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Copperopolis
Not yet published
Expected 28 Aug 261860s Swansea, where copper can make your fortune – at a price.
John runs away to sea to escape rural poverty. The ocean fuels his wanderlust and he becomes a master mariner. Margaret, a fiery Gower farmer’s daughter, falls in love with his adventurous spirit. A pioneering woman of her era, she learns to navigate, and they sail together, sharing a passion for the ocean.
When John’s ship is wrecked, rumours that it was scuttled jeopardise his reputation. Short of options, John gambles on the copper trade with Chile, skippering a ship round Cape Horn – the ultimate test of seamanship but a graveyard for crews.
Meanwhile, Margaret uncovers the damage copper inflicts on Swansea’s community, causing destitution and deadly pollution, as smelter Vernon grows rich.
Horrified, she collaborates with shipowners conspiring to wrest control from Vernon. But when Vernon discovers the plot, the family’s reputation and livelihood is at stake…
John runs away to sea to escape rural poverty. The ocean fuels his wanderlust and he becomes a master mariner. Margaret, a fiery Gower farmer’s daughter, falls in love with his adventurous spirit. A pioneering woman of her era, she learns to navigate, and they sail together, sharing a passion for the ocean.
When John’s ship is wrecked, rumours that it was scuttled jeopardise his reputation. Short of options, John gambles on the copper trade with Chile, skippering a ship round Cape Horn – the ultimate test of seamanship but a graveyard for crews.
Meanwhile, Margaret uncovers the damage copper inflicts on Swansea’s community, causing destitution and deadly pollution, as smelter Vernon grows rich.
Horrified, she collaborates with shipowners conspiring to wrest control from Vernon. But when Vernon discovers the plot, the family’s reputation and livelihood is at stake…
- GenresHistorical
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 28, 2026
About the author
Carolyn Morgan
1 book6 followersA keen amateur sailor and navigator, Carolyn Morgan has always been fascinated by her great-great grandfather John Clement, who skippered ships around Cape Horn to Chile for the 1880s copper trade in Swansea. Following a career in magazines, she studied writing with Curtis Brown Creative. Her debut novel, Copperopolis, was highly commended in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy
💚 Blurb-
1860s Swansea, where copper can make your fortune – at a price.
John runs away to sea to escape rural poverty. The ocean fuels his wanderlust and he becomes a master mariner. Margaret, a fiery Gower farmer’s daughter, falls in love with his adventurous spirit. A pioneering woman of her era, she learns to navigate, and they sail together, sharing a passion for the ocean.
When John’s ship is wrecked, rumours that it was scuttled jeopardise his reputation. Short of options, John gambles on the copper trade with Chile, skippering a ship round Cape Horn – the ultimate test of seamanship but a graveyard for crews.
Meanwhile, Margaret uncovers the damage copper inflicts on Swansea’s community, causing destitution and deadly pollution, as smelter Vernon grows rich.
Horrified, she collaborates with shipowners conspiring to wrest control from Vernon. But when Vernon discovers the plot, the family’s reputation and livelihood is at stake…
💛 Review -
This was such an interesting and entertaining read. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. From the very first chapter the author's writing had me hooked and I was drawn into the story and following the characters on their journeys through the story. I loved the historical place settings in the story and there was a great cast of characters. Also the cover is gorgeous. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you Zooloobooktours , the author Carolyn Morgan and the publisher The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
1860s Swansea, where copper can make your fortune – at a price.
John runs away to sea to escape rural poverty. The ocean fuels his wanderlust and he becomes a master mariner. Margaret, a fiery Gower farmer’s daughter, falls in love with his adventurous spirit. A pioneering woman of her era, she learns to navigate, and they sail together, sharing a passion for the ocean.
When John’s ship is wrecked, rumours that it was scuttled jeopardise his reputation. Short of options, John gambles on the copper trade with Chile, skippering a ship round Cape Horn – the ultimate test of seamanship but a graveyard for crews.
Meanwhile, Margaret uncovers the damage copper inflicts on Swansea’s community, causing destitution and deadly pollution, as smelter Vernon grows rich.
Horrified, she collaborates with shipowners conspiring to wrest control from Vernon. But when Vernon discovers the plot, the family’s reputation and livelihood is at stake…
💛 Review -
This was such an interesting and entertaining read. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. From the very first chapter the author's writing had me hooked and I was drawn into the story and following the characters on their journeys through the story. I loved the historical place settings in the story and there was a great cast of characters. Also the cover is gorgeous. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you Zooloobooktours , the author Carolyn Morgan and the publisher The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The novel begins with a map, character list and glossary of terms, all of which immediately drew me in as someone who likes to learn something new when reading.
Copperopolis is set in the mid to late 1800s when Swansea was the global capital of copper smelting. (Copperopolis being the nickname for Swansea). Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the two main characters, John Clement a Master Mariner and Margaret Morris a farmer's daughter who dreams of travelling by sea. With vivid, powerful depictions of the journeys John undertakes, initially to European ports but then later his perilous voyages around Cape Horn to Chile. Margaret remains at home tending her growing family single-handedly and witnessing the impact of the growing copper smelting ventures on the workers, their families and the environment they live in. The author details fascinating descriptions of the workings of the ships, sailing and the dangers faced on every trip together with moving and emotional naratives about life for those left at home.
An absorbing story with characters that the reader can empathise with and the historical note at the end is a superb conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Copperopolis is set in the mid to late 1800s when Swansea was the global capital of copper smelting. (Copperopolis being the nickname for Swansea). Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the two main characters, John Clement a Master Mariner and Margaret Morris a farmer's daughter who dreams of travelling by sea. With vivid, powerful depictions of the journeys John undertakes, initially to European ports but then later his perilous voyages around Cape Horn to Chile. Margaret remains at home tending her growing family single-handedly and witnessing the impact of the growing copper smelting ventures on the workers, their families and the environment they live in. The author details fascinating descriptions of the workings of the ships, sailing and the dangers faced on every trip together with moving and emotional naratives about life for those left at home.
An absorbing story with characters that the reader can empathise with and the historical note at the end is a superb conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Copperopolis is as much a love story between a man and the sea as it is a romance between seafarer John and his wife Margaret. Carolyn Morgan's descriptive conjuring of the sea voyages which drive the novel forwards means we feel every creak of the rigging and shudder at the vast waves and risks taken on the sail around Cape Horn, while we hold our breath for John's ships to make it home with their cargo.
The chasm between those in miserable poverty, poisoned by the very copper industry that's making a small minority of the unscrupulous very wealthy, is agonisingly depicted. During this period, life in this part of South Wales is a struggle, and the novel reveals all of the challenges and pain with historical sensitivity and emotion.
It's a story too, though, of women who are unafraid to drive for what they really want and to build better lives for themselves and those around them. Margaret is an intelligent, determined and imaginative character, and builds an unconventional life for herself and her family, against societal expectations. I rooted for her throughout the novel, and delighted in her recognising her power and finding freedom and adventure.
The chasm between those in miserable poverty, poisoned by the very copper industry that's making a small minority of the unscrupulous very wealthy, is agonisingly depicted. During this period, life in this part of South Wales is a struggle, and the novel reveals all of the challenges and pain with historical sensitivity and emotion.
It's a story too, though, of women who are unafraid to drive for what they really want and to build better lives for themselves and those around them. Margaret is an intelligent, determined and imaginative character, and builds an unconventional life for herself and her family, against societal expectations. I rooted for her throughout the novel, and delighted in her recognising her power and finding freedom and adventure.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Copperopolis is a richly researched historical novel that brings Victorian Swansea vividly to life. The industrial and maritime settings feel utterly authentic, immersing the reader in a world where prosperity and hardship exist side by side. Carolyn Morgan has a wonderful eye for historical detail, weaving it naturally into the story without ever slowing the pace.
The characters are engaging and believable, particularly Margaret, whose intelligence, resilience and determination make her an especially compelling heroine. John is equally well drawn, and together they form the emotional heart of a story filled with adventure, danger and difficult moral choices.
What impressed me most was the balance between historical authenticity and storytelling. The novel explores themes of ambition, loyalty, justice and the human cost of progress while remaining an absorbing page-turner. Readers who enjoy well-crafted historical fiction, strong character development and evocative settings, particularly those with an interest in Welsh history or maritime adventures, will find Copperopolis a thoroughly rewarding read. Highly recommended.
The characters are engaging and believable, particularly Margaret, whose intelligence, resilience and determination make her an especially compelling heroine. John is equally well drawn, and together they form the emotional heart of a story filled with adventure, danger and difficult moral choices.
What impressed me most was the balance between historical authenticity and storytelling. The novel explores themes of ambition, loyalty, justice and the human cost of progress while remaining an absorbing page-turner. Readers who enjoy well-crafted historical fiction, strong character development and evocative settings, particularly those with an interest in Welsh history or maritime adventures, will find Copperopolis a thoroughly rewarding read. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I enjoy reading historical fiction books and I enjoyed this one a great deal. Set mainly in Swansea, spanning the 1850’s to the 1890’s, it’s the story of Margaret (nee Morris) and John Clement. John, a farm labourers son turned sailor, embarks on a number of voyages on several vessels, with wanderlusting Margaret accompanying him on one, despite the superstitions around a woman on board of the crew. I loved the names of the ships, the worldwide travel from Cornwall to Chile and the sense of adventure, despite the many challenges. Margaret presents as a strong woman, mum to many children, competent navigator, loyal wife - always awaiting the return of John to Swansea. The clear danger of each trip, particularly around the notorious Cape Horn demonstrates the bravery of the skippers and crew then and, despite technology, still today. I enjoyed learning about the copper trade in the book and found the historical note very interesting. A brilliant book of sea, sailing and sacrifice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am a sucker for a book that starts with a map, even more so a character list and glossary so I was instantly intrigued by Copperopolis and I am pleased to say I was not a bit disappointed. The novel is fantastic in its tone and pace. I adored the descriptive nature of the ship and landscape, each chapter focusing on either Margaret or John was another fantastic touch and meant we got to see both sides of the action/drama unfold as we read. I have to say I didn’t think I would enjoy this as much as I did but I was enthralled from start to finish. Both characters are likable in their own way and it makes you as a reader want to know what will happen on their journeys. The glossary was helpful too! A must for historical fiction fans.
As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours, publishers and author for the copy to review. My reviews are always given freely and my honest opinion of the book is given.
As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours, publishers and author for the copy to review. My reviews are always given freely and my honest opinion of the book is given.
July 29, 2026
I was kindly sent a free copy of this book as part of a book tour in exchange for an honest review. I started reading this one on the beach this morning and finished it in a day I got so sucked in. This is based on the real lives of the authors own family and is so rich and authentic that I really felt everything alongside the characters and was swept away to sea on all John’s journeys whilst also standing alongside supporting Margaret back in her home life in bustling Victorian Swansea. The pace is perfect and the book is thoroughly entertaining and detailed. The book jumps between John and Margaret but the two storylines are woven together so seamlessly that it is incredibly easy to follow and Morgan has proven herself to be a truly masterful storyteller. I loved what a strong, resourceful and intelligent woman Margaret was and John was equally engaging and I loved participating in his adventures. Solid 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First of all, what an absolutely stunning front cover. I love the metallic usage, makes it really pop.
Sets up the feel for the read wonderfully and one of my favourite covers of the year up to now.
Now onto the review.
Set in 1860s Swansea, the tale centres around the copper industry and the devastating harm it can have on locals and the environment.
But it's also a story of adventure and love on the high seas.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, I loved this read. The feel and atmosphere of the 1860s was brilliantly captured here. You really can see the sights, hear the sounds and smell the smells.
There's a great, varied cast of characters, all of which I found felt real and were believable and the storyline moved along nicely at a good pace.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Sets up the feel for the read wonderfully and one of my favourite covers of the year up to now.
Now onto the review.
Set in 1860s Swansea, the tale centres around the copper industry and the devastating harm it can have on locals and the environment.
But it's also a story of adventure and love on the high seas.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, I loved this read. The feel and atmosphere of the 1860s was brilliantly captured here. You really can see the sights, hear the sounds and smell the smells.
There's a great, varied cast of characters, all of which I found felt real and were believable and the storyline moved along nicely at a good pace.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was completely swept away by Copperopolis! The story is nothing short of epic, and the writing is so vivid that I felt transported back in time. I could almost taste the salty sea air of Swansea. I got so invested in these characters that I missed them when I finished the book! Absolutely breathtaking.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews