roryta86reads's review against another edition
4.0
When I first started reading this books, I felt like I was looking in on someone's life, creepily almost. I always felt a little uneasy reading it. This isn't to say it was a bad book; I gave it 4 stars, so I obviously think it was a great piece of literature. Perhaps I felt the unease because somehow everything Kathrine experienced is so universal, and because the author's writing was emotive and expressive. For example, I felt so uncomfortable by each exchange Kathrine had with Karl. Of course we learn in the end why.
It took me a month to finish this book. It was hard to get into it once I left it for a day or two. It's the kind of book that gets going with momentum. Some parts were heavier and harder to grasp, and it's tempting to try to reread section and try to fully understand them. But that doesn't help. Eventually I read 80% of this book in one sitting.
Now that it's over, I still feel uneasy, and a little heartbroken.
It took me a month to finish this book. It was hard to get into it once I left it for a day or two. It's the kind of book that gets going with momentum. Some parts were heavier and harder to grasp, and it's tempting to try to reread section and try to fully understand them. But that doesn't help. Eventually I read 80% of this book in one sitting.
Now that it's over, I still feel uneasy, and a little heartbroken.
hjdutton's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyed the parts about Katherine discovering her family history and her math genius lineage. Did I see it coming from miles away? Yes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You can know the destination but still enjoy the journey it takes to get there.
What really bothered me about this book comes down to this: 1) Katherine is kind of an idiot. Brilliant at math, super dumb when it comes to people. Of course Karl was keeping things from her. The way she passively accepted the way some folks treated her annoyed me.
And then 2) the central “romantic” relationship between Katherine and Peter. As a doctoral student myself, I can say with a reasonable level of confidence that there is no way a seasoned, tenured academic like Peter would consider it a “romantic” gift or gesture to poach someone’s work and then submit a paper under their name. Unbelievable to the point it strains credulity. Moreover, if Katherine was truly as committed to being a standout, respected mathematician in her field as the author wants us to believe, then she never would have embarked on a romantic/ sexual relationship with her faculty advisor. I can think of few ways to be taken *less* seriously in professional and academic spaces.
What really bothered me about this book comes down to this: 1) Katherine is kind of an idiot. Brilliant at math, super dumb when it comes to people. Of course Karl was keeping things from her. The way she passively accepted the way some folks treated her annoyed me.
And then 2) the central “romantic” relationship between Katherine and Peter. As a doctoral student myself, I can say with a reasonable level of confidence that there is no way a seasoned, tenured academic like Peter would consider it a “romantic” gift or gesture to poach someone’s work and then submit a paper under their name. Unbelievable to the point it strains credulity. Moreover, if Katherine was truly as committed to being a standout, respected mathematician in her field as the author wants us to believe, then she never would have embarked on a romantic/ sexual relationship with her faculty advisor. I can think of few ways to be taken *less* seriously in professional and academic spaces.
yeoldeeclair's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brandy777's review
4.0
4.5 stars really underrated.They write better than the writer of The nightingale.
donnerbella's review
4.0
Haunting, smart and not in spite but because of the science - deeply emotional. The way Catherine Chung weaves a story about love, family and belonging together with a tense narrative rooted in mathematics, history and the struggle of women in science is quite stunning.
aswigart19's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this book and I really DID like the last fourth of it. The story is beautifully written and cohesive. However, the first three quarters were a snoozefest for me.
gianouts's review against another edition
4.0
I found this very easy captivating read with a bit of maths, romance, betrayal, ambition and mystery. Parts of the book seemed a bit drawn out but all-in-an an enjoyable read.
janvpals's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cgsunit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
helio's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5