Reviews

The Cold Millions: A Novel, by Jess Walter

kimlovestocook63's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

gretel7's review

slow-paced

2.0

shelbistarr's review against another edition

3.0

This book was hard to follow on audio, but overall I did enjoy it. It is set in the city I live in which made it that much more entertaining! Some parts did drag on, but for historical fiction lovers (like my husband) will love it.

okiecozyreader's review

If you don’t mind the use of g-damn 5 times a chapter, and a slow western, you might like this book.

I would also recommend the book over the audio. There are multiple narrators - maybe 5-10? And it’s really hard to keep track of the voices and people.

greenej's review against another edition

3.0

I have much praise for the writing in this book, and for the author's choice of topic--IWW free speech fights in Spokane in the early 20th century. Walter creates a powerful portrait of laborers, tramps, and activists fighting for their rights--as well as the Pinkertons, police, spies, and employers trying to bring them down. He focuses on two young brothers caught up in the drama and their interactions with a showgirl and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. It's an action-packed book and Walter gets the history right, but it's not got much depth in terms of character development or motivation. As a result most characters in the book come across as one-dimensional. Still, if you want a fast-moving book that explores early twentieth century labor and radical history, this is well worth your time. (PS was happy to see the author acknowledged some excellent labor history as sources for his story, including Lara Vapnek's fine biography of EG Flynn.)

2kidsandagoodbook's review against another edition

4.0

This book blew me away. It was filled with twists and turns I never saw coming and kept me glued to the pages. Once I figured out the dynamics between Rye and Gig I was captivated by this story of them, the path they were on and how they lived. Getting to see the point of view from some side characters was so enlightening and really showed more of the whole picture.

Rye trying to find his way in these times, trying to figure out where he fit and what the believed tugged on my heart strings. This book just plain and simple captivated me in a way that will stick and have me wanting to read it over again to try and pick out little pieces I missed and just submerse myself in this fictional world once again.

This is admittedly not my normal read and if I knew more about the history I’m sure I wouldn’t have been surprised as much. But the way the slices of history and people who characters are based on flawlessly fit into this fictional world where we learn more about what Spokane, the surrounding area and the people were like around 1909-1910. I love when fictional worlds are based on real events or a certain time and this book hit the nail on the head.

maggierogers's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

romanagiulia's review

1.0

Abandoned. Chosen for book club. Not interested in the subject nor did Jess Walter make me care about the characters.