What do you think?
Rate this book
Half Life
The USA Today bestselling author of In Another Time reimagines the pioneering, passionate life of Marie Curie using a parallel structure to create two alternative timelines, one that mirrors her real life, one that explores the consequences for Marie and for science if she’d made a different choice.
In Poland in 1891, Marie Curie (then Marya Sklodowska) was engaged to a budding mathematician, Kazimierz Zorawski. But when his mother insisted she was too poor and not good enough, he broke off the engagement. A heartbroken Marya left Poland for Paris, where she would attend the Sorbonne to study chemistry and physics. Eventually Marie Curie would go on to change the course of science forever and be the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
But what if she had made a different choice?
What if she had stayed in Poland, married Kazimierz at the age of twenty-four, and never attended the Sorbonne or discovered radium? What if she had chosen a life of domesticity with a constant hunger for knowledge in Russian Poland where education for women was restricted, instead of studying science in Paris and meeting Pierre Curie?
Entwining Marie Curie’s real story with Marya Zorawska’s fictional one, Half Life explores loves lost and destinies unfulfilled—and probes issues of loyalty and identity, gender and class, motherhood and sisterhood, fame and anonymity, scholarship and knowledge. Through parallel contrasting versions of Marya’s life, Jillian Cantor’s unique historical novel asks what would have happened if a great scientific mind was denied opportunity and access to education. It examines how the lives of one remarkable woman and the people she loved – as well as the world at large and course of science and history—might have been irrevocably changed in ways both great and small.
In Poland in 1891, Marie Curie (then Marya Sklodowska) was engaged to a budding mathematician, Kazimierz Zorawski. But when his mother insisted she was too poor and not good enough, he broke off the engagement. A heartbroken Marya left Poland for Paris, where she would attend the Sorbonne to study chemistry and physics. Eventually Marie Curie would go on to change the course of science forever and be the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
But what if she had made a different choice?
What if she had stayed in Poland, married Kazimierz at the age of twenty-four, and never attended the Sorbonne or discovered radium? What if she had chosen a life of domesticity with a constant hunger for knowledge in Russian Poland where education for women was restricted, instead of studying science in Paris and meeting Pierre Curie?
Entwining Marie Curie’s real story with Marya Zorawska’s fictional one, Half Life explores loves lost and destinies unfulfilled—and probes issues of loyalty and identity, gender and class, motherhood and sisterhood, fame and anonymity, scholarship and knowledge. Through parallel contrasting versions of Marya’s life, Jillian Cantor’s unique historical novel asks what would have happened if a great scientific mind was denied opportunity and access to education. It examines how the lives of one remarkable woman and the people she loved – as well as the world at large and course of science and history—might have been irrevocably changed in ways both great and small.
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2021
270 people are currently reading
11948 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Cantor
15 books1,572 followersJillian Cantor is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of fifteen novels for teens and adults, which have been chosen for LibraryReads, Indie Next, Amazon Best of the Month, and have been translated into 15 languages. Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, Cantor currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 568 reviews
March 14, 2021
"Half Life" by Jillian Cantor is a creatively and uniquely written Historical Fiction novel!
It's 1891 in Szczuki, Poland when Marya Sklodowska is told by her fiancé, Kazimierz Zorawski, his parents will not allow them to marry. They feel Marya will never amount to anything, she is not good enough for their scholarly son. He tells her it is not his choice, they will disown him. He breaks their engagement!
Marya is crushed! She leaves immediately, returning to her father's house in Warsaw feeling worthless and abandoned. After several weeks, Marya's father tells her she is going to Paris! He has enough money saved to finance her trip and first year studies at the Sorbonne.
Going to Paris to study at the Sorbonne has been Marya's dream. She has been saving her wages from working at the Zorawski home as the governess of Kaz's younger siblings. Then she fell in love with Kaz. Now she can begin her dream....
While waiting for the train to Paris, Kaz reappears and begs Marya not to leave but to stay in Poland and marry him. Marya has to make a choice. She looks from Kaz, then back to her frowning father. Marya wants to attend the university in Paris, but she also wants to be with the man she loves.
"You have a choice. There is always a choice."
Thus begins the "What Is" and "What If" dual lives of Marya Sklodowska:
The "What Is" scenario is the life of Marie Curie who leaves for Paris.
The "What If" scenario is the life of Marya Zorawski who remains in Poland.
This story is told in alternating chapters by protagonists Marya and Marie in their first person voices. Both characters are well developed, engaging and believable. They are so similar in their desire for learning and yet so different in how they live their lives. Each has regrets and ponders what would have happened if the alternate choice had been made.
I love the Author Notes at the end of this book stating the Marya chapters were completely fictional but the Marie chapters were based on Marie Curie's life, as well as the people around her. The results of Jillian Cantor's diligent research creates a vivid picture of Marie Curie, bringing her to life for the reader.
This story is creatively and uniquely written. It captured my interest immediately and I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend it to those who love Historical Fiction or those who love learning about historical figures in a unique way.
Thank you to Goodreads, Harper Perennial and Jillian Cantor for a free ARC of this book. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
It's 1891 in Szczuki, Poland when Marya Sklodowska is told by her fiancé, Kazimierz Zorawski, his parents will not allow them to marry. They feel Marya will never amount to anything, she is not good enough for their scholarly son. He tells her it is not his choice, they will disown him. He breaks their engagement!
Marya is crushed! She leaves immediately, returning to her father's house in Warsaw feeling worthless and abandoned. After several weeks, Marya's father tells her she is going to Paris! He has enough money saved to finance her trip and first year studies at the Sorbonne.
Going to Paris to study at the Sorbonne has been Marya's dream. She has been saving her wages from working at the Zorawski home as the governess of Kaz's younger siblings. Then she fell in love with Kaz. Now she can begin her dream....
While waiting for the train to Paris, Kaz reappears and begs Marya not to leave but to stay in Poland and marry him. Marya has to make a choice. She looks from Kaz, then back to her frowning father. Marya wants to attend the university in Paris, but she also wants to be with the man she loves.
"You have a choice. There is always a choice."
Thus begins the "What Is" and "What If" dual lives of Marya Sklodowska:
The "What Is" scenario is the life of Marie Curie who leaves for Paris.
The "What If" scenario is the life of Marya Zorawski who remains in Poland.
This story is told in alternating chapters by protagonists Marya and Marie in their first person voices. Both characters are well developed, engaging and believable. They are so similar in their desire for learning and yet so different in how they live their lives. Each has regrets and ponders what would have happened if the alternate choice had been made.
I love the Author Notes at the end of this book stating the Marya chapters were completely fictional but the Marie chapters were based on Marie Curie's life, as well as the people around her. The results of Jillian Cantor's diligent research creates a vivid picture of Marie Curie, bringing her to life for the reader.
This story is creatively and uniquely written. It captured my interest immediately and I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend it to those who love Historical Fiction or those who love learning about historical figures in a unique way.
Thank you to Goodreads, Harper Perennial and Jillian Cantor for a free ARC of this book. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
September 4, 2020
Maria (pronounced Marya) Sklodowska before she became Marie Curie and before she left Poland for France, she was in love with Kazimierz Zorawski. And this story explores what-if… she stayed in Poland with her first love by inventing a fictional character of Marya Zorawski. In parallel stories, we also get to know the real story of Marie as a scientist working with her husband Pierre Curie.
Poland, 1891. Maria from early age knew that being mother wasn’t meant for her. Her “mind ached to learn.” And in Russian Poland women were not allowed to study. She is heart-broken when things don’t work out with the love of her life. But her father reminds her about her brilliant mind and that she needs to use it. The word – Sorbonne – is “like a confection for my mind, and my body hummed, alive again…” Then the story splits into imagined and real…
At Sorbonne Marie excels. She is first in her class in physics examination. She is awarded the prestigious Alexandrovitch Scholarship. But she needs a lab to progress with her studies. And that’s when she gets introduced to Pierre Curie, who has a lab and is willing to share it. He is the first man, who genuinely is fascinated by Marie’s work in physics and not looking down at her as other men.
The fictional character of Marya is very interesting too. She is very ambitious in furthering her education. But in Russian Poland women are not allowed to study. So it means that she needs to be part of Flying University – an underground educational initiative. It comes with risks of being discovered. And her husband is more concerned with her safety than with what she craves from life.
In this fictional story, I loved the atmosphere of women gathering together and learning from each other and finding comfort in each other.
In the real story, I loved the equal partnership between Pierre and Marie. He highly respects her as a scientist, thus they are equal partners in the lab. But he also craves to be equal partners in private life, forever.
And the support of her father, who was a teacher himself and believed in education and that women were as capable as men to gain education. That is very touching, the support and encouragement of a parent. And later having a respectful partner.
In both stories, the character of Marie is well-developed. She is hungry for knowledge and it is well-explored. With having very little money or none, she cares for clothes to cover her and not how she looks. What she cares about is her hungry mind, which she wants to feed with knowledge, experiments, and meaningful conversations.
The writing is very engaging. Every word and every sentence matter and are significant. The great skill of writing shines constantly, for example as chapters alternate regularly between two Maries, in the real one Pierre dies because of an accident with a horse drawn carriage and in fictional story there is a different outcome. It contrasts effortlessly with different outcomes. Thus, exploring human nature of questioning what-if I did this and that differently. My favorite part is when physics gets mixed with marriage proposal. It made me smile. As Pierre keeps proposing marriage to constantly declining Marie, he almost convinces her with “lodestone, the most magnetic of all the materials (…). The magnet cannot stay away…”
This story brings an incredible journey of Marie Curie, who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and to teach at Sorbonne among other accomplishments. And a richly imagined story of Marie, who picks love over studying at Sorbonne as she believes she can also achieve that in her native country with a bit more difficulty.
Wonderfully dimensional characters that engage from the first pages. Writing that evokes time and place. How challenging it was for a woman to be smart and smarter than some men. Or to live in a country that forbade women to study. A spellbinding story with brilliant writing and amazing talent in crafting such an intriguing and inspiring story.
A few years ago, I was searching for a novel about Marie Sklodowska Curie. What a pleasure it was to see this book and by an author I’m familiar with and enjoy her writing.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Poland, 1891. Maria from early age knew that being mother wasn’t meant for her. Her “mind ached to learn.” And in Russian Poland women were not allowed to study. She is heart-broken when things don’t work out with the love of her life. But her father reminds her about her brilliant mind and that she needs to use it. The word – Sorbonne – is “like a confection for my mind, and my body hummed, alive again…” Then the story splits into imagined and real…
At Sorbonne Marie excels. She is first in her class in physics examination. She is awarded the prestigious Alexandrovitch Scholarship. But she needs a lab to progress with her studies. And that’s when she gets introduced to Pierre Curie, who has a lab and is willing to share it. He is the first man, who genuinely is fascinated by Marie’s work in physics and not looking down at her as other men.
The fictional character of Marya is very interesting too. She is very ambitious in furthering her education. But in Russian Poland women are not allowed to study. So it means that she needs to be part of Flying University – an underground educational initiative. It comes with risks of being discovered. And her husband is more concerned with her safety than with what she craves from life.
In this fictional story, I loved the atmosphere of women gathering together and learning from each other and finding comfort in each other.
In the real story, I loved the equal partnership between Pierre and Marie. He highly respects her as a scientist, thus they are equal partners in the lab. But he also craves to be equal partners in private life, forever.
And the support of her father, who was a teacher himself and believed in education and that women were as capable as men to gain education. That is very touching, the support and encouragement of a parent. And later having a respectful partner.
In both stories, the character of Marie is well-developed. She is hungry for knowledge and it is well-explored. With having very little money or none, she cares for clothes to cover her and not how she looks. What she cares about is her hungry mind, which she wants to feed with knowledge, experiments, and meaningful conversations.
The writing is very engaging. Every word and every sentence matter and are significant. The great skill of writing shines constantly, for example as chapters alternate regularly between two Maries, in the real one Pierre dies because of an accident with a horse drawn carriage and in fictional story there is a different outcome. It contrasts effortlessly with different outcomes. Thus, exploring human nature of questioning what-if I did this and that differently. My favorite part is when physics gets mixed with marriage proposal. It made me smile. As Pierre keeps proposing marriage to constantly declining Marie, he almost convinces her with “lodestone, the most magnetic of all the materials (…). The magnet cannot stay away…”
This story brings an incredible journey of Marie Curie, who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and to teach at Sorbonne among other accomplishments. And a richly imagined story of Marie, who picks love over studying at Sorbonne as she believes she can also achieve that in her native country with a bit more difficulty.
Wonderfully dimensional characters that engage from the first pages. Writing that evokes time and place. How challenging it was for a woman to be smart and smarter than some men. Or to live in a country that forbade women to study. A spellbinding story with brilliant writing and amazing talent in crafting such an intriguing and inspiring story.
A few years ago, I was searching for a novel about Marie Sklodowska Curie. What a pleasure it was to see this book and by an author I’m familiar with and enjoy her writing.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2021
Radiotherapy, Nuclear Energy, X-Rays, Nuclear Weapons – if one sits back and contemplates the contributions (negative and positive) of this astounding woman to humankind, it’s enough to make your mind ache. As discussed during a GR update – I commenced reading this book just before another Emergency Department presentation of mine, and during this stay I spent time in Medical Imaging consuming X-Rays, this due to septicaemia resulting from recent surgery to repair damage caused by Radiotherapy. So, this book had a massive impact on me at the time of reading. How did this piece of work fall on my lap at this particular time?
Half-Life by Jillian Cantor has literally taken my breath away.
This is a sliding-doors themed story that follows the real-life exploits of Marie Curie (born Marya Sklodowska) from humble beginnings in 1867, to her stellar career as a scientist in Paris in the 1900’s. As a younger woman, Marie needed to leave Russian-controlled Poland and go to the more liberal Paris, to study and eventually conduct her ground-breaking research. This required money and a flint-hard, stubborn, single-mindedness to overcome the misogyny of the scientific community of the times.
But this is also a story about love. Marie’s love for Pierre Curie – the man, and fellow scientist, she was to marry. In fact, this part of the story filled my heart (meaning - entire chest cavity) with balloons of happiness (they were yellow) and of sadness (they were black), depending on what was happening. This in tandem with my old and knackered grey matter working overtime on the scientific aspects on display here. I mean, what a workout!!!.
But, there’s more!! Marie was engaged to a man called Kazimierz Zorawski when she was still living with her family in Poland, before she left for France. Now, Kazi’s mother wanted him to annul the engagement because she believed this woman of no means wouldn’t amount to much. Yep – you got it, wouldn’t amount to much. So Kazi dropped her like a hot rock (see what I did there?).
So, the Sliding Doors aspect of this story considers what would have happened if Marie would have told Kazi to tell his interfering mum to ‘go jump’ and marry her. If Marie and Kazi had married, Marie would not have gone to Paris, not met Pierre, not discovered Radium and Polonium. She would’ve stayed as “Marya”, living in Poland. By the way, Marya still possessed an exceptionally brilliant mind and the author plays with this, so by no means would she have been idle. Kazi, was also a very talented mathematician.
Jillian Cantor presents these two stories of Marie/Marya in alternating chapters. This must’ve taken some considerable skill to ensure the timelines were congruent and allowing for different events occurring. The story of Marie Curie being close to 100% factual and evidence-based, and the story of Marya Sklodowska being entirely fictional. Cantor nailed it – both stories were amazing, the fictional story was just as good as the real version.
A Brilliant Woman
This story really hammered home to me the impact of decisions we make in life, the major ones such as the job offer we didn’t accept, the ended relationship, meeting a new great friend, turning right at the traffic lights instead of left. These forks in the road, some seemingly minimal, can have monumental impacts on our lives. This has given me a great deal to ponder after reading this novel.
There’s grist for the mill here for the soft at heart, the curious mind and the history buff. Something for almost everyone. It certainly ticked a lot of my boxes, thanks so much Ms Canton, you popped into my life just at the right time.
I utterly loved this book.
5 Stars
Thank you to everyone who sent me be lovely warm messages of support during my recent hospital stay – it means so much. We are a very lucky bunch indeed to have the wonderful world of books to bring us together – much love – Mark
Half-Life by Jillian Cantor has literally taken my breath away.
This is a sliding-doors themed story that follows the real-life exploits of Marie Curie (born Marya Sklodowska) from humble beginnings in 1867, to her stellar career as a scientist in Paris in the 1900’s. As a younger woman, Marie needed to leave Russian-controlled Poland and go to the more liberal Paris, to study and eventually conduct her ground-breaking research. This required money and a flint-hard, stubborn, single-mindedness to overcome the misogyny of the scientific community of the times.
But this is also a story about love. Marie’s love for Pierre Curie – the man, and fellow scientist, she was to marry. In fact, this part of the story filled my heart (meaning - entire chest cavity) with balloons of happiness (they were yellow) and of sadness (they were black), depending on what was happening. This in tandem with my old and knackered grey matter working overtime on the scientific aspects on display here. I mean, what a workout!!!.
But, there’s more!! Marie was engaged to a man called Kazimierz Zorawski when she was still living with her family in Poland, before she left for France. Now, Kazi’s mother wanted him to annul the engagement because she believed this woman of no means wouldn’t amount to much. Yep – you got it, wouldn’t amount to much. So Kazi dropped her like a hot rock (see what I did there?).
So, the Sliding Doors aspect of this story considers what would have happened if Marie would have told Kazi to tell his interfering mum to ‘go jump’ and marry her. If Marie and Kazi had married, Marie would not have gone to Paris, not met Pierre, not discovered Radium and Polonium. She would’ve stayed as “Marya”, living in Poland. By the way, Marya still possessed an exceptionally brilliant mind and the author plays with this, so by no means would she have been idle. Kazi, was also a very talented mathematician.
Jillian Cantor presents these two stories of Marie/Marya in alternating chapters. This must’ve taken some considerable skill to ensure the timelines were congruent and allowing for different events occurring. The story of Marie Curie being close to 100% factual and evidence-based, and the story of Marya Sklodowska being entirely fictional. Cantor nailed it – both stories were amazing, the fictional story was just as good as the real version.
A Brilliant Woman
This story really hammered home to me the impact of decisions we make in life, the major ones such as the job offer we didn’t accept, the ended relationship, meeting a new great friend, turning right at the traffic lights instead of left. These forks in the road, some seemingly minimal, can have monumental impacts on our lives. This has given me a great deal to ponder after reading this novel.
There’s grist for the mill here for the soft at heart, the curious mind and the history buff. Something for almost everyone. It certainly ticked a lot of my boxes, thanks so much Ms Canton, you popped into my life just at the right time.
I utterly loved this book.
5 Stars
Thank you to everyone who sent me be lovely warm messages of support during my recent hospital stay – it means so much. We are a very lucky bunch indeed to have the wonderful world of books to bring us together – much love – Mark
March 22, 2021
This was such a good read, extremely hard to put down and had me quite emotional a few times during the book.
It’s the story of Marie Curie’s life alongside the possible life she could’ve lived if Marya Sklodowska had never left Poland and married her first love, Kazimierz Zorawski. The couple were engaged but his mother didn’t approve of Marya and in real life a year or so later she leaves Poland to study in Paris.
The book is narrated in the first person, and the two streams (half lives?) alternate chapter by chapter. I thought the author did this skilfully and I was involved in the characters lives in both halves. It’s well researched and it must’ve been hard to keep the alternate life believable but it works.
The difficulties for women to study and work in these times is well explored, across time and countries. The difficulties of maintaining balance between family life and work especially for driven scientists like Curie; the sexism of the scientific community whether it be universities or even the Nobel prize (Pierre refused to accept unless Marie also got it) is astonishing but not surprising.
It is hard to read of all their experiments with radioactive materials completely unprotected without being horrified (Pierre gives Marie a radium nightlight!). It is unsurprising how much their health suffered.
An excellent, informative and emotional read.
It’s the story of Marie Curie’s life alongside the possible life she could’ve lived if Marya Sklodowska had never left Poland and married her first love, Kazimierz Zorawski. The couple were engaged but his mother didn’t approve of Marya and in real life a year or so later she leaves Poland to study in Paris.
The book is narrated in the first person, and the two streams (half lives?) alternate chapter by chapter. I thought the author did this skilfully and I was involved in the characters lives in both halves. It’s well researched and it must’ve been hard to keep the alternate life believable but it works.
The difficulties for women to study and work in these times is well explored, across time and countries. The difficulties of maintaining balance between family life and work especially for driven scientists like Curie; the sexism of the scientific community whether it be universities or even the Nobel prize (Pierre refused to accept unless Marie also got it) is astonishing but not surprising.
It is hard to read of all their experiments with radioactive materials completely unprotected without being horrified (Pierre gives Marie a radium nightlight!). It is unsurprising how much their health suffered.
An excellent, informative and emotional read.
March 23, 2023
A fascinating read. This book includes a mostly factual biography of Marie Curie’s life as well as a separate fictionalized storyline of what might have happened if she had made a different choice early on in her life. This novel makes you wonder how your life choices have shaped who you are today, and if you had made different choices, would that change the opportunities, priorities, or values you have.
I loved the double storyline, even though at times it was challenging to keep track of each character’s two somewhat similar but opposing stories. Marie and Mayra seemed like two completely different people, both who loved science and their families but in much different ways. This novel piqued my interest from the beginning, and the plot had a steady build. It was a hard book to put down. I thought it was well written, and I felt that I learned a lot about Marie Curie’s life.
I loved the double storyline, even though at times it was challenging to keep track of each character’s two somewhat similar but opposing stories. Marie and Mayra seemed like two completely different people, both who loved science and their families but in much different ways. This novel piqued my interest from the beginning, and the plot had a steady build. It was a hard book to put down. I thought it was well written, and I felt that I learned a lot about Marie Curie’s life.
September 28, 2021
Would you sacrifice a possibility of a brilliant future for love?
In this book we have a fictional story inspired by the life of Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
The author used a parallel structure to create two alternative timelines, one that mirrors Curie’s real life, one that explores the consequences for Marie Curie and for science if she’d made a different choice.
I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately I did not find it challenging.
The writing is very easy and (yes) engaging, but the vocabulary is way too simplistic, as if directed to young readers (no offence).
Also, in my opinion, the development is so lifeless and emotionless that many times I wanted to quit.
There are some heartbreaking moments but I felt nothing.
I was totally disconnected.
In this book we have a fictional story inspired by the life of Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
The author used a parallel structure to create two alternative timelines, one that mirrors Curie’s real life, one that explores the consequences for Marie Curie and for science if she’d made a different choice.
I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately I did not find it challenging.
The writing is very easy and (yes) engaging, but the vocabulary is way too simplistic, as if directed to young readers (no offence).
Also, in my opinion, the development is so lifeless and emotionless that many times I wanted to quit.
There are some heartbreaking moments but I felt nothing.
I was totally disconnected.
March 15, 2021
This is going to be one of my favorite books of 2021. Have your tissues ready! Jillian Cantor brilliantly delivers a dual plotline narrative that not only beautifully portrays the life of Marie Curie, but also an alternative life that is hauntingly similar yet at the same time very different. An intricate dance that readers like me who like to find order and connections will greatly appreciate and admire. Marie Curie's timeline is filled with facts, dates, people, and events with historical verification. Marya Zorawski's life is also populated with many of the same people and events, but with a twist. At one point Marya ponders her life so far after a conversation with her husband Kaz:
. . .I wondered if it was true. If no matter what choices we made, what we had and what we were given and what we took for ourselves or not, if there were certain people in our lives who we would find our way to, no matter what.
Cantor chooses to overlay fictional Marya's life with a reflection of the true Marie's life. What we see in this book for me brings to life the doctrine of providence. The push and pull between God's will and free will is difficult for our minds to comprehend, but in essence our Heavenly Father provides what we need for our sanctification. (Romans 8:31-39).
Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
. . .I wondered if it was true. If no matter what choices we made, what we had and what we were given and what we took for ourselves or not, if there were certain people in our lives who we would find our way to, no matter what.
Cantor chooses to overlay fictional Marya's life with a reflection of the true Marie's life. What we see in this book for me brings to life the doctrine of providence. The push and pull between God's will and free will is difficult for our minds to comprehend, but in essence our Heavenly Father provides what we need for our sanctification. (Romans 8:31-39).
Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2021
I was so excited to learn that Jillian Cantor had written a new book and that it was being offered in a give away. Lucky for me, I was one of the lucky winners to receive a copy of her new book, Half Life. It was a compelling book about Marie Curie’s life as it actually occurred and one that could have been if she had made other choices. This unique exploration of Marie Curie was brilliant and so thought provoking. What would have happened to science and the world at large if Marie Curie had chosen love over science? Jillian Cantor masterfully wrote Half Life in alternating time lines. One mirrored Madame Curie’s real life and the other followed a “what if” scenario. I did not know a lot about Marie Curie’s life, other than her significant contributions to science and mankind. Her story was both intriguing and inspiring. The characters in the book were complex and multi dimensional even in the imagined part of the story. Half Life spoke a lot about the challenges women faced during Marie Curie’s life. The writing and research in this book was significant and brilliant. I really enjoyed reading Half Life by Jillian Cantor and highly recommend it. Thank you to Harper Perennial for allowing me to read this advanced readers copy of Half Life through Goodreads.
April 7, 2021
Many thanks to Netgalley and Publishers Simon and Schuster for this advanced electronic copy to review and comment on.
1934 Marie is an old woman with failing eyesight and physicality, now bedridden, with her daughters, Ìrene and Ève her carers. With nothing much else to do she reminisces and daydreams.
Within only a few pages the reader will know who this remarkable woman is that forms the main character of this book. The author however, to give a special twist has created a "sliding doors" or alter ego effect for which gives an alternate story to the actual life led, that runs in parallel, a story of a choice that many women make, love over a career. The actual historical woman did the opposite, she chose learning, discovery and a career over love, that did happen and with her husband, together they made remarkable discoveries with Marie becoming one of the most famous women in history.
A visitor from her youth arrives and with this the story goes back to 1891, Marya Żórawska (Skłodowska), a young woman.
