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samferree's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The closest comparison I can think of to the style and content is Erik Larson's narrative non-fiction. I'm honestly not sure what parts are fiction since I was already familiar with some of the history and biographies of the characters and none of the major points appear to be inaccurate. I assume people just are not sure how to classify it and so opted for "fiction." While I enjoyed and was fascinated by this book, I also do worry that it promotes a somewhat unfortunate and harmful narrative as a "mad genius" who discovers knowledge so profound and devastating that it ruins them as people. Though, that appears to be what did actually happen to several of greatest minds of the 20th century who developed theories in physics, mathematics, and chemistry that have changed our world and not always for the better. Which I do appreciate as a foil against the tendency to celebrate genius and breakthroughs as necessarily good when that is not always the case.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Genocide, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and War
A lot of the book is preoccupied with some of the worst atrocities in human history and how our understanding of science made them possible. It's inevitably extremely disturbing, but I don't think the author was needlessly graphic so much as frank.alyx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm still trying to figure this book out. I'm not sure what I think about it, but I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time. A frequent word I've heard used to describe When We Cease to Understand the World is "haunting," and I can't imagine a more apt descriptor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Pedophilia, Suicide, Terminal illness, Excrement, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Drug use, Genocide, Antisemitism, Medical content, and Alcohol
schiz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Pedophilia
astridrv's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
An exhilarating read, although very masculine and quite sexist. I learned a lot in 200 pages and lemme tell you: the history of science is stranger than fiction. If tropes about lone geniuses piss you off don't read this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Pedophilia
Minor: Chronic illness and Sexual assault