Copperopolis

I started reading this one on the beach this morning and finished it in a day I got so sucked in. This is based on the real lives of the authors own family and is so rich and authentic that I really felt everything alongside the characters and was swept away to sea on all John’s journeys whilst also standing alongside supporting Margaret back in her home life in bustling Victorian Swansea. The pace is perfect and the book is thoroughly entertaining and detailed. The book jumps between John and Margaret but the two storylines are woven together so seamlessly that it is incredibly easy to follow and Morgan has proven herself to be a truly masterful storyteller. I loved what a strong, resourceful and intelligent woman Margaret was and John was equally engaging and I loved participating in his adventures. Solid 5 stars. I was kindly sent a free copy of this book as part of a book tour in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for a book that starts with a map, even more so a character list and glossary so I was instantly intrigued by Copperopolis and I am pleased to say I was not a bit disappointed. The novel is fantastic in its tone and pace. I adored the descriptive nature of the ship and landscape, each chapter focusing on either Margaret or John was another fantastic touch and meant we got to see both sides of the action/drama unfold as we read. I have to say I didn’t think I would enjoy this as much as I did but I was enthralled from start to finish. Both characters are likable in their own way and it makes you as a reader want to know what will happen on their journeys. The glossary was helpful too! A must for historical fiction fans.

Copperopolis is a richly researched historical novel that brings Victorian Swansea vividly to life. The industrial and maritime settings feel utterly authentic, immersing the reader in a world where prosperity and hardship exist side by side. Carolyn Morgan has a wonderful eye for historical detail, weaving it naturally into the story without ever slowing the pace. The characters are engaging and believable, particularly Margaret, whose intelligence, resilience and determination make her an especially compelling heroine. John is equally well drawn, and together they form the emotional heart of a story filled with adventure, danger and difficult moral choices. What impressed me most was the balance between historical authenticity and storytelling. The novel explores themes of ambition, loyalty, justice and the human cost of progress while remaining an absorbing page-turner. Readers who enjoy well-crafted historical fiction, strong character development and evocative settings, particularly those with an interest in Welsh history or maritime adventures, will find Copperopolis a thoroughly rewarding read. Highly recommended.

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and I enjoyed this one a great deal. Set mainly in Swansea, spanning the 1850’s to the 1890’s, it’s the story of Margaret (nee Morris) and John Clement. John, a farm labourers son turned sailor, embarks on a number of voyages on several vessels, with wander lusting Margaret accompanying him on one, despite the superstitions around a woman on board of the crew. I loved the names of the ships, the worldwide travel from Cornwall to Chile and the sense of adventure, despite the many challenges. Margaret presents as a strong woman, mum to many children, competent navigator, loyal wife - always awaiting the return of John to Swansea. The clear danger of each trip, particularly around the notorious Cape Horn demonstrates the bravery of the skippers and crew then and, despite technology, still today. I enjoyed learning about the copper trade in the book and found the historical note very interesting. A brilliant book of sea, sailing and sacrifice.

Inspired by the lives of the author’s great-great-grandparents, this is a fascinating story of a time when Swansea was a wealthy industrial town, where copper imports from South America made some men wealthy and cost others their lives, either at sea or in the smelting works. John’s wanderlust is fulfilled by his life on the high seas, but Margaret is frustrated by her life as wife and mother, she dreams of the wide oceans too. As their family grows and grows up, John takes greater risks, the most dangerous being the route around Cape Horn to Chile, there are bigger rewards, but is it worth it? As Margaret discovers the damage the copper trade wrecks closer to home, and tries to find a way to resolve it, or at least to better support the workers not the owners. An interesting and evocative slice of history combining the story of the author’s ancestors with the imagining of a life at sea and among the families praying their loved ones make it safely home again. Having worked with modern seafarers, that’s something that never truly changes, the world’s oceans remain far from entirely predictable.