Poland, a country until relatively modern times, has had a pretty checkered past and has been ruled by many different countries and it is at this time that Warsaw is under Russian rule. Marya's parents have been well off but due to their political dissent their fortunes are now limited. Her father teaches mathematics and physics for which Marya follows in his footsteps. Sadly, at only a young age Marya's mother dies leaving her father with five children to raise. Władysław Żórawska (Skłodowska) for his era and probably due to the fact that he was well educated encouraged his children to pursue higher learning. However, under Russian rule a university education for women was against the law, fiercely enforced. Not to be outdone, women formed what was called a "flying university" for which small classes were held by like minded young women in secret and at different locations for each class.
In order to help support the family and to save money to go to Paris where she can attend university Marya becomes a governess to a wealthy family, the Żorawskis. She falls in love with their son Kazimierz but with strong objections from his parents and the threat of being disinherited, he calls off his relationship with Marya. Broken hearted and with lingering depression, her father drags her out of bed and informs her that he is sending her to Paris to start university.
Standing on the train making her farewells Kazimierz rushes through the crowd and tells Marya of his regret and change of mind and pleads with her to stay with him and not go to Paris.
From here on the two stories are told, Marya who goes to Paris where she becomes known as Marie and Marya, who gets off the train to be with Kazimierz.
The two stories are equally beautiful and as comprehensive as each other.
Marya and Kazimierz marry, he is disinherited and life is a struggle for them. Their first child dies but later a daughter is born for which Marya devotes her life to. Along with like minded young women, they form the "flying university" where Marya makes life long friends, one, a talented pianist, Kadi being held back by her father. She will betray Marya by having an affair with Kaz but she will also take her artistic daughter under her wing to further her music career. Marya and Kaz get through their struggles with Kaz taking up a good position through Kadi's influence with her father, a prominent mathematician who gives Kaz a job as his assistant eventually taking over Hipolit's research on his death and Marya able to pursue a scientific career be it different to the alternate Marie in France.
The alternate Marya called by the French name of Marie stays on the train for Paris and while living with her sister is introduced to many people, one of whom is Pierre Curie. They make a formidable couple. The rest is history. Marie Curie becomes one of the most prominent scientists in the world. The only woman to receive two Nobel Prizes for two different scientific categories. The Nobel Prize also goes to Pierre. Marie also plays a vital role in developing the first ever mobile X-ray machine that assisted doctors during WW1 in determining damage and injury done to soldiers.
The author creates the story around Marie Curie giving a loving human side to this woman who, like many with such a high intellect, probably thought on an alternate level and totally absorbed with her work, not necessarily very maternal. Pierre was the love of Marie's life and when he was killed through an horrific accident, it took a long time for her to once again pull herself out of depression. She also travelled to the United States where she was received as a celebrity and where the money was raised for her to buy Radium.
Marie and Pierre had two daughters, the eldest following in their footsteps as a scientist and was her mother's assistant after the death of their father. Her daughter Ève was not interested in science and became a concert pianist amongst her other very colourful careers and who went to live in the United States.
1934 Marie is an old woman with failing eyesight and physicality, now bedridden, with her daughters, Ìrene and Ève her carers. With nothing much else to do she reminisces and daydreams.
Within only a few pages the reader will know who this remarkable woman is that forms the main character of this book. The author however, to give a special twist has created a "sliding doors" or alter ego effect for which gives an alternate story to the actual life led, that runs in parallel, a story of a choice that many women make, love over a career. The actual historical woman did the opposite, she chose learning, discovery and a career over love, that did happen and with her husband, together they made remarkable discoveries with Marie becoming one of the most famous women in history.
A visitor from her youth arrives and with this the story goes back to 1891, Marya Żórawska (Skłodowska), a young woman.
Poland, a country until relatively modern times, has had a pretty checkered past and has been ruled by many different countries and it is at this time that Warsaw is under Russian rule. Marya's parents have been well off but due to their political dissent their fortunes are now limited. Her father teaches mathematics and physics for which Marya follows in his footsteps. Sadly, at only a young age Marya's mother dies leaving her father with five children to raise. Władysław Żórawska (Skłodowska) for his era and probably due to the fact that he was well educated encouraged his children to pursue higher learning. However, under Russian rule a university education for women was against the law, fiercely enforced. Not to be outdone, women formed what was called a "flying university" for which small classes were held by like minded young women in secret and at different locations for each class.
In order to help support the family and to save money to go to Paris where she can attend university Marya becomes a governess to a wealthy family, the Żorawskis. She falls in love with their son Kazimierz but with strong objections from his parents and the threat of being disinherited, he calls off his relationship with Marya. Broken hearted and with lingering depression, her father drags her out of bed and informs her that he is sending her to Paris to start university.
Standing on the train making her farewells Kazimierz rushes through the crowd and tells Marya of his regret and change of mind and pleads with her to stay with him and not go to Paris.
From here on the two stories are told, Marya who goes to Paris where she becomes known as Marie and Marya, who gets off the train to be with Kazimierz.
The two stories are equally beautiful and as comprehensive as each other.
Marya and Kazimierz marry, he is disinherited and life is a struggle for them. Their first child dies but later a daughter is born for which Marya devotes her life to. Along with like minded young women, they form the "flying university" where Marya makes life long friends, one, a talented pianist, Kadi being held back by her father. She will betray Marya by having an affair with Kaz but she will also take her artistic daughter under her wing to further her music career. Marya and Kaz get through their struggles with Kaz taking up a good position through Kadi's influence with her father, a prominent mathematician who gives Kaz a job as his assistant eventually taking over Hipolit's research on his death and Marya able to pursue a scientific career be it different to the alternate Marie in France.
The alternate Marya called by the French name of Marie stays on the train for Paris and while living with her sister is introduced to many people, one of whom is Pierre Curie. They make a formidable couple. The rest is history. Marie Curie becomes one of the most prominent scientists in the world. The only woman to receive two Nobel Prizes for two different scientific categories. The Nobel Prize also goes to Pierre. Marie also plays a vital role in developing the first ever mobile X-ray machine that assisted doctors during WW1 in determining damage and injury done to soldiers.
The author creates the story around Marie Curie giving a loving human side to this woman who, like many with such a high intellect, probably thought on an alternate level and totally absorbed with her work, not necessarily very maternal. Pierre was the love of Marie's life and when he was killed through an horrific accident, it took a long time for her to once again pull herself out of depression. She also travelled to the United States where she was received as a celebrity and where the money was raised for her to buy Radium.
Marie and Pierre had two daughters, the eldest following in their footsteps as a scientist and was her mother's assistant after the death of their father. Her daughter Ève was not interested in science and became a concert pianist amongst her other very colourful careers and who went to live in the United States.
August 30, 2021
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**4.5 stars**
Half Life by Jillian Cantor. (2021).
Poland, 1891. Marie Curie (then Marya Sklodowska) was engaged to a budding mathematician, Kazimierz Zorawski. But after his mother insisted Marya was not good enough, he broke off the engagement. A heartbroken Marya left Poland for Paris to study chemistry and physics at the Sorbonne. Marie went on to change the course of science forever and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. But what if she had made a different choice? What if she had stayed in Poland, married Kaz, never went to Sorbonne or discovered radium? What if she chose a life of domesticity instead of studying science in Paris and meeting Pierre Curie?
I found this novel really gripping and compelling. Having recently watched and enjoyed the film Radioactive (2019) about Marie Curie, I was intrigued by this book's synopsis. I thought the sliding-doors concept was clever and absorbing; the storylines delve into Marie's real story and then also explores what life could have been like if she had married Kaz. I think one can't help but admire Marie Curie; she was a fiercely intelligent and forward thinking woman. In this book, Marie and Marya are strong, smart women and readers will appreciate both storylines. I appreciated that the book wasn't science heavy and while it did have mentions of science (obviously), it was in simple enough terms that I think most readers will be able to understand what is being discussed. The focus of this novel is more on Marie/Marya as women; the choices they make or that are forced upon them, finding a place in a time where educated women were not supported and balancing family and career aspirations.
Overall: I highly recommend this historical fiction that will draw you in from the beginning and won't let you go until the very end.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**4.5 stars**
Half Life by Jillian Cantor. (2021).
Poland, 1891. Marie Curie (then Marya Sklodowska) was engaged to a budding mathematician, Kazimierz Zorawski. But after his mother insisted Marya was not good enough, he broke off the engagement. A heartbroken Marya left Poland for Paris to study chemistry and physics at the Sorbonne. Marie went on to change the course of science forever and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. But what if she had made a different choice? What if she had stayed in Poland, married Kaz, never went to Sorbonne or discovered radium? What if she chose a life of domesticity instead of studying science in Paris and meeting Pierre Curie?
