Kings of Broken Things
Kings of Broken Things is a book I picked up because it met the criteria in my reading challenge of “A book about an immigrant or refugee.” I hadn’t heard of this novel before, but it popped up on my BookBub list and I’m so glad it did. This historical fiction swept me away and I couldn’t put it down! It is the chronicles of a few different characters that each has their own experience with Omaha, Nebraska during the WWI era and the Omaha race riot of 1919.
I truly loved this book. I felt like I was connected to the characters very quickly, and that each of them developed into interesting individuals through their own story line. There is the Austrian family who has moved to America to get away from the war in Europe, the farm boy who is running from his dirty past only to end up being the lieutenant of a political machine, and a kept woman who feeds secrets to the boss of Omaha’s underworld. Each of their stories weave together, racing toward the fateful day when a mob lynches Will Brown in the Omaha race riot. Who will be by-standards and who will be in the middle of the action?
The author took the time to research this time period and does a great job describing the atmosphere of a dirty and bustling city that is in turmoil during an election year; and the lengths powerful men will go to in order to remain in power. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy history and historical fiction novels. I would also recommend it to those who liked Gangs of New York.
Malia's Pizza Rating
A pizza and a beer in a speakeasy. Thank goodness there was never a prohibition on pizza!