This novel explores the aftermath of a mine explosion in a small Midwestern town at the turn of the 20th century, which leads to the wrongful conviction of a man for murder. Saved from the gallows by a mysterious stranger, the man flees to South America while his wife and children are left to navigate the social and financial fallout in their community. The narrative delves into themes of justice, faith, and the randomness of destiny, all set against the backdrop of America's industrial revolution.
The 9426th greatest book of all time
Thornton Niven Wilder was an American playwright and novelist. He received three Pulitzer Prizes, one for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and two for his plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth, and a National Book Award for his novel The Eighth Day.
