Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Women of the Copper Country
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
103 posts | 36 read | 63 to read
From the bestselling and award-winning author of The Sparrow comes an inspiring historical novel about Americas Joan of Arc Annie Clementsthe courageous woman who started a rebellion by leading a strike against the largest copper mining company in the world. In July 1913, twenty-five-year-old Annie Clements had seen enough of the world to know that it was unfair. Shes spent her whole life in the copper-mining town of Calumet, Michigan where men risk their lives for meager salariesand had barely enough to put food on the table and clothes on their backs. The women labor in the houses of the elite, and send their husbands and sons deep underground each day, dreading the fateful call of the company man telling them their loved ones arent coming home. When Annie decides to stand up for herself, and the entire town of Calumet, nearly everyone believes she may have taken on more than she is prepared to handle. In Annies hands lie the miners fortunes and their health, her husbands wrath over her growing independence, and her own reputation as she faces the threat of prison and discovers a forbidden love. On her fierce quest for justice, Annie will discover just how much she is willing to sacrifice for her own independence and the families of Calumet. From one of the most versatile writers in contemporary fiction, this novel is an authentic and moving historical portrait of the lives of the men and women of the early 20th century labor movement, and of a turbulent, violent political landscape that may feel startlingly relevant to today.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
CaitZ
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

I read this in April and loved it. #12BooksOf2022 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Not seen this before, definitely need to get to it. 2y
CoffeeNBooks This was a really interesting book! 2y
julieclair Wow, this is one looks interesting. Added to my stack! 2y
28 likes3 stack adds3 comments
review
CaitZ
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

Would you believe a story about a 1913 copper mine strike could be both compelling and tragic? The author pulls it off in this great book. Calumet, MI is a company-owned town whose miners are endangered by the mine's policies. They form a union and stage a strike. It was hard to read in places and some of the characters made me mad, but overall it was outstanding. I'm glad I finally read it.

marleed My IRL bookclub discussed this book pre Covid and the author Zoomed a into the meeting. It was great. So wild to think about because now we‘d all zoom in rather than 13 women circling a single kitchen table! 3y
28 likes1 comment
blurb
Danay
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

21 #55 Pointless and depressing.

4 likes1 stack add
review
CaitlinR
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

“In labor disputes, a business can speak with a single loud, clear, well-paid legal voice, while each employee is alone … The are prevented from joining together in a single legal voice—unless and until the employer recognizes their union …”

From The Women of Copper County. Mary Doria Russell‘s excellent historical novel about the the Copper County mining strike (1913-1914). Gripping read and great depiction of characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CaitlinR Photo from http://mihistory.leadr.msu.edu showing picket line in Calumet, 1913 3y
25 likes1 comment
review
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

What is the price of copper? We can ask the same today of cheap apparel.

This quote is the only piece of satisfaction the reader gets relating to the vile copper mine general manager MacNaughton, unfortunately it‘s probably fictional. But I‘ll take what I can get. 😐

blurb
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

You see who the boss is........😼 #loveyourpet

Leftcoastzen 😻 4y
Ruthiella Yup. Same in my house! 😹 4y
Bookzombie 💕🐈🐶 4y
See All 7 Comments
Scochrane26 Cats are always the boss! 4y
Come-read-with-me Adorable! 4y
Gissy 😹😹😹 4y
Texreader ❤️🐈‍⬛ 4y
68 likes7 comments
quote
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

I had to Google Mother Jones and wow, quite the formidable character and life. How bizarre it seems now that she was a union labor advocate, but opposed to women‘s suffrage. People are always interesting specimens.

