Walker’s Reviews > The Octopus: A Story of California > Status Update

I really finished this a few weeks ago, but I am, including this one, 6 books behind on writing reviews.

The writing is very detailed, descriptive, and vivid. I expected the encounter between the ranchers (wheat growers) and the railroad representatives with the marshal and deputies to conclude differently, but the outcome is believable. I am glad I am reading this again. I didn't remember much from when I read it 50 years ago.

Anixter is really argumentative, awkward, and rather uncouth in many ways. He is very uncomfortable around women. Barn dance going on now.

In that brief instant of silence following upon Magnus's outburst, and while he held them subdued and overmastered, the fabric of their scheme of corruption and dishonesty trembled to its base. It was the last protest of the old school, rising up there in denunciation of the new order of things, the statesman opposed to the politician; honesty, rectitude, uncompromising integrity, prevailing for the last time....

First chapter primarily about Presley, the poet. He is seeking inspiration for his epic dream poem of the West. We get a lot of background of the area and the ranchers. There are many details and descriptions that make it come alive.

I read this in high school and have thought of reading it again. I located my original paperback copy in my library room and started reading it. When I read it in high school, as I recall, it was a tedious read. I will make notes as I read along so I will be able to review it properly.