A review by lostcanticles
The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung

3.0

This book infuriated me so much, that I saw red! Not because it was bad - that's far from the truth - but because it tackled the challenges women face in academia, especially in the STEM field. I think, either way, these experiences are universal. The Tenth Muse was narrated by Katherine, a mathematician. Her journey was bumpy, and her anger towards the exploitation of women in her field took quite the center stage which was just right. There was so much Katherine went through and more since she was also a half-Asian woman. The novel introduced women who worked with no pay, who weren't given credit for their work, whose intelligence and contributions go unrecognized etc., it was maddening. And that's not to mention the theft. These all played a big role in the story overall, but that wasn't all there was to it. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil and ruin the experience for others.

I just wished some plot points were made more plausible. It felt like the twists just kept coming and coming to a woman already shaken up. Nevertheless, I think I'd be recommending this book to those I think would appreciate it best. It was extremely thought-provoking, and relevant. The writing was precise, not flowery to me. The themes sometimes reminded me of Kim Jiyoung.