Lenni Reviews: “The Last Ballad” by Wiley Cash
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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended for mature readers.
Set in North Carolina in 1929, Ella works in a textile mill trying desperately to work enough hours to feed her children. Suffering with terrible hours and even worse pay, Ella is curious about the current rise in unions for textile workers but afraid of losing her job or worse.
This is a very poignant and powerful book. Sitting in my privileged 2020 mindset, it still shocks me to know there was a time where you risked your life for even associating with someone thinking about a union. My grandmother was a garment worker union member who frequently attended rallies like in the book; and she was African American working with Jewish colleagues at this time (a man even came to interview her for this book). It’s part of why I was so excited to read this. This book jumps around in time and I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had a more linear narrative. But it’s still amazing regardless. 4.7 out of 5.
