Oil! (California Fiction)

Unlike Sinclair's best-known novel, "The Jungle," with its bleak story and gloomy characters, "Oil!" is a fast-paced, lively and colorful story. Although Sinclair uses it to preach his political views, it is nevertheless a good piece of literature and an interesting historical testimony to the era in which it was written. Another striking thing is how Sinclair's descriptions of corporate manipulations tend to mirror very recent events. Interesting also is that Sinclair uses one of the oldest cliches in American literature, the coming-of-age story, as the vehicle for this epic; at the same time, there are indications that Sinclair seems to mock this manner of story-telling - from the main character's rather silly nick-name, "Bunny" to his perennial inability to make up his mind about where he wants to go with his life, i.e. he never really 'comes of age.' Other reviewers have noted Sinclair's apparently naive promotion of socialism/communism/the Bolsheviks, which is a valid criticism, although to me it seemed more a case of the author throwing out ideas to provoke readers into thinking rather than an attempt to persuade them. In this sense, his use of the family of a wealthy California oil baron as the main protagonists is quite telling: although Sinclair does take the opportunity to highlight the hypocrisy and greed of the moneyed classes, he also makes a genuine attempt to portray them as real people rather than just grotesque caricatures. I also noticed that many of his characterizations of the working class/poor are often less than flattering. Regardless, this is a really entertaining novel, probably Sinclair's best.

It's the year 2007. America is hastily at war over something it's politicians still won't answer too. Resources, religion, and patriotism are have woven together to form a toxic mix of cross-divisional nepotism. In short, not much has changed since the Harding Administration.
Who will decide the election of 2008 is the oil industry. You're either for it or against it. If the victor is someone like Barack Obama, and Iraq is (rightfully) abandoned, the immediate tied supply of oil to this country in the middle east will diminish, possibly forcing that giant military budget and expenditure to be transferred to progressive research of electrical engines and other reusable alternatives to maintain economy of life. If not, and the victor is John McCain or Rudy Guiliani, expect to be at war for another five years to maintain a fair cost of transportation (esp. for popular American vehicles such as trucks and sport-utility-vehicles). That's what happens when one powerful political faction is sponsored by the most profitable business in the world...and that business, in the next 20 years, may be depletable. It's oil vs. the cost of life...when you vote, you're inevitably chosing one.
Although first published in the 1920's (as "Oil!: There Will Be Blood") Upton Sinclair's novel plays out as a perfect metaphor for our time sprawled out in the southern California oil boom of the early 20th century. The story centers around a man named John Plainview, whose father purchases land near the Cali/Mexico border with the intention of making a profit during the intense southern California migration that occurred at this time. Instead, the man dies and Plainview, by accident, strikes oil on the land and becomes a small-scale prospector intent on making it rich. Soon bigger facets of the industry take notice (including mass-bully corporations that allude to real companies and oil barons like J.P. Morgan), and begin buying and setting up industry around Plainview's claim. All the while, the exponentially growing population becomes enthralled with religious revivalism in the form of the preacher Eli Sunday, who upon arrival, is befriended by Plainview and is seen as a surrogate son. As Plainview refuses to submit to taking the bribes offered by the encrouching companies for his land, Sunday must take a side.
The novel is very dense, and like other Sinclair works, such as "The Jungle" (the book for whom he's most known), strong socialist themes and sentiments run throughout. By the end, Plainview remains a man whose self-made dreams have been vanquished and beaten by capitalism. Up against those with limitless funds, there is no victory in sight...only a small, impending fall from grace.
Recently it was announced that this novel (which if you've read it, will instantly seem unadaptable) will be made into a movie. I groaned when I read it, but I also immediately plowed my way to [...] and typed in the title....and low and behold I was speechless. Daniel 'the greatest living actor' Day-Lewis as Plainview! Jack 'jackie-jack, mr. Spacek of "The New World" himself' Fisk as the film's production designer!! Photographed by Robert 'master-steadicamist and "Syriana" I-know-my-s#it cinematographer' Elswitt!!! Scored by the great Jon 'you-need-to-work-with-Aimee-again' Brion!!!! And written and directed by.. 'drum-roll please' PTA!!!!!
So yeah, no matter how much of the story is kept intact, the authenticity and timeliness will certainly be there. It's being done by the best. Set to be released Dec. 2007. Nine short months. I can't wait!

Sinclair's writing style is gregarious, repetitive. He hits you on the head with the 'poor working class stiff' schtick, but if you can get past it, what he's describing is actually quite interesting. Sinclair's book is a worthwhile read not only for its striking similarities to our own times, which many people have already stated. But his depictions of the early 20th century in southern California, the social mores, the living conditions, the locations -- are all his images, as he experienced them, or imagined them. They may not have been 'real' but they are certainly what we no longer experience. Los Angeles and Long Beach with derricks, dirt road travelling, working class lives, oak forests in places no longer existant, oil derrick explosions. It was incredibly interesting to read Sinclair's version of how derricks were built, maintained, and occasionally destroyed. Highly recommended for California early 20th century history buffs.

I suppose Upton Sinclair can be described as the poor mans Steinbeck;no way does he come close to the depth of Steinbecks great social novels,but for all that 'Oil' is a vastly entertaining read with good insights to the real thinking,views and politics going on at that time.

Sinclair was a great social reform advocate,which leaves the novel a bit out of balance at times,but for priceless pieces of cynasism(..'she decided to buy only expensive food,leaving the lard,cabbage and potatoes for the poor'..)its worth the ride!

History has proved Sinclair hopelessly naive in his lauding of the Bolseviks in 'Oil'-and even ardent left wingers today would probably like to join the anti red thugs of that era in beating up Paul Watkins and giving Bunny a good slap-but many of the points are still relevent today,and theres enough left after sorting out the chaffe to still make you think about the issue.

The very naivity of Sinclairs characters over the leading social issues of their day,lead you to wonder how foolish we will all sound re todays issues 80 years from now.

A good book,for all its failings.

If one can look through the Muckraking Sinclair is doing, the book paints a detailed portrait of the oil industry, movie industry and overall life in southern California in the 1920's.

Much better than the movie, which was wonderful in its own way, and an interesting, though lefty, take on the early 20th century oil boom. Characters, plotting, dramatic tension, observations, critiques, dialogue, and narrative were all spot on.

Not recommended as history.

This was a current events fiction with a definite ideological skew. If you want history read history...if you want fiction read fiction....stop confusing the two as the post-moderns and post-structuralists have been doing for 40 odd years.

Highly Recommended...as fiction.