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rworrall78's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
nattly's review against another edition
Long, repetitive and boring because of it.
doobage's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
shinysarah28's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
miavalentine's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bryannoise's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book, and I loved a lot of things about it. Three stars is maybe harsh, but it's just too long, WAY too heavy-handed, and not terribly artfully written. The edition I had was 'expanded' in some way to the 'original text,' i find it hard to believe that a condensed version wouldn't be a more rewarding read, it could easily be 2/3 the length without losing anything valuable. There's not much of a 'story' to the story, either, more drudgery than drama, though the characters are compelling and it's a great slice-of-life insight into working class life 100 years ago.
The main character, Owen, is repeatedly shown to be generous and infallible, and comes off as smug, he could use a bit more humility and humanity. And the constant tease of workers standing up to their oppressors turns out to be entire chapters of talk with just about zero action, as Deus ex Machina or the Karma Police solve nine out of ten conflicts rather than anyone taking an active stand.
But despite all that, it's worth reading (or at least skimming) to see how little things have changed in the last 100 years. The working class is, by all appearances, better off, but Tressell's argument against capitalism remains 100% valid and accurate, and if you thought the modern U.S. Republican party invented the idea of convincing disenfranchised wage slaves to vote directly against their best interests, you'll see how wrong you are, ha. The solutions offered by textbook socialism are maybe too idealistic, both then and now, but the arguments remain sound and we could sure use a nudge towards a more economically balanced society.
The main character, Owen, is repeatedly shown to be generous and infallible, and comes off as smug, he could use a bit more humility and humanity. And the constant tease of workers standing up to their oppressors turns out to be entire chapters of talk with just about zero action, as Deus ex Machina or the Karma Police solve nine out of ten conflicts rather than anyone taking an active stand.
But despite all that, it's worth reading (or at least skimming) to see how little things have changed in the last 100 years. The working class is, by all appearances, better off, but Tressell's argument against capitalism remains 100% valid and accurate, and if you thought the modern U.S. Republican party invented the idea of convincing disenfranchised wage slaves to vote directly against their best interests, you'll see how wrong you are, ha. The solutions offered by textbook socialism are maybe too idealistic, both then and now, but the arguments remain sound and we could sure use a nudge towards a more economically balanced society.
roseltov's review against another edition
4.0
A brilliant book. It took me a while to get over the naming convention, which made my toes curl at the beginning, and in the end had me rolling my eyes good-naturedly, Dad joke style.
Its much easier to read than other 'classics' I've read - or tried to read - in the past. The attitudes of the time are often really jarring to read though, and there's at least one n-word.
Overall the book is heartbreaking, frustrating and beautiful. It illustrates the cyclical drudgery of being working poor in a small town vibrantly and in detail. For a book which has deep political roots (and leaves, and trunk), it managed to mostly avoid being preachy. Towards the end there's a few speeches which are essentially a manifesto, but by that point I was fully sold on the book, and I expect the placement towards the end was intended to have that exact affect.
Depressingly relavent today as it was when it was written. It'd love to read an updated version for our times.
Its much easier to read than other 'classics' I've read - or tried to read - in the past. The attitudes of the time are often really jarring to read though, and there's at least one n-word.
Overall the book is heartbreaking, frustrating and beautiful. It illustrates the cyclical drudgery of being working poor in a small town vibrantly and in detail. For a book which has deep political roots (and leaves, and trunk), it managed to mostly avoid being preachy. Towards the end there's a few speeches which are essentially a manifesto, but by that point I was fully sold on the book, and I expect the placement towards the end was intended to have that exact affect.
Depressingly relavent today as it was when it was written. It'd love to read an updated version for our times.
fae_wheelchair_witch's review against another edition
4.0
As ever on reading this book (8th or 9th time) I'm torn between admiring it as a important piece of left-wing writing and the often reactionary views of Tressell himself - after all he "employed" a black manservant (ie slave) called Sixpence, of whom he was said to be "very fond". In 1897, Tresell led a successful protest against the employment of black skilled labour.
I suppose all our idols have feet of clay!
I suppose all our idols have feet of clay!
whysoserious's review against another edition
I really wanted to love this novel, having read the back of the book. Being deeply interested in politics and ideology I really thought I would enjoy this one but I have to admit it was very repetitive. Whilst other novels are just a little confusing and heavy this was just a bit dull. It is such a shame because Tressell really hits home the point that capitalism is one of the biggest evils of the western world. Had there been more actions – maybe a bit of unionisation – this may have gone down a treat but the first half is full of labourers complaining about how foreigners have kept down the local folk. The message is clear and well made and I enjoyed the writing style of Tressell. However the central character Owen is a little too arrogant for my liking; labelling those who don’t act to change the system as going against the future of their children is a little too black and white. By the mid-way point the story borders on preachy in it’s tone, something I didn’t sign up to when I first read the blurb. In short, chapter after chapter we encounter the same labourers trying to avoid being caught ‘on the job’ for fear of being fired by the evil tyrant employer.