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A Mind of Her Own
Paris, 1893. Twenty-five-year-old Marie Sklodowska is studying science at the Sorbonne - one of the only universities in the world that has begun to admit women. A thousand miles from her native Poland, with no money and the odds stacked against any woman daring to pursue a career in such a rigorous field, Marie throws herself into her studies. She's certain that to succeed in a man's world, she will have to go it alone.
Her meticulous plans get thrown slightly off-course when Marie attracts the attention of an accomplished young physicist, himself on the precipice of greatness. Thirty-five-year-old Pierre Curie, famous for his work on symmetry, believes he has found in Marie an equal who shares his devotion to scientific discovery. He offers to help with her work, and soon begins to court her. But to Marie, men have always been an obstacle, love a distraction from her goals. She hasn't come this far to let either stand in the way of her dreams - dreams Pierre insists they can share.
In A Mind of Her Own, McLain taps into the luminous mind and complex heart of a singular woman caught between order and chaos, science and love in the period just before the world would learn her name.
Her meticulous plans get thrown slightly off-course when Marie attracts the attention of an accomplished young physicist, himself on the precipice of greatness. Thirty-five-year-old Pierre Curie, famous for his work on symmetry, believes he has found in Marie an equal who shares his devotion to scientific discovery. He offers to help with her work, and soon begins to court her. But to Marie, men have always been an obstacle, love a distraction from her goals. She hasn't come this far to let either stand in the way of her dreams - dreams Pierre insists they can share.
In A Mind of Her Own, McLain taps into the luminous mind and complex heart of a singular woman caught between order and chaos, science and love in the period just before the world would learn her name.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2019
77 people are currently reading
4095 people want to read
About the author
Paula McLain
28 books5,939 followersPaula McLain is the author of the New York Times and internationally bestselling novels, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun and Love and Ruin. Her latest instant bestseller is, When the Stars Go Dark. Her forthcoming novel is Skylark, on shelves 1/6/26. She received an MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996, and is also the author of two collections of poetry, the memoir Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses, and the debut novel, A Ticket to Ride. Her work has has appeared in The New York Times, Real Simple, Town & Country, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, and elsewhere. She lives with her family in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,236 reviews
January 7, 2025
Hate to say it, but I felt letdown by A Mind of Her Own, an Audible original about Marie Curie. The description and short length initially intrigued me, however, it did not hold my interest like I hoped it would.
I thought A Mind of Her Own would be the story of Marie Curie, a smart, independent, academic woman and her accomplishments. There were traces of that storyline here, but not nearly enough.
I thought A Mind of Her Own would be the story of Marie Curie, a smart, independent, academic woman and her accomplishments. There were traces of that storyline here, but not nearly enough.
March 3, 2019
Interesting, but it seems to defeat its own message. Throughout, the message is about Marie’s equal or greater ability compared to men and her intense dedication to her work, but the whole piece is written around her romance with Pierre, completely reducing her to a love story and not at all reveling in the amazing advances she made.
I came for the science and a short biography, not a love story.
I came for the science and a short biography, not a love story.
April 22, 2019
This is a very short story. The story takes place in Paris, France in 1893. Marie Sklodowska, (1867-1934) from Poland, is studying science at the Sorbonne. This book is limited to only the love story between Sklodowska and Pierre Curie (1859-1906), a young physicist. This is not a biography of Marie Currie; it only covers one aspect of her life. The Sorbonne was one of the first universities to allow women to attend and to confer a degree to them. The novella is well written. It is concise and fast moving. It is a fun informative short read.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The novella is one hour and fifteen minutes. Hillary Huber does an excellent job narrating the story. Huber is a voice-over artist and audiobook narrator. She has been a multiple Audie Award finalist. She has won multiple Earphone Awards. In 2010 she was Audiofile’ s Best Voice in Biography.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The novella is one hour and fifteen minutes. Hillary Huber does an excellent job narrating the story. Huber is a voice-over artist and audiobook narrator. She has been a multiple Audie Award finalist. She has won multiple Earphone Awards. In 2010 she was Audiofile’ s Best Voice in Biography.
