Country (a small northern peninsula in Michigan). Character development was great, and I became so emotionally invested in Annie and Eva. Her portrayal of the ruthlessness of James MacNaughton was well executed and made you very uncomfortable.
emotional
informative
sad
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:
Complicated
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced