A Review by New Pop Lit.
When men were men and women were gorgeous– The Spoilers is classic populist storytelling courtesy of Rex Beach, whose popularity at the turn of a century (1905) was exceeded only by that of fellow adventurer Jack London.
In that period American literature was vigorous and thoroughly American– not a copy of stuffy European drawing rooms.
THE SPOILERS: A good girl named Helen and a bad girl named Cherry. The “good” girl may or may not be in league with the bad guys. As to men there’s a politically incorrect roughneck, and a slick villain who everyone thinks is good. . . . Also a mystery man lurking around the edges named the Bronco Kid.
Who’s really bad and who’s good? More importantly, who ends up with whom? Who gets the girl? Which girl?
The melodrama is set in virgin Alaska during the gold rush. On every page is the feel of crisp air and vast landscape. It’s fabulous storytelling, a fun read leading to a famous climax.
(Photo of Rex Beach.)
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