Scan barcode
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.penguiniq's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This right here is why Real Person Fic has a certain stigma in fanfic circles. To call this anything other than bougie early 20th century mathematician RPF wrapped up in philosophical rambling would be a lie.
I will readily admit that my personal bias against the trend in lit fic to portray the Holocaust / Nazism caused a gut negative reaction in the early sections of the book.
Overall my low rating comes down to a lack of comfort: I was simply uncomfortable with the line being walked between fiction and biography, and with a non-Jewish person using the Holocaust to wax poetic.
In fact, the book was fleetingly salvaged at the end when the author treaded into auto-fiction. The scenes in Chile lacked the gut feeling of exploitation that many of the previous scenes were draped in.
I will readily admit that my personal bias against the trend in lit fic to portray the Holocaust / Nazism caused a gut negative reaction in the early sections of the book.
Overall my low rating comes down to a lack of comfort: I was simply uncomfortable with the line being walked between fiction and biography, and with a non-Jewish person using the Holocaust to wax poetic.
In fact, the book was fleetingly salvaged at the end when the author treaded into auto-fiction. The scenes in Chile lacked the gut feeling of exploitation that many of the previous scenes were draped in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Mental illness
Moderate: Antisemitism and War
Minor: Suicide