March 20, 2019
In a nutshell--don't waste your time on this even if it is free.
Look at the title--A Mind of Her Own. Do you see the so very popular feminist angle being promoted? The novella has a feminist tone with an added love intrigue.
Look at the first sentence of the GR book description: ”From Paula McLain, the best-selling author of The Paris Wife and Love and Ruin, comes a breathtakingly intimate story of the brilliant, willful Marie Curie - a young woman in Paris on the verge of her greatest discovery yet: herself.” We are to swoon when Pierre kisses Marie. What is delivered here is a mini-romance novel, one cursorily drawn.
Marie Curie’s character, her background and her upbringing are covered in a line or two.
Don’t expect to learn anything of consequence about Marie Sklodowska Curie, her husband-to-be, Pierre Curie, or their revolutionary pioneering research on radioactivity. There is nothing here on her scientific discoveries.
This mini-novella reads as a preliminary sketch for the beginning of a novel of historical fiction. The prose and the dialog need to be improved. Some of the metaphors are utterly dreadful. This remains an unfinished, incomplete product.
Hillary Huber narrates the audiobook. Her narration is OK—you hear what she is saying, but she reads at an uneven pace which diminishes rather than enhances comprehension.
**********************************
Love and Ruin 4 stars
The Paris Wife 3 stars
Circling the Sun 3 stars
A Mind of Her Own 1 star
Other books on Marie Curie:
*Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie 4 stars by Barbara Goldsmith
or maybe these
*Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie, A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss
*Marie Curie: A Life by Susan Quinn
Look at the title--A Mind of Her Own. Do you see the so very popular feminist angle being promoted? The novella has a feminist tone with an added love intrigue.
Look at the first sentence of the GR book description: ”From Paula McLain, the best-selling author of The Paris Wife and Love and Ruin, comes a breathtakingly intimate story of the brilliant, willful Marie Curie - a young woman in Paris on the verge of her greatest discovery yet: herself.” We are to swoon when Pierre kisses Marie. What is delivered here is a mini-romance novel, one cursorily drawn.
Marie Curie’s character, her background and her upbringing are covered in a line or two.
Don’t expect to learn anything of consequence about Marie Sklodowska Curie, her husband-to-be, Pierre Curie, or their revolutionary pioneering research on radioactivity. There is nothing here on her scientific discoveries.
This mini-novella reads as a preliminary sketch for the beginning of a novel of historical fiction. The prose and the dialog need to be improved. Some of the metaphors are utterly dreadful. This remains an unfinished, incomplete product.
Hillary Huber narrates the audiobook. Her narration is OK—you hear what she is saying, but she reads at an uneven pace which diminishes rather than enhances comprehension.
**********************************
Love and Ruin 4 stars
The Paris Wife 3 stars
Circling the Sun 3 stars
A Mind of Her Own 1 star
Other books on Marie Curie:
*Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie 4 stars by Barbara Goldsmith
or maybe these
*Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie, A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss
*Marie Curie: A Life by Susan Quinn
March 4, 2019
The least interesting thing (to me) about Marie Curie is how Pierre went about courting her… Just saying.
March 3, 2019
Audiobook narrated by Hilary Huber 1h 15 mins 47 seconds
One of my Audible Original selections for March 2019, A Mind of Her Own is the story of Marie Sklodowska as she was during her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. During Marie's youth her home country of Poland was overrun by Russian rule and women were barred from post secondary studies. So France was the dream destination for a woman who was fascinated by the new theories in Science and technology. Paula McLain shows us that Marie was a formidable forward thinking woman who believed that women could be whatever they wanted. But nothing prepares her for the pursuit of a young man named Pierre Curie who wants nothing more to work with and capture Marie's heart.
Since I am a huge fan of the author, I felt very satisfied with her short story, but it sure made me wonder when her next book will be hitting the bookstores.
