Coal River

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by Ellen Marie Wiseman

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Pub Date Nov 24 2015 | Archive Date Feb 08 2016

Kensington Books | Kensington

General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction

Description

In this vibrant new historical novel, the acclaimed author of The Plum Tree and What She Left Behind explores one young woman's determination to put an end to child labor in a Pennsylvania mining town. . .

As a child, Emma Malloy left isolated Coal River, Pennsylvania, vowing never to return. Now, orphaned and penniless at nineteen, she accepts a train ticket from her aunt and uncle and travels back to the rough-hewn community. Treated like a servant by her relatives, Emma works for free in the company store. There, miners and their impoverished families must pay inflated prices for food, clothing, and tools, while those who owe money are turned away to starve.

Most heartrending of all are the breaker boys Emma sees around the village—young children who toil all day sorting coal amid treacherous machinery. Their soot-stained faces remind Emma of the little brother she lost long ago, and she begins leaving stolen food on families' doorsteps, and marking the miners' bills as paid.

Though Emma's actions draw ire from the mine owner and police captain, they lead to an alliance with a charismatic miner who offers to help her expose the truth. And as the lines blur between what is legal and what is just, Emma must risk everything to follow her conscience.

An emotional, compelling novel that rings with authenticity—Coal River is a deft and honest portrait of resilience in the face of hardship, and of the simple acts of courage that can change everything.

Advance Praise

“Ellen Marie Wiseman weaves a story of intrigue, terror, and love.” – Jewish Book World on The Plum Tree

“Screams with authenticity, depth, and understanding.” – The New York Journal of Books on What She Left Behind

“In clean, clear prose, Wiseman paints an insightful portrait of a coal town and the miners’ struggle for their rights, along with the fight against child labor. This non-stop read is a compelling story of one woman’s determination to see justice win over greed and corruption. The careful research shows in every page of this forthright picture of a world brought from darkness into the light.” - RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Ellen Marie Wiseman weaves a story of intrigue, terror, and love.” – Jewish Book World on The Plum Tree

“Screams with authenticity, depth, and understanding.” – The New York Journal of Books on ...

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Praise for COAL RIVER by Ellen Marie Wiseman

“Ellen Marie Wiseman takes readers deep into the politics and hidden atrocities of a 20th-century Pennsylvania mining town.” – BookPage.com

“Heartrending and strongly drawn historical details.”– Booklist

“Wiseman offers heartbreaking and historically accurate depictions… The richly developed coal town acts as a separate, complex character; readers will want to look away even as they're drawn into a powerful quest for purpose and redemption…[a] powerful story”– Publishers Weekly

“Paints a picture of the struggles mining families faced in the early 1900s. Emma is a strong, likable character that is willing to fight for what she believes is right…the plot of Coal River sweeps the reader along as Emma faces each obstacle. This book will attract readers of historical fiction and those looking for strong female character.” – VOYA

“Things get really, really fast and furious. This book opened my eyes to the coal mines. I loved it. Would be a great book club selection.” – Jackie Blem, Tattered Cover Book Store (Denver, CO)

Praise for COAL RIVER by Ellen Marie Wiseman

“Ellen Marie Wiseman takes readers deep into the politics and hidden atrocities of a 20th-century Pennsylvania mining town.” – BookPage.com

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