{"product_id":"cigar-factory-a-novel-of-charleston-the-1","title":"Cigar Factory: A Novel of Charleston, The","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinner of the 2016 David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction, Michele Moore's entrancing debut novel, harkens back to an era when the legendary fishermen of Charleston's Mosquito Fleet rowed miles offshore for their daily catch. With evocative dialect and remarkable prose, \u003ci\u003eThe Cigar Factory\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of two entwined families, both devout Catholics--the white McGonegals and the African American Ravenels--in the storied port city of Charleston, South Carolina, during the World Wars. Moore's novel follows the parallel lives of family matriarchs working on segregated floors of the massive Charleston cigar factory, where white and black workers remain divided and misinformed about the duties and treatment received by each other. \u003c\/p\u003eCassie McGonegal and herniece Brigid work upstairs in the factory rolling cigars by hand. Meliah Amey Ravenel works in the basement, where she stems the tobacco. While both white and black workers suffer in the harsh working conditions of the factory and both endure the sexual harassment of the foremen, segregation keeps them from recognizing their common plight until the Tobacco Workers Strike of 1945. Through the experience of a brutal picket line, the two women come to realize how much they stand to gain by joining forces, creating a powerful moment in labor history that gives rise to the Civil Rights anthem, We Shall Overcome. Moore's extensive historical research included interviews with her own family members who worked at the cigar factory, adding a layer of nuance and authenticity to her empowering story of families and friendships forged through struggle, loss, and redemption. \u003ci\u003eThe Cigar Factory\u003c\/i\u003e includes a foreword by \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e best-selling author and Story River Books editor at large Pat Conroy.","brand":"University of South Carolina Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39328535773284,"sku":"9781611178401","price":17.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/suomalainen-test.myshopify.com\/products\/cigar-factory-a-novel-of-charleston-the-1","provider":"Suomalainen Test","version":"1.0","type":"link"}