One of my Audible Original selections for March 2019, A Mind of Her Own is the story of Marie Sklodowska as she was during her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. During Marie's youth her home country of Poland was overrun by Russian rule and women were barred from post secondary studies. So France was the dream destination for a woman who was fascinated by the new theories in Science and technology. Paula McLain shows us that Marie was a formidable forward thinking woman who believed that women could be whatever they wanted. But nothing prepares her for the pursuit of a young man named Pierre Curie who wants nothing more to work with and capture Marie's heart.
Since I am a huge fan of the author, I felt very satisfied with her short story, but it sure made me wonder when her next book will be hitting the bookstores.
April 19, 2019
One of my Audible Original selections for March 2019, "A Mind of Her Own" is the story of Marie Sklodowska as she was during her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris, and when she meets her future husband Pierre Currie. Ms. McLain is a well-known historical fiction novelist, so I know many people were excited about seeing what she would do with this subject matter. Madame Marie Currie is probably the most well-known scientist in world history. There is no denying that her subject matter and writing style are compelling; I was hooked just by listening to the sample. A big part of what makes this book is the narrator. Hillary Huber, the narrator for this Audible Original recording, has a good voice and pretty good narrative skill. She did a few small accents and that added to the listening experience. I wouldn't mind listening to her again.
I noticed other commenters, on Audible and Goodreads, stating that this audiobook is too short. Oh it is short and in many ways, I agree with them. Personally, I would have liked if this book would have been a novel. It would be nice to go on the journey of their relationship and see exactly how Pierre's idea of sharing the work was actualized. However, I think McLain has made a wise choice in focusing the narrative on just the beginning of their relationship, and how it got started. There is a short flashback that explains some of her family life back in Poland, and this is great for this text. It is focused enough so that we know about her life, yet not too long so it diverts the attention on the topic. Absolutely, there is interesting material for McLain or another author to run away with, giving details of life in Poland, etc. However, I enjoyed the length. It was a nice short read that I was looking for at this time. I think for someone who doesn't know much about her that this is an excellent introduction to spark their curiosity on this incredible woman. I myself want to check out a biography on her.
I got this book for free with my Audible subscription, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy this audiobook as much as I did. This was a pleasant surprise.
I noticed other commenters, on Audible and Goodreads, stating that this audiobook is too short. Oh it is short and in many ways, I agree with them. Personally, I would have liked if this book would have been a novel. It would be nice to go on the journey of their relationship and see exactly how Pierre's idea of sharing the work was actualized. However, I think McLain has made a wise choice in focusing the narrative on just the beginning of their relationship, and how it got started. There is a short flashback that explains some of her family life back in Poland, and this is great for this text. It is focused enough so that we know about her life, yet not too long so it diverts the attention on the topic. Absolutely, there is interesting material for McLain or another author to run away with, giving details of life in Poland, etc. However, I enjoyed the length. It was a nice short read that I was looking for at this time. I think for someone who doesn't know much about her that this is an excellent introduction to spark their curiosity on this incredible woman. I myself want to check out a biography on her.
I got this book for free with my Audible subscription, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy this audiobook as much as I did. This was a pleasant surprise.
December 12, 2023
Eh. Not my favorite. It was a surface-level love story. The intelligence and achievements of Marie Curie were secondary to the focus of this relationship with Pierre.
The faux-accents throughout the audiobook were very distracting. I just couldn’t get into. Because of the short nature of this piece, there wasn’t enough depth to build any emotional connection to the characters and the storyline was too choppy to follow along with.
Unfortunately, for me, I had to stop listening.
The faux-accents throughout the audiobook were very distracting. I just couldn’t get into. Because of the short nature of this piece, there wasn’t enough depth to build any emotional connection to the characters and the storyline was too choppy to follow along with.
Unfortunately, for me, I had to stop listening.
November 15, 2019
A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain and narrated by Hillary Huber is a fictitious take of how the couple known for discovering radiation found each other and fell in love. Based on facts.
Good narration.
Good narration.
