"The Women of the Copper Country" by Mary Doria Russell is a historical fiction novel set in Calumet, Michigan, during the 1913 miners strike. The story follows Annie Clements, a strong female leader who organizes and leads the women of Copper Country in support of the miners' union. The book vividly describes the harsh conditions in the copper mines, the struggles faced by the miners and their families, and the brutal resistance to organized labor in the early 20th century. Through multiple perspectives, the author brings to life the courage, endurance, and sacrifices of those involved in the labor movement.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Medium content warnings for topics like violence, abuse, and the tragic events of the strike.
Has Romance?
There are elements of romance present, though the primary focus is on activism and familial relationships.
From The Publisher:
From the bestselling and award-winning author of The Sparrow comes "historical fiction that feels uncomfortably relevant today" (Kirkus Reviews) about "America's Joan of Arc"-the 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 has seen enough of the world to know that it's unfair. She's spent her whole life in the mining town of Calumet, Michigan, where men risk their lives for meager salaries-and have barely enough to put food on the table for their families. 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 aren't coming home. So, when Annie decides to stand up for the entire town of Calumet, nearly everyone believes she may have taken on more than she is prepared to handle.
Yet as Annie struggles to improve the future of her town, her husband becomes increasingly frustrated with her growing independence. She faces the threat of prison while also discovering a forbidden love. On her fierce quest for justice, Annie will see just how much she is willing to sacrifice for 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 crucial men and women of the early labor movement "with an important message that will resonate with contemporary readers" (Booklist).
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About the Author:
Widely praised for her meticulous research, fine prose, and compelling narrative drive, Mary Doria Russell is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Sparrow, Children of God, A Thread of Grace, Dreamers of the Day, Doc, and Epitaph. Dr. Russell holds a PhD in biological anthropology. She lives in Lyndhurst, Ohio.
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