The Cold Millions by Jess Walter, is set primarily in Spokane, the home of the author, in early 1900s and center around the fight between labor organizers and the rich company owners and their thugs, and the hobos and tramps making their way in the world. The primary protagonists are two brothers, Rye and Gig Dolan, who hop freight trains and look for day work. Other characters include Early Reston, an agitator (and maybe more), Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, an organizer for the International Workers of the World, Ursula the Great, a burlesque performer and mistress of a company boss, and John Sullivan, the police chief of Spokane. Flynn and Sullivan are two of the many historical characters and many of the events in the story are based on actual events, but the author emphasizes in the acknowledgement that he has presented historical characters fictitiously. The story has action, romance, intrigue, character development, and fantastic description that vividly brings to life this gritty and poignant world. Who are the “cold millions”? In the words of Rye Dolan, “all people, except the rich cream, living and scraping and fighting and dying, an for what, nothing, the cold millions with no chance in this world.” It’s a wonderful tale told magnificently by an author with a stunning talent for the turn of phrase. I recommend this novel without reservation. Here’s what Kirkus Reviews says:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jess-walter/the-cold-millions/
