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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This was tender and little slower paced, but well done. This side of WWII is often overlooked. I have yet to see the film Oppenheimer, but the moral dilemma of the atomic bomb must have been so devastating to those involved. I appreciated learning more about it.
This was a beautiful story! When a fictional book is based on a real person it's sometimes hard for me to focus because I keep wondering how much of it is real and what was made up by the author. That wasn't the case for me with Universe of Two, because it's so sweet and romantic that it really sucks you in. You wouldn't expect a story about Project Y to work well as a love story but I thought it was wonderful. Do yourself a favor and listen to the music mentioned in this book as you read. All of the songs are easily found on YouTube, played on an organ, and you will get the full effect of how meaningful the music is and how well it fits the story. I promise if you read this book you will fall in love with Charlie Fish and gain a new respect for the real-life versions of these characters and what they experienced.
This book too me a while to get through. The subject matter was interesting but some parts seemed to drag.
Officially DNF after reading half. The ‘couple’ that the story revolves around wasn’t interesting to me The female was insufferable and the guy was clueless. Time for me to move on.
Imagine a story that combines the Manhattan project, musical organs, and the growth of two people in love. This story is well told and fascinating. I definitely recommend this book.
I’ve wanted to read a book by Stephen P. Kiernan for years, and in fact, I’ve bought his other books due to the great reviews. I’m happy to say Universe of Two lived up to my expectations, and I’m even more excited about the other books.
What shines here most is the writing. In the 1940s, Charlie meets Brenda when he shops in her mother’s music store. Brenda is not interested in him, until he keeps coming to visit her.
Charlie, a brilliant mathematician, is working on the Manhattan Project, which is a secret even to him. Eventually, Charlie is sent to Los Alamos in New Mexico, and Brenda joins him. Charlie is working for the government; unbeknownst to him, his work is on the first atomic bomb.
Charlie comes to realize what it is he’s working on, and he desperately wants to quit. When the bombs are detonated in Japan, he and Brenda are devastated.
The government pays for Charlie to get a doctorate, but everyone in the program is excited about atomic energy, and Charlie is having none fo it. He drops out and searches for something else to do to leave a positive mark on the world.
Universe of Two is a stunningly told story of guilt and redemption. I loved these two complex main characters, and I found their story compelling and thought-provoking. Loosely based on the life of Charlie Fisk, the entire story felt authentic and resonant. Highly recommended for historical fiction fans. This is a good one.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
What shines here most is the writing. In the 1940s, Charlie meets Brenda when he shops in her mother’s music store. Brenda is not interested in him, until he keeps coming to visit her.
Charlie, a brilliant mathematician, is working on the Manhattan Project, which is a secret even to him. Eventually, Charlie is sent to Los Alamos in New Mexico, and Brenda joins him. Charlie is working for the government; unbeknownst to him, his work is on the first atomic bomb.
Charlie comes to realize what it is he’s working on, and he desperately wants to quit. When the bombs are detonated in Japan, he and Brenda are devastated.
The government pays for Charlie to get a doctorate, but everyone in the program is excited about atomic energy, and Charlie is having none fo it. He drops out and searches for something else to do to leave a positive mark on the world.
Universe of Two is a stunningly told story of guilt and redemption. I loved these two complex main characters, and I found their story compelling and thought-provoking. Loosely based on the life of Charlie Fisk, the entire story felt authentic and resonant. Highly recommended for historical fiction fans. This is a good one.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, War
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was really challenging to read and wasn’t what I was hoping for. I wanted much more of the redemption arc but it leaned much more forward in the timeline than I was comfortable with.
emotional
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
dark
emotional
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:
Yes