dllh's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as I've enjoyed Hunt's other work. The premise seemed neat, but the writing just didn't do it for me consistently. It was similar to Lydia Millet's Oh Pure and Radiant Heart (time travel, the great scientific minds of the nuclear era, birds, the potential destruction of humanity), which I also didn't much like, so maybe there's something about this very specific story type that I'm just predisposed to feel meh about. It's a fine book, it just didn't tick every box for me.
jtlars7's review against another edition
I enjoyed this when I picked it up, but I've been reading it over WEEKS and have been having trouble sustaining interest in picking it up. Other books were due at the library, and I decided to just give up and return it too.
kiramke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
- 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
4.5
Every retelling of Tesla's story will capture my attention and heart, even if he's become trendy or passed from the trend again. And to have Hunt tell the story? Wonderful. Compelling, so many insights and thoughts on capitalism and dreams and humanity.
abe389's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I weirdly struggled to focus on this one even tho when I did I enjoyed it?
silverjennydollar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
emmashutup's review against another edition
Samantha Hunt is a skilled writer, but something about her version of Tesla didn’t click with me. Maybe I just don’t care about the finer points of electrical inventions.
carolynf's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting work of historical fiction featuring Nicoli Tesla, plus a little Mark Twain. The fantasy aspects were much more minor than I had hoped, but still good.
baronessekat's review against another edition
I gave it a shot. But when I found myself actively finding other things to do other than listening to this book, and when I did listen, I had to constantly rewind because I found my mind wandering, I realized it just wasn't going to happen.
Which is a shame, as it sounded interesting. Tesla and a friendship he had in the last bit of his life.
I can't say what it was that didn't draw me in, if it was the writing, the reading, the story, or just my frame of mind. But sometimes you just have to give up on something. And sadly , this was one of those times.
Which is a shame, as it sounded interesting. Tesla and a friendship he had in the last bit of his life.
I can't say what it was that didn't draw me in, if it was the writing, the reading, the story, or just my frame of mind. But sometimes you just have to give up on something. And sadly , this was one of those times.
hashtag_alison's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely, magical read. In that it incorporated elements of magical realism to complement the legendary aura which makes Tesla such a fascinating subject for a novel to begin with. It was a nice, unexpected touch for a historical novel about a scientist.
I also liked it because it didn’t fall into the trap that stories with multiple protagonists fall into where it gets too crowded. Too many books with multiple viewpoints stretch themselves too far and fail to make any of them relatable or sympathetic. Didn’t happen here, and I appreciate that. Maybe that’s just bad writing and has nothing to do with the number of perspectives, but that’s where I notice it most.
I really liked Louisa’s character. As a total mess of a human being, there aren’t many female characters I’ve come across that I relate to as much as her.
Definitely recommend this book.
I also liked it because it didn’t fall into the trap that stories with multiple protagonists fall into where it gets too crowded. Too many books with multiple viewpoints stretch themselves too far and fail to make any of them relatable or sympathetic. Didn’t happen here, and I appreciate that. Maybe that’s just bad writing and has nothing to do with the number of perspectives, but that’s where I notice it most.
I really liked Louisa’s character. As a total mess of a human being, there aren’t many female characters I’ve come across that I relate to as much as her.
Definitely recommend this book.