Having previously read another book by Mary Doria Russell, I knew that this newest novel would be a pleasure to read and I was not disappointed.

The story takes place in Calumet, Michigan and centers around the lives of copper miners and the horrible conditions they had to endure in the early 1900’s. After one accident too many, the women decide they have had enough worrying over the safety of their men and gather together to bring about change.

Annie Clements, nicknamed “Big Annie” due to her height, emerged as the leader of the group of women. They join forces with the Union and begin to recruit members, eventually helping to orchestrate a strike that lasted several months.

Tensions rise as the strike lasts longer and longer, with several Union workers ending up getting arrested, injured or worse. The strike and Annie’s work with the Union also begins to take its toll on her marriage.

This is another great work of historical fiction that prompted me to find out more. Annie Clements was a real life American Labor activist and was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame. It’s so inspiring to read about women who made a difference in the lives of others and most especially the lives of the future generation.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

This is a well-researched fictionalization of actual events. In some ways, the author stays too close to the actual events, and at times, the narrative didn’t progress very far. Also, the ending, while perhaps historically correct was disappointing.

This is a fictional account of the copper strike in Calumet, Michigan. The strike was largely instigated by the women of Calumet. Tired of losing husbands, sons, and brothers, they convinced the local union to strike. Lead by Annie Clements, the strike lasted nearly 9 months before ultimately failing.

While fictional, Russell does keep a lot of the historical elements in tact. Annie was a real member of the women's auxiliary and did much for the strikers and their families. As you can imagine, being a strong women in both appearance and character isn't always an advantage during this time period. Annie survived a lot and Russell details her struggles and those of the people of Calumet well.

The relationship between the union and mining company is well written. You certainty are not supposed to like McNaughton, however his beliefs regarding his workforce, wages, and immigrants were widespread during this time. Unfortunately, it seems those beliefs are making their way into the 21st century as well.

Russell is a gifted writer. While the plight of miners is presumably universally pitied, Russell crafts together a story that not only emphasizes the plight of the miner but also that of the community. When the miners strike, the whole community suffers. It's how they get through it and the hard work it requires that makes for a compelling story. I wavered between three and four starts for this one. I would have gone with four if it weren't for the ending. I guess leaving ambiguous endings is the thing to do now. Honestly, her afterword was more of an ending than the actual book. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

An enthusiastic 4 stars!

As far as I’m concerned, good historical fiction does not romanticize or trivialize real historical events, but rather uses fiction as a way to bring history to life. The Women of the Copper Country really hit the mark. The novel focuses on a mining strike in Northern Michigan in 1913 as mostly seen through the eyes of the women of the town. Specifically, the story focuses on Annie Clements — known as Big Annie — who was the head of the Women’s Auxiliary and instrumental in getting the strike going. Annie was a real person, and the author clearly did a lot of research about her life and the strike. This is not a happy story — because it’s based on a difficult historical time and because this author does not romanticize what happened to Annie and others. But it’s not all bleak — the story really highlights the role and strength of women involved in the labour movement and it brings home the dramatic improvements in working conditions over the last 100 years — with perhaps a warning to be careful not to backslide. And I should mention that the writing was excellent. This was my first but won’t be my last book by this author. This was a great buddy read with Angela and Diane. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read

Mary Doria Russell is a wonderful story teller and it’s about time that I finally read one of her books. I will, no doubt, get to some of her others because this one for me is deserving of five stars. The writing is descriptive but not overly, enough to give the reader a fantastic sense of time and place in the mining town of Calumet, Michigan in 1913 where the mine workers endure dangerous working conditions, meager pay checks and long hours, where men and boys die and children are hungry and cold and women work so hard. The expert characterization allows us to see her characters in depth, what they are made of - from the amazing Annie Clements whose inner strength, savvy and heart move this story forward juxtaposed with the mean and heartless James MacNaughton, the mine boss. While this is a work of fiction, it is well researched. Russel clarifies in a note what is true and what she has taken liberties with. I was so captivated by this book, that I spent some time online reading more about the events that happened in Calumet around the strike that Annie and others lead. So much here is a true reflection.

The story of what happens in this place is more than a glimpse of the struggle of workers there to organize. It’s a reflection of a part of our country’s history. I learned what a major role women had in trying to affect change. While Annie and young Eva and many other women in the Women’s Auxiliary are representative of the women of Calumet, there are others who played significant roles in the labor movement in this country who make an appearance. Mother Jones and Ella Bloor - so much to admire in the strength and downright gumption of these women. A pleasure to read about them. Violence, tragedy and heartbreak mark this story and it’s not easy to read in places, but it is so worth reading. Annie is a character I will remember and this book will be on my list of favorites for the year.

