Lucky Girl

by Denise Gelberg

“Lucky Girl is the profoundly moving story of a woman who with brilliance, passion, and support from an extraordinary family overcomes common barriers that long kept most women out of high-powered science. I had to stop several times and remind myself that this is a novel, not the biography of a flesh and blood scientist. A brilliant book. I wept and cheered for the heroine."

Nancy Hopkins
Amgen Inc. Professor of Biology emerita
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mothers in Science, on Lucky Girl "... a wonderful novel with a captivating story that both reflects the scientific and personal worlds of a mother in STEMM- we loved it!"

Denise Gelberg’s novel “Lucky Girl” is both a wonderful and heartbreaking story of Irene Adelson, a mother in science who could be any of us. Irene is a smart woman, passionate about science but struggling to succeed in the male-dominated STEMM sector, where sexual harassment and gender discrimination are rife.

Irene was an introverted child born after WWII to a working class family from Brooklyn, New York. Despite facing many career and personal challenges, she becomes a medical doctor and a successful scientist, eventually achieving the highest recognition in science - being awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize.

Irene’s journey portrays a realistic image of the struggles that women and mothers in STEMM have been facing for decades in their professional and private lives.

During this journey, Irene experiences sexual assault, discrimination and ridicule, often deliberately inflicted on her to discredit and destroy her career. Yet, she persists and somehow finds the strength to overcome these barriers.
The author gives Irene the depth and humanity that many readers wish to see in trailblazing characters. She’s both an inspirational role model but also someone we can all relate to, which is unfortunately rare in the history of women in science, as most successful women in STEMM are often unrealistically portrayed as superheroes.

This is a wonderful novel with a captivating story that both reflects the scientific and personal worlds of a mother in STEMM- we loved it!
#MothersinScience #WomeninTech @Momademia#AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter #MothersinSTEMM #WomeninSTEMM

Genres: Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2021

About the author

Denise Gelberg pivoted to writing fiction after a long career in teaching and research. Her first book, The "Business" of Reforming American Schools (SUNY Press) was based on her doctoral work at Cornell. As a meticulous researcher, the prospect of creating an entire world out of whole cloth seemed to verge on the impossible. But that's exactly what she did in her debut novel, FERTILITY, which tells the story of a sterile, workaholic attorney whose life is changed by a medical malpractice case. Her second novel, ENGAGEMENT, provides a window into the complexities of the Iraq War as seen through the eyes of a quixotic young second lieutenant and his far more dubious wife.

Call it a holdover from her researching days, Gelberg continues to do the legwork needed to get the facts right. Whether the story revolves around medical malpractice or military operations, her protagonists' trials mirror those of contemporary life.

Her latest book, Lucky Girl: A Novel, is based on the role luck plays in an individual's life, particularly how misfortune can sometimes lead a person down a better path.

Denise Gelberg is available to visit bookclubs, either virtually or in-person, if the distance from her Central NYS home isn't too great.

Readers can visit Denise Gelberg's Facebook page or her webpage - http://denisegelberg.forpr.net/. She can be followed on Twitter or contacted at denisegelberg@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Sharon Mier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since any book drew me into its depths so thoroughly as Denise Gelberg’s Lucky Girl. The novel presents a story of one woman’s life- journey, from being an introverted child in a New York City working class family to a medical researcher and Nobel Prize winner. Denise weaves a fascinating story as the child, Irene Adelson, searches for answers to questions through astute observations of the world around her, including her awareness of her mother’s struggle with depression. As the story unfolds, Denise couples Irene’s personal journey into research, with a realistic snapshot of a woman striving within an historically male field. But first, the story takes a wrenching detour with a sexual assault that could have ruined Irene’s life. The event and the aftermath do derail her, but do not defeat her. As she tries to recover and process what she believes is lost, Irene presses forward in the pursuit of her research. Not only does she face ongoing institutional discrimination for her gender, Irene also faces ridicule for her choice of research, that being the physiological, microbiome link to mental wellness and other disease.
Gelberg’s story succeeds because she realistically captures the arc of one woman’s life. In fluent prose Gelberg shares the details of Irene’s journey, allowing the reader to experience her joys and her pain, and for this reader, allowing agreement with Gelberg, that Irene Adelson was indeed a Lucky Girl.

[Amy Seldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, authentic and Heartwarming.
Please take the journey of reading this brilliantly written and researched novel. We fall in love with the characters and go through some very hard life moments and issues together. I learned so much! It was incredibly authentic and so enjoyable to read. This story is a gift! Thank you, Denise Gelberg!

