A review by flogigyahoo
The Big Both Ways by John Straley

5.0

The first book in the Cold Storage series by John Straley, who is a hell of a good writer. Here he tells the story of the founding of this town in Alaska and 4 people who end up traveling there. Slippery Wilson is a carpenter who is looking forward to a quiet life in 1935, but meets Ellie Hobbes, a political activist who gets involved with agitators, anarchists, communists, strike breakers, killers and murderers. Most of the book is taken up by the backbreaking, awful journey the 2 take to Alaska in a tiny little dory boat together with Hobbes' little niece and with the long arm of the law on their tail. Utterly fascinating.