Coal River

by Ellen Marie Wiseman

From the New York Times bestselling author of What She Left Behind comes a haunting and meticulously researched novel of historical fiction. Ellen Marie Wiseman draws readers into the Pennsylvania mining operations of the early 20th century—where children had no choice but to work in deadly conditions…or face starvation. This is an eye-opening novel sure to stay with you long after you turn the last page…

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.

“Wiseman offers heartbreaking and historically accurate depictions . . . [a] powerful story.”
— Publishers Weekly

“Heartrending and strongly drawn historical details.”
— Booklist

“Intense and heartbreaking at times, but full of hope. The author’s impeccable research into this era makes for a spot-on portrayal of a dark time in American history…’unputdownable’.”
— The Historical Novels Review , Editor’s Choice

“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)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, Audiobook, Romance, Adult Fiction

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2015

About the author

Ellen Marie Wiseman is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for writing novels based on real historical injustices, including THE LIES THEY TOLD, THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR, WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND, THE PLUM TREE , COAL RIVER, THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN, and THE LOST GIRLS OF WILLOWBROOK, which was an Indie Next selection, an Amazon Editor's Pick and the B&N “Our Monthly Pick.” Born and raised in Three Mile Bay, a tiny hamlet in northern New York, Ellen is a first-generation German American who discovered her love of reading and writing while attending first grade in one of the last one-room schoolhouses in New York State. Since then, her novels have been published worldwide, translated into more than twenty languages, and sold nearly two million copies in the United States alone. They have also been named to "best of" lists by Reading Group Choices, Good Housekeeping, Goodreads, The Historical Novel Society, Great Group Reads, and more. A mother of two and grandmother to six, Ellen lives on the shores of Lake Ontario with her Husband.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Pennsylvania, 1912, coal mining is a horribly dangerous and back breaking job. The breaker boys, children so incredibly young sent to the mines, such a heartbreaking thing. Children were not allowed to be children during this time unless they came from wealthy families. Think we almost go overboard the other way in present time.

Loved all the history and this was a very easy and quick flowing book to read. Emma though, seemed almost too good to be true. Some of the things she did seemed unrealistic although I did admire her determination. Also an ending that was too neatly wrapped up. So this ended up a mixed read for me though I do admire the subjects this author is willing to tackle.

ARC from Netgalley.

[Angela M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wiseman takes on some serious issues in her novels and she develops these themes around some very strong women . In The Plum Tree , it's the holocaust and in What She Left Behind, it's the horrific treatment of patients at an insane asylum, some of whom were committed there without a trace of mental illness . In Coal River , the focus is on the dangers of coal mining in Pennsylvania in 1912 and the inhumane treatment of children forced to work in the mines .

Through the story of nineteen year old Emma Malloy, who has returned to the town of Coal River to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents die , we learn about the unsafe working conditions in the mines as well the awful conditions the miners and their families were forced to live with . The wages were so low a family could barely afford the rent in the mine owned cabins . Groceries were marked up so high , they couldn't afford to feed their families and they were forced to shop at the company store . They lived in constant fear as the corrupt owner and manager and townsmen would kill men for not complying with their illegal rules . Child labor is exposed and young boys , not even 7 years old are forced to work long hours in such horribly dangerous conditions that many lose limbs or their lives by being crushed by machinery or cave ins .

Emma is determined to help these people no matter what it takes and she ultimately puts her own life in danger trying to do that. There's a love story and a secret not revealed until the end , but other than the one surprise revelation, the ending was too neatly wrapped up in too few pages and was quite predictable so on second thought , it's tough to give it more than three stars . Having said that , I liked the bulk of the story and learning about a coal mining town in 1912 , which I knew virtually nothing about . It would have been a quick read if I had more reading time this past week . I would recommend it to those who are fans of Wiseman's books. My favorite of hers is still What She Left Behind.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley.

[Irene · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing of this book was so poorly executed. It was filled with heaving bosoms, hammering hearts, sinking knees, creeping pin pricks of sweat and the like. The characters appeared to have been extruded from a mold without any nuance. The plot was strung together with highly implausible scenes, concluding with a turn of events which was so ridiculous it was laughable. It is 1912. When a fire leaves 19 year old Emma destitute and orphaned, she reluctantly returns to the mining community of Coal River to live with her aunt and uncle, relatives whom she loathes although she has not seen them for 9 years. She blames them for the accidental drowning death of her younger brother so many years ago, but her hatred for these people goes beyond this single event. I think I was supposed to see her outspoken condemnation of these people as virtuous strength, but I found her rude and immature. Emma quickly learns of the miners’ hardships and becomes a cross between Robin Hood and Norma Rae without either’s sophistication or good judgment. Conveniently, all the miners are ignorant, rather helpless Neanderthals, but one is articulate, strong, chivalrous, saintly and a drop-dead hunk who immediately gravitates to her. The remainder of this novel is populated with a sadistic mine owner, a mean, lecherous alcoholic uncle, an imperious and shallow aunt and other folks that fit neatly into pigeon holes.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much injustice in this story -- I was getting sick. The year was 1912.
Coal River, Pennsylvania. (Mining Country).
Children were working in those mines as young as 6 years old. They were injured,
disabled, starving, and fucking abused! Author Marie Wiseman is a beautiful sensitive
writer, absolutely terrific storyteller, she didn't need to use profanity. ( I just couldn't find another word to express my anger: forgive me).
I was MAD!!! I wanted to kick somebody in the balls myself one minute 'and/or' break down crying the next!

There wasn't always a time in history when people said things like...."children should be allowed to have a childhood". This book is a clear reminder that before Industrialization, when families tended to work their own land, children were sent to work as soon as they were able. They were apprentices to their parents. I'm sure some parents treated their children with dignity and respect, taught them great values, hard work without damaging them... but we had no
monitor measurement, of such.

I remember my own daughter --( different times)--working in adult theater ( equity actress),
starting at the age of nine. I remember thinking I was thankful to the 'Jackie Cooper' Law.
Yet, around the corner in Children's Theater, ( even sports), I knew for a fact kids we're not protected by child labor laws, with too many demands on them in a given day --with full time school and after school competitive activities.
We are 'still' abusing children (we're just more coy about it)
but it this story it's so IN YOUR FACE, we see it and feel it!!! I'm still left thinking about our kids
'today'. This author woke something up in me. We 'have' child labor laws now.. yet...I'm still
worried for today's children. Seems the world they are being born into ( the fast pace), is almost abusive in itself.

There is much a reader can take from this story - many levels ... ( like peeling an onion)

The true champion of this story is a young girl name Emma.
Is it any accident the author chose this name? I'd love to ask her.
Haven't we had other strong - lovely female souls- in our books in the past named *Emma*?

The Breaker Boys will break your heart ... will melt your heart ... will have your heart!

THIS IS A STORY TO REMEMBER!! ( yep, another one, another reminder) ....
WE DON'T GET TO ABUSE ANYONE...... And certainly NOT OUR CHILDREN!

*NOTE: I did not want to details away, (but if any of my friends need more information, send me a private message ).

Excellent book club choice! (Lots to discuss)

Thank You Kensington Books, Netgalley, and Ellen Marie Wiseman. ( I've much respect for this author)

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

1912, Coal River in Pennsylvania is a Godforsaken place where boys as young as six or seven sort coal in mines six days a week.

Emma Malloy recently orphaned arrives in Coal River where her extended family offers a roof over her head. There, she sees a small mountain town full of superstitious people, of young boys missing limbs, of like-dictatorship run town. There is also neglect and injustice and she tries to take action against all this injustice.

The story brings interesting facts about abuse going on in many mines during that time period. Way too young boys working in the mines. Working with their bare hands resulting in swollen and bleeding fingers. The gloves were not allowed as that would slow the work. Men being overworked and getting paid very little. Working in unsafe conditions. Families living in deplorable conditions.

The first half of the book is pretty interesting, even though at times I questioned if the way Emma talks is believable. The second half is where I started losing interest in this story. At times, she has too many questions in her head and it slows the pace and all those questions are not that interesting. And there is some repetition. It becomes more about her thoughts and descriptions than action. And with the murders ordered by a tyrant who runs the town it becomes some cliché story.

Overall, for most of the part it is an interesting story written with fairly enjoyable prose with some humor at times.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really did open my eyes to the difficult life of coal miners and "breaker boys"... made my heart absolutely break for the tragedy that so many of these families were forced to endure. Overall, I thought this was well written and entertaining. I just kept feeling that parts seemed forced and unrealistic, especially the ending which was a big disappointed for me.

[JudiAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a new author writes two incredibly wonderful books, What She Left Behind and The Plum Tree and the third one is just so so I feel let down. This is one of those books. However, it was a very good look the coal mines and the black lung disease that was common with the workers then and still is. The author particularly focuses on the heart breaking stories of young boys called the breaker boys, who worked in the mines and the horrible life they were exposed to.

The novel starts in the early 1900s at a slow pace and gradually builds into a story about the life of Emma Molloy who loses both of her parents in a New York City theatre fire. The only option left opened to her was to go back to Coal River, Pennsylvania and live with her aunt and uncle. She desperately wants to get away from the town that stirs memories of her brother who drowned several years before. Her aunt and uncle force her to work at the company store without pay. It is here that she learns of the suffering families and the children who are referred to as the breaker boys. They are forced to work long hours in the mines. The astonishing misery they go through as they shift through the coal looking for rocks which leaves extremely painful cuts on their hands is deplorable! Emma is determined to help the forlorn families and improve the working conditions of the breaker boys.

