The Brick People

by Alejandro Morales

Joseph and Walter Simons are ambitious entrepreneurs who, in the late nineteenth century, launch the Simons Brick Factory in Southern California. With the help of a Mexican who teaches them everything he knows about making bricks, the brothers build a life for themselves on the backs of the Mexicans who work the kilns. In this sweeping historical novel, the Anglo brothers are pitted against their workers. Fearful of the unrest south of the border as the Mexican Revolution rages, the patrones strive to provide their Mexican workers with everything they homes for their families, a company store to shop in, a school for their children, and even a church to pray in. By the end of 1926, the brick factory is considered one of the most successful businesses of its kind. Simons, California, is a model company town and a perfect example of the benevolent exploitation and control of Mexican labor. As the brothers expand their business and their families grow, Anglos and Mexicans alike live through the Great Depression, earthquakes that put their livelihood at risk, and World War II. They watch as their Japanese neighbors lose their land and homes and are placed in concentration camps. And they learn about the rise of unions to protect workers’ rights. It’s only a matter of time before even the Simons workers seek better wages and benefits. With an attention to historical reality blended with myth and legend, Morales recounts the epic struggle of a people to forge their destiny. The history of Southern California is intertwined with that of the Mexican workers who manufactured the bricks that laid the foundation of modern California.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Latino

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Irma Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this for a class and liking it. Dumb me lent it to a boy I thought was easy-on-the-eyes and I never saw my book again. :-/. Guess I'll just have to buy myself a new copy. ;)

[Lis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say I didn't like it. As a Chicana, that would seem sacrilegious. It was interesting to read about the way of life in a hacienda, how the owners may seem nice but are as benevolent to their workers as good pet owners who expect their animals to work off their room and board. It was good to see a brick from here and know the history. You should know this story, but I had a hard time not reading other books before finishing this.

[Ry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't really challenge any of my views or anything like that, so I can't say that this was a great novel, but it was great to see capitalism portrayed from the perspective of the exploited Mexican worker.

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! About the simmons brick company in Pasadena. Great use of magical realism and historical fiction.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you live in Southern California you should really read this. If not, still read it.