The Cigar Factory

A Novel of Charleston

By: Michele Moore

Narrated by: Robin Miles

"The sun leaned for down bringing shade to the waterfront," begins Michele Moore's entrancing debut novel, harkening 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, The Cigar Factory 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.

Cassie McGonegal and her niece, 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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2016 Michele Moore (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

History of Charleston

This was an Informative and thought provoking read with stories being told from both white and black perspectives. Demonstrating how Charleston is a place like no other

Fascinating historical history of labor practices in Charleston, South Carolina

It’s very sad to hear about how terribly women who worked in Charleston were treated.

Narrator was incredible!

Which character – as performed by Robin Miles – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Aunt Cassie

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me angry that the factory owners and managers were so insensitive.

question

I do not unde6rstand the voice of an Irish immigrant sounding the same as the black Gullah characters.

A Tale of Two Charlestons

Two families sharing common language, workplace and folkways, yet separated by race. "Cigar Factory" illustrates the psychological and social boundaries of poor whites and poor blacks. It portrays the opportunities that would come (and did come) from recognizing a potential ally. I loved seeing into a lost world in this well-researched book.

If Charleston's culture is rooted in its language Robin Miles takes you in deep. I had the feeling she relished the chance to take on the Gullah inflected english for the length of an entire book. Although the story is often dark, her performance is joyful. A virtuoso given a particularly complicated piece. She makes Charleston sing and effortlessly becomes the story.