The Cold Millions - Jess Walter

The Cold Millions

By Jess Walter

  • Release Date: 2020-10-27
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
4 Score: 4 (From 282 Ratings)

Description

“One of the most captivating novels of the year.” – Washington Post 

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A Library Reads Pick • An Indie Next Pick

A Best Book of the Year: Bloomberg | Boston Globe | Chicago Public Library | Chicago Tribune | Esquire | Kirkus | New York Public Library | New York Times Book Review (Historical Fiction) | NPR's Fresh Air | O Magazine | Washington Post | Publishers Weekly | Seattle Times | USA Today 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ruins comes another “literary miracle” (NPR)—a propulsive, richly entertaining novel about two brothers swept up in the turbulent class warfare of the early twentieth century.

An intimate story of brotherhood, love, sacrifice, and betrayal set against the panoramic backdrop of an early twentieth-century America that eerily echoes our own time, The Cold Millions offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of a nation grappling with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams.

The Dolans live by their wits, jumping freight trains and lining up for day work at crooked job agencies. While sixteen-year-old Rye yearns for a steady job and a home, his older brother, Gig, dreams of a better world, fighting alongside other union men for fair pay and decent treatment. Enter Ursula the Great, a vaudeville singer who performs with a live cougar and introduces the brothers to a far more dangerous creature: a mining magnate determined to keep his wealth and his hold on Ursula.

Dubious of Gig’s idealism, Rye finds himself drawn to a fearless nineteen-year-old activist and feminist named Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. But a storm is coming, threatening to overwhelm them all, and Rye will be forced to decide where he stands. Is it enough to win the occasional battle, even if you cannot win the war?

Featuring an unforgettable cast of cops and tramps, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers, The Cold Millions is a tour de force from a “writer who has planted himself firmly in the first rank of American authors” (Boston Globe).

Reviews

  • Quick, excellent story and writing

    4
    By Auggie's Man
    There were lines in this book that I found so creative and moving, whether to laughter or sorrow. Add to that the excellent story with wonderful, relatable characters and it’s 5 easy stars.
  • Beautiful

    5
    By Weathergirl8
    I truly enjoyed this book I learned a tremendous amount the labor relations in the early 20th century. And the character development was terrific.
  • Relevant and Excellent

    5
    By juliusa
    A well researched novel of difficult times and workers struggles that deserves to be read. While I agree with sole who have said the characterizations could have been better fleshed out , I think the purpose of this book is far beyond mere storytelling. It is a slice of history that is is still ongoing in many ways for workers and we need to know that history. It is real, the sources are quoted extensively. And in the end it turns out to be a bit of a tear jerker as well... no more will I say. Read to find out. Well worth your time now.

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