I found this novel really gripping and compelling. Having recently watched and enjoyed the film Radioactive (2019) about Marie Curie, I was intrigued by this book's synopsis. I thought the sliding-doors concept was clever and absorbing; the storylines delve into Marie's real story and then also explores what life could have been like if she had married Kaz. I think one can't help but admire Marie Curie; she was a fiercely intelligent and forward thinking woman. In this book, Marie and Marya are strong, smart women and readers will appreciate both storylines. I appreciated that the book wasn't science heavy and while it did have mentions of science (obviously), it was in simple enough terms that I think most readers will be able to understand what is being discussed. The focus of this novel is more on Marie/Marya as women; the choices they make or that are forced upon them, finding a place in a time where educated women were not supported and balancing family and career aspirations.
Overall: I highly recommend this historical fiction that will draw you in from the beginning and won't let you go until the very end.
May 1, 2021
I had no idea what this book was about. I totally selected it by the cover, but wow i am so glad that i did. The first woman to receive a Nobel Prize in the late 1800's for radiation which is still used in the cure of cancer. Marie and her husband were both brillant scientists.
The author told the story of her life and also told the story of what her life may have been had she took a different path.
Once i started the book i took a profound interest in it. In addition to the book i saw the movie on primetime called, Radioactive, I loved the movie as well.
Not sure why the author felt a need to give her opinion on what Marie Curie's life would have been like but I'm glad she did. I too thought about my life, WHAT IF I....
The author told the story of her life and also told the story of what her life may have been had she took a different path.
Once i started the book i took a profound interest in it. In addition to the book i saw the movie on primetime called, Radioactive, I loved the movie as well.
Not sure why the author felt a need to give her opinion on what Marie Curie's life would have been like but I'm glad she did. I too thought about my life, WHAT IF I....
April 7, 2021
I’m not sure what it means when the best thing about a book is its title. Half Life combines a first person fictionalised biography of famous Polish scientist Marie Curie, with a speculative look at how her life would’ve turned out had she followed her heart not her head, and married her first love instead of moving to Paris for her career. I wanted to like this, I really did, but the Sliding Doors approach did not work for me and this was a slog from start to finish, and had it not been a NetGalley read I would’ve abandoned it.
In 1891, young governess Marya Sklodowska, the youngest daughter of a widowed scholar who has fallen on hard times, faces a choice. Standing on a station platform in Russian-controlled Poland, is handsome would-be mathematician Kazimierz Zorawski, who pulled out of their engagement because his parents’ disapproval, but has now changed his mind. Will she follow her dream of becoming a scientist in France, or stay behind for love? Half Life explores the consequences of both choices in alternating chapters. Marie goes on to meet Pierre Curie, discover radioactivity and win Nobel prizes, while Marya, longing for education herself, gets to watch family members succeed while she devotes her life to raising her daughter.
This was an interesting idea, and I welcomed the chance to learn about the world’s most famous female scientist, but to be honest I would’ve been better off just reading Wikipedia (as did the author, it would seem.) The dual timelines just got really confusing as Marie & Marya meet people who are often quite different, and not just because of her role in their lives, like Pierre - dashing successful scientist in one life, kindly dreamer in the other. Characters die in one life, but survive in the other, and I had to keep checking whose story it was, and reminding myself who was married to whom, to keep their stories straight. The narration varies between present and past tense for both voices, infuriatingly inconsistently, and in both timelines our protagonist is deeply unpleasant - self-absorbed, arrogant, judgemental and careless of others’ feelings, so I found it hard to see what attracted any of the various men who fall in love with her.
I wanted to read about Curie’s scientific discoveries, the main appeal of the book for me, but these are glossed over, with a leap forward in time any time something interesting happens, in favour of more angst about her romantic and family relationships. The sexism and misogyny that both versions had to overcome were an important part of the story and reminded me of how much we now take for granted. The effects of radiation on both Marie and Pierre’s health, obvious with modern knowledge, were sad to read about, although her wilful blindness to the dangers in pursuit of her obsession with her discovery despite warnings from various sources meant I lost sympathy. I also got tired of the massive chips she carried on both shoulders about the way she was treated, by Kazimierz’s parents, then by the friend she betrays, and then by the press. I didn’t need her to be all sweetness and light but she behaves as if she’s the only one to experience devastating losses.
At the time of writing this has mostly 4 and 5 star reviews, so I’m clearly an outlier and if the synopsis appeals then I would definitely still try it - it’s well written (apart from the tense issues). I did learn something about the history of Poland and a little about the discovery of Radium, but it took me a long time to finish because I was so bored so it might depend what kind of books you prefer. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review. Half Life is published today.
In 1891, young governess Marya Sklodowska, the youngest daughter of a widowed scholar who has fallen on hard times, faces a choice. Standing on a station platform in Russian-controlled Poland, is handsome would-be mathematician Kazimierz Zorawski, who pulled out of their engagement because his parents’ disapproval, but has now changed his mind. Will she follow her dream of becoming a scientist in France, or stay behind for love? Half Life explores the consequences of both choices in alternating chapters. Marie goes on to meet Pierre Curie, discover radioactivity and win Nobel prizes, while Marya, longing for education herself, gets to watch family members succeed while she devotes her life to raising her daughter.
This was an interesting idea, and I welcomed the chance to learn about the world’s most famous female scientist, but to be honest I would’ve been better off just reading Wikipedia (as did the author, it would seem.) The dual timelines just got really confusing as Marie & Marya meet people who are often quite different, and not just because of her role in their lives, like Pierre - dashing successful scientist in one life, kindly dreamer in the other. Characters die in one life, but survive in the other, and I had to keep checking whose story it was, and reminding myself who was married to whom, to keep their stories straight. The narration varies between present and past tense for both voices, infuriatingly inconsistently, and in both timelines our protagonist is deeply unpleasant - self-absorbed, arrogant, judgemental and careless of others’ feelings, so I found it hard to see what attracted any of the various men who fall in love with her.
I wanted to read about Curie’s scientific discoveries, the main appeal of the book for me, but these are glossed over, with a leap forward in time any time something interesting happens, in favour of more angst about her romantic and family relationships. The sexism and misogyny that both versions had to overcome were an important part of the story and reminded me of how much we now take for granted. The effects of radiation on both Marie and Pierre’s health, obvious with modern knowledge, were sad to read about, although her wilful blindness to the dangers in pursuit of her obsession with her discovery despite warnings from various sources meant I lost sympathy. I also got tired of the massive chips she carried on both shoulders about the way she was treated, by Kazimierz’s parents, then by the friend she betrays, and then by the press. I didn’t need her to be all sweetness and light but she behaves as if she’s the only one to experience devastating losses.
At the time of writing this has mostly 4 and 5 star reviews, so I’m clearly an outlier and if the synopsis appeals then I would definitely still try it - it’s well written (apart from the tense issues). I did learn something about the history of Poland and a little about the discovery of Radium, but it took me a long time to finish because I was so bored so it might depend what kind of books you prefer. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review. Half Life is published today.
January 24, 2022
** I do have to say though, I quite like this book's cover! Half in Poland and if you look closely, you can see the Paris side **
"We always have a choice" . . . Do you ever wonder what your life would've been like if you made a different choice, whether it be a new job, what book to read, etc?
This is my first read by historical fiction author Jillian Cantor, and I was surprised by how I liked this book. The novel Half Life not only focuses on well known historical figure Marie Curie, who was famous for her discoveries of polonium & radium, but also on the alternate life of the figure we know so well today.
I found myself more interested in the Marie Curie chapters, but only because as mentioned above she's so well known in history, but at the same time, the fictional life was very interesting as I always wonder from time to time myself what my own life would've been like had I made some different choices . . . Also, the author did a fantastic job of seamlessly creating a parallel world for these two timelines to co-exist.
I did learn a bunch of things about Marie Curie, some stuff I knew already but a big majority of things I had no clue about. This novel covers so much about her life such as her winning her two Nobel Prizes (in both chemistry & physics), her work in WWI with x-rays, etc.
Marie Curie
Throughout my reading of this historical fiction novel, as mentioned above I learned so much about Marie Curie. One thing I learned (in my opinion), was that she was a very strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted.
For an example, after the death of her husband Pierre Curie, Marie says this in regards to what she wants:
"I want his job. I want them to give me his teaching position. His laboratory. I don't need the pension. Just the salary he was making so I can support my family. And I will earn it by doing the work he was doing myself". In this case, Marie was referring to the offer from the University where they just offered Marie a widow's pension.
If you're looking for a historical fiction novel about Marie Curie and are interested in a "what if" alternate timeline, please check out Half Life.
"We always have a choice" . . . Do you ever wonder what your life would've been like if you made a different choice, whether it be a new job, what book to read, etc?
This is my first read by historical fiction author Jillian Cantor, and I was surprised by how I liked this book. The novel Half Life not only focuses on well known historical figure Marie Curie, who was famous for her discoveries of polonium & radium, but also on the alternate life of the figure we know so well today.
