Oil! A Novel

"Oil! A Novel" by Upton Sinclair is a gripping and politically charged tale that traces the rise of the American oil industry through the eyes of Bunny Ross, the idealistic son of a ruthless oil tycoon, as he comes of age in a world defined by profit, power, and corruption. Set in Southern California during the early 20th century, the novel follows Bunny's growing awareness of the exploitative practices underpinning his family's wealth and the broader capitalist system, especially as he witnesses the harsh realities faced by oil workers, the manipulation of politics by business interests, and the suppression of labor movements. Inspired by the real-life Teapot Dome scandal, Sinclair uses Bunny's moral awakening to explore themes of class conflict, corporate greed, and the moral compromises that accompany privilege and ambition. As relevant today as it was upon publication, the novel sharply echoes contemporary concerns around economic inequality, corporate influence in politics, and the environmental and social cost of energy industries. Sinclair's storytelling is vivid and unflinching, blending personal drama with social critique in a way that feels eerily prescient in the context of today's debates over fossil fuels and worker rights. This book is especially compelling for readers drawn to historical fiction with a strong political undercurrent, anyone interested in the roots of modern capitalism, or those who appreciated the film "There Will Be Blood," which was loosely based on this novel.