This was a monthly read along with Diane and Esil and as always, I value our discussions.

This ARC was provided by the publisher Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story is set in the world of copper mining in Calumet, MI, the most dangerous industry in the world. The corporate owners take more than they give so the miners suffer and struggle to get by.

In 1913 the Local 15 of the Western Federation of miners struck for better wages, safer working conditions, and reduced hours. The workers were convinced to strike by 25-year-old Annie Clements, known as Big Annie, and she led 10,000 miners in a strike against the world’s largest copper mining enterprise. Organizing a cadre of women and carrying a 12 foot American flag Annie marched with the Women’s Auxiliary to hold off the mining executives, and fight for the cause of the miners and their families earning herself the sobriquet of America’s Joan of Arc.

This is a great story for fans of historical fiction and the book closes with author notes documenting the history of these events.
Similar reads: Deep River by Karl Marlantes and The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash.

I really enjoyed this one. Not only was it about small town life, but I loved that it had a strong woman at the center of everything. This was fiction writing at its best!

Literary fiction at its best.A small town a town where copper mining keeps the town alive.A story of a particular time in history where strong woman stood up.A really interesting involving book.Highky recommend.#netgalley #atriaboks.

I've read other books by Russell and enjoyed them. She has a knack for historical fiction and does her homework when it comes to being as historically accurate as possible. She also tells the stories that don't often get told, mainly the labor strikes that occurred in this country. Her characters are well developed and the story rolls smoothly. I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed this book, I really like historical fiction so this was right up my alley. The authors writing style was engaging and descriptive. The protagonist was very likeable but I felt like there were disconnections with other characters and the backstory and details were lacking. I was also disappointed in the ending. Overall it's worth the read if you enjoy this kind of stoy.

I enjoyed The Women of the Copper Country. It was an interesting read. I give it four and a half stars and recommend it.

I remember vividly the steelworker's strike in 1959, which idled 500,000 workers, and caused importing of steel for the first time in American History, It was much larger and more extensive than the copper strike detailed in this latest novel by Maria Doria Russell, but the 9-month strike by the Western Federation of Miners against companies in Michigan's Upper Peninsula took a toll which was emotional, physical, financial and psychological.

No one can read this book without having sympathy for the workers and finding management despicable in its handling of the events. Spearheaded by "Big" Annie, a large woman whose husband is a mine worker, peaceful parades are held, a clothing bank and a food pantry are organized, letters are written to other unions, newspapers, and noteworthy pro-unionists. It looks for a time as though the union might prevail, but then management brings in strikebreakers who bully and beat the men and their families, destroy homes, cause dissention in every way possible, and take lives with nary a backward glance. Throughout the strike, the miners are reminded that they own nothing: their housing, the ground they walk on, even their very lives belong to the company.

This is a highly emotional read, spotlighting the courageous work by women activists, immigrants [predominately Finnish], a helpful union organizer, and a resolute photographer, all determined to see that justice is done.

I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Simon & Schuster pub date 08/06/19

A fight for a good life, not just a better life, comes vividly in this story. The nice city of Calumet built by one of the most profitable companies of its time is just a façade. What hides behind it, is the meager wages hardly making ends meet and the dangerous conditions under the ground. Every week someone dies or gets injured. The injustice sparks major union strike.

Houghton, Michigan: Anna Klobuchar, daughter of tall Slovenian parents, at 15 years old she already tops 6 feet. This causes her to be a subject of ridicule. “Boys laughed and pointed, calling out familiar taunts (…). Freak. Giant. Monster.” But her father encourages her, “Stand up, straight, Anna. Hold your head high. (…) That’s your strength. You are tall for a reason. When your head is high, you can see farther than anyone else.”

Lake Superior, Michigan: James MacNaughton in 1901 became the general manager of Calumet & Hecla, the world’s largest copper mining company in the so called Copper Country along the Lake Superior. The Keweenaw Peninsula holds the richest copper deposits on earth. “He was a pioneer in the field of scientific industrial management.”

“For fifty years, wave after wave of immigrants have come to the copper Country, all of them eager to work for the world’s most productive and progressive mining company.”

Anna Klobuchar, at 18, marries Joe Clements, who now works night shifts at the mine. They share a small house with three young Italian immigrant men. What miners make is a bare minimum to survive. They “can’t make enough money to get even a little ahead, what hope is there for anybody? (…) Annie comes to a decision. Somebody has to do something.”

