The Cycle's Rim (1916) - Olive Tilford Dargan - Bog

The Cycle's Rim is a novel written by Olive Tilford Dargan and originally published in 1916. The story is set in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and follows the lives of two families, the Haldemans and the Tollivers. The Haldemans are a wealthy family who own a large coal mine, while the Tollivers are a poor family who work in the mine. The novel explores the themes of social inequality, labor exploitation, and the struggle for justice in a capitalist society.The story begins with the arrival of a new superintendent, John Burnham, at the Haldeman mine. Burnham is a well-educated man who is sympathetic to the plight of the miners and wants to improve their working conditions. He becomes friends with the Tollivers, especially with the young and ambitious Jerry Tolliver, who dreams of becoming a union leader.Meanwhile, the Haldemans are facing financial troubles due to a drop in coal prices. They decide to cut wages and increase working hours, which leads to a strike by the miners. The strike becomes violent, with clashes between the miners and the company's hired guards. The Tollivers are at the forefront of the strike, and Jerry becomes the leader of the union.As the strike drags on, tensions rise between the two families. Burnham tries to mediate between them, but his efforts are in vain. The novel reaches its climax with a violent confrontation between the miners and the company's guards, which leads to tragedy for both families.The Cycle's Rim is a powerful and poignant novel that sheds light on the harsh realities of life in the Appalachian coal mines. It portrays the struggles of the working class against the wealthy elite and the corrupt system that exploits them. Dargan's prose is vivid and evocative, and her characters are complex and well-drawn. The novel remains a classic of American literature and a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.