Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mapmaker87's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zuomiriam's review against another edition
4.0
The dual narrative of Laura's romance life and the turmoil of The Pit (Chicago's trading floor for trading wheat) was a little hard to get into for a while. I felt like I had to slog through around half of the book, especially when the language got somewhat flowery. However, after the narratives converge, I was fully sucked in and couldn't put it down until I'd reached its explosive conclusion. I think this book is more enjoyable for those with some financial knowledge (mostly relating to commodities trading), but the rich emotional dimension is still accessible for those who don't.
bsmorris's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story, set in the 1880s, of a marriage put under great strain by speculation on the wheat market. The omniscient point of view focuses heavily on Laura's thoughts, and it was apparently one of the first books to frankly depict a woman's desires, but I didn't find Laura very believable or sympathetic. She sounded like some man's ideal woman, and I wasn't happy with the choice she makes at the end. However, the novel raises a number of problems caused by speculating on food products like wheat and helped me understand the way the commodities market functions.
beerqueer91's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
callanisreading's review against another edition
3.0
Wealthy Chicago socialites reveal the norms of their time and the intricacies of wheat trading in this historical drama. Norris pontificates about concerns of the elite, impugning the morality of wheat speculation and pondering the obligations of a reputable wife. Through labored, prejudiced prose, The Pit reveals aspects of urban life that transcend time and tangles with concerns that remain relevant centuries after its writing.