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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
After spending 4 years going to school in the Copper Country and taking some humanities classes on its history, this book was a great story of all the things I've learned and read about. It did an awesome job at recounting how important the women were in this historical time. Pace was slow at times but needed for detail and context. Would recommend for anyone who is interested in the history of the Copper Country or historical mining and labor.
This book was so good and even though it’s based on historical events, it feels completely relevant to today. Make sure you read the author’s note at the end of the book for more information on the events and characters described, it really completes the book.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
sad
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:
No
A tragic true life story that set off changing the mining industry. We don't get to that place in time in the novel, but we see the strike from a few different perspectives, including the mine owner's. James MacNaughton seems almost cartoonishly villainish, but, by all accounts, this portrayal is accurate.
It really demonstrates the brutal indifference of the robber barons of the age. And I think these kinds of characters are difficult to write because following the actions that they actually took seem unbelievable. We wonder how someone could be so cold and callus. How could they be so indifferent to human suffering? Especially human suffering that they are caused directly by their own actions. But, here we are. A man demanding that everyone in the union that he crushed pitch in so that he can buy himself a goldwatch to commemorate crushing their union.
If this were not based on a true story, we'd sit in disbelief and trash the novel for being over the top and ridiculous.
Anyrate, the bulk of the novel is about Annie Clemenc and other union members and union organizers. This is the real heart and meat of the novel. It's primarily a character drama set against a worker's strike. This seems to be the way Russell has written her post-SF novels. These historical novels all include a big event as a backdrop and then they just dig into relationships and characters.
And the novel is great. Russell is definitely one of my favorites. Sadly, she has so few novels to dig into, but I'm glad I discovered her.
There's tragedy, love, heartbreak, intrigue, brutal violence, immense splashes of hope, and a cast of characters that just feel alive. It's the story of a multi-ethnic, multinational group of miners who fought for a living wage and safety protocols, led mostly by women--the wives and mothers of miners--who run against the immovable object of capitalism.
Definitely recommended for anyone interested in the history of labor, the history of Michigan, or just anyone who's a fan of great writing.
It really demonstrates the brutal indifference of the robber barons of the age. And I think these kinds of characters are difficult to write because following the actions that they actually took seem unbelievable. We wonder how someone could be so cold and callus. How could they be so indifferent to human suffering? Especially human suffering that they are caused directly by their own actions. But, here we are. A man demanding that everyone in the union that he crushed pitch in so that he can buy himself a goldwatch to commemorate crushing their union.
If this were not based on a true story, we'd sit in disbelief and trash the novel for being over the top and ridiculous.
Anyrate, the bulk of the novel is about Annie Clemenc and other union members and union organizers. This is the real heart and meat of the novel. It's primarily a character drama set against a worker's strike. This seems to be the way Russell has written her post-SF novels. These historical novels all include a big event as a backdrop and then they just dig into relationships and characters.
And the novel is great. Russell is definitely one of my favorites. Sadly, she has so few novels to dig into, but I'm glad I discovered her.
There's tragedy, love, heartbreak, intrigue, brutal violence, immense splashes of hope, and a cast of characters that just feel alive. It's the story of a multi-ethnic, multinational group of miners who fought for a living wage and safety protocols, led mostly by women--the wives and mothers of miners--who run against the immovable object of capitalism.
Definitely recommended for anyone interested in the history of labor, the history of Michigan, or just anyone who's a fan of great writing.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes