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Synopsis
Frank Norris's The Octopus -- subtitled, A Story of California -- is a classic American novel, originally published din 1901. In The Octopus, Norris sets his sights on the wheat industry in California, crafting a sweeping fictional narrative portraying the volatile tensions between California's ranchers, the railroads, and the ranches' League and the violent results. In the words of one contemporary critic, "The Octopus is a powerfully visualized picture of the evils wrought by monopolies... In this case the monopoly is a railway, its prey the wheat-growers and other producers in California. ... [The novel] is a powerful and tragic piece of fiction." The Octopus is remembered today as one of the quintessential "American" novels -- telling a story not just about a set of characters and struggles, but about defining aspects of the nation itself -- and as one of the most definitive depictions of California during a formative time in its historical development.
Frank Norris (1870-1902) was a prominent American novelist and journalist in the late 19th century. His works, which include McTeague, The Octopus, and The Pit, were influential in the development of naturalist fiction in the United States. Norris was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in San Francisco, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied literature and journalism. Norris's work focused on the harsh realities of life in the American West and in industrial settings. His works depicted the struggles of working-class men and women, and he was particularly interested in the power of large companies and trusts. He wrote about poverty, labor strife, and the power of money and greed. His works often featured starkly realistic depictions of violence and death. Norris's best-known works include McTeague, a novel about a miner's struggle against greed and violence, The Octopus, an epic novel about a railroad company's control of California's agricultural industry, and The Pit, a novel about a financial speculator's attempt to corner the wheat market. His works have been credited with influencing the development of naturalist fiction as well as inspiring writers such as Theodore Dreiser, Sinclair Lewis, and Jack London. Frank Norris's work continues to be studied and appreciated by readers and scholars alike. His novels remain relevant to modern readers and his influence on American literature is still felt today.
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The Octopus
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting. Seller Inventory # ACI4W79U20-11-1