Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
I think this book shines a light on a part of history that not that many know about. I liked the different perspectives, but at times didn't feel like each character got enough time to develop. I think that the it was most interesting to see how characters felt about what using the bomb and why. The writing style was nice and easy to follow.
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This cartoonish tale is disappointing. I appreciated the historical bits (assuming they’re true) and was appalled at the blatant racist storytelling. The colloquial dialogue for black characters felt incorrect (though I haven’t researched it myself - but using “I’s going to” seems wrong; at least commit and use “I’s goin’ to“), and the white characters didn’t have any special dialects assigned to them. I wonder if Beard read any accounts from actual black people who worked there or interviewed any that are still living.
The early romantic narration was eye-rolling. It got better as the book went on, presumably because the relationship became more complex.
She raised interesting questions about atom bombs, but none that haven’t been raised before.
The early romantic narration was eye-rolling. It got better as the book went on, presumably because the relationship became more complex.
She raised interesting questions about atom bombs, but none that haven’t been raised before.
The actual story more just happened to be in the vicinity of the Manhattan Project rather than actually involving it. As a result I found it rather dull.
Nothing happens in this book. I kept waiting for something exciting, but it never did.
I quite liked listening to this audiobook, although I wish there would have been a bit more science in it. The premise is that it's a fictional account of four people working in Oak Ridge helping to enrich uranium (mostly unknowingly) for the Manhattan project.
I really liked June's story line, Cici's, and Sam's. They seem to fit together quite well. The one problem I have is Joe and Ralph's story line...it doesn't seem to quite fit. Only near the end do the characters all coincide, and the requirement for Joe to be there is seems too unimportant and forced. The author could have enriched the other story lines and dropped this one, or developed the plot and the stories of the African American characters a bit more.
As others have stated...the title isn't really reflective of the content, as it's 50% male POV, but I still liked having a nice little historical fiction to enjoy.
I really liked June's story line, Cici's, and Sam's. They seem to fit together quite well. The one problem I have is Joe and Ralph's story line...it doesn't seem to quite fit. Only near the end do the characters all coincide, and the requirement for Joe to be there is seems too unimportant and forced. The author could have enriched the other story lines and dropped this one, or developed the plot and the stories of the African American characters a bit more.
As others have stated...the title isn't really reflective of the content, as it's 50% male POV, but I still liked having a nice little historical fiction to enjoy.
Dull dull dull. This is a novel about women who worked on the Manhattan Project; I chose it by accident, thinking it was the nonfiction version. Still, I would have been fine with an historical novel if it had been at all entertaining, but this story just plods endlessly, lifelessly along. Even when the Big Things finally happen, they're related in the same sluggish monotone.
Now I'm going to go read the book I meant to read in the first place.
Now I'm going to go read the book I meant to read in the first place.