Lcsmcat When I read this I was surprised she was a real person. I thought “The Mother Jones News” was just a name. 4y
Tamra @Lcsmcat I knew nothing as well! 4y
Suet624 Oh my. It makes me sad to think that Mother Jones needs to be reintroduced to the public. I must be old. 4y
See All 7 Comments
Tamra @Suet624 I don‘t think you are that old - but Union/labor history & education is lacking. 😒 (edited) 4y
Suet624 True, true. And I grew up when organizing was very active and we knew of those who came before us. 4y
Tamra @Suet624 I belong to a strong union here in MN and I try not to take it for granted, especially since it was busted in a neighboring state. Even among my staunch liberal friends they have been anti-union because teachers have expressed concern about getting back into the classroom. 😑 They don‘t appreciate historically what unions protect against. 4y
Suet624 That‘s so sad. 4y
51 likes7 comments
quote
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

It‘s not nice to notice a wife‘s bruises......😣

GingerAntics That‘s terrible. 4y
48 likes1 comment
quote
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

When there is a character you just won‘t care if they die. 🤨

kspenmoll Fantastic novel! 4y
cathysaid 😂 4y
Tamra @kspenmoll I‘m enjoying it! These days I only get to read in snippets, but today I actually had a moment to sit down and read a chunk. Russell is such a good writer who manages to massage her research into breathing characters and stories. 4y
Cathythoughts I might try this one 👍🏻... i remember I didn‘t like Sparrow though ... 4y
55 likes4 comments
blurb
EliNeedsMoreShelves
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

Hey there #LMPBC Group J!!

Any of these look good for our historical fiction round??

@rsteve388 @DarcysMom @ncsufoxes

rsteve388 1.) Fifty words for Rain. 2.) The women of Copper County. 3.) Miss Burma and Lastly 4.) The High Divide 4y
DarcysMom I haven't read any of them and am up for whatever you want! 4y
ncsufoxes I haven‘t read any of them, no real preference 4y
See All 8 Comments
EliNeedsMoreShelves @rsteve388 @DarcysMom @ncsufoxes I want to pick Fifty Words for Rain but just realized it's more like 450 pages - is that a problem for anyone? 4y
rsteve388 It's not an issue for me. I am good. 4y
DarcysMom That is fine for me as well. 4y
ncsufoxes No problem 4y
EliNeedsMoreShelves @rsteve388 @DarcysMom @ncsufoxes okay, Fifty Words for Rain will be my choice! 4y
24 likes8 comments
quote
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

So true, but my hope of even momentarily conquering chaos in my own home is a very fleeting thing.......😏

Cathythoughts 👍🏻❤️ 4y
Cathythoughts I know on my granddaughter days , chaos rules 😂 4y
55 likes3 comments
quote
Tamra
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

I bet James is a joy on vacation. 🙃

I really love Russell‘s writing - always a nice balance of setting, character development, and plot. I‘m only thru the intro and partway into the first chapter and I just want to sit and read it.

Lcsmcat I really liked this one. You‘re in for a treat. 4y
Tamra @Lcsmcat 👏🏾👏🏾 4y
49 likes2 comments
blurb
RiaWritten
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

With five days left til it's due. I'm reading this one for school and loving it so far. But then I've pretty much loved everything I've read by this author so I'm not too surprised.

blurb
kspenmoll
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

#goodbye2020 #historialfiction #holidaymystery #Obama

1st book of 2020- The Women of Copper County- fabulous portrait of mining and organizing- dirt(literally) poor mining town in Michigan beginning in 1913. 23 yr old Annie Clements unintentionally becomes a major protestor and protector of mining families. Relevant today. #buddyread
Last book- Murder for Christmas. Just ok.
Ringing in 2021 with Obama #audiobook. Love his narration.

Tamra This has been TBR for so long! Thanks for the reminder. 4y
59 likes1 comment
review
Soubhiville
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

Mary Doria Russell is so good at writing historical fiction!

I remember learning about unions in school, and I think my dad may have belonged to a union in the machine factory where he worked. Copper Country really brings early Union fights to life! I looked up many of the events just to learn more. Annie is inspiring to any leader looking to make life better for the underprivileged. I loved her.

Great book!

TheBookHippie It was good. I tried to get our library to buy it seeing as we live where it happened 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ nope. So I keep recommending it ! 4y
53 likes1 comment
review
rabbitprincess
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
Pickpick

The author blurb doesn't lie: Mary Doria Russell's narrative drive is excellent, and her research is worn well. I liked the author's note explaining the history and how she constructed the story. This is a compelling book that I found very hard to put down. Recommended if you liked Russell's Doc or Epitaph, or the Kopp Sisters series by Amy Stewart (similar time period and attention to detail in author notes).

MsMelissa Oh, I‘m definitely going to buy this one 😁 4y
18 likes2 comments
quote
rabbitprincess
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

« The lakes kick up some real screamers with almost no warning, especially Superior. »

? The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead / When the gales of November come early... ?

MsMelissa I know it‘s about a tragic event, but I love Lightfoot‘s Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and now you‘ve got it stuck in my head 🎶 4y
rabbitprincess @Book_Fiend_Melissa For some reason a teacher I had in middle school thought this song would be a good introduction to Lightfoot for her students...we were a bit confused 😂😂 after that it took me nearly 15 years to warm up to him 😬 But I like him now! (edited) 4y
KVanRead Funny, I just finished a book set in 70s Texas, and a character was obsessed with this. #litsycoincidence 😀 4y
See All 7 Comments
rabbitprincess @KVanRead Trying to come up with a portmanteau word for Litsy synchronicity and not quite getting there 😂 I like coincidences like that! 4y
KVanRead @rabbitprincess hmm 🤔 maybe Litsydence? 😂 4y
rabbitprincess @KVanRead That‘s much better than what I was thinking... Litsynicity? 4y
KVanRead Or... Litnicity?! 4y
30 likes7 comments
quote
rabbitprincess
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

“In the far north along the Canadian border, every casual conversation has begun with the same sentiment: ‘Awful lucky with the weather, eh?‘”

Why yes I DID read that last bit aloud in a Bob and Doug McKenzie accent 🤣🤣

KVanRead Take off, eh! 😂 4y
rabbitprincess @KVanRead Holy jeez, eh! 🤣 4y
MsMelissa You‘re such a hoser, eh! 4y
rabbitprincess @Book_Fiend_Melissa 🎶 On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... a beer... in a tree 🎶 😂 4y
26 likes5 comments
blurb
SilversReviews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

FEATURING: THE WOMEN OF THE COPPER COUNTRY by Mary Doria Russell

The determination and power of women who literally had none in the 1900's is one of the themes in THE WOMEN OF THE COPPER COUNTRY.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/y2xfodw3

#marydoriarussell
@atriabooks
@simonandschuster

marleed This author Skyped into my IRL bookclub to speak to this book. She was great! 4y
SilversReviews @marleed How awesome is that. I bet she was terrific. 4y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Hilary427
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

This was so so...I loved learning the history of Calumet, but I found it a bit slow. Interesting history for sure though!

blurb
Andrea313
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

Just a few from my #AprilTBR pile. I was initially planning to read the tagged book on my summer trip to Copper Country but I'm sure we won't be heading up there this year. I guess the bright side is that I don't have to wait any longer to read it! #MittenLitten #AcrossApril
@Eggs

SilversReviews It‘s very interesting. Enjoy!! 5y
Eggs Beautiful and inviting books!! 5y
18 likes2 comments
review
krismlars
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

Fascinating! Always interesting to learn something new about American history. Pictured is Big Annie. #24in48 #socialdistancingreadathon

51 likes1 stack add
blurb
krismlars
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

I slept through the first 7.5 hours of the #stayathome24in48 #socialdistancingreadathon but I‘m ready to get to it! I‘ve been in a reading slump these last two weeks. It‘s been difficult to focus and just easier to watch pointless TV. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

blurb
Hoopiefoot
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

Porch reading in my Snuggie. I really needed some fresh air.

