The Octopus
A Story of California
The Octopus, published in 1901, is the first novel of Frank Norris's planned trilogy about wheat. In the San Joaquin Valley of California, the ranchers led by Magnus Derrick have built their farms on land along a railroad, only to find the railroad company, the "octopus" of the title, raising its prices and freight rates and claiming the right to sell the land out from under them. The ranchers turn to politics and bribery, then to resistance, while the poet Presley, who came to write an epic of the West, watches the conflict unfold. Inspired by the Mussel Slough tragedy of 1880, the novel is a powerful work of American naturalism and social protest. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Octopus
The Octopus by Frank Norris can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Octopus online?
Yes. The Octopus opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Octopus free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Octopus is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Octopus in the public domain?
Yes. The Octopus by Frank Norris is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Octopus?
About 13 h 08 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Octopus?
The Octopus by Frank Norris is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
