A sprawling, mural-like novel ... Has the action in Crucible been spread too thin? I think so ... Which is not to say that Crucible lacks great moments or a dynamic vision of American history.
Crucible is a large book at 500 pages, but it moves swiftly with Sayles’s cinematic talent for setting scenes quickly before cutting to the next one, always driving the narrative forward in his stripped-back style ... An engrossing epic.
Feels at once overstuffed yet thin when it comes to each individual plotline ... A well-researched if manic trek through the perils of industrialization.
Despite some heavy-handed political messaging, Sayles offers a propulsive view into the era’s rapacious capitalism and rapid social changes. This textured tale will resonate with readers concerned about workers’ rights and corporate greed.
