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lmhenry9's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
eneubig's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't been so disturbed by a piece of historical fiction before as it feels so disturbingly true! That Watson and Crick used her images I had heard before, but that they had no data of their own, I hadn't realized! I loved The Double Helix as a young teen, a gift from my science loving brother. I heard Watson speak at the VanAndel Institute in 2011 and thought him a bit of a blustering buffoon due to his age, but perhaps he always was.
abbyweber's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good, it’s just not really my jam.
I think I would have rather read an actual biography than a fictionalization of the story. I think I prefer my historical fiction to be more fictional, if that makes sense. Writing was good though, so I’m sure if you like this kind of book, you’ll really enjoy it.
I think I would have rather read an actual biography than a fictionalization of the story. I think I prefer my historical fiction to be more fictional, if that makes sense. Writing was good though, so I’m sure if you like this kind of book, you’ll really enjoy it.
momob121's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked that this book gave me historical information I didn’t previously know about Rosalind Franklin. I did find that there was a tendency to repeat certain themes (which I am sure were part of Dr. Franklin’s life). I felt like it was more “filling pages” instead of propelling the story. With that said, I do like Marie Benedict’s books!
sammiep16's review against another edition
4.0
Rosalind Franklin is a personal hero of mine and Marie Benedict did a great job telling her story. I appreciated her accuracy and ability to explain X-ray crystallography to the readers. And I think just the right section of Rosalind Franklin's life was captured.
smclauchlan_writes's review against another edition
5.0
Another of Marie Benedict’s masterpieces. Before reading this I knew the story of Rosalind Franklin, but reading this honestly infuriated me at the way she was treated. This book is written almost as diary entries, so not as a continuous storyline which took some getting used to, but I absolutely loved it! It truly brought me into Rosalind’s life and thought process.
thenerdyknitterreads's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely adored this book. Having the ability to make such a prominent name in history (and science) become someone who feels relatable on a personal level, is a wonderful talent. I enjoy all of Marie's books and look forward to each new one.
hbeth21's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book I have read by this author and I want to read them all. Her writing is so believable, and It seems as though she can see things as they actually happened. I had strong feelings for Rosalind Franklin before reading this, and this has only made my feelings stronger. I will say that while I knew that Wilkins, Watson and Crick were sketchy fellows, after reading this I feel nothing but disdain towards them (which would greatly disappoint my high school biology teacher and mentor), and I am not sure if there is some in-between that is closer to reality. She was clearly treated unfairly, and robbed of probably one of the most important scientific discoveries of the ages. I can only imagine the impact she would have had on our world had her life not ended so early. The last chapters broke my heart. She is truly one of my heroes and Marie Benedict did a brilliant job in solidifying this for me. I cannot wait to read the rest of her work.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
In post World War II France, Rosalind Franklin enters a new position at a lab that welcomes her as an equal, an opportunity she didn't have in England. Rosalind loves the camaraderie of the Laboratoire Central des Services Chimiques de l'État and becomes one of the top researchers in X-ray crystallography. Rosalind decides to leave France and join King's College London where she is given a new research topic to use her expertise in X-Ray crystallography for- DNA. Rosalind is unwittingly thrown into the race to figure out the properties and form of DNA. Rosalind finds competition within her own lab as her colleague Maurice Wilkins conspires against her and collaborates with Watson and Crick who are not even supposed to be working on DNA. Despite the difficult conditions, Rosalind pushes through until the hidden details of DNA reveal themselves to her.
As a female scientist I have always revered the female pioneers who paved the way and made it possible for me to enter my field. While Her Hidden Genius is a work of fiction, it has obviously been meticulously researched and includes many facts of Rosalind's life while researching DNA. Rosalind had an incredibly difficult path to forge. Despite her family being wealthy, Rosalind was a Jewish woman in post World War II Europe entering the field of scientific research. Immediately, Rosalind's passion for the science, details and finding the truth shone through. I was immersed in Rosalind's time in the lab and the atmosphere of the science labs at the time. The writing did a wonderful job of explaining the science of Rosalind's projects while showing the human side of the science as well. I enjoyed reading about the camaraderie in the lab as well as the competition. I was enraged as Rosalind questioned her brusqueness of her tone and words to the men around her while those men were quite literally stealing her data. Rosalind amazed me with her ability to move forward and fight for her science as well as her grace and acceptance that Watson and Crick published their results first based on her research. While Rosalind might have been forgotten for a time and seen through the eyes of her male researchers, Her Hidden Genius is a step in giving Rosalind Franklin the recognition she deserves.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
As a female scientist I have always revered the female pioneers who paved the way and made it possible for me to enter my field. While Her Hidden Genius is a work of fiction, it has obviously been meticulously researched and includes many facts of Rosalind's life while researching DNA. Rosalind had an incredibly difficult path to forge. Despite her family being wealthy, Rosalind was a Jewish woman in post World War II Europe entering the field of scientific research. Immediately, Rosalind's passion for the science, details and finding the truth shone through. I was immersed in Rosalind's time in the lab and the atmosphere of the science labs at the time. The writing did a wonderful job of explaining the science of Rosalind's projects while showing the human side of the science as well. I enjoyed reading about the camaraderie in the lab as well as the competition. I was enraged as Rosalind questioned her brusqueness of her tone and words to the men around her while those men were quite literally stealing her data. Rosalind amazed me with her ability to move forward and fight for her science as well as her grace and acceptance that Watson and Crick published their results first based on her research. While Rosalind might have been forgotten for a time and seen through the eyes of her male researchers, Her Hidden Genius is a step in giving Rosalind Franklin the recognition she deserves.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
daniellearider's review against another edition
4.0
A very intense book about an intense and singularly focused woman. It wasn’t my favorite of Benedict’s but was interesting and important in the way all of her novels are.