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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I had zero expectations going into this book and I loved! All of the characters were so vivid and I stayed very emotionally attached throughout.
I also thought the book was very well-researched. Russell clearly took the time to learn not just the facts of the strike but also the feelings of those involved. It felt like I was in Copper Country!
I also think she rather seamlessly weaved the elements of fiction into the true story to create a strong narrative. If you have love historical fiction then you'll love this. But I would recommend this to anyone!
I also thought the book was very well-researched. Russell clearly took the time to learn not just the facts of the strike but also the feelings of those involved. It felt like I was in Copper Country!
I also think she rather seamlessly weaved the elements of fiction into the true story to create a strong narrative. If you have love historical fiction then you'll love this. But I would recommend this to anyone!
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
Copper is King in Michigan's upper peninsula at the turn of the 20th century, and families who work for the copper mining company are paid low wages, work in dangerous conditions, suffer life-altering injuries, and are killed.
Enter "Big" Annie Clements and her Union agitators, who attempt to make changes to the working conditions at the mine by striking.
What results is a year of change, conflict, suffering, and tragedy.
Wow-what a book. I immersed myself by both physically reading and listening to this novel. It's expertly written and researched by the author, and at times a bit slow, but it gives the reader time to really ponder the hardships suffered by the families in Calumet, Michigan. The narrator was excellent - but I've heard complaints by readers who are from the area that her pronunciations of names were incorrect, but that didn't affect me.
It's not only a story about mining and Union labor, but about immigrants, and I think that was the story that really resonated with me, especially during a climate when immigrants have become the "enemy."
This book is the perfect example of why I love historical fiction - because I can do my own digging and research while I'm reading the book. I viewed a PBS documentary, Red Metal, related to this event and that really added depth to my reading experience.
Enter "Big" Annie Clements and her Union agitators, who attempt to make changes to the working conditions at the mine by striking.
What results is a year of change, conflict, suffering, and tragedy.
Wow-what a book. I immersed myself by both physically reading and listening to this novel. It's expertly written and researched by the author, and at times a bit slow, but it gives the reader time to really ponder the hardships suffered by the families in Calumet, Michigan. The narrator was excellent - but I've heard complaints by readers who are from the area that her pronunciations of names were incorrect, but that didn't affect me.
It's not only a story about mining and Union labor, but about immigrants, and I think that was the story that really resonated with me, especially during a climate when immigrants have become the "enemy."
This book is the perfect example of why I love historical fiction - because I can do my own digging and research while I'm reading the book. I viewed a PBS documentary, Red Metal, related to this event and that really added depth to my reading experience.
Disappointing, especially since [b:The Sparrow|5880|The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)|Mary Doria Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1651929817l/5880._SY75_.jpg|3349153] and [b:Children of God|16948|Children of God (The Sparrow, #2)|Mary Doria Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373509005l/16948._SY75_.jpg|882029] are two of my favorite reads of all time.
I can appreciate historical fiction that illuminates an event (or events) that people may not know about, as this one did for me. But the fiction in this, which far outweighed the recorded history, reads like an overly dramatic soap opera and just left me depressed upon finishing; the women's efforts are noble.
I can appreciate historical fiction that illuminates an event (or events) that people may not know about, as this one did for me. But the fiction in this, which far outweighed the recorded history, reads like an overly dramatic soap opera and just left me depressed upon finishing; the women's efforts are noble
Spoiler
but they gain nothing from their struggle and the bad guy wins
dark
emotional
informative
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
I debated so much on what to rate this book. It was a little boring compared to what I usually read to escape life's responsibilities, but it was so well written and informative that I couldn't go any lower. As a Northern MI resident it was fascinating to learn about the copper mining industry in the U.P., the Western Federation of Miners Union, the Shirtwaist fire, the Chicago Hull House, and what happened at The Italian Club on December 24, 1913. Don't google that last one if you don't want a spoiler. Well developed characters and a detailed account of the setting made this informative book very worthwhile (if not difficult/sad at times) to read.
This piece of historical fiction, set in my native Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is a compelling story. I enjoyed reading about Annie Clements and her fight to unionize the mining industry. Many places and traditions felt like home to me, and I learned something as well. However, I did not like third-person style. I also felt that part of the story was left unresolved.
Well written historical fiction. The heroine seemed a bit idealized, but women historically don't often get the credit they deserve, so I'm glad to learn of this woman's work in Calumet.
A really well-written story. Definitely read the book, the audiobook has a bunch of mispronunciations for Michigan words.
I will read anything by Mary Doria Russell. Her evocation of place and character are always strong and this is no different. Having said that, I have liked other of her books better. This tells the true story, and like true life has a less than satisfying ending. It is interesting to hear her epilogue and know what happened to the real life characters, but also disappointing.
Russell does a great job of setting a somewhat obscure labor struggle on the copper mines of the UP of Michigan into the larger context of the economic, social, and political movements of the pre-WWI era. She hangs the story on vivid characters, mostly historical, some fictional. Serendipitously, I recently attended the 99th birthday party of a Finn whose parents were active in the labor movement, so the real historical connection still lives.