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sparklelys's review against another edition
Of all things, it reminded me of Silkwood (Meryl Streep, Cher, Kurt Russell) -- I went into both knowing radiation and corporate expose were a part of things, but the compelling storytelling was what made them stick in public memory.
redheadtreefrog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was an emotional rollercoaster ride. It made me angry. It made me sad. But as something based on true events and actual people, I consider that a really positive thing.
It was very disturbing and I found that I could only read a couple of chapters and I'd have to step away and give myself time to process. That worked well since the chapters alternated between the present day storyline and letters from WWI. So I would read one of each and then take a break. And it made me curious for more information... and any book that makes me want to go out and find a non-fiction book to read is a winner!
It was very disturbing and I found that I could only read a couple of chapters and I'd have to step away and give myself time to process. That worked well since the chapters alternated between the present day storyline and letters from WWI. So I would read one of each and then take a break. And it made me curious for more information... and any book that makes me want to go out and find a non-fiction book to read is a winner!
mnihill's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
libreroaming's review against another edition
3.0
A young girl discovers some old paintings that glow with grotesque hidden secrets when the lights go out. A horrific premise and mystery based on the true story of the Radium Girls.
There is a lot to appreciate in this story. The idea to frame the plight of Lydia's letters with Julie's modern discovery of the paintings produces a complimentary alignment and Julie's own secrets eating away at her provide an apt symbolic metaphor. However, Lydia's story is so much more compelling than Julie's, who suffers from an insta-love chemist guy and two strained relationships that don't exactly encourage a likeable protagonist. An uneven story with many good parts, and meaningful plot, but not wholly polished narration.
There is a lot to appreciate in this story. The idea to frame the plight of Lydia's letters with Julie's modern discovery of the paintings produces a complimentary alignment and Julie's own secrets eating away at her provide an apt symbolic metaphor. However, Lydia's story is so much more compelling than Julie's, who suffers from an insta-love chemist guy and two strained relationships that don't exactly encourage a likeable protagonist. An uneven story with many good parts, and meaningful plot, but not wholly polished narration.
smittenforfiction's review against another edition
3.0
Glow is a young adult novel by Megan E. Bryant that sheds light on a dark time in American history. Julie (Jubilee) Chase, a high school graduate who was looking forward to attending College only to have it postponed due to her mother's debt issues. When the bank was about to foreclose on their mortgage, Julie cashed out her college fund to buy the house. She harbors resentment towards her mother for having to lose her college fund, putting her dreams on hold, while her mom seems to not be bothering to find a job. Julie's friend Lauren is from a well-to-do family and is off to college leaving Julie behind. This creates a rift between the two, bringing the worst out of the both of them. Attempting to salvage their friendship they head off for a fun day of shopping (Lauren's idea), and Julie buys a painting at Lost and Found consignment store. When darkness blankets Julie's room the painting reveals a glowing secret artwork that ignites her curiosity. She becomes obsessed with finding more paintings by the same artist, and attempts to re-create the technique. Julie has no idea that the technique involves the "radium girls" who unknowingly poisoned themselves while painting numbers on watch dials used to help soldiers see the time more accurately during WWI.
Bryant uses fictional characters inspired by real history to tell the story of the "radium girls." The perspective shifts back and forth from Lydia in 1917-1918 to Julie in modern time. We hear Lydia's story from letters she writes to her beloved Walter who has gone off to war. Lydia has an incredible weight upon her shoulders at 16 years old. Her older sister Liza helps Lydia get a job at ARC painting watch dials with a magical glowing substance. The same magical powder used to make the paint is also sold as a cure for practically all ailments.
While running an errand at the local college Julie meets Luke (Lucien), a chemistry student working at the college over the summer. Their friendship evolves as he helps her figure out how to create the glow-in-the-dark paint.
Through Julie's research and Lydia's letters we learn the heart-wrenching story of the Grayson sisters. There are parts of the story which are descriptive and vivid. I will admit that I cried twice while reading this page-turner.
I do have a couple of complaints. For one, why is Julie friends with Lauren? Lauren is selfish, stubborn, and rude. I feel like the tension between Lauren and Julie was unnecessary to the plot.
I also find it strange that Julie didn't suspect the glow-in-the-dark paint used on the vintage artwork. She researched how to create the paint, yet somehow didn't stumble across the possibility of radioactive ingredients.
There were a couple of times where the dialogue felt a bit clunky, and I also think Lydia's letters are a little unbelievable. I don't know anyone who writes complete back-and-forth dialogue while recounting an event in a letter.
