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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book has an interesting premise. I knew nothing about Oak Ridge prior to this book - that it even existed or helped the effort towards building a nuclear bomb. So I was intrigued by that aspect, but the book was lacking in some ways. The plot points mentioned on the back of the book don't even begin until around page 150, the characters are kind of flat, and the relationship between the characters is tenuous. This big moment towards the end of the book that connects them all together isn't as dramatic as I expected it to be, and the book ends almost suddenly. Sam Cantor is a main character in the book, but there's no real issue about him being Jewish as I expected there would be for this time period. I did appreciate the epilogue, it was written as if they were real people. The book did a great job about teaching you about that period, what living and working in Oak Ridge was like, and how everything was kept so secret. So for that aspect, I recommend it. On the character side, it could have been a much better book. *Received through a giveaway run by Goodreads, opinions are my own*
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
To be honest, this was not what I expected. The summary made it seem like there would be more moral and patriotism questioning, and more racial tension. It was also misleadingsince two POV are men.
I had hoped for a book about the women during this time and how they held down the home front, their involvement in thew are, and the reaction to the bombings.
This book is very...realistic, for better or worse. I personally feel dissatisfied with the realistic vibe. Like Ralph's death and how blasé the military handles it. The endings and how everyone went on existing. As this is fiction I had wanted a bit more. Cece getting what she deserves, Sam & June working out their relationship, justice for Ralph.
Considering the setting I feel there could have been way more interesting and motivating drama/events.
I had hoped for a book about the women during this time and how they held down the home front, their involvement in thew are, and the reaction to the bombings.
This book is very...realistic, for better or worse.
Considering the setting I feel there could have been way more interesting and motivating drama/events.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, War
Minor: Death
This book had tragedy, war, science, friendships, romance, addiction, anger, happiness, and probably many more emotions I'm forgetting. As a historical fiction fan (especially anything about world war 2) I enjoyed this book.
A good, simple story. The plots were realistic and did a good job demonstrating the conflicts of war and patriotism and innocence, as well as racism and classism of the time. I learned a lot about the history of Oak Ridge and it was interesting to hear about places I know, like Knoxville and Norris Lake in the novel.
The reader of the audiobook version struggled a bit, but she had a big job to do, doing accents of rich southerners, Germans, Jewish New Yorkers, poor country farmers, Black laborers from Alabama, and Brits.
The reader of the audiobook version struggled a bit, but she had a big job to do, doing accents of rich southerners, Germans, Jewish New Yorkers, poor country farmers, Black laborers from Alabama, and Brits.
I enjoyed the book very much, and I love hos the story was described from different perspectives, and how the different characters reacted differently to the whole situation. The author did well when writing as the different characters as well, and they all had inspiring or interesting stories.
Could not finish this one; not enough history nor depth and the characters (save Joe) were not interesting.