⇒ Libro Gratis The Last Ballad A Novel Wiley Cash 9780062313119 Books

The Last Ballad A Novel Wiley Cash 9780062313119 Books

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The Last Ballad A Novel Wiley Cash 9780062313119 Books

The story of Ella May Wiggins was unknown to me, but provided a fascinating view of early attempts to unionized textile workers in the South in 1929. It is, however, a depressing and sad picture of racism, an issue the country still suffers from today, and of the wealthy in a society who show little interest in the welfare of those who do the work that makes them rich. That, too, is something we are very much aware of in our country today as well. I have huge respect for people like Ella who choose to walk a dangerous path because they feel so strongly that the need for change is so important. I am a retired middle school teacher, and can't help thinking that if I was still in the classroom, I would share the story of Ella with my students. This book is important and worthwhile reading.


Tags : The Last Ballad: A Novel [Wiley Cash] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <strong>Winner of the Southern Book Prize for Literary Fiction</strong> <strong>Named a Best Book of 2017 by the Chicago Public Library and the American Library Association</strong> <strong>“Wiley Cash reveals the dignity and humanity of people asking </strong><strong>for a fair shot in an unfair world.”</strong> <strong>- Christina Baker Kline,Wiley Cash,The Last Ballad: A Novel,William Morrow,0062313118,Historical,Literary,Small Town & Rural,Abandoned wives,Domestic fiction,Domestic fiction.,FICTION General,FICTION Literary.,FICTION Suspense,FICTION Suspense.,Historical fiction,Labor union members - Labor unions,North Carolina,Textile workers - Labor unions,Textile workers - United States - 20th century,Working mothers,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,AMERICAN MYSTERY & SUSPENSE FICTION,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Literary,FICTION Small Town & Rural,Fiction,Fiction-Historical,FictionHistorical - General,FictionSmall Town & Rural,FictionThrillers - Suspense,GENERAL,General Adult,United States,Working mothers,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Literary,FICTION Small Town & Rural,FictionHistorical - General,FictionSmall Town & Rural,FictionThrillers - Suspense,American Historical Fiction,American Mystery & Suspense Fiction,Fiction

The Last Ballad A Novel Wiley Cash 9780062313119 Books Reviews

Wow! This is quite a story. I have heard lots of stories about the unions starting on the west coast, but never about the textile workers union on the east coast. This is an amazing story, filled with amazingly strong characters! I wasn’t sure at first if it was based on real people and events, so did some research and was happy to learn that it was. From what I could find the author did a great job telling their stories, stories that definitely should be told!
Wiley Cash’s “The Last Ballad” details the textile mill strike of 1929 and, more specifically, Ella May Wiggins’ story in light of that event. It gives much context to the struggle between those who were striking as well as the confrontations they experienced from those who opposed.

To me, the biggest problem is that this book didn’t create much emotional investment on the part of the reader, even in light of the events that takes place and its historical context. Despite the story of it tells and the tragic events that play out, I didn’t feel very drawn to the novel or its characters.

Maybe it was simply the way it was presented to us in the various character point of view format. I do not mind seeing a story develop from different vantage points as long as it is effective, but here it seems a little forced and unnecessary, and didn’t add much in the way of telling. In fact, it almost made the book lose much of its power and momentum, especially when we shift from 1929 to 2005 and then back to 1929.

At any rate, I did enjoy certain aspects of the book, and it appears to be a well-researched novel.

However, in the end, it all felt like a bit of a letdown or a flat reading experience.
I adored Mr. Cash’s first book, A Land More Kind Than Home, for the engrossing story and gorgeous writing. I preferred the first book simply because I enjoyed the story more. The Dark Road to Mercy is in my towering TBR pile and I am eager to read that as well.

The Last Ballad is historical fiction, primarily set in North Carolina textile towns in 1929. The chapters are narrated by eight different characters, providing a nice variety of perspectives. It is the story of Ella May Wiggins, a real woman who was active in promoting labor unions. She was a poor white woman with four children and one on the way. She works long hours in a textile mill along side whites and blacks. She lives among the black workers in a shanty town. She earns $9.00 for a 72 hour work week, less than other mills because blacks are employed there. She joins union organizers in hopes of a better life. She quickly makes a name for herself within the organization. However, she has conflicts with some of the leaders because she wants to give blacks the opportunity to join the union as well. There is tension and violence between the union and the mill owners with tragic consequences.

Mr. Cash’s writing provides such a strong sense of place and time. I remember reading and learning about the rise of unions in a high school history class. However, this novel gives a perspective that I never had. The union is painted as a communist plot to infiltrate the US, as is the suggestion that whites and blacks be treated equally. I was not aware of the role that racism played in the opposition to unions. Sadly, The Last Ballad is a timely book, as the status of unionized workers is again at risk.
What better way to provide a glimpse into a piece of history than historical fiction. This story is true; the incidents are true; the inner workings and subtleties of life within the context of this story can only be imagined and this author does a fine job of conveying a very real picture.
I was literally placed on the scene of working at the factory, loading the spindles; keeping up with a frantic pace; tired to the bone; hungry; cold and simply looking to get food for my children. Class divisions; racial divisions the end of the Civil War; the Great Depression…the times were hard; yet I found myself saying to myself a well-worn phrase, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".
This is a page turner for sure. The author builds each character, chapter by chapter; then weaves them back into the story as needed throughout the narrative. At times it can be difficult to recall an individual; I found myself wishing I had kept notes, sometimes, because the story does jump around a bit. It’s a style that proves useful in the telling of this snapshot in history.
The central character of this story is a heroine. Thank you, Wiley Cash, for writing about this.
The story of Ella May Wiggins was unknown to me, but provided a fascinating view of early attempts to unionized textile workers in the South in 1929. It is, however, a depressing and sad picture of racism, an issue the country still suffers from today, and of the wealthy in a society who show little interest in the welfare of those who do the work that makes them rich. That, too, is something we are very much aware of in our country today as well. I have huge respect for people like Ella who choose to walk a dangerous path because they feel so strongly that the need for change is so important. I am a retired middle school teacher, and can't help thinking that if I was still in the classroom, I would share the story of Ella with my students. This book is important and worthwhile reading.