I found myself more interested in the Marie Curie chapters, but only because as mentioned above she's so well known in history, but at the same time, the fictional life was very interesting as I always wonder from time to time myself what my own life would've been like had I made some different choices . . . Also, the author did a fantastic job of seamlessly creating a parallel world for these two timelines to co-exist.
I did learn a bunch of things about Marie Curie, some stuff I knew already but a big majority of things I had no clue about. This novel covers so much about her life such as her winning her two Nobel Prizes (in both chemistry & physics), her work in WWI with x-rays, etc.
Marie Curie
Throughout my reading of this historical fiction novel, as mentioned above I learned so much about Marie Curie. One thing I learned (in my opinion), was that she was a very strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted.
For an example, after the death of her husband Pierre Curie, Marie says this in regards to what she wants:
"I want his job. I want them to give me his teaching position. His laboratory. I don't need the pension. Just the salary he was making so I can support my family. And I will earn it by doing the work he was doing myself". In this case, Marie was referring to the offer from the University where they just offered Marie a widow's pension.
If you're looking for a historical fiction novel about Marie Curie and are interested in a "what if" alternate timeline, please check out Half Life.
August 31, 2020
Half Life by Jillian Cantor is an excellent historical fiction novel that is so unique that it kept me enthralled from beginning to end.
Ms. Cantor took the typical dual timeline novel and added a new spin that is the first book of its kind that I remember ever reading. The task of not only writing about the fascinating and riveting life of Marie Curie, but to take a pivotal point in her young adult life, where her affections for the eldest son of the family that she was employed as a governess were severed after pressure from his mother on ending their relationship due to her “lowly station”, and create a separate path to her life of what if is amazing. The author interweaved what we knew of Ms. Curie’s life with what her life could have been like if things took a different route at that pivotal moment (staying as Marya). She then gives the reader a breathtaking picture of changes great and small that might have occurred if that path was chosen. To be able to take this abstract idea, give it life, and also make it enjoyable, is nothing short of impressive.
Even the title is great: dual meanings with the plot and also the half life of radium, too creative.
This book was a joy to read and will stay with me for a long time. Brilliant.
5/5 stars
Thank you EW and William Morrow for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
Ms. Cantor took the typical dual timeline novel and added a new spin that is the first book of its kind that I remember ever reading. The task of not only writing about the fascinating and riveting life of Marie Curie, but to take a pivotal point in her young adult life, where her affections for the eldest son of the family that she was employed as a governess were severed after pressure from his mother on ending their relationship due to her “lowly station”, and create a separate path to her life of what if is amazing. The author interweaved what we knew of Ms. Curie’s life with what her life could have been like if things took a different route at that pivotal moment (staying as Marya). She then gives the reader a breathtaking picture of changes great and small that might have occurred if that path was chosen. To be able to take this abstract idea, give it life, and also make it enjoyable, is nothing short of impressive.
Even the title is great: dual meanings with the plot and also the half life of radium, too creative.
This book was a joy to read and will stay with me for a long time. Brilliant.
5/5 stars
Thank you EW and William Morrow for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
March 20, 2021
This fascinating book explores the life of scientist Marie Curie, from her life in Paris to the life she left behind in Poland and explores what would have happened if she had never left. An incredible book about what-ifs, paths not taken and second chances. Out this Tuesday!
September 10, 2020
I really wish people writing about music and musicians had actual musicians read their work before publishing it. Most orchestras don't call the pianist the "principal piano," and being the pianist for an orchestra does not mean playing non-stop piano concertos with said orchestra. Not every piece is a "song." Not every musician has or needs perfect pitch, and having it doesn't automatically make you a good musician.
Now that I have that off my chest: this novel fictionalizes the life of Marie Curie and, in parallel, imagines a life for her--as Marya--had she not gone to Paris to study when she did. The author is clearly trying to create numerous parallels between these two lives, including having Marie's sister Helena marry Jacques Curie in the version where Marya stays in Poland. Because of this very tight connection between the parallel worlds, though, the story is restricted in imagination and originality. The storytelling is a bit heavy-handed: it's obvious from the start that Marya's husband will cheat on her with Leokadia; that Marya will return to him; that Marya and Pierre Curie will feel attracted to one another; that the real-life affair between Marie and Paul Langevin will be mirrored by Pierre and Jeanne Langevin; and so on. Ultimately, the novel is a bit of a slog with few rewards.
Now that I have that off my chest: this novel fictionalizes the life of Marie Curie and, in parallel, imagines a life for her--as Marya--had she not gone to Paris to study when she did. The author is clearly trying to create numerous parallels between these two lives, including having Marie's sister Helena marry Jacques Curie in the version where Marya stays in Poland. Because of this very tight connection between the parallel worlds, though, the story is restricted in imagination and originality. The storytelling is a bit heavy-handed: it's obvious from the start that Marya's husband will cheat on her with Leokadia; that Marya will return to him; that Marya and Pierre Curie will feel attracted to one another; that the real-life affair between Marie and Paul Langevin will be mirrored by Pierre and Jeanne Langevin; and so on. Ultimately, the novel is a bit of a slog with few rewards.
March 22, 2021
This book was absolutely amazing I found myself unable to put it down. Told in a sliding doors format we explore the life of Marie Curie. In alternating chapters we explore the real life of Marie Curie and the authors imagined life of Marie Curie. Cantor poses the question what would her life looked like had she made different choices along the way.
The story of Marie Curie is one of struggle and triumphs of a life lives in the pursuit of excellence often at the expense of her personal life. The imagined life of Marya is one of struggle and triumphs of a life lives in the pursuit of excellence often at the expense of her personal life. In what can only be described as brilliant writing Cantor draws you in the two lives of this one woman in a way that has you turning the pages in anticipation.
The research that must have gone into this novel is astounding as no stone in the real life of Marie Curie is left unturned. From Nobel prizes to her relationship with her husband, her lover and her children. Cantor in enviable fashion forces as to look at our lives and ask the question where would I be if I had made even just one different choice.
This novel also reminds us at a time when we as women are fighting for equality of the women who came before us and the battles they faced in the fight for equality in a much different time and space. I am not one for reading the authors notes but in this case I feel that it is must.
I was given an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Netgalley the author and the publisher.
The story of Marie Curie is one of struggle and triumphs of a life lives in the pursuit of excellence often at the expense of her personal life. The imagined life of Marya is one of struggle and triumphs of a life lives in the pursuit of excellence often at the expense of her personal life. In what can only be described as brilliant writing Cantor draws you in the two lives of this one woman in a way that has you turning the pages in anticipation.
The research that must have gone into this novel is astounding as no stone in the real life of Marie Curie is left unturned. From Nobel prizes to her relationship with her husband, her lover and her children. Cantor in enviable fashion forces as to look at our lives and ask the question where would I be if I had made even just one different choice.
This novel also reminds us at a time when we as women are fighting for equality of the women who came before us and the battles they faced in the fight for equality in a much different time and space. I am not one for reading the authors notes but in this case I feel that it is must.
I was given an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Netgalley the author and the publisher.
March 12, 2021
A wonderful historical fiction read. Really interesting how the author put this story together. If you like historical fiction pick this up.
February 12, 2021
I received this novel as an ARC thanks to Harper Perennial, Jillian Cantor, and Goodreads. Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel.
This will be the least profound thing I can say... READ THIS BOOK!
Seriously, this novel is beautiful, interesting, well researched, and different! What do I mean by different? How many WW2 fiction novels can you find? Now, how many historical fiction novels about the spectacular Marie Curie can you find? Exactly. This is a gem.
I love historical fiction. I love even more when something besides WW2 catches my interest and this novel did just that. I was captivated. Jillian Cantor did a phenomenal job switching between her two main character versions (Marie and Marya). Without giving you all spoilers, Cantor gets it down to the most minute detail.
Before I was even done I was texting friends that I know who love historic fiction telling them to add this to their list.
Ok, ok... Nothing is perfect so if I had to give you all one thing I wasn't particularly a fan of it would be the portrayal of the version of the actual Marie Curie as a mother. Now, let me say that this could be entirely accurate, I don't know. As a reader, I felt it was overly noticeable and sometimes made me wish the other version was the real one. But alas, then where would we be? This tiny tidbit that I didn't care for though did also spur me to want to read more about Marie Curie. Any book that incites me to delve further into something is a win. I love being left with wanting to know, learn, and read more.
Jillian Cantor has herself a 5 star novel!
This will be the least profound thing I can say... READ THIS BOOK!
Seriously, this novel is beautiful, interesting, well researched, and different! What do I mean by different? How many WW2 fiction novels can you find? Now, how many historical fiction novels about the spectacular Marie Curie can you find? Exactly. This is a gem.
