“Set in the early 1900’s, in Montana, and written in a voice and style that is hard to put down, harder to forget. Josef mines copper and builds a rich family legacy, while raising his son and daughter who both forge legacies of their own, in literary, industrial and natural worlds. The gorgeous prose is the perfect bearer of souls in all states—being born, living, being broken open, moving through time.”
–Janis Segress, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
“A new addition to the canon of the American West, American Copper is a truly captivating novel intertwining three lives in early 20th century Montana. Ray’s writing is lyrical yet concise and perfectly captures the hardness of humanity–violence, racism, control, greed–but is driven by a silver thread of love and chosen resilience of spirit. The characters are flawed and sometimes dark in thought and action, but the novel maintains a light that can only be accomplished by a thorough understanding of love and forgiveness. American Copper is tough, real, and beautiful. It’s a must-read for booksellers and literature-lovers, and will surely become a favorite not just in the west but across the states.”
— Jess Lucht, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA
“Every once in a while a book falls into your hands that is so beautifully written, deeply affecting, and powerful that it burrows into your heart and makes a lasting place there. American Copper is that book. Shann Ray’s novel is a triumph; an ode to the majesty of the early 20th century Montana landscape, a tender evocation of the passions and sorrows of its people, and a piercing look at the ravages of racism, greed, and violence. Ultimately, this book’s power lies in its characters, all of whom I came to care deeply about, worry over, and wish for as one by one they came to life on the page. A stunning portrayal of the scope of the human spirit, and the many paths to grace.”
–Laurie Paus, Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
For more about this beloved book and its author, see the interview with Shann Ray.