Why three stars? I actually feel compelled to give it 3 1/2 stars but couldn't quite make it to 4. The story was slow moving and the character development didn't pull at my heartstrings like it should have. I know had I read it instead of listening to an audiobook I would have skimmed the pages trying to get to the meat of the story. There was a vague love affair that was never developed and I for one would like to have seen it part of the story instead of hanging in the air. For anyone interested in the time period and the breaker boys here is an excellent video on You Tube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfVQB...


This is a very old photo of my Papaw (grandfather) and his coworkers in the North Carolina coal mines in the early 1900s and he is in the middle. I don't know if he was a breaker boy because it wasn't talked about in our family. I suspect he was. I only acquired this photo after my grandparents deaths.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coal River by Ellen Marie Wiseman is a story about coal miners and breaker boys (young boys under 12) in the 1912s in Pennsylvania. Emma loses her brother when the ice broke when she was 10. Then years later Emma becomes injured in a theater fire which kills her parents. Emma ends up with her Aunt and Uncle in Pennsylvania. Emma learns of the terrible conditions of the coal mines her uncle manages. As she tries to uncover the corrupt activity of the mines she gets to know a miner for Aunt and Uncle refuse to allow her to associate with. Saying he is a bad sort. Once Emma’s Aunt and Uncle kick her out to the streets Emma goes to live with Clayton helping him take care of the orphaned breaker boys.

Emma is brave and strong. She helps the miner family find food and other ways to survive. She was like Robin Hood.

Clayton. If there was ever a character in a book to fall in love with it would be Clayton Nash. Just an old ladies fictionalized idea of a hero 😉

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coal River by Ellen Marie Wiseman is an extremely well written historical novel of a fictional coal town in Pennsylvania in the early 1900’s. This is the author’s third novel and now I know why others are talking about her. Through the eyes of her main character, Emma Malloy, she witnesses and relates to us the strife and horrors of coal mining in a small town owned and run by a man who is powerful, greedy and cares nothing about his workers lives. Her main focus is on the breaker boys, who sort the coal from slate as it is pulverized. Even though Child Labor Laws have been passed in the period of this novel, they are all broken by this company as well as Safety Laws for the miners.

Emma is a strong female character who has experienced much tragedy in her young life and yet still has strength and courage to try to go against a system she finds extremely unjust. She puts her own life in danger to bring light to the injustice. This character also, I feel stays true to her options in her times. All the secondary characters are interesting and complex in their own right. The plot flows to a suspenseful conclusion that was very surprising and satisfying.

Thank you so much to Kensington Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review. It was worth every minute.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nineteen year old Emma Malloy was devastated at the loss of both her parents in a fire at the theatre where they worked. After having lost her younger brother Albert when she was a child, she couldn’t believe she was now an orphan. And when she heard she had two choices – go to live with her aunt and uncle in Coal River, Pennsylvania; or the poorhouse – Emma realized she didn’t have an option. But she had vowed never to return to Coal River – the uncle she despised still put fear into her bones.

The train journey to Coal River was long and tiring; her black mourning clothes were stifling in the heat. But when Emma was met by her cousin Percy, she knew life was going to get worse. Told in no uncertain terms by her aunt and uncle that she would work for her keep – in the house and also at the company store – with her wages going into the household income, Emma was desperate to leave Coal River. But the plight of the miners and their destitute families; the young children who were sent as breaker boys, sorting coal with their bare hands amongst the dangers of machinery – Emma was heartbroken. And she determined there and then to try her level best to improve the lot of those families.

The adrenalin rush Emma would feel when she managed to steal small parcels of food to leave on the doorsteps in the miners’ village; to mark certain bills as “paid” in the store account book – she knew she would eventually be caught. But what more could she do? With corruption rife in the police force and amongst the company bosses, Emma continued on her quest. What would be the outcome for Coal River? What would happen to Emma; brave and courageous in her determination to succeed?

I really enjoyed Coal River by author Ellen Marie Wiseman. A deeply profound and moving telling of child labour in the coal mines of Pennsylvania; and the heroic and courageous people who had no options but to live through those times. The grief of the families, their stoic manner – Coal River is an emotional read which I highly recommend. I also love the cover!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

1912: Die 19-jährige Emma hat ihre Eltern durch ein Feuer verloren und steht nun mittellos da. Ihre Tante und ihr Onkel in dem Bergarbeiterort Coal River nehmen Emma bei sich auf. Vor gut 10 Jahren war Emma zuletzt bei ihnen. Damals verunglückte Emmas kleiner Bruder Albert auf dem Fluss und Emma möchte nichts mehr, als möglichst schnell aus Coal River wieder wegzukommen. Doch dann lernt sie mehr über den Bergarbeiterort, über die Not der Menschen und die gefährliche Arbeit in den Kohlenminen. Emma möchte helfen und lernt dabei auch den Arbeiter Clayton kennen, der ebenfalls für bessere Arbeitsbedingungen kämpft. Die beiden machen sich mit ihren Bemühungen nicht nur Freunde...