[Ben DeWinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the author’s third novel, we follow the life and career of Irene Adelson, from her humble beginnings as the child of a working class family in Brooklyn to her success as a medical scientist and complete woman living and working in Manhattan. Set between the years 1956 and 2000, a period of significant turmoil in American society, we accompany Irene through the myriad challenges that she faces in her private and public life. This is a compelling story from beginning to end; she is deeply affected by the events taking place all around her: the trauma and reverberations of the Vietnam War and America’s interminable wars; the racial and gender discrimination in the workplace and the broader society; the violence of sexual abuse and the mental health and legal challenges that ensue; the striking promises of modern scientific research; and the struggles, joys and rewards springing from the steadfast love of her family, friends and colleagues. Let’s be clear, however: these stories are not about abstract or distant problems; Irene lives through these circumstances, and we empathize with her throughout the journey. Ultimately it is a story about resilience and personal triumph over great challenges. Irene remains through it all a “Lucky Girl.” And so are we, the readers; for in this novel we are led into Irene’s inner and outer worlds, leaving us in the end with a keen insight into not only who she is, but who we are, what we have come through in recent decades and will likely experience for some time to come. It is indeed a very good read.

[MELANIE NOVELLO · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her newest novel, Lucky Girl, Denise Gelberg creates a multi generational story which centers around Irene beginning as a young girl in the late 1950's and follows her experiences throughout her life and those of her working class family. It's a story that is masterfully expressed through clear, crisp writing and warm, touching and relatable nuance. A story of true friendship, deep love and family values chronicles Irene's immersion in the field of science with a sharp mind and through the human experience of living life with all of it's joys, sorrows, injustices and events of daily living. Gelberg is a master of research. Throughout her three novels, you'd be hard pressed in guessing if she is really a cutting edge scientist, a specialized doctor, a lawyer or in the armed forces - so great is her breadth of subject matter in all of those fields. The reader will find an experience where the tenderness is sure to well the eyes and create a lump in your throat often throughout the read. Story telling at it's best.

[Susan Piliero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about a quiet little girl from humble Brooklyn roots who grows up to become a noted scientist, researcher, and medical doctor. From the very beginning, young Irene worked hard and was successful in school and career, despite the institutional barriers that often prevented women of her time in science from reaching their goals. A traumatic experience in college had an enormous influence on Irene and would have derailed her, except for her personal strength of character, and the support of her husband, close friends and family. The book is very well researched, and I learned a great deal about the brain-gut connection, the focus of her pioneering research. Lucky Girl is definitely one of the more meaningful books I have read recently.

[Joan Cappione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Gelberg's newest book, Lucky Girl, a treat for those who love a story with well-developed, captivating characters, is a novel that opens during the latter part of Irene’s life when she is being honored. The reader is then taken back to experience all of the previous stages of Irene’s life, beginning with her earliest days, allowing readers to glimpse into her life, work, and family. Every step of the way, Gelberg lures her readers with such attention to detail that it is hard to put the book down. This is a captivating book from beginning to end!

[Cindy Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positively outstanding novel! I couldn't put it down. I was totally engrossed with the plight of the characters whom were so vividly brought to life. Such a beautiful story which captured my heart. The author was brilliantly able to weave such rich emotional weight to her characters along with the scientific scope of intrigue. This was a fabulous read laden with rich feelings, heart warming relationships, and hope. I was captivated from page one and instantly fell in love with "the stars of the show."

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by local Ithaca author, Denise Gelberg. This is a captivating story of the courage and success of a woman biologist who overcomes gender hurdles, prejudice and family challenges to excel in her field, as well as in life. The author’s extensive research into the field of science lends such a feeling of reality, that one has to keep remembering this is fiction and not a true biography of an outstanding person of science. I highly recommend this read. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

[Susan Sarabasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well researched and written novel spans several generations of one family, mainly focussing on one person, Irene Adelson.
The research involved in writing this novel must have been enormous. I could easily believe it was a biography rather than fiction for most of the book.
I learned so much reading this book — I have friends that have depression and autism spectrum in their families. I kept sending them findings from the Scientists in this book.

Just WOW!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Girl: A Novel is a powerful and compelling story that successfully weaves in many threads, making it a must read! Ms. Gelberg has created characters that resonate and sheds light on the challenges of a young woman scientist growing up in the 60's and 70's. Without being a spoiler, just know that there are many facets of this well-written novel that explores not only relevant themes for our current times, but also the complexity of relationships. A fabulous, well developed story!

[Diana