Please read this article about a fellow Anthracite Region (PA) author and follow the provided link to purchase his book.
The Citizens’ Voice – Wilkes-Barre, PA
By Debby Higgins, Citizens’ Voice Staff Writer
Sunday, August 5, 2001
If there’s one thing Steve Varonka’s book accomplishes, it make the reader angry as a nest of
bees after it’s been poked with a stick.
In “Molly Justice,” the Bloomsburg author tries to portray the plight of the Molly Maguires
during the 1880s in the Mahanoy Valley. While he paints a clear pictures to their lives and times,
Varonka also gives an insight into the local Catholic Church’s snti-labor, anti-Molly feelings.
The neat little book jumps right into the fray with first chapter’s look at a fire fight, that
included both flames and fists.
Underpinning the fight was the anti-Irish sentiments the Welsh Modocs failed to hide at
every opportunity.
From the beginning, the reader sympathizes with Pat Casserly an Irishman who becomes
caught between his family, his struggle to become part of the American fabric and his loyalty to his
roots.
While the book is a work of fiction, it’s based on a factual timeline of actual events in Pennsylvania
Anthracite history.
From the arrival of the multitude of Irish immigrants in the 1850’s onward through the mass
immigration of Eastern and Southern Europeans who flocked to America well into the 20th Century,
Northeastern Pennsylvania has experienced the meshing of many cultures and lifestyles.
“Molly Justice” tries to profile the struggles of all those who came to work in the mines via
its hero, Casserly. In reality, Casserly is based on Varonka’s own grandfather who lived during the
time of great struggle.
The Bloomsburg author’s first literary attempt to bring history to life is a good one. While
the book doesn’t tell a different tale, it’s the telling that makes it interesting.
Books dealing with local history can be boring, but “Molly Justice” tries to circumvent the
obvious with life-like characters, interesting locales and universal ideal of good over evil.
The book is published by Coal Hole Productions, Bloomsburg. It is available through local
outlets.
Varonka is married and the father of two. He is a native of Mahanoy City.
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