Mein Leseeindruck:

Ich habe bereits "Die dunklen Mauern von Willard State" mit Begeisterung gelesen und war somit ganz gespannt auf das neue Buch der Autorin.

Der Schreibstil von Ellen Marie Wiseman hat mich gleich wieder überzeugen können. Sie schreibt so, dass ich mich sofort ab der ersten Seite in ihre Geschichten fallen lassen kann. Auch hier war ich gleich an Emmas Seite und habe mit ihr mitfühlen können.

Das, was Emma in Coal River erlebt hat, hat auch mich sehr berührt. Hätte ich mehr Zeit gehabt, hätte ich das Buch in einem Stück lesen können, denn die Geschichte hat mich sehr gefesselt.

Die Figuren haben mich ebenfalls überzeugen können. Emma war mir sehr sympathisch. Ich mochte ihre mitfühlende Art und ihre Stärke.

Es gibt im Buch auch eine Liebesgeschichte, aber sie steht nicht im Vordergrund, sondern kommt eigentlich erst zum Ende des Buches hin zur Geltung. Auch das hat mir sehr gefallen, denn ich finde, dass das Elend und Leid in dem Bergarbeiterort und Emma Kampf für bessere Arbeitsbedingungen hier völlig zu recht im Vordergrund stehen.

Mein Fazit: "Das verlorene Medaillon" ist ein Buch, das mich ab der ersten Seite gefangen nehmen konnte und mich sehr gut unterhalten hat. Ich hatte schöne Lesestunden mit der Geschichte von Emma und Clayton und freue mich auf hoffentlich noch viele Bücher der Autorin!

[Abolfazl Nasri · Rating 4 out of 5]

باز هم مثل همیشه، نویسنده سوژه‌ای قدرتمند و پرکشش رو انتخاب کرده: ظلم نظام‌مند، کار کودکان، و ایستادگی در برابر بی‌عدالتی. داستان در فضایی تاریک و واقعی می‌گذره، شخصیت‌ها خوب پرداخت شدن و رویدادها به‌طور کلی خواننده رو با خودش می‌بره.
اما با وجود همه‌ی این نکات مثبت، کلیشه‌ها و پیش‌بینی‌پذیری بعضی لحظات، لذت رو کمی کاهش می‌ده. انگار بعضی پیچش‌ها رو بارها در داستان‌های مشابه دیدیم. پایان‌بندی هم تا حدی قابل حدس بود.

در مجموع، تجربه‌ی خوبی بود، ولی نه بی‌نقص.
۳.۵ ستاره از ۵... که با ارفاق به ۴ می‌رسه.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the heart breaking and compelling story of the hard working coal miners and children working in coal mines. It is a real eye opener. I always knew coal mining was a very dangerous occupation, but did not realize the hardships that heir families endured.

Emma Malloy left Coal River as a young child and planned never to return.
The memories of her brother who drowned in an accident still haunt her.
Emma’s parents die in a tragic fire in New York, leaving Emma with no place to live.
She is forced to go back to Coal River Pennsylvania, and live with her aunt and uncle.

It is 1912 in Coal River, a fictional town. Emma returns to the place she never wanted to see again. Her aunt and uncle treat her deplorable.Her uncle works for the coal mine.
Emma learns first hand about how the miners live and how hard it was for them to put food on the table. Her aunt and uncle live in a luxurious life style.
Emma meets some of the “Breaker Boys” who work in the coal mine, some of them are only 6 years old.
It becomes her mission to end child labor in coal mining towns.

The Breaker Boys “Until about 1900,nearly all coal mining facilities in the U.S.were labor intensive, the removal of impurities was done by hand Usually by breaker boys between the ages of 8 and 12.
For 10 hours a day 6 days a week, breaker boys would sit on wooden seats perched over the coal chutes picking slate and impurities out of the coal.
In 1885 Pennsylvania enacted a law forbidding the employment of anyone under the age of 12 from working in a coal breaker. The law was poorly enforced”

This is a very profound and compelling novel. It draws you in right from the beginning.
It is very well written and researched.
Highly recommend.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wiseman's historical novel was a page-turner that encompassed tragedy, suspense, and no regard for the poor working class to provide financial gain for the wealthy.

