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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Cw II: Colstrip Withdrawal II by Michael Urban is a provocative and emotionally charged drama that captures the ripple effects of an energy-dependent town facing a bleak future. We find ourselves in Colstrip, Montana, where the shutdown of its coal-fired lifeblood sends shockwaves through a proud and economically fragile community. In a last-ditch effort to stay relevant, the town declares itself a 'sanctuary city', but in a bold, unexpected way that gains national attention and political ire. As Colstrip becomes the unlikely centerpiece of a governor’s race and the battleground for cultural and economic debates, the residents must navigate their own conflicting values, survival instincts, and sense of identity. Urban does not shy away from the complexities of class, power, and desperation, delivering a timely novel with both small-town intimacy and national resonance.
Author Michael Urban has a sharp sense of what's most relevant to get the core details of a complex point across, and he writes with clarity, compassion, and just the right amount of satire. This allows him to give voice to people often sidelined in political discourse whilst also keeping control of the wider narrative in a very confidently and smoothly penned way. The story never reduces its characters to archetypes, instead offering a nuanced portrait of people wrestling with impossible choices. Urban’s depiction of rural resilience and the cost of relevance in a polarized America is thought-provoking and deeply human. The plot unfolds with suspense and surprising tenderness, challenging readers to reflect on how far a town or a person will go to remain visible. Overall, Cw II: Colstrip Withdrawal II is a timely and moving novel that explores the cost of survival, and I would certainly recommend it.