This is a turnofthecentury epic of california wheat farmers struggling against the rapacity of the pacific and southwestern railroad, which will stop at nothing. The octopus is highly recommended for those who are interested in novels taking place in early california and also those who enjoy the writings of author frank norris. Jun 04, 2012 frank norris based his 1901 novel the octopus a story of california on the mussel slough tragedy of 1880, a bloody conflict between ranchers and agents of the southern pacific railroad. Frank norris took his style from emile zola and this is certainly evident from the pace, realistic narrative and punchy, dramatic sentimentality of. Readcentral has helped thousands of people read books online without the need for signups or downloads. A story of california is a novel written by author frank norris. See all books authored by frank norris, including mcteague, and the octopus. Frank norris took his style from emile zola and this is certainly evident from the pace, realistic narrative and punchy, dramatic sentimentality of the tale.
The central issue was over the ownership of the ranches, which the farmers had leased from the railroad nearly ten. It describes the wheat industry in california, and the conflicts between wheat growers and a railway company. The octopus by frank norris 1969 paperback complete and. The octopus examines the struggle of california wheat farmers in the san joaquin valley against the powerful pacific and southwestern railroad. It was the first part of an uncompleted trilogy, titled, the epic of the wheat. The octopus by frank norris, 1957 online research library. It describes the raising of wheat in california, and conflict between the wheat growers and a railway company. The octopus is about wheat growers who are in conflict with a railroad company during late 19th century california. A story of california is a 1901 novel by frank norris and was the first part of an uncompleted trilogy, the epic of the wheat. Norriss work often includes depictions of suffering caused by corrupt and greedy turnofthecentury corporate monopolies. The octopus is a story of wheat raising and railroad greed in california. What does the giant octopus refer to in the novel of frank norris. Progressive movement a movement the aimed to return control of the government to the people. The octopus by frank norris on free audio book download.
Frank norris books list of books by author frank norris. Read the octopus, free online version of the book by frank norris, on. A story of california by frank norris online at alibris. Like the tentacles of an octopus, the railroad in california reached out across the state, grasping everything of value in the state. Pitted against the railroad monopoly and political machine, the members of the ranching community are forced to take up arms against the state. Frank norris 18701902 was an american journalist and novelist. Aug 23, 2010 the octopus is an american classic published in 1901 based on a real conflict between the railroad and the californian farmers in 1880. Frank norris norris, frank, 18701902 a wikipedia article about this author is available. Norris was inspired to write the novel by the mussel slough tragedy involving the central. Frank norris, byname of benjamin franklin norris, born march 5, 1870, chicago, illinois, u. It is full of enthusiasm and poetry and conscious strength. The novel with a purpose, 1902 norris moved to san francisco, attended the. On the first level, of course, the octopus is the railroad system that gradually. The central issue was over the ownership of the ranches, which the farmers had leased from the railroad nearly t.
A story of california is a 1901 novel by frank norris. Frank norris, who admired cranes aptitude for making phrasessparks that cast a momentary gleam upon whole phases of life, himself tried to make phrases, scenes, and whole narratives cast such gleams in mcteague 1899, the octopus 1901, and the pit 1903. The central issue was over the ownership of the ranches, which the farmers had leased from the railroad nearly ten years earlier with intentions of eventually. The octopus is an american classic published in 1901 based on a real conflict between the railroad and the californian farmers in 1880. A story of california is a 1901 novel by frank norris and the first part of a planned but uncompleted trilogy, the epic of wheat. The octopus, massive as it is, was conceived as only the first part of a gigantic trilogy to be called the epic of the wheat, which would deal with the fundamental issues of american life. Frank norris based his 1901 novel the octopus a story of california on the mussel slough tragedy of 1880, a bloody conflict between ranchers and agents of the southern pacific railroad. His fiction is classified under naturalism and has been compared to the works of emile zola, stephen more about frank norris. Frank norris the octopus, published in 1901, is one of the most successful of the works of the american imagination which grappled with the new phenomenon. Pitted against the railroad monopoly and political machine, the members of the ranching community. It was the first volume of the epic of the wheat, his unfinished trilogy about the production, distribution, and consumption of american wheat.
The octopus the octopus audiobook, by frank norris. He showed me a new world, and he also showed me that it could be put in a novel. Frank norris was an american author who wrote primarily in the naturalist genre, focusing on the impact of corruption and turnof the century capitalism on common people. With contributions from donors, library of america preserves and celebrates a vital part. Frank norris 1870 1902 frank norris based his 1901 novel the octopus a story of california on the mussel slough tragedy of 1880, a bloody conflict between ranchers and agents of the southern pacific railroad. The octopus, novel by frank norris, published in 1901 and subtitled a story of california. March 5, 1870 october 25, 1902 was an american journalist and novelist during the progressive era, whose fiction was predominantly in the naturalist genre. His fiction is classified under naturalism and has been compared to the works of. A mans woman 1904 gutenberg text norris, frank, 18701902. Frank norris 18701902 frank norris based his 1901 novel the octopus a story of california on the mussel slough tragedy of 1880, a bloody conflict between ranchers and agents of the southern pacific railroad.
The epic of the wheat sounds so boring, but i didnt find it boring at all, at least not the first book, by the time the wheat is made into bread and biscuits and all that kind of thing, who knows, perhaps ill be bored. Frank norris norris, frank, 18701902 the online books. The octopus by frank norris 1969 paperback complete and unabridged. Best known for his novel mcteague and for the first two parts of his unfinished the epic of the wheat trilogythe octopus. The novel with a purpose brings the tragedies and griefs of others to notice and proves that injustice, crime, and inequality do exist.
Littles device on the page and all the text points, but more importantly as these points are also found in the 2nd state, this copy is marked by the 2 features that distinguish the 1st. His fiction is classified under naturalism and has been compared to the works of emile zola, stephen crane, and edith wharton. The octopus 1901, the first work in norriss unfinished trilogy the epic of the wheat, is a novel about the ranchers and wheat producers of california. Apr 26, 2016 the octopus is a 1901 novel by frank norris and was meant to be the first part of an uncompleted trilogy, the epic of the wheat. Now you can read the octopus free from the comfort of your computer or mobile phone and enjoy other many other free books by frank norris. Choose the part of the octopus which you want to read from the table of contents to get started. Read the octopus online, free books by frank norris. The railroad company, controlling the local newspaper, state legislature and the land prove to be a tough force for the local wheat growers to fight against.
Based on the bloody mussel slough tragedya conflict between wheat farmers and the southern pacific railroadthe octopus is a stunning novel chronicling the. Frank norris 1870 1902, born in chicago, was an american journalist, novelist, and a leader in the naturalist movement. One cannot read it without a responsive thrill of sympathy for the earnestness, the breadth of purpose, the verbal power of the man. Frank norris was an american author who wrote primarily in the naturalist genre, focusing on the impact of corruption and turnofthecentury capitalism on common people. Read the octopus online by frank norris at, the free online library full of thousands of classic books. The railroad company, controlling the local newspaper, state legislature and the land prove to be a tough force for the local wheat growers to fight. Norris was inspired by role of the southern pacific railroad in events surrounding the mussel slough tragedy. Based on the bloody mussel slough tragedy a conflict between wheat farmers and the southern pacific railroad the octopus is a stunning novel chronicling the twilight of the frontier west. Frank norris s the octopus consists of 16 parts for ease of reading. Frank norris norris, frank, 18701902 a wikipedia article about this author is available norris, frank, 18701902. Frank norris norris, frank, 18701902 the online books page.