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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
emotional
informative
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
Really gripping historical novel of attempts to unionize copper mines in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, my own state! The movement was moving and compelling, yet ultimately failed in the short run, but was part of the nationwide growth of unions that followed shortly thereafter. The book provides a great history lesson on our need for unions with believable characters and intense action. Highly recommend this book.
The perfect complement to "Grown-Up Anger," Russell does a superior (no pun intended) job of conjuring the world of the Keewenaw copper mining industry in 1913 and situating the labor unrest that culminated in the Christmas Eve Italian Hall massacre with the lived experience of a broad cast of characters. Like "Ragtime" and "The Road to Wellville," historical figures and fictional characters commingle throughout the narrative seamlessly. I'd only read Russell's science fiction before this, and the world-building talent she employed in crafting the future and alien worlds of "The Sparrow" serve the past just as effectively. Word to Audible listeners: the narrator makes some critical pronunciation errors that a little research would have fixed easily (e.g., Houghton and pasties are sadly mispronounced).
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Solid read.
4.5
“Big Annie”, was a real person.
James MacNaughton was a real person.
The Copper Country strike 1913 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula was real. It drew international attention.
“Big Annie”, was a real person.
James MacNaughton was a real person.
The Copper Country strike 1913 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula was real. It drew international attention.
emotional
sad
tense
Fictionalized version of true events. I listened to the audio, and appreciated the narrators many accents, and difficult pronunciations. I did not enjoy the endless cursing, especially the extensive use of “GD”. The story was good, but long, and sad.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fairly Pollyanna view of the violent mining strikes
emotional
inspiring
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:
N/A