SilversReviews This was good. 5y
AmyK1 This one was really good! 5y
JamieArc I‘m really looking forward to this one, especially having lived in that area before! 5y
See All 6 Comments
Hoopiefoot @SilversReviews @AmyK1 @JamieArc I‘m not usually a fan of historical fiction but this is SO GOOD. 5y
SilversReviews @Hoopiefoot I am glad you are enjoying it. 5y
Tamra I really want to read this! 5y
83 likes6 comments
review
AmyK1
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this emotional portrayal of the copper mine strike in MI in 1913. It was also awesome to read a book set in the state I‘m from. Even though I‘ve only been to the UP 3 times, several towns I‘m very familiar with where mentioned in the book. I also knew nothing about the history of copper mining or the strike.

Letter W for #litsyAtoZ

32 likes1 stack add
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image

Everyone‘s participation made this a truly special read for me! Thank you!

#overbookedclub #coppercountryread

sblbooks @megnews I agree, we had some good discussion, throughout the month. Thanks for hosting this month! 5y
Crazeedi Great read!! 5y
CoffeeNBooks I'm glad I read this book! I wouldn't have known about it otherwise, and I think I really learned a lot from reading it. Thanks for hosting! 5y
See All 6 Comments
kspenmoll Wonderful book! I learned so@much... sorry to miss the live discussion! 5y
megnews @kspenmoll we don‘t quite have a live discussion. feel free to add comments anytime! 5y
megnews @CoffeeNBooks thanks for joining us! 5y
7 likes6 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
sblbooks I thought it was moving how much it affected the town doctor. Even though he had seen death many times, he was not able to see his little girl's feet uncovered after that.😢 5y
Chrissyreadit @sblbooks I agree. That was moving. I also felt satisfaction when the guy quit after going to all the families on behalf of the company. 5y
megnews @sblbooks I had forgotten that. I should take notes! That was so awful. 5y
See All 7 Comments
megnews @Chrissyreadit I did too. 5y
marleed In the Skype interview the author had with my IRL bookclub she explained this fire was a blip in bad new of the time with WWI and influenza killing thousands. That makes it even more heartbreaking. 5y
kspenmoll @sblbooks The doctor‘s response was so moving, especially when he saw the contrast of his own children alive and well, and his trying to get the news out. 5y
Lcsmcat @Chrissyreadit @megnews That hit me too. 5y
4 likes7 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews Will you laugh at me if I say I already can‘t remember the riot? I read too much 😂 5y
Chrissyreadit I would say Eva‘s growth was one of my favorite parts of the book. 5y
sblbooks @Chrissyreadit I agree, she was one of the most affected by the riot. 5y
marleed I think that since Eva was a completely fictional character the author was able to fill her with the hope this story had to have. The lives of the actual people are just heartbreaking. 5y
3 likes4 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews One day you‘re satisfied with the stagnant relationship. The next day you‘ve changed and want so much more. Annie outgrew her husband and he was unsatisfied having a wife that couldn‘t be satisfied with status quo not just about the union but the relationships between men & women then. 5y
sblbooks @megnews Well said! 5y
marleed Underground mining in the day did not lend itself to men seeking to understand the lives of the women they married. They worked so hard for so little that any grievance of a woman above ground likely didn‘t register to them. 5y
See All 8 Comments
megnews Great way to put it @marleed 5y
kspenmoll @marleed An unimaginably backbreaking, suffocating, terrifying job deep inside the earth...all that & barely scraping by. May be hard to have any energy left over to do or feel much else. 5y
kspenmoll @megnews You said all so well! Annie‘s husband seemed at times mystified, bewildered, angry, and totally unable to cope with her growing & changing. 5y
marleed @kspenmoll @megnews I think when you work a job that is so incredibly dangerous, you earn little money and no respect all while visibly witnessing the riches go to a man who barely recognize your humanity- you can‘t respect yourself. In those situations the head of the household reigns power where he can - his wife and children. Dignity is so crucial to society. 5y