May 20, 2019
It can't be easy to make Marie Curie in a boring, sniveling character, but Paula McLain managed to pull it off.
April 30, 2019
Many thanks to Audible Originals for this free March short selection. This is a 1.5 hour story about Marie Sklodowska, a 25-year-old from Poland, before she married Pierre Curie and became world-renowned for her pioneering research on radioactivity. It's a believable story of what it was like to be a woman in the male-dominated world at the Sorbonne University, Paris, 1893. This is not a comprehensive story, but a microscopic view of a very small period of time in Madame Curie's life, with an endless scope of the future ahead of her. It is ta short story of a student, a scientist, a woman, forging her way against all odds, and how she came to partner with her husband. This definitely made me want to seek out a more detailed history of her life.
The narrator, Hillary Huber, was excellent.
The narrator, Hillary Huber, was excellent.
March 2, 2019
Paula McLain's _A Mind of Her Own_ receives four stars from me due to the lovely narrative skill, and the wise choice in subject matter.
First, since this is an Audible recording, a comment about the reader. Hillary Huber is the reader for this text. She has a good voice, and narrative skill. I think her interpretation was excellent. I'd listen to her again. She did a few small accents and that added to the experience.
Second, the story and author. I'd like to know what McLain is basing this text on. I believe it is historical fiction, or maybe historical non-fiction fiction, but did she read diaries, etc? I'd like to know because I'd like to know how much is true and how much is author elaboration. Why do I want to know this? The story is compelling and since it is based on a real person and a real relationship, it would be nice to find out how much elaboration there is.
Third, I notice other commenters stating that it is too short. Oh it is short and in many ways, I agree with them. It would be nice to go on the journey of their relationship and see exactly how Pierre's idea of sharing the work was actualized. However, I think McLain has made a wise choice in focusing the narrative on just the beginning of their relationship, and how it got started. There is a short flashback that explains some of her family life back in Poland, and this is great for this text. It is focused enough so that we know about her life, yet not too long so it diverts the attention on the topic. Absolutely, there is interesting material for McLain or another author to run away with, giving details of life in Poland, etc. However, I enjoyed the length. I think for someone who doesn't know much about her, this is an excellent introduction.
There is a good subtext: Pierre should be a role mode for how to seduce a lover, and be a husband. He takes a real interest in her, in the things that interests her, he doesn't seem to threaten by her, and it completely supportive of her work. (Now, I realize that this is just based on this work, but Marie's success would indicated that he didn't become a road block and try to derail her work.)
Recommended: A great listen for a Sunday afternoon or Saturday cleaning. It is engaging and easy to follow. The voice is solid and the skill of the author top!
First, since this is an Audible recording, a comment about the reader. Hillary Huber is the reader for this text. She has a good voice, and narrative skill. I think her interpretation was excellent. I'd listen to her again. She did a few small accents and that added to the experience.
Second, the story and author. I'd like to know what McLain is basing this text on. I believe it is historical fiction, or maybe historical non-fiction fiction, but did she read diaries, etc? I'd like to know because I'd like to know how much is true and how much is author elaboration. Why do I want to know this? The story is compelling and since it is based on a real person and a real relationship, it would be nice to find out how much elaboration there is.
Third, I notice other commenters stating that it is too short. Oh it is short and in many ways, I agree with them. It would be nice to go on the journey of their relationship and see exactly how Pierre's idea of sharing the work was actualized. However, I think McLain has made a wise choice in focusing the narrative on just the beginning of their relationship, and how it got started. There is a short flashback that explains some of her family life back in Poland, and this is great for this text. It is focused enough so that we know about her life, yet not too long so it diverts the attention on the topic. Absolutely, there is interesting material for McLain or another author to run away with, giving details of life in Poland, etc. However, I enjoyed the length. I think for someone who doesn't know much about her, this is an excellent introduction.
There is a good subtext: Pierre should be a role mode for how to seduce a lover, and be a husband. He takes a real interest in her, in the things that interests her, he doesn't seem to threaten by her, and it completely supportive of her work. (Now, I realize that this is just based on this work, but Marie's success would indicated that he didn't become a road block and try to derail her work.)