Even though a couple small areas were bothersome, this is an extremely important story to write, to read, and to share. Glow is an incredible story that sheds light on the hideous greed of some companies who put profit above health, giving opportunity for brave people to sacrifice, and fight for what's right.
Expected Publication: September 1st, 2017
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you Brandi from Flutter Communications, the publisher, author, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.
More Review on my Blog :) http://amandadroverhartwick.wordpress.com/
Bryant uses fictional characters inspired by real history to tell the story of the "radium girls." The perspective shifts back and forth from Lydia in 1917-1918 to Julie in modern time. We hear Lydia's story from letters she writes to her beloved Walter who has gone off to war. Lydia has an incredible weight upon her shoulders at 16 years old. Her older sister Liza helps Lydia get a job at ARC painting watch dials with a magical glowing substance. The same magical powder used to make the paint is also sold as a cure for practically all ailments.
While running an errand at the local college Julie meets Luke (Lucien), a chemistry student working at the college over the summer. Their friendship evolves as he helps her figure out how to create the glow-in-the-dark paint.
Through Julie's research and Lydia's letters we learn the heart-wrenching story of the Grayson sisters. There are parts of the story which are descriptive and vivid. I will admit that I cried twice while reading this page-turner.
I do have a couple of complaints. For one, why is Julie friends with Lauren? Lauren is selfish, stubborn, and rude. I feel like the tension between Lauren and Julie was unnecessary to the plot.
I also find it strange that Julie didn't suspect the glow-in-the-dark paint used on the vintage artwork. She researched how to create the paint, yet somehow didn't stumble across the possibility of radioactive ingredients.
There were a couple of times where the dialogue felt a bit clunky, and I also think Lydia's letters are a little unbelievable. I don't know anyone who writes complete back-and-forth dialogue while recounting an event in a letter.
Even though a couple small areas were bothersome, this is an extremely important story to write, to read, and to share. Glow is an incredible story that sheds light on the hideous greed of some companies who put profit above health, giving opportunity for brave people to sacrifice, and fight for what's right.
Expected Publication: September 1st, 2017
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you Brandi from Flutter Communications, the publisher, author, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.
More Review on my Blog :) http://amandadroverhartwick.wordpress.com/
lunaseassecondaccount's review against another edition
4.0
With the disappointment of my last book that had nothing to do with the title, Glow delivered just that: a book about glowing paint and radium.
Based on the true events of the Radium Girls in the late 1910s/early 1920s, Glow is a dual-timeline YA novel. Jubilee (Julie) is a new high school graduate who gave her $200,000 college fund to her mother to save their home. As such, she is unable to attend college. On the other side is Lydia, whose chapters are via correspondence to her wartime darling, Walter. Their paths cross when Julie purchases a number of paintings that are done with radium paint.
Lydia's story was more compelling, in as much as how tragic it was. Her fate was destined from the start. Sure, I always find a suspension of disbelief is required when reading epistolary novels (who writes full conversations like that in a letter!), but seeing her sister literally fall apart, and knowing she's not long behind is upsetting.
Julie... is a bit messier. There's so much going on here: her mother took her entire savings and refuses to work. She's lost her college chances. Her friend, Lauren, sucks. Then she meets Luke and... nearly has sex with him in the rain? Because she's sad? There's so much going on here that I didn't know where to start. Several of these threads could have been snipped, particularly when she is apparently about to get sick with radiation poisoning due to the paint.
I'd have loved Lydia's story to be its own novel. It carries its strength on its own.
Based on the true events of the Radium Girls in the late 1910s/early 1920s, Glow is a dual-timeline YA novel. Jubilee (Julie) is a new high school graduate who gave her $200,000 college fund to her mother to save their home. As such, she is unable to attend college. On the other side is Lydia, whose chapters are via correspondence to her wartime darling, Walter. Their paths cross when Julie purchases a number of paintings that are done with radium paint.
Lydia's story was more compelling, in as much as how tragic it was. Her fate was destined from the start. Sure, I always find a suspension of disbelief is required when reading epistolary novels (who writes full conversations like that in a letter!), but seeing her sister literally fall apart, and knowing she's not long behind is upsetting.
Julie... is a bit messier. There's so much going on here: her mother took her entire savings and refuses to work. She's lost her college chances. Her friend, Lauren, sucks. Then she meets Luke and... nearly has sex with him in the rain? Because she's sad? There's so much going on here that I didn't know where to start. Several of these threads could have been snipped, particularly when she is apparently about to get sick with radiation poisoning due to the paint.
I'd have loved Lydia's story to be its own novel. It carries its strength on its own.
b00kpanda's review against another edition
5.0
I can't say enough. This is such an wonderful piece of historical fiction. A must read for all teens!
mis_evaluate's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5