Emma, orphaned, has returned to Coal River to live(an almost slave-like existence)with her mother's sister and her tyrant husband. She is obliged to work for free at the Coal ming company store.

On the streets, she observes the breaker boys(six and eight years of age) working all day sorting coal amidst treacherous machinery. Many have limbs missing and soot-stained faces and hands.

As days go by, Emma becomes more courageous and visits the coal miners' shanties. She is astounded by the appalling living conditions, living without water and only scraps of food. To help these boys, she dresses up as a boy. With a hidden camera, she posses as one of them.

[Karina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5... Idk why I keep reading her books. I have finally figured out what's been bothering me about her writing style. The main character always has a paragraph of 10 questions on every page... it gets to the point where I get annoyed at Wiseman's writing style... I was really hoping to like this book and for the most part I did but it was too long, I started skimming bc the plot couldn't get there fast enough.

It's a story about a mining town in Pennsylvania in the year of 1912. Emma has to return there after her parents die in a fire in NY state. She dreads her uncle and aunt and has bad memories bc her brother Albert died there. Her uncle and aunt are horrible people who work for Hazard Flint, the owner of the mining company and is the only employer for the whole town of Coal River. He treats his employees like crap so Emma tries to save the employees especially the breaker boys. (Underaged boys that work the coals under dangerous conditions. They get maimed, die and beat.)

Very original storyline which I appreciate but Emma grew whiny and kept putting herself in stupid obvious danger... she should've been shot like 20x over. The ending was cute, happily ever after which was more frustrating bc the villain admits to it all and BAM easy peasy...

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, I rarely give a book one star, and I even more rarely write an actual review, but this one stunk up the joint so terribly that I feel obligated to say something. I was toying with the idea of giving this 2 stars for a while, just for informing me about an historical issue I was ignorant of, but oh...my...god...the ending. The ending makes me wish I could go into negative space on my rating. It's like she just handed off the book at some point to a 4th grader who loves rainbows and kittens and ice cream. It completely robs the book of any legitimacy it could have had, and firmly puts it into the territory of a book for simple, simple people.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars overall. Great, interesting story about the history of coal mining in a USA town. The writing just felt a bit juvenile at times. But I was hooked and wanted to find out what happened. I would read this author's other novels just to compare.

She knew the agony of grief all too well, and seeing it break down this tyrant only proved its power.

The book certainly had its sadness but turned out quite alright in the end, as most rewarding novels do.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit that I put off reading this novel for a few years, even with all the buzz surrounding it. The concept of coal mining in the early 1900's did not interest me. However, I read two of Ellen Marie Wiseman's books and loved them, so I figured it was worth giving this one a try. It helped that it was my book club's choice for our next discussion. I picked it up and was immediately drawn into another compelling story by Ellen.

Emma is a sympathetic character, for whom I cared about and was cheering on throughout the story. I learned a lot about what it was like working in the coal mines and how horrible it must have been for the miners, breaker boys, and their families. I loved that Emma was on their side as soon as she learned what was going on.

Even though this novel was published in 2015, it was like Ellen had a crystal ball for what America is like now. It is eerily on track with stuff that is happening in our country. All I can say is that if you read this book and sympathized more with Hazard Flint or Otis Shawcross, please feel free to unfollow me.

My only concerns were that despite the excellent descriptions, I had difficulty viewing what it was like in the mines. I'd have to look up pictures in order to fully understand it. I also noticed that there were a handful of small spelling errors, despite this being a final publication. Neither hindered my enjoyment of this novel and I've been recommending it ever since I finished!

I look forward to checking out The Plum Tree and hope to be first in line to read any future novels Ellen writes!

Movie casting suggestions:
Emma: Odeya Rush
Clayton: Jack Reynor (This was a hard one, so if you have other ideas, I'd love to hear them!)
Percy: Cayden Boyd
Frank: Daryl Sabara
Ida: Ashlie Atkinson
Otis: Marc Menchaca
Hazard: Thomas Haden Church

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Malloy is an orphan whose parents died in a fire in NYC. She comes to the fictional town of Coal River, PA to live with Uncle Otis, Aunt Ida and their son Percy. Coal River is the home of the Bleak Mountain Mining Company and its greedy owner, Hazard Flint. Uncle Otis is a foreman there. He and Aunt Ida are pretty despicable too.

Wiseman wrote this book to highlight the horrible working conditions of the miners and their sons. Some of those boys were working at an age below the legal working age. Some of these boys worked in the 'breaker' and were called breaker boys.

Before researching for this book, Wiseman had not heard the term 'breaker boys'.

"When I found out young boys were used to sort coal until their fingers bled, and realized other people hadn’t heard of the breaker boys either, I knew it was a story that needed to be told. I also wanted to write about the boys who worked as nippers, spraggers, and mule drivers."

She also mentioned two real people who worked to change these conditions:

Johnny Mitchell - president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).
Lewis Hines - a journalist, who, through his photography, exposed child labor in coal mines, cotton mills, factories, the newspaper industry, seafood ports, agriculture, and retail sales.

I learned a lot through reading this well written and engaging tale. I look forward to discussing with my Book Club later today.

3.75 stars

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ellen Marie Wiseman returns following What She Left Behind with COAL RIVER, set in the backdrop of a poor Pennsylvania mining town in the early 1900s, a powerful portrait of grief, fear, and courage, infused with historical significance. A remarkable story, of one woman’s determination; fierce and compelling—the suspense does not let up until the last page is, breathtakingly, turned.

Set in 1912, Nineteen-year-old Emma Malloy has limited choices. Get on the next train to Coal River, Pennsylvania, or be sent to a Brooklyn poorhouse. The doctor had released her from the Manhattan hospital, and all she had to her name was the small donated suitcase from the church with a few items of clothing. No time to grieve her loss. Her aunt and uncle sent money for a ticket. She only had an hour to decide, and mournfully, walked to the train station in a trance.

She escaped a deadly theater fire and was lucky to be alive, or so everyone says. She is officially now an orphan. She is in between a child and a woman. She is alone. Her mom and dad were gone, and her sweet eight-year- old brother, Albert drowned so long along in the river trying to help save her pendant. There was no escaping this wretched grief, and the pain. She could still hear her brother’s cry washed away by the cold current. Haunting her. She was only ten at the time—maybe she is being punished.

Two days later she finds herself in Coal River, the town she swore she would never return. A town holding nightmares, and constant reminders of another day she would give her life to forget. With little choice she now is stuck living with her horrible aunt and uncle. To think her Uncle Otis will be different is crazy and her cousin Percy, controlled by his parents. Her Aunt Ida is all about denial and putting on a perfect face for the town to see. Basically, she will be treated like a slave. Someone to provide free labor.

She and her brother had spent four miserable months here with her aunt and uncle while her parents were in Manhattan looking for jobs. She knows how bad it will be. After Albert died and her parents had taken her back home to Manhattan, where they worked with the theatre group. She wants nothing to do with this mining town. The Bleak Mountain Mining Company was like an enormous monster created, with black nostrils spewing its darkness through the lives of those in the village.

The Flint Mansion sits high on the mountain, with an evil man who controls the town. A curse. The scandal and death connected with the mansion over the years before her birth; however, a constant reminder of the tragic tale, passed down from generation from generation. Hazard Flint and his wife Viviane –an arranged marriage. Their oldest son Levi and then another child. Hazard took over the operations of the mine, treating everyone unfairly. Then the nursemaid and the stable hand kidnapped the six year old infant, with a ransom note. The money was paid and the baby was not returned. Vivian committed suicide, and could not go on without her baby. Of course, the town thinks she is cursed, with death following her.

Even with the miserable dark town she wants to escape, Emma soon finds herself drawn into the personal lives of the people of the town. The coal mining town with illegal working conditions. Controlled by a cruel evil man. While working between being a slave for her aunt and uncle, she also works at The Company Store with Percy. She has to find a way to help those who cannot help themselves.

She soon learns these poor families cannot feed their families. The child labor laws; children are working as Breaker boys in the mine in extremely, poor and dangerous working conditions. Their lives are in danger working ten hour days, six days a week, without gloves. The husbands suffer from health issues from the coal; poor ventilation, low wages, unfair treatment, and unsafe equipment. They are threatened. The women lived in horrific conditions, with no money for healthcare, or means to feed their children. They have little options. Someone has to help them escape from this nightmare. The corruption. Injustice. Violence. Death. Murder.

The children are not educated and no schools. Everyone has to survive. If they do not work, they will have no home. They are forced to buy their supplies at the Company Store. Emma’s heart breaks for these people and their children. She soon begins stealing food from her aunt and marks bills paid at the Company Store. She even tries to help them read. She is fearless. She has to help the poor men and boys in the mine---Conflicts of fair wages, underground safety and above-ground social justice for the working families.

From the ongoing tension and strive between the mine owners, the corrupt police—Frank which she does not trust, and the workers, Emma meets Clayton. A man she is unsure she can trust. She is attracted to him. Her aunt and uncle warn her to stay away from him and the mine. However, she sees him taking in orphans and trying to help the men. Then there is Michael, a deaf breaker boy without a leg…she is sure her late brother Albert is speaking through him.

When she has an opportunity to escape, the people continue to pull on her heartstrings. Who will help them, if she leaves? They have no one.