Recommended: A great listen for a Sunday afternoon or Saturday cleaning. It is engaging and easy to follow. The voice is solid and the skill of the author top!
March 30, 2019
Unfortunately, this book was missing all the things I was so hoping to learn about Marie Curie. I truly enjoyed this author's The Paris Wife, but this story seemed more like a vignette and not truly a book that gave us knowledge and details about Marie.
Sadly, it is not one I recommend.
Sadly, it is not one I recommend.
May 10, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Another short audible original about Marie Sklodowska time at the Sorbonne. It provides some information on the time, her background and also the start of her relationship with Pierre Curie.
There's quite a few very low GR ratings for this book, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing, and although it was short and didn't really reveal too much about everything she would achieve, it got me interested in reading more about her life. Because I enjoyed the writing so much, I would also like to try a full-length book by the author.
Any recommendations on a book about Marie Curie?
Also, what is your favorite book by Paula McLain?
Looking forward to your recommendations.
There's quite a few very low GR ratings for this book, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing, and although it was short and didn't really reveal too much about everything she would achieve, it got me interested in reading more about her life. Because I enjoyed the writing so much, I would also like to try a full-length book by the author.
Any recommendations on a book about Marie Curie?
Also, what is your favorite book by Paula McLain?
Looking forward to your recommendations.
March 26, 2019
This was a super-short story about Marie Curie before she married Pierre and became the world-renowned scientist we are all familiar with. It begins and ends with her time at the Sorbonne, giving us insight into the many difficulties she endured as a woman in a male-dominated world/field.
I only wish it was longer... 😥
I only wish it was longer... 😥
March 10, 2019
She just wanted to learn and no man was going to get in her way.
It was simple and short. If it were longer I think they could have done a better job. Because the characters were not developed and the plot was rushed.
It was simple and short. If it were longer I think they could have done a better job. Because the characters were not developed and the plot was rushed.
March 6, 2019
This is a nice little short story about a young Marie Curie on the cusp of her brilliant career and how she met her future husband, Pierre Curie.
It does a nice job of describing the colossal challenges that any woman in the late nineteenth century would be up against to succeed in science. Pierre comes across, at times, is a bit too good to be true, but he must've had plenty going for him because he did win her heart in the end and they did become the first couple of science. Also, the story does a nice job of encapsulating the scientific spirit of the age.
Actually, for such a short story there is a remarkable amount packed into it, though it could've been so much more if it had been a bit longer. If Paula McLean was intending to write a story that would be inspiring to young girls than I suspect she accomplished her mission. We need more women in science so I hope many get inspired. Some brief references made here to the dark side of Marie Curry's legacy, a legacy that would eventually cost her her life.
This was a fine little listen. It didn't break the bank and it didn't cost a lot of time, but it delivered a good story.
It does a nice job of describing the colossal challenges that any woman in the late nineteenth century would be up against to succeed in science. Pierre comes across, at times, is a bit too good to be true, but he must've had plenty going for him because he did win her heart in the end and they did become the first couple of science. Also, the story does a nice job of encapsulating the scientific spirit of the age.
Actually, for such a short story there is a remarkable amount packed into it, though it could've been so much more if it had been a bit longer. If Paula McLean was intending to write a story that would be inspiring to young girls than I suspect she accomplished her mission. We need more women in science so I hope many get inspired. Some brief references made here to the dark side of Marie Curry's legacy, a legacy that would eventually cost her her life.
This was a fine little listen. It didn't break the bank and it didn't cost a lot of time, but it delivered a good story.
January 26, 2020
I continue to be largely underwhelmed by the Audible originals. I'm not sure what I expected from an Audible original barely over an hour long about Marie Curie, but somehow it wasn't this. I think I expected the content to be largely focused on her life as a whole with her budding relationship with her future husband to be just one facet of the story. It was the whole thing.