I love historical fiction. I love even more when something besides WW2 catches my interest and this novel did just that. I was captivated. Jillian Cantor did a phenomenal job switching between her two main character versions (Marie and Marya). Without giving you all spoilers, Cantor gets it down to the most minute detail.
Before I was even done I was texting friends that I know who love historic fiction telling them to add this to their list.
Ok, ok... Nothing is perfect so if I had to give you all one thing I wasn't particularly a fan of it would be the portrayal of the version of the actual Marie Curie as a mother. Now, let me say that this could be entirely accurate, I don't know. As a reader, I felt it was overly noticeable and sometimes made me wish the other version was the real one. But alas, then where would we be? This tiny tidbit that I didn't care for though did also spur me to want to read more about Marie Curie. Any book that incites me to delve further into something is a win. I love being left with wanting to know, learn, and read more.
Jillian Cantor has herself a 5 star novel!
December 11, 2022
"It must be freeing, to know that you and you alone possess everything you need for your own happiness and survival."
I love the cover of this book with opposing images of Marie Curie - one in Poland and the other in France.
Half Life is an interesting and brilliant way of writing about Marie Curie's life story. Told in dual timelines, the author explores her actual life while also depicting an alternate storyline if Marie Curie had made different choices. It is wondefully written and I really liked how the author explored the same characters, but in slightly different ways for each storyline. I love strong female characters and Marie Curie is no exception. She is incredibly intelligent, passionate and driven. Many kudos to her for being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only one to have won it twice. My only critique about the novel is that the pace slows down in the middle and only picks up again towards the end. That being said, it is beautifully written and I highly recommend it.
I love the cover of this book with opposing images of Marie Curie - one in Poland and the other in France.
Half Life is an interesting and brilliant way of writing about Marie Curie's life story. Told in dual timelines, the author explores her actual life while also depicting an alternate storyline if Marie Curie had made different choices. It is wondefully written and I really liked how the author explored the same characters, but in slightly different ways for each storyline. I love strong female characters and Marie Curie is no exception. She is incredibly intelligent, passionate and driven. Many kudos to her for being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only one to have won it twice. My only critique about the novel is that the pace slows down in the middle and only picks up again towards the end. That being said, it is beautifully written and I highly recommend it.
October 10, 2020
Jillian Cantor has a way of storytelling that grabs your attention. The concept of Half Life is like brain candy to the reader. The similar events that occur in both lives create such a-ha moments. 5 stars!
July 21, 2021
Half Life is historical fiction that looks at how decisions made shape lives. It’s told in parallel stories, one of the famous Marie Curie; the other of the unknown Marya Sklodowska-Zorawski. The book follows the lives of these women, both of Polish origin, both highly involved in science, both searching for meaning through teaching and research. However, it often became confusing, trying to keep the many very similar details of the two stories in order.
Characters in both tales have the same or similar names. Both share locations, character names, types of activities. These women even do many of the same things; both are extremely talented in understanding physics and chemistry, both place science above all else, even their husbands and children. It wasn’t that they didn’t love their families; it’s just that science always came first in their lives.
The story of Marie Curie (also sometimes called by her Polish name Marya) is based largely on fact, with some fiction inserted in places. The story of Marya is purely fiction. It was often hard to distinguish what was real (Was it Marie Curie who won the Nobel Prize or was it her sister, Hela?) from what was fiction, which characters were real from those redesigned for fictional purposes.
This book is very much about choices made and destiny. That no matter what, you will do what you are meant to do and will meet those people you are destined to know. I’m not convinced it proved this, but that is the premise behind what happens.
I didn’t like how Pierre Curie was treated in this book. I have no doubt that he was a dreamer. Who could devise so many laws still in use today if they weren’t. What I didn’t like was that he’s often portrayed as less smart than those around him, not having the same scientific understanding as his wife or brother, being a bit of a loser. I doubt any of that is true. I did like that he’s always portrayed as a good and caring man, son, brother, husband, and father.
This book was a very slow read for me. I can only believe it was that I was constantly paging back and forth to sort out who did what and when. I’m so grateful that I had a paper book that made this easier. I think if I’d had this book in digital form, I’d likely have abandoned it.
All said, this was an interesting, if sometimes confusing, book. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re into historical fiction.
I won an advanced reader copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Characters in both tales have the same or similar names. Both share locations, character names, types of activities. These women even do many of the same things; both are extremely talented in understanding physics and chemistry, both place science above all else, even their husbands and children. It wasn’t that they didn’t love their families; it’s just that science always came first in their lives.
The story of Marie Curie (also sometimes called by her Polish name Marya) is based largely on fact, with some fiction inserted in places. The story of Marya is purely fiction. It was often hard to distinguish what was real (Was it Marie Curie who won the Nobel Prize or was it her sister, Hela?) from what was fiction, which characters were real from those redesigned for fictional purposes.
But there is no such thing as luck. Only choices we make. Only the work we undertake. Only the legacy we leave behind.
This book is very much about choices made and destiny. That no matter what, you will do what you are meant to do and will meet those people you are destined to know. I’m not convinced it proved this, but that is the premise behind what happens.
I didn’t like how Pierre Curie was treated in this book. I have no doubt that he was a dreamer. Who could devise so many laws still in use today if they weren’t. What I didn’t like was that he’s often portrayed as less smart than those around him, not having the same scientific understanding as his wife or brother, being a bit of a loser. I doubt any of that is true. I did like that he’s always portrayed as a good and caring man, son, brother, husband, and father.
This book was a very slow read for me. I can only believe it was that I was constantly paging back and forth to sort out who did what and when. I’m so grateful that I had a paper book that made this easier. I think if I’d had this book in digital form, I’d likely have abandoned it.
All said, this was an interesting, if sometimes confusing, book. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re into historical fiction.
I won an advanced reader copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
April 10, 2021
‘I wanted to go to Paris, wanted to continue my studies, but I wanted to be with the man I loved, too. And then I made a choice.’
What a fascinating twist on historical fiction: what if Marie Curie had married Kazimierz Żorawski, her first love, rather than going to the Sorbonne in Paris.
“They are enamored of you,” Pierre says with a chuckle, as if it tickles him. “The first woman to win a Nobel Prize.”
Not really knowing that much about this famous historical figure, it proved to be a very interesting read. With a ‘Sliding Doors’ approach, it is like two books in one with alternating chapters between Marie’s real life and a fictionalised alternative had she not studied in Paris. There is the Marie Curie we know - her life, love, work. Then there is the fictionalised Marya Sklodowska who did not get on the train that day and instead married her first love and stayed in Poland to become a wife and mother.
“... It is hard for me to understand a life where having children would force a woman to give up on her own work.” “She can’t do both?”
Both stories were well written, with the parallels being cleverly replicated and/or imagined. It was good to learn of the real Marie Curie and the life she led with husband Pierre. The imagined life of Marya was likewise engaging, however, the goal here I imagine was to demonstrate the frustrations this highly intelligent woman faced in Russian controlled Poland with restrictive educational opportunities for women. Written in such a way, it invites the reader to consider how some decisions can be life changing. There are many challenges and sorrows in this read.
‘Could I have accomplished all that Hela had by now? And if I had, would I feel happier, be more fulfilled?’
This tale - both real and imagined - would be for those interested in the status of women at this period of history.
‘There was a choice. There was always a choice. Had I made the wrong one?’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
What a fascinating twist on historical fiction: what if Marie Curie had married Kazimierz Żorawski, her first love, rather than going to the Sorbonne in Paris.
“They are enamored of you,” Pierre says with a chuckle, as if it tickles him. “The first woman to win a Nobel Prize.”
Not really knowing that much about this famous historical figure, it proved to be a very interesting read. With a ‘Sliding Doors’ approach, it is like two books in one with alternating chapters between Marie’s real life and a fictionalised alternative had she not studied in Paris. There is the Marie Curie we know - her life, love, work. Then there is the fictionalised Marya Sklodowska who did not get on the train that day and instead married her first love and stayed in Poland to become a wife and mother.
“... It is hard for me to understand a life where having children would force a woman to give up on her own work.” “She can’t do both?”
Both stories were well written, with the parallels being cleverly replicated and/or imagined. It was good to learn of the real Marie Curie and the life she led with husband Pierre. The imagined life of Marya was likewise engaging, however, the goal here I imagine was to demonstrate the frustrations this highly intelligent woman faced in Russian controlled Poland with restrictive educational opportunities for women. Written in such a way, it invites the reader to consider how some decisions can be life changing. There are many challenges and sorrows in this read.
‘Could I have accomplished all that Hela had by now? And if I had, would I feel happier, be more fulfilled?’
This tale - both real and imagined - would be for those interested in the status of women at this period of history.