megnews @marleed makes perfect sense. Reminds me of Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs. 5y
4 likes8 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Chrissyreadit My main thought is that she only had a public persona- there was not room for a private one. 5y
marleed She was thrice married and divorced from abusive, alcoholic man. Her daughter was also married and divorced from an abusive man. Apparently, some people praise her but others hold her accountable for the bad resulting from the aftermath of the strike. What I‘m grateful for is that today a woman doesn‘t need a man to negotiate life. 5y
3 likes2 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews The Orphan Trains show the continuing westward expansion of the US. Jacob Riis‘s photos were attempting to bring about social change in the same way the strike was. 5y
Chrissyreadit I only learned about orphan trains when I read 5y
Chrissyreadit It was a reminder that America has consistently had a cruel streak. I did not know anything about Jacob Riis other then a section a beach in NYC is named after him. 5y
See All 7 Comments
sblbooks It was another example of how the poor are exploded by those well off. Some Orphan Train Riders were not treated well by their new families, but used as free labor. 5y
megnews @sblbooks so true! So sad. I don‘t know how people could look at young children and treat them like that. 5y
rubyslippersreads @Chrissyreadit That‘s been on my TBR list for ages. 5y
Chrissyreadit @rubyslippersreads I thought it was a great book! Hope you get to it and enjoy it! 5y
4 likes7 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews Little side story that made me think of him. I visited the Cleveland history center recently & toured this wondrous mansion that a woman built I think 32 rooms to retire to by herself with a staff of 32. Then decided she didn‘t want to live there after all & it sat vacant. tour guide said at one time there were about 80 millionaires in America about 60 of which lived in Cleveland-Rockefeller‘s etc. I just thought what a shame for a woman to ⬇️ 5y
megnews Have that much and waste it, letting it sit empty while the people who made her wealthy enough to do that were tired & cold & hungry. Made me think of the same disparities in Calumet. (edited) 5y
Chrissyreadit Wow! Extreme wealth has not changed much. These are very thoughtful questions! I think having the perspective demonstrated how separate he viewed himself- the same way racism occurs- us vs them. 5y
See All 10 Comments
sblbooks I keep thinking about how he didn't even know his staff's name; nor did he know the names of any of the miners when they died. It just shows how uncaring he was, it was all about making a dollar. 5y
megnews @marleed that sounds good! Stacked. 5y
megnews @sblbooks or how to take a roast out of the oven! I pictured him just shriveling away to nothing with no servants because he never learned how to do a thing for himself or an honest day‘s work. 5y
rubyslippersreads His time-management techniques (without the evil) reminded me of 5y
megnews @rubyslippersreads I haven‘t read or seen that. 5y
rubyslippersreads @megnews In the book (I‘m not sure about the old and new movie versions), the parents are efficiency experts. 5y
5 likes10 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews I picture the men as waking up, going to work with a grunt, coming home to a meal with a grunt, & going to bed. Women did everything else. They had to communicate to get recipes, find cures for children‘s sickness, commiserate over the toughness of life & the common denominator of death. They had to find a way out of necessity. 5y
Chrissyreadit Yes!! I think it could not be very different then sharing, showing someone food and letting them taste, sharing medicinals, children helping you translate- everyone coughs or gives birth in the same language. 5y
rubyslippersreads I think, like @Chrissyreadit said, they learned to communicate in other ways than just words. 5y
4 likes3 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image