The focus of the story is 1913 strike. The Western Federation of Miners demanding an 8-hr work-day, 5 days a week, a minimum wage, and an end to use of the one-man pneumatic drill.

I’ve read quite a few books with vivid depiction of a time period or a historical figure, and yet I have to say WOW what an impressive vivid portrayal. Not only of the fight for a good life, but also of very memorable characters, passionate driven immigrants.

Mary Harris Jones (1837-1930), known as Mother Jones, is quite a character. The union men call her the Miner’s Angel. “She left Cork (Ireland) during the Great Famine and survived a voyage across the Atlantic in a filthy, overloaded boat. (…) Odds against, she found a good man in America, and survived four pregnancies (…)” only to lose them all to yellow fever. Then lost her home and business in the Great Fire of Chicago. “So she rolled up her sleeves and went to work besides the laborers who rebuilt that city.” Her last straw “came when her own parish priest began to preach that the strikers should go back to work.” She yelled from the last pew, “I’m damned if I’ll eat shite on earth, praying for pie in the sky when I’m dead.” After that she became a union representative and a ferocious fighter for a good life, not just better.

Mary Doria Russel has done it again. The meticulously researched story line is gripping and engaging in this previously under-told tale of the conditions of the copper miners. Russel has brought Annie Clements to life without falling into the easy trap of idealizing "America's Joan of Arc.". Annie and her contemporaries come to life as fully-developed human beings, flaws and all. Heart-wrenching, educational, maddening, and unflinching.

Based on true events this book is about a copper mining town in Michigan in 1913. It tells how one woman helped so much with the labor movement. I learned much about this period of time and the hard lives these people lead. I appreciate the research the author did for this book. Many thanks to Atria Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

An excellent read! The reader is quickly pulled into the story. This is a fascinating story about what has become a little known part of our history. Russell has mastered the craft of writing with her well-drawn characters and flowing dialogue. I would suggest this book for a community read such as One Book One Town .

This novel of historical fiction highlights a little know woman who made a big difference in the mining industry.
In this age of celebrating strong women, it once again shows the contribution women continue to make to build our country.
Strong characters, and well drawn setting make this an enlightening and enjoyable read.

In 1913, Annie Clements (Clemenc) has had enough of seeing men risk their lives for a company who pays them barely enough to survive. She sick of the death that can happen at any time. Though the majority warns her she has taken on more than she can shoulder, she is determined to see justice.

I love a book that entertains me and, at the same time, teaches me something about history. I didn't know much about mining in Michigan, so I was intrigued when I began reading. I came away knowing more about the time period and the fight that happened for better working conditions.

The blending of fact with fiction was excellent. I am thankful for the author's note at the end that explained what had really happened and what was fiction.

This is not for the fainthearted. Annie's husband is abusive. The tactics of strikebreakers are bloody. The treatment of suffragettes of the time is incorporated into Annie's arrest. Not to mention the tragedy that occurred five months into the strike.

I unreservedly say this is a fitting telling of the strong women who took on a copper baron! I would recommend this to readers of historical fiction based on fact.

The Women of the Copper Country is based on the copper mines strike of 1913 in which Annie Clements becomes the leader of the strike movement that made it possible for workers to have better hours, better pay and health benefits. It showcases tremendous female courage and inner strength, difficult choices and heartbreak. I found the book to be well-written and I appreciated the research that went into writing this book. This a deeply moving, unforgettable book. I highly recommend it.

Historical fiction about a copper miners’ strike in Calumet, Michigan in 1913, led by Annie Klobuchar Clements (the anglicized form of Clemenc). Mining conditions at the time were deplorable. Men were dying regularly in the mines, and surviving families evicted from their company-owned homes. This book relates the story of the strike and a brave woman who stepped into a leadership role at a time when many women were not even entitled to vote.

This book is a narrative of multiple tragedies. It is well-written, and the primary characters are believable. The setting and times are vividly portrayed, especially the harshness of life for the workers and their families. Notable women of the labor movement make an appearance, such as Mother Jones, Ella Bloor, and Jane Addams. I enjoyed the first three-fourths of this book but felt went off-target near the finish with a rather unsatisfying ending. It is based on real events and I was interested to read the author’s afterward where she provides information on what parts are based on facts. Overall, I thought it was worthwhile and I gained additional knowledge about the history of U.S. labor activism.