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A review by crschu
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This book was hard for me to get into and a slow read, but overall a great story.
The Cold Millions reminds me of something I would have been required to read in school (as a well-researched, historical fiction novel), and I enjoyed the book when framing it in that way.
In his story, Jess Walter portrays Spokane, WA, as a town with rampant income disparity, where super-rich employers have too much power. The main characters are a young man swept up in the union, a feminist-communist-union woman, and an anarchist — all of whom, in their own ways, act out against the government of Spokane for allowing millionaires to control the city. Even in the brief vignettes from police, we get the sense that they too feel like they are pawns in a rich man’s game.
I think the power of this story is that through the historical setting, Walter can make highly relevant commentary on wealth disparity and corporate greed without preaching or pointing fingers (at anyone who’s alive, anyways).
Lastly, I love Rye! Seeing these historical events through the eyes of a curious, hopeful, and heartbroken young person was very moving. His growth throughout the story was heartwarming, and I LOVE that despite everything he went through, he donated over half the money from Brand in various ways. Also, I chuckled that he had a conservative son… isn’t that how it goes.
The Cold Millions reminds me of something I would have been required to read in school (as a well-researched, historical fiction novel), and I enjoyed the book when framing it in that way.
In his story, Jess Walter portrays Spokane, WA, as a town with rampant income disparity, where super-rich employers have too much power. The main characters are a young man swept up in the union, a feminist-communist-union woman, and an anarchist — all of whom, in their own ways, act out against the government of Spokane for allowing millionaires to control the city. Even in the brief vignettes from police, we get the sense that they too feel like they are pawns in a rich man’s game.
I think the power of this story is that through the historical setting, Walter can make highly relevant commentary on wealth disparity and corporate greed without preaching or pointing fingers (at anyone who’s alive, anyways).