Some of us already discussed this a little and have heard the author speak on it.
#overbookedclub #coppercountryread

Chrissyreadit What does the author say about it? 5y
megnews @chrissyreadit I tagged you where we talked about it 5y
Chrissyreadit Hmm. I think tragedy is right. 5y
marleed Tragedy. Actually the author was reminded of Juliet‘s father when writing of the actual mine-owner (real dude and more villainous they any fictional character she had written). How Juliet‘s would sacrifice his daughter for power. 5y
3 likes4 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews This was probably used for numerous reasons but for me it made her larger than life. It also made her stand out as a leader from all the rest. 5y
Chrissyreadit I think it also indicated she did not quite fit in and understood what it was like to be an outsider- the one thing all the different groups of immigrants had in common. 5y
megnews Ooh @Chrissyreadit I like that! 5y
See All 6 Comments
sblbooks I think it was mentioned because she was looked at as not ladylike. From a young age she had to overcome prejudice. I feel it made her stronger, more of a leader. 5y
megnews @sblbooks she definitely took on what would have been a man‘s role. I think she did learn to use what others saw as a detriment, for good. 5y
rubyslippersreads I think it was because it was more unusual at that time for women to be tall, so she stood out more than she would now. Also, as @sblbooks said, it made her seem less “ladylike,” which in those days was valued by society more than her brains or her bravery. 5y
3 likes6 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews That they‘ve stayed pretty much the same over time. 5y
Chrissyreadit @megnews yes- not much has changed. 5y
Readswithcoffee Unfortunately, I think this is part of the human condition. 5y
3 likes4 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
megnews Sorry to say folks but I don‘t know enough about Joan of Arc to make a comparison. Hope someone can chime in here. 5y
Chrissyreadit I am disappointed by the monitor- it actually is the lone reason I was reluctant to read the book. I think we have plenty of American heroines to compare her too, as well as other women leaders in difficult times. I was terrified she was going to be killed the entire time. Also from what little I know of Joan of Arc she was A Saint and above reprieve in history. Annie was perfectly human. 5y
megnews @Chrissyreadit I like that contrast between saint and human. 5y
3 likes3 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Chrissyreadit Ohhh! Perspective is everything. We remember the stuff with the most emotional impact and from our own biases perspective. 5y
sblbooks The American dream is not always so easy to achieve, for some. 5y
rubyslippersreads Dreaming of something is less complicated than carrying it out. 5y
3 likes4 comments
blurb
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

If I knew we were all going to be swept away by this book so quickly, I would have planned this conversation a week ago. Hopefully you‘ve had time to mull it over.
The #OverBookedClub #CopperCountryRead starts now!

Chrissyreadit 🎉🥳👏 5y
28 likes1 comment
review
Readswithcoffee
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

This is a “pick” for me, just not as enthusiastically as it is for others. The situation was very interesting, so that‘s why it is a pick. Parts of this were very dark and the cruelty of various characters was somewhat overwhelming. Since this is historical fiction, I kept wondering if the real people were this awful or was there artistic license at work. #overbookedclub

marleed The author Skyped into my IRL bookclub this month. One reader explained the book was too dark for her tastes. The author explained she did nothing to exaggerate the cruelty and that the mine owner was a more cruel villain then any fictional villain she ever created. 5y
Readswithcoffee @marleed Thank you for the insight. That‘s absolutely awesome that she Skyped into your book club! Did the author mention anything about how the police treated the women in jail? That was unconscionable and heartless. 5y
marleed @Readswithcoffee No, I wish we‘d asked - it was a 45 min Skype. She explained the book leaves the reader with hope for Anna as she leaves Michigan. It‘s in the afterward we learn all 3 of her marriages ended in divorce to abusive men. But the author had to create hope where there was none. Her additional info about actual characters was also bleak. Just very tough conditions. Even the fire was a blip of just more bad news of the time. 5y
See All 7 Comments
marleed @Readswithcoffee But she also though it‘s a story that sometimes you lose and lose and keep losing but you keep going. And somewhere sometime someone will benefit from your effort. 5y
Readswithcoffee @marleed Thanks for taking the time to share this info. It is shocking to me the level of cruelty some people are capable of and that in their minds their actions are justified. 5y
marleed @Readswithcoffee The author explained the mine owner was white and Anglo Saxon and he truly believed that those who migrated from European countries south of England were inferior to him. 5y
Readswithcoffee @marleed Wow. Interesting. Shameful, but it explains a lot. 5y
47 likes7 comments
review
sblbooks
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
An emotional book about the strike in the copper mines of Calumet, MI. I thought this was well researched, I learned so much about a topic that I knew nothing about previously. A #historicalfiction must read.
#OverBookedClub @megnews #ReadTheUSA2020 #Michigan

blurb
LitsyHappenings
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

Repost for @megnews :

