Russell’s novel is a very raw and real portrayal of the plight of the striking worker in the early 1900’s, as well as that of their wives and mothers who fought to keep food on the table. The novel pits Annie up against the villainous James MacNaughton, her nemesis in both this fictional work and in the historical record. In 1913, Annie Clements earned the title of “America’s Joan of Arc” for her role in leading a strike against a large and powerful copper mining company in Michigan, Calumet & Hecla. The Women of the Copper Country is a fictionalized account of the story of Anna Klobuchar Clements, otherwise known as Big Annie. The women and men in this book made it possible for the workers of today to fight for fairness and actually win. Once again, Russell has crafted a gritty and memorable tribute to real-life heroes who walked this Earth. Her historical fiction is nearly unmatched in depth of research and attention to detail.

The Sparrowis my favorite science fiction book, but this badass woman with the fiercest intellect around can write just about anything. Wells, with a dash of Ray Bradbury for good measure.' - The Dallas Morning News ' Russell shows herself to be a skillful storyteller who subtly and expertly builds suspense.' - USA Today From the Trade Paperback edition.No matter your taste in books, I could probably recommend a Mary Doria Russell book to you that you would love. The Sparrow tackles a difficult subject with grace and intelligence.' - San Francisco Chronicle 'Provocative, challenging. The Sparrow is one of them.' - Entertainment Weekly 'Powerful. Praise for The Sparrow 'A startling, engrossing, and moral work of fiction.' - The New York Times Book Review 'Important novels leave deep cracks in our beliefs, our prejudices, and our blinders. The mission begins in faith, hope, and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a catastrophic end. A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life.

The sparrow mary doria russell summary