In fact, this read like a G rated steam punk romance fiction novella. It was odd. Can't say it felt worth the time or the selection. There was nothing inherently wrong with it...just...blah.
I'd rate this a G.
In fact, this read like a G rated steam punk romance fiction novella. It was odd. Can't say it felt worth the time or the selection. There was nothing inherently wrong with it...just...blah.
I'd rate this a G.
January 15, 2020
مراجعة الكتاب:https://youtu.be/uPbxxITSspk?t=254
I am a collector of anything about Marie Curie!
She has been my role model since I was in fifth grade and read about her story for the first time, so no wonder I picked this audio about her.
I saw her house in Warsaw when I was there and was interested to know more about her, yet this audio just gave me a quick review about her and the narrator was a bit boring.
I loved that the scientists thought back at that time that they discovered everything and now it's time to describe the world, little did they know.
I am a collector of anything about Marie Curie!
She has been my role model since I was in fifth grade and read about her story for the first time, so no wonder I picked this audio about her.
I saw her house in Warsaw when I was there and was interested to know more about her, yet this audio just gave me a quick review about her and the narrator was a bit boring.
I loved that the scientists thought back at that time that they discovered everything and now it's time to describe the world, little did they know.
March 14, 2019
Marie Curie always seemed like such an interesting person but this novella or whatever it is (audible freebie) hardly mention her work, just a few footnotes. This is instead a romance, not what I expected.
It wasn't horrible but oh so trivial.
It wasn't horrible but oh so trivial.
March 1, 2019
Pierre : “All I want from you is your time.”
Marie : “What is more important than time?”
This was one short story about one of the most influential female characters in the history of time. The first lady of science, who was the first to have ever received two different nobel prizes.
I love reading about women of strength and this was an outstanding audiobook journey for me. I loved the way she was represented in the story as a strong woman of firm belief and respect for science, who does not give in to the norms and conventions of traditional society. The only problem was that it was so short and I felt like it ended in midway, which was a little disappointing.
Interestingly, I compared her to Mileva Maric, (who sacrificed her scientific career for the sake of Einstein) and thought what could have happened if she stood her ground. I guess, we’ll never know.
I really associated her with myself and women like Virginia Woolf, who see themselves as lone wolves and need a room of their own:
“At one point, I decided I don’t need people in my life, only books.”
It’s for sure that the taste of this book will linger on my mind for quite some time.
Marie : “What is more important than time?”
This was one short story about one of the most influential female characters in the history of time. The first lady of science, who was the first to have ever received two different nobel prizes.
I love reading about women of strength and this was an outstanding audiobook journey for me. I loved the way she was represented in the story as a strong woman of firm belief and respect for science, who does not give in to the norms and conventions of traditional society. The only problem was that it was so short and I felt like it ended in midway, which was a little disappointing.
Interestingly, I compared her to Mileva Maric, (who sacrificed her scientific career for the sake of Einstein) and thought what could have happened if she stood her ground. I guess, we’ll never know.
I really associated her with myself and women like Virginia Woolf, who see themselves as lone wolves and need a room of their own:
“At one point, I decided I don’t need people in my life, only books.”
It’s for sure that the taste of this book will linger on my mind for quite some time.
October 18, 2024
An enjoyable experience if you've accepted the fact it is not a biography as much as it is a romance story made up of bits and pieces of the trials of being a woman scientist, the people she met along the way and semi-fictionalised inner monologues depicting her thoughts of longing for home, irritability of being sidelined and budding fascination for Pierre Curie.
The performance is immersive, with the narrator imitating accents with enough fidelity while not losing track of the prose, which was written with vivid descriptions of people, places, and passion. A gentle trot through her life, it is an entertaining hour's listen, with nothing to lose and all to gain.
The performance is immersive, with the narrator imitating accents with enough fidelity while not losing track of the prose, which was written with vivid descriptions of people, places, and passion. A gentle trot through her life, it is an entertaining hour's listen, with nothing to lose and all to gain.