We‘re halfway through Jan‘s selection. I‘m loving it. How about you? I‘ve already seen quite a few reviews. There‘s been some amazing discussions already. If you haven‘t had a chance yet, check out @marleed ‘s post about her personal connections to Copper Country.
This is a reminder that discussion will be January 31 and to find your copy of The Postmistress for February‘s #OverBookedClub
#readalongs2020 #CopperCountryRead

review
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

Excellent fictional representation of the very real events surrounding the strike of copper miners in Michigan, & the women‘s role in these events, of which I was previously unaware. A cast of characters, leading & supporting, you want to encourage along in their fight for justice for them & for the future. At times, you‘re so wrapped up in it you feel you‘re marching alongside them in their struggle. Inspiring.
#CopperCountryRead #OverBookedClub

megnews This would make an excellent movie. 5y
Chrissyreadit Yes- it was very different from what I expected. I‘m still struggling with the fact that workers rights are a shadow- just enough to survive but not enough to live - all these years later. Here in WV it‘s factory work with company drs who prescribed opiates to keep people working until the long term damage and addiction were no longer manageable, and have left us with a generation of children being raised by grandparents 5y
Chrissyreadit It was difficult for me to read it as a historical event without drawing all the parallels to today. 5y
See All 11 Comments
Lcsmcat I heard Russell speak about this book (and met her!) last September. The thing she said that I didn‘t get during my reading of it was the parallels to Romeo and Juliet. She said she used those quotes as epigraphs because she saw her book as a great love story. But I didn‘t get that parallel. Anyone else? 5y
megnews @Lcsmcat I saw a parallel between some of the quotes & what went on in the chapter. I saw Annie & Mike as periphery so if she was speaking of that, no. As for a great love story, I can see it as Annie (& all the women‘s) love for their families, the labor leaders‘ love for the people who work so hard, the sacrifices made to bring work & happiness together. With the owners being what keeps laborers apart from a fulfilling life. @marleed what ⬇️ 5y
megnews ⬆️did she have to say on this during your book club Skype? 5y
marleed @megnews @Lmscat In the Skype on Wednesday she compared Juliet‘s father to the mineowner - how other people‘s lives were secondary (even his daughter) to his wealth and power, how this story is a tragedy. 5y
marleed @megnews @Lcsmcat - I misspelled you in my previous post. ...BTW, a sister flew done for the post-season freezing cold Chiefs playoff game today. Her luggage was loaded with pasties so we can tailgate in the warmth of a car before heading into the stadium! 5y
Lcsmcat @marleed I can see that. I do think the quotes made sense, just didn‘t get “love story” out of it. 😀 5y
megnews @marleed @Lcsmcat tragedy makes much more sense. 5y
megnews @Chrissyreadit read the comments to see what the author said about the Romeo and Juliet reference 5y
43 likes1 stack add11 comments
quote
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
blurb
kspenmoll
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image

#CopperCountryRead
I could not put this down! So will not reveal plot because this is a #buddyread
I have adored Russell‘s other books. This is as engrossing, rich in detail, well researched, & authentic characters- she brings the reality of the mining life to light.

marleed I loved this book and wonder if my experience growing in a small union mining town had everything to do with it. My IRL bookclub discussed on Wed w/ the author Skyping in. I was the only one that loved it, a couple were meh, and most (11 total) were a no. They just weren‘t interested in why someone would write about this subject. But they all grew up in big cities. 5y
kspenmoll @marleed Your growing up experience I am sure influenced your engagement in the book. I am a history major, a member of a teacher‘s union, & my grandfather participated in strikes for AT&T (old phone company) to get a union recognized. So my interests and experiences help but I also have read her other scifi books & they also are rich in detail, well researched with great characterizatio 5y
kspenmoll I just loved it! Lets see what others say in Litsy. 5y
65 likes3 stack adds3 comments
quote
kspenmoll
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image

#MotherJones #MostDangerousWomaninAmerica #CopperCountry #BigAnnie #JamesMacNaughton
Mother Jones, & Big Annie v. MacNaughton, “Czar”of Copper Country
In 1913-1914, the Union miners of Copper Country went on strike. Mother Jones came that year with money & encouragement.Her fiery oratory reengaged the Women‘s Auxiliary & the Union members.
“Mother Jones is coming to Calumet!”

“Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.”-Mother Jones

arubabookwoman I wonder if Anna Klobuchar (Big Annie??) pictured upper left is an ancestor of Amy Klobuchar? 5y
kspenmoll @arubabookwoman Wouldn‘t that be cool? 5y
12 likes2 comments
quote
kspenmoll
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image

#CopperCountryRead #ChristmasCelebration #ItalianHallDisater #Calumet #CopperMinlng #Shakespeare #RomeoandJuliet

“All Things that we ordained festival
turn... to black funeral”
— Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

The author has quoted from Romeo and Juliet in each chapter head. Fun for me as I have read this play with Freshman every year of my HS teaching.An example of relevancy for them.

megnews Chilling to read the actual headline from the day. 5y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
CoffeeNBooks
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image

This #HistoricalFiction is about the copper mine strikes of 1913-1914, the first unionized strike of the Western Federation of Miners, and the involvement of Anna Klobuchar Clemenc and the Women's Auxiliary. The union's goal was an 8-hour workday and better wages. They were up against the powerful Calumet and Hecla Mining Company.
#ReadTheUSA2020 #Michigan @ljuliel

ljuliel Great job 👍🏼 5y
17 likes1 comment
review
CoffeeNBooks
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Pickpick

I just finished reading this one this morning. What a great book! I loved Mary Doria Russell's way of writing about this compelling story, and now I need to go read more about Anna Klobuchar Clemenc and her part in the Western Federation of Miners.
#OverBookedClub @megnews @sblbooks
#LitsyAtoZ #W @BookishMarginalia

megnews I only have about 20% to go. Hoping to finish today. 5y
89 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
megnews
The Women of the Copper Country | Mary Doria Russell
post image
Chrissyreadit Yes! It is an insane job too! I look at Greta Thunberg the same way. But I am still sick over how easily swayed people are to believe that the powerful and wealthy are being harmed by the basic human rights of health and safety. 5y
marleed OMG - I spoke to Mary Doria Russell tonight!! She Skyped into my IRL bookclub (11 women). It was awesome! 5y
megnews @marleed details! 😀 5y
See All 11 Comments
marleed First, last thing she said about the book was to laugh and say like everyone, we did not ask about the Romeo&Juliet referencing each chapter. She knows that tragedy well and as she researched this book, lines from the play kept coming to her. 5y
marleed This book is in its third hardback printing and that was a pleasant surprise to her and her agent. I might note that I was the only one in the group that liked the book. Some were meh. But most were a no. They thought it was too depressing and thought mining was uninteresting. But I asked after the Skype if they liked the book more and all said yes. There‘s more but I need to run about for a bit. 5y
megnews @marleed maybe there‘s something wrong with me but I prefer books with “depressing” challenges like these addressed. It shows how we got here and how far we have to go. And it‘s much more realistic to the human condition. I don‘t really care for romances where everything is tied up with a happily ever after. 5y
marleed I thought about my opinions and realize I was the only one from a small town where one company drives its economy so I‘m sure that made a difference. Also, I read so much that I need to mix up stories. I‘m down for a hm movie type book every now again but I really appreciate, like what you said, a more realistic story. 5y
marleed One woman (who didn‘t like the book at all) asked the author why she ended Anna‘s story as she did when the afterward toward the actual account. Mary explained the entire story is so sad, and tragic, and real that she had to leave it with a bit of hope. 5y
marleed She also explained the last chapter was written following Trump‘s election. She was so shocked and saddened. The end of the book spoke to when you lose and lose again and again. But something hopeful has to be there. 5y
marleed The author also spoke to her next book (2021). She‘s very exited about it. It‘s about the actual political environment surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. 5y
megnews @marked her next book sounds like another good one. 5y
38 likes1 stack add11 comments