The Cotton-Pickers (Jungle Novels) [Paperback]

B. Traven (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jungle Novels | Publication Date: February 1, 1995

The background of The Cotton-Pickers, set in Mexico in the 1920s, is the struggle of the emerging trade unions to end the exploitation of hungry laborers. Gales, a laconic American drifter, turns his hand to anything for a meal and a flea-bitten bunk—he works on a cotton plantation, in an oil field, in a bakery, as a cowboy for a North American ranch owner. Opposing exploitation, he leaves behind him a trail of rebellion. Underlying this lively and funny tale of his adventures is a powerful study of social injustice, and most of all a testament to the strength of human courage and dignity one of Traven’s favorite themes. "B. Traven is coming to be recognized as one of the narrative masters of the twentieth century."—New York Times Book Review. "Great storytellers often arise like Judaic just men to exemplify and rehearse the truth for their generation. The elusive B. Traven was just such a man."—Book World.

Editorial Reviews

Review

B. Traven is coming to be recognized as one of the narrative masters of the twentieth century. (New York Times Book Review )

The Jungle Novels constitute one of the richest portraits of revolution in all literature. (University Review )

Great storytellers often arise like Judaic just men to exemplify and rehearse the truth for their generation. B. Traven was such a man. (Book World )

Traven is a riveting storyteller. (Philadelphia Inquirer )

Readers who ignore the genius of B. Traven do so at their peril. (New York Times Book Review )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

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Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R Dee (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566630754
• ISBN-13: 978-1566630757
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Traven wanders through more hard work, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cotton-Pickers (Jungle Novels) (Paperback)

This novel, like "The Death Ship," does not have atraditional narrative structure. And like "The Death Ship" this story is narrated by Gales, a crazy American who goes through life doing one lousy job after the other. From cotton picker to cowboy, from baker to wanderer, Traven once again takes Gales through a trial-by-toil world.

Of course the book is entertaining and it's even insightful (especially if you've ever had a job in Mexico); but what worked so well for "The Death Ship" doesn't seem to be as effective here. It lacks the tough satire that his first novels has.

Also, if you've read "The Night Vistor and other stories" you'll feel a little ripped off, since about 40 pages overlap between these two volumes. But if you haven't, then you're in for a pretty good treat.

I mean, nobody sweats like Traven.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Readable Look at Mexican Poverty and Transients, January 27, 2007

By 

K.A.Goldberg (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cotton-Pickers (Jungle Novels) (Paperback)

This is an interesting story about poverty and worker exploitation in Mexico during the late 1920's. The story is narrated by Gales, an offbeat American living as a nomad in Mexico and bouncing from one crummy job to another. He picks cotton, works in a bakery, drives cattle, etc. The only jobs available to him, Indians, and other transients offer low pay, long hours, and demeaning conditions. Many jobs also feature crooked employers that cheat their workers. Despite these difficulties, Gales has a sense of freedom, which he greatly values. Also, there are a couple decent employers and some successful strikes by workers.

Author B. Traven (1890-1969) had a nicely readable style, a soft heart for underpaid workers, and disdain for the seamier side of capitalism. This isn't his best work, but it's an entertaining story of transient poverty and exploitation in Mexico. Readers should be sure not to miss his TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cotton-pickin' cotton pickers, September 7, 2001

By 

Kirk Alex - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cotton-Pickers (Jungle Novels) (Paperback)

Well, what's there to say? It was written by the same talented writer who wrote Treasure of the Sierra Madre. You won't be disappointed. Traven delivers. Easy read. I read it in a day. The man is always for the underdog--who can't relate to that? The only thing that bothers me at times is Traven's political [views]. Man obviously had an ax to grind--well, ok, I suppose, everyone has an ax to grind about something. But when it comes to poltics and religion--well, two subjects that just sicken me--because you can never get anywhere with that stuff. You can talk about that b.s. until you're blue in the face and still end up nowhere.

Other than that--yes, I highly recommend the book.