The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THIS BOOK.... wow!
It is fascinating and well-researched historical fiction which gives a vivid portrayal of life in the copper mining country of upper Michigan, early twentieth century. It is a compelling, entertaining, and educational read. As with Mary Doria Russell's earlier novels, the writing is excellent with a prose style full of nuance, and realistic memorable characters based on actual persons. One of these, the heroine of the story, is Annie Klobuchar Clements ("Big Annie"), dubbed America’s “Joan of Arc” for staging protest marches against the C&H Mining Company. She founded the Women’s Auxiliary No. 15 of the Western Federation of miners, which consisted of wives and widows of striking miners. Another is Mary Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones, called the Miner’s Angel by union men.

The tragic events and power displayed by the mining companies in this novel are nothing short of shocking, and the part played by the miners' courageous wives during the strike is a little known story. The novel is followed by an author's note which explains what is actual history and what is fiction. As she states regarding the strikers' wives, "the role of women...was remarkable and has been underrepresented in most historical accounts." As with other good historical fiction, I am prone to find myself on Google in order to learn more about the people, places and time period. This book was no exception, and I am a better person for having read it. though some have found fault with the less than rosy conclusion, I especially liked the honest, realistic ending.

Quotes:

“ 'This is the price of copper,' she says in that clear, quiet voice. 'A dead man. Every week. Month after month. Year after year.' ”

“Stand up, straight, Anna. Hold your head high. . . That’s your strength. You are tall for a reason. When your head is high, you can see farther than anyone else.”

View all my reviews