anna_hepworth's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have loved everything of Cade's that I've read, and this is no exception. Although short, it is densely written, and took a little time for me to get the rhythm of it. Overall, it is a story of a scientist, but also a story of families, and grief.
I liked the way the strands of Rutherford's life were woven together, stepping back and forth through time with each chapter. It is a writing style that allows for the similarities and differences of the time points to be deftly woven, for the thematic elements to build slowly. And here it is done expertly.
I liked the way the strands of Rutherford's life were woven together, stepping back and forth through time with each chapter. It is a writing style that allows for the similarities and differences of the time points to be deftly woven, for the thematic elements to build slowly. And here it is done expertly.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
andrewspink's review
4.0
An odd book. Which is a good thing. It is unclear, at least to me if all the stuff about salt water is based on something Rutherford once said or wrote, or if it is all in the mind of the author. But that doesn't matter so much, the point is made well enough in well-written prose. An enjoyable book.
touchingmyshelf's review
3.0
Form: physical
This was a really interesting read for me which was very different from my usual reads. This is a novella inspired by Ernest Rutherford’s life both here in NZ as a child and later overseas as a physicist. Throughout the story it constantly changes time and setting - jumping forward and back and weaving together both Ernest’s childhood trauma of the death of his two young brothers and his future as a physicist.
A large portion of the story was set in the Marlborough Sounds which is a place near and dear to me so I adored reading and hearing about it through someone else’s words! I also really enjoyed the ghostly paranormal additions to the story as they really added some oomph to the story. The science topic for the novella was also really interesting, especially hearing about Ernest conducting old experiments and how tedious they were. I will say, I did find the story a tad confusing at times with all the jumping back and forth. I also struggled in the middle as I felt like the story wasn’t really going anywhere and was starting to feel stagnant. I do understand that this is a novella and so there is only a certain amount you can say in 72 pages but I just felt like something was missing with it that I can’t put my finger on. I do know however, that I would definitely consider reading more of Octavia Cades writing as I found her style really interesting to read and I loved how unique of a topic she chose to write about!
This was a really interesting read for me which was very different from my usual reads. This is a novella inspired by Ernest Rutherford’s life both here in NZ as a child and later overseas as a physicist. Throughout the story it constantly changes time and setting - jumping forward and back and weaving together both Ernest’s childhood trauma of the death of his two young brothers and his future as a physicist.
A large portion of the story was set in the Marlborough Sounds which is a place near and dear to me so I adored reading and hearing about it through someone else’s words! I also really enjoyed the ghostly paranormal additions to the story as they really added some oomph to the story. The science topic for the novella was also really interesting, especially hearing about Ernest conducting old experiments and how tedious they were. I will say, I did find the story a tad confusing at times with all the jumping back and forth. I also struggled in the middle as I felt like the story wasn’t really going anywhere and was starting to feel stagnant. I do understand that this is a novella and so there is only a certain amount you can say in 72 pages but I just felt like something was missing with it that I can’t put my finger on. I do know however, that I would definitely consider reading more of Octavia Cades writing as I found her style really interesting to read and I loved how unique of a topic she chose to write about!
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