Oil!
What is Oil! about?
Oil! (1927) is Upton Sinclair’s novel about the California oil boom and its corrupting influence on American democracy. Bunny Ross, the idealistic son of an oil tycoon, watches as his father’s industry corrupts politicians, exploits workers, and destroys the landscape. The novel was inspired by the Teapot Dome scandal and is both a compelling coming-of-age story and a devastating critique of the relationship between corporate power and democratic government. It was adapted into the 2007 film There Will Be Blood.
Main themes in Oil!
California oil boom
Oil! thoughtfully explores california oil boom through its central conflicts.
Corporate corruption
The presence of corporate corruption in Oil! connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Political scandal
In Oil!, political scandal provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Coming of age
Oil! thoughtfully explores coming of age through its central conflicts.
Why Oil! is still relevant today
Oil! is a prescient novel about the corrupting power of the petroleum industry, adapted into the acclaimed film There Will Be Blood. Read it free online on TextStack.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oil! about?
An oil tycoon’s idealistic son watches the petroleum industry corrupt politics and exploit workers in 1920s California, in the novel that inspired There Will Be Blood.
Where can I read Oil! online?
You can read Oil! by Upton Sinclair free online on TextStack.