April 26, 2019
I have only a rudimentary, high-school-level knowledge about the life and work of Marie Skłodowska Curie. And of course I knew about Pierre and his obvious importance. My low rating is not to minimize him. However, this very short novella, I feel, serves mostly to minimize her and portray her life as a somewhat drawn-out love story. And to turn her into a reluctant and grumpy-cum-seduced, albeit bright, scientist.
To make matters worse, the audiobook narration is monotonous and lifeless.
A missed opportunity.
To make matters worse, the audiobook narration is monotonous and lifeless.
A missed opportunity.
March 24, 2019
Just a snack of a book. A pamphlet. . .she's really stubborn and then she's not and after that the rest of her life is contained in one sentence. . .I'm not convinced that I shouldn't have really been spending that time on an actual, full biography of Marie. This doesn't work as a summary, and it really doesn't as a teaser either.
August 1, 2019
A very short story about a single aspect of Marie Curie's life - just enough to pique my interest and to realize I don't know that much about her. Might be on the lookout for a book about her soon!
Also, PIERRE JUST TEACH HER HOW TO LOVE!
Also, PIERRE JUST TEACH HER HOW TO LOVE!
March 24, 2019
This is a 1.5 hour (approximately) Audible Original. It was ok. Didn't blow my mind. It's about Madam Curie which I thought could be interesting. Again, it's not bad. I just found it hard to get into. The recording also wouldn't play the last 2 minutes. I'm sure Audible would handle that for me if I called, but I think I'll just move on.
April 28, 2019
This book healed my ears after listening to the trash narrator of The Book of Awesome Women: Boundary Breakers, Freedom Fighters, Sheroes and Female Firsts. A Mind of Her Own follows Marie Sklodowska as she begins her student training at the Sorbonne and meeting Pierre Curie.
I loved seeing how much Marie cared for her studies and how passionate she was for science. It felt like I was truly reading about a kindred spirit. It's so hard for me to imagine the challenges she faced simply attending school as a woman. I really admire her tenaciousness and audacity.
My main complaint is that this was so short! I loved seeing Marie in class, in the lab and her interactions with Pierre. I'd totally be down for a whole novel about them.
I loved seeing how much Marie cared for her studies and how passionate she was for science. It felt like I was truly reading about a kindred spirit. It's so hard for me to imagine the challenges she faced simply attending school as a woman. I really admire her tenaciousness and audacity.
My main complaint is that this was so short! I loved seeing Marie in class, in the lab and her interactions with Pierre. I'd totally be down for a whole novel about them.
August 12, 2020
a very short novela about the early life of Marie Curie. She was a devoted student who was a bit brusque so that everyone knew that she wasn't fooling around and was really all about science. It was a time when women were no only scarce in the field, but often resented and ignored. A woman was expected to be a wife and mother and that was really about it. Then comes Peter Curie. He feel in love with her mind and eventually she realized that she could have a real partnership with him one with science at the core.
December 11, 2020
it felt all over the place and severely rushed… and I do know it’s only a bit over an hour, but still… if you want to focus on telling only such a small part of Marie’s story, then maybe focus on one moment… this one jumped in time a lot and never really got to the most interesting part in my opinion, which was Marie’s actual research… a string of random scenes that never really went anywhere... I should have listened to my gut and just DNFed it half way through, but I really hoped it would pick up… oh well, at least it’s a lesson learned for the future :)
XOXO
A
XOXO
A
March 6, 2019
I don't know that much about Marie Curie and was really looking forward to getting to know her and her accomplishments a little bit since this is definitely an area where my own knowledge is lacking. Instead I got a melodrama focused on one very slim segment of her life that, I feel, actually undercuts the importance of her accomplishments for women in science. The ultimate focus of this little book ends up being her relationship with her husband, which detracts from its ability to emphasize just how important her example was (and remains) for women with an interest in science and technology. I feel like I didn't learn anything at all, and that the field of scientific biography would actually have been better off had this bit narrative remained unwritten and unrecorded.
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