‘There was a choice. There was always a choice. Had I made the wrong one?’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
September 11, 2021
Oh my goodness, this book will stay with me. It is poignant, heartfelt, inspiring and written in a beautifully gentle way. I loved every second of it and have added it to my favourites list 💕
My emotions were a mess throughout this entire story. I cried, my heart broke at times and I felt proud and couldn’t wipe the smile from my face during sweet moments. This book was a bit of everything.
What I loved is that in either story, it was realistic, in that no matter the path our lives take, we endure love, happiness, loss, failure, friendship, heartache, achievements, doubts, joy and more... Every life contains bittersweetness. It was impossible to choose which ‘half life’ of Marie or Marya I would choose 😊
What a book this was! The writing was sensational, the history of that time vividly detailed, the people in the story bought to life so perfectly, and Marie Curie’s life researched so well. I loved learning all about her story. What an amazing, strong, inspiring woman!
I can’t recommend this highly enough for historical fiction lovers!! You don’t want to miss this one 😍
My emotions were a mess throughout this entire story. I cried, my heart broke at times and I felt proud and couldn’t wipe the smile from my face during sweet moments. This book was a bit of everything.
What I loved is that in either story, it was realistic, in that no matter the path our lives take, we endure love, happiness, loss, failure, friendship, heartache, achievements, doubts, joy and more... Every life contains bittersweetness. It was impossible to choose which ‘half life’ of Marie or Marya I would choose 😊
What a book this was! The writing was sensational, the history of that time vividly detailed, the people in the story bought to life so perfectly, and Marie Curie’s life researched so well. I loved learning all about her story. What an amazing, strong, inspiring woman!
I can’t recommend this highly enough for historical fiction lovers!! You don’t want to miss this one 😍
March 25, 2021
What a great book. I really enjoyed learning about the life of Marie Curie. What a different life Marie might have lived if she had married a man she was engaged to. The mother of the man Marie was engaged to marry insisted he break off the engagement. So Marie travels to Paris and makes a great life for herself and others with her fantastic research. She studies chemistry and physics and changes the course of science forever. Hind site is 20/20. Do you ever thing back about how your life could have been different if you would have made different choices? A must read.
Read
June 15, 2021I love historical fiction that leaves me hungry for more information, researching the truth behind the story. Half Life is such an enchanting read. I did a session a few weeks back which gave me the opportunity to hear Jillian Cantor talk about this sliding doors tale of the life of Marie Curie. What a remarkable life, the product of the choices this brilliant scientist made. There is always a choice, as Marie affirms in this book.
August 1, 2021
To all you readers who love independent, wickedly smart female characters, appreciate science, and love historical women’s fiction … This book is for you!
This is my favorite Jillian Cantor book to date (and I’ve loved them all. Admittedly, In Another Time is waiting for me on my shelf!)
But this book… I adore science, and admire women with brilliant minds. I also watched the Madame Curie movie, Radioactive, on Hulu last year – which further fascinated me about this real-life woman genius. When I saw this novel was coming out, I knew I would want to read it.
Cantor’s telling of the story is effective – the what if question applied to Marie Curie’s life. What if she’d chosen a different path and had ended up with her first love, instead of studying science in France (when she was then known as Marya Sklodowska)? Would her life have been markedly different? Would the world have been different, if not for her scientific discoveries
The story follows Marie’s true life and, side by side, Marya’s imagined what iflife, begging the question: no matter the choices we make, do we end up where we need to be? Do we end up knowing and loving the people we are meant to know and love? Or could we have led entirely different lives if we’d chosen different paths? Would they have been better or worse lives?
This is a book I wish I’d read in print form, as it would have allowed me to flip back and forth to explain (with concrete examples) just how expertly the author was able to create synergies between both stories from chapter to chapter. Cantor has woven a smart tapestry between both lives, including themes, parallels and counterpoints that leave the reader wanting to know: does Marya end up in the same place as the real-life Marie, in the end, or would her life have been so different?
This is smart women’s fiction showcasing science and history – and the emotions behind both.
This is my favorite Jillian Cantor book to date (and I’ve loved them all. Admittedly, In Another Time is waiting for me on my shelf!)
But this book… I adore science, and admire women with brilliant minds. I also watched the Madame Curie movie, Radioactive, on Hulu last year – which further fascinated me about this real-life woman genius. When I saw this novel was coming out, I knew I would want to read it.
Cantor’s telling of the story is effective – the what if question applied to Marie Curie’s life. What if she’d chosen a different path and had ended up with her first love, instead of studying science in France (when she was then known as Marya Sklodowska)? Would her life have been markedly different? Would the world have been different, if not for her scientific discoveries
The story follows Marie’s true life and, side by side, Marya’s imagined what iflife, begging the question: no matter the choices we make, do we end up where we need to be? Do we end up knowing and loving the people we are meant to know and love? Or could we have led entirely different lives if we’d chosen different paths? Would they have been better or worse lives?
This is a book I wish I’d read in print form, as it would have allowed me to flip back and forth to explain (with concrete examples) just how expertly the author was able to create synergies between both stories from chapter to chapter. Cantor has woven a smart tapestry between both lives, including themes, parallels and counterpoints that leave the reader wanting to know: does Marya end up in the same place as the real-life Marie, in the end, or would her life have been so different?
This is smart women’s fiction showcasing science and history – and the emotions behind both.
April 7, 2021
This was a surprisingly good book. Surprising because I expected a love versus career type of scenario but that’s not at all what this turned out to be. In this sliding doors like story about Marie Curie, Jillian Cantor shows that who we are, deep down inside, will always rise to the fore no matter the path we choose.
“My whole life I’ve been told no simply because I’m a woman.”
This was an empowering novel, one that emphasised the importance of education for women (it’s set in the late 19th century early 20th century). I really enjoyed it and while science often confounds me and I rarely understood the research any of the characters were working on, I still appreciated the importance of these breakthroughs. I’m in awe of people whose brains work this way (thinking on the real Marie Curie and associated people here) and the author did a magnificent job of conveying this scientific aspect of the story and giving weight to its importance.
“Grief is heavy and overbearing; it tugs me down. It fills my coat pockets with rocks and drags me to the bottom of the cold dark sea, holding me under so I can barely breathe. Days pass, seasons come and go. Time moves forward, but I feel heavier and heavier.”
Grief is a recurring theme throughout this novel. There was an immense amount of loss within Marie Curie’s immediate and extended family. I liked how the author didn’t make one pathway less grief stricken than the other. Structurally, this novel was crafted extremely well. The story was balanced in both pathways and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction as a reader at the novel’s conclusion. Fans of fictional biographies would really enjoy this one that offers a twist on the genre.
Thanks is extended to Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy of Half Life for review.
“My whole life I’ve been told no simply because I’m a woman.”
This was an empowering novel, one that emphasised the importance of education for women (it’s set in the late 19th century early 20th century). I really enjoyed it and while science often confounds me and I rarely understood the research any of the characters were working on, I still appreciated the importance of these breakthroughs. I’m in awe of people whose brains work this way (thinking on the real Marie Curie and associated people here) and the author did a magnificent job of conveying this scientific aspect of the story and giving weight to its importance.
“Grief is heavy and overbearing; it tugs me down. It fills my coat pockets with rocks and drags me to the bottom of the cold dark sea, holding me under so I can barely breathe. Days pass, seasons come and go. Time moves forward, but I feel heavier and heavier.”
Grief is a recurring theme throughout this novel. There was an immense amount of loss within Marie Curie’s immediate and extended family. I liked how the author didn’t make one pathway less grief stricken than the other. Structurally, this novel was crafted extremely well. The story was balanced in both pathways and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction as a reader at the novel’s conclusion. Fans of fictional biographies would really enjoy this one that offers a twist on the genre.
Thanks is extended to Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy of Half Life for review.
March 20, 2022
Fascinating concept--what would Mme. Curie's life have been had she decided to marry the young man to whom she had been engaged instead of going to Paris and studying science? The author attempts to answer this question in alternating chapters: Marie with her life progressing as in reality and the Marya chapters positing her possible life had she chosen to stay in Poland and marry.
September 15, 2024
Historical novel featuring Mayra and Marie in first person as alternate protagonists in a sliding door approach. Chapters titled Marie followed the real life of scientist Madame Marie Curie and chapters titled Marya followed an alternate reality of a brilliant polish woman who stayed in Russian controlled Poland, married and didn’t have educational opportunities. I listened via audiobook excellently read by narrator Cassandra Campbell.
I believe the author took a lot of liberties in embedding or intertwining real person’s in Marie’s life with the life of imagined character of Mayra, however that was probably a good decision as it may have been more difficult to follow if too many new characters were introduced. It was well written and I thoroughly enjoyed this listen.
I believe the author took a lot of liberties in embedding or intertwining real person’s in Marie’s life with the life of imagined character of Mayra, however that was probably a good decision as it may have been more difficult to follow if too many new characters were introduced. It was well written and I thoroughly enjoyed this listen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 568 reviews