Set in Spokane and other parts of the Northwest, 'The Cold Millions' by Jess Walter is a historical novel following the lives of two brothers, Gig and Rye, as they navigate the labor movement in the early 1900s. Gig, the older brother, is involved with the IWW while Rye, the younger one, is just trying to survive and find stability. The book weaves together real historical events and characters, such as Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, with fictional elements, showcasing the struggles for workers' rights and the societal divide between the rich and the poor.

The novel delves into themes of labor unrest, police brutality, corruption, and the fight for justice during a tumultuous time in American history. Through the perspectives of multiple characters, including the Dolan brothers and real-life figures like Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, the book explores the complexities of the labor movement and the sacrifices made by those involved.

Characters:

The characters are vividly drawn, blending historical and fictional personas, with significant emotional depth and complexity reflecting the era's struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is engaging and character-driven, marked by a mix of humor and humanism, employing multiple perspectives to enhance the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around two brothers involved in the labor movement against the backdrop of Spokane's tumultuous history in the early 1900s, intertwining real and fictional characters to explore themes of justice and social inequality.

Setting:

The setting captures early 1900s Spokane, a town grappling with social and economic disparities amid significant historical labor movements.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady and thoughtful, balancing action with historical context, although some sections may feel slower before gradually building momentum.

They woke on a ball field—bums, tramps, hobos, stiffs. Two dozen of them spread out on bedrolls and blankets in a narrow floodplain just below the skid, past taverns, tanners, and tents, shotgun shack...

Notes:

The novel is set in Spokane, Washington, in 1909, during the early labor movement.

It features real historical figures, including Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, a prominent labor activist.

The story focuses on two Irish-American orphaned brothers, Gig and Rye Dolan, who navigate life as itinerant workers.

Gig becomes involved with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and faces imprisonment for his activism.

The book explores themes of class struggle, corruption, and the desire for social progress.

Rye symbolizes youthful optimism amidst the struggles of the working class.

The narrative delves into the violent confrontations between labor organizers and police.

Walter blends fictional and factual elements seamlessly, creating a rich historical backdrop.

Ursula the Great, a character in the novel, is a vaudeville performer who adds a colorful dynamic to the story.

The ending of the novel is described as clever and stunning, tying together various plot threads.

The book raises philosophical questions about the effectiveness of winning small battles in the face of systemic oppression.

Some characters in the novel are portrayed as morally complex, adding depth to the story.

The book was inspired by Walter's knowledge of Spokane's labor history and his family's stories.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, poverty, police brutality, and corruption, reflective of the historical setting.

From The Publisher:

"One of the most captivating novels of the year." - Washington Post

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A Library Reads Pick | An Indie Next Pick

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).

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About the Author:

Jess Walter is the author of six novels, including The Financial Lives of the Poets and The Cold Millions. Beautiful Ruins was a New York Times bestseller, and We Live in Water was one of Barack Obama's books of 2019. Jess Walter lives in Spokane, Washington with his family.

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The Cold Millions: A Novel

Jess Walter