Fighting against all odds and danger, Emma finds the courage and strength to uncover the injustice and help those who cannot help themselves. A haunting and disturbing tale, yet a beautiful portrayal of how desperate circumstances, despair, and obstacles can provide a young woman, the courage and strength; to take dangerous chances, a David and Goliath. One person who makes a difference, changing hundreds of lives.

A town of injustice. With mystery, suspense, twists, turns, and some nice surprises, Wiseman delivers an exceptional story with emotions, secrets, redemption and history.

Wiseman’s writing shines, with an engaging gripping mystery with vivid descriptions of despair, and hope--a nice balance. My first book by the author– highly impressed with her writing style; have purchased What She Left Behind; currently listening to the audio.

I loved Emma’s tenacity, her resilience, even though sometimes she took crazy risks, she reminds me a little of myself (a former whistleblower). Even though I have read many fiction and non-fiction works of the horrific conditions of the coal mining industry, the author creates a more human interest side, showcasing the decency of the village people, children,and the real suffering inflicted on those people by mining companies ---the politicians who use them for their own greed. Good versus evil. The one part about the mystery surrounding the mansion, reminded me of The Lake House by Kate Morton (no spoilers here---read and find out)

Thought-provoking, an utterly heart-wrenching mystery. So compelling, I found it impossible to put down...incredibly complex and intriguing novel with a well-developed and diverse set of characters. Equal parts tense, thrilling mystery, and heartbreaking drama. A gripping tale of hardship, deceit, hidden secrets, and an ending you will find satisfying.

In my other readings of the coal mining industry (find fascinating), in various areas of the country (fiction and non-fiction) there is a common thread: Too often families and communities mourned for fathers, brothers, and sons crushed in a tunnel collapse or burned to death in an explosion. People ask why stay? Sometimes unions cannot help. Yet the mine workers found dignity in their work and in providing for their families, a pride that was sometimes ignored, belittled or deemed radical by mine owners and those far away from the coal fields.

These feelings of pride, dignity, and injustice led the workers to risk their jobs and their lives again and again in unionizing efforts that at times turned violent. Unfortunately, the owners of the mine had their own greed and interests at heart, similar to the corporate giants of today. (NFL, tobacco, pharmaceutical, financial, food, and environmental industries). They asserted their right to manage their property as they pleased, and demanded their workers be subservient to the business.

JDCMustReadBooks

[Jenny Belk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me. This is my honest and unsolicited review.
Being a fan of Ellen's books I was anxious to read this one. It's 1912 and Emma Malloy is on a train headed for Coal River, Pa. where she will stay with her aunt and uncle after becoming orphaned. This is coal mining country where hearty men and very young boys work in the mines.
I was quickly drawn into this interesting story. Emma is a strong young woman who quickly observes terrible injustice and unspeakable cruelty within the mines. What can she do to help? Who can she turn to and trust?
This book is fast paced, suspenseful, and the characters are well written and memorable. Ellen Wiseman has written another wonderful book. I highly recommend.

[Lady Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Rating (after second re-read, 2023): Still 5 / 5

When I can re-read something not once, but twice, and still be as entertained by it now as I was the first time that I read it...

...well, that's just great!

And when I can also read it quickly all the times that I've re-read it, the same as when I read it the first time...

...well, then that must mean it's a pretty darn great book!

I easily see myself reading this to my children one day. It's not exactly a fairy tale-esque story, but it's a story that can teach them about life in a way that's heartfelt, impactful, and takes one back to a simpler time--in all its loveliness and its hardships.

Really, I can't complain about my situation when thinking about the breaker boys. I really can't.

Rating: 5 / 5

Some of the details of the breaker boys are indeed heartbreaking, but that's what makes this book so convincing, makes it feel real. What's sad is that I had no idea what a "breaker boy" was before reading this, and I doubt that many people nowadays do. But the fact that Ellen Marie Wiseman took on this topic as the one she's going to write about is truly inspiring, and she deserves a round of applause for doing so in such a successful manner.

Going into this book, I had no idea of exactly just what to expect, since the plot was fairly broad, and I didn't really know where it was going. There were moments of terror at being caught, of complete helplessness, and of angst, and comforting in small yet brief moments, that moved the plot along at a good pace. With just the right amount of detail and an impeccable writing style, Wiseman really does bring to life this period of history. Actually, at first I was wondering if maybe it wasn't a historical piece of literature, but nope, it was written in 2015, which, again, is impressive.

As this year's second 5-star read for me, I must say that I'm more than satisfied, and highly recommend this book to anyone who's looking to read a charming, exciting story, with a vivid and convincing early 20th century setting.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about a subject I knew nothing about. The conditions that the coal miners and their families suffered through were horrific during the early 1900s. Although there were laws protecting children from child labor, young children were forced to work at sorting coal, an extremely dangerous job. Families were forced to live in company owned shanties, shop in the overpriced company store, send their children to work in dangerous conditions, never knowing if their men and children would survive the workday.

Emma Malloy comes to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents die in a fire in NYC. Aunt Ida and Uncle Otis are almost caricatures of evil relatives, and Hazard Flint, the mine owner, is just a one dimensional evil character. Emma is almost too good to be true. Some of the situations she finds herself in are a bit melodramatic, giving the book a “Perils of Pauline” feel. Although the book does explore some interesting issues such as child labor, work safety, class disparity, and workers rights, at times the story is just clumsy, especially at the end. It wraps up too neatly, with a secret being revealed and a major character having a sudden, unrealistic personality reversal.

I have read and enjoyed this author’s other books. Unfortunately, this one was a disappointment.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review also at Historical Readings & Reviews

Advanced review copy from publisher via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Emma Malloy loved growing up in New York City, but after a fire breaks out at the theater where her artist parents worked as set designers, she is left orphaned at age nineteen. She has no choice but to return to the small coal mining town of Coal River, Pennsylvania (a fictional town somewhere near Wilkes-Barre) to live with her self-righteous aunt and uncle. It's a place where the wealthy are corrupt and the miners are on the brink of a strike in protest of the unfair wages and working conditions they are forced to live with.

Despite the historically interesting and moving subject matter, there was too much of this which felt unrealistic.

The dialogue felt forced at times, with there being way too much "telling" and not enough "showing" through both the dialogue and narrative. It's frustrating to watch Emma says things which will only make her situation worse, and doesn't benefit anyone or change anything. She asks stupid questions like, "don't you worry about your child working in the breaker?" Of course they do! It's like everything needs to be spelled out for Emma, because the author thinks the reader needs it spelled out.

The saint-like Emma could be a little hypocritical by criticizing her aunt for trying to avoid thinking about the horrors the coal miners and their families faced, but then Emma herself would sometimes look away from the destitute on the streets as she went passed, or ask why someone was "torturing" her by telling her all the gory details of the accidents that happened in the mines. Why is it okay for Emma to not want to hear about it, but her aunt is a bad person for not wanting to hear about it?

Then there was the usage of the old, "That's impossible! There was a little girl who lived here, but she died like 30 years ago" trope. Okay, it wasn't exactly that (kudos to those who got the Friends reference though), which is why this isn't a spoiler, but there is a very similar scene with the same cliche concept, which unlike in Friends was supposed to be real, not a prank. It just felt hokey and unoriginal.

It was a quick and easy read, so despite all this, it wasn't a chore to read. However, given the subject matter, this could have been a very powerful novel, and I felt it was let down by these fundamental flaws in the characterization and dialogue.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coal River tells the tale of Emma, an orphaned 19 year old who moves in with her Aunt and Uncle. Her uncle, a bit of a jerk, is a senior guy at the local coal mine. As Emma learns how the coal mine operates and how the miners are treated, she vows to fix things.

My one word summary of this book is unauthentic*. (*Note this is in reference to Emma and the ending, and not the descriptions of the miners or the coal mine.)

The author did a good job of describing the running of the mine and the terrible conditions that the greedy mine owner imposed on his workers. However, I found Emma annoying and I had a hard time believing a girl in her position would get away with acting the way she did. The book was full of eye rolling scenes; I mean why was it necessary for Emma to comfort a “young boy” against her “heaving bosom”? There were plot lines that were never developed or concluded (Michael, what on earth was going on with him?!) and the ending was awful. I was pleading as I read each new line at the end of the book, “please no”, but it did no good, the ending happened and left me wondering if I should laugh at the ridiculousness, or cry at the fact that I wasted too many hours reading this book. This book was a HUGE disappointment after reading What She Left Behind, which I really liked. This would be a one star book if not for the mine descriptions, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well-researched book about the coal industry in Pennsylvania and child labor laws. However parts of Coal River seemed unbelievable and too saccharine for me. The ending was too tidy and ends were tied up too neatly -- and were borderline unbelievable in my opinion.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. I enjoyed the audiobook for Coal River, the narrator did an excellent job. Although a historical fiction, I learned a lot about mining from this book. I loved Emma and Clayton, they're definitely my favorite characters. I will definitely read more of Ellen Marie Wiseman's work.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been on my shelf forever. Got lost in the mess I guess.
Not a bad book, but the ending was just way too easy.

I received my copy free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Rhonda Ruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing story from Ellen Marie wiseman! Goes how the strength of one woman can go about and change things for the better!

[Alexandra]

Sorry Goodreads, I'm not going to read any book you SPAM into my Feed. Leave the advertising OUT of our Feeds.

Every "sponsored book" you deceptively mix in with updates from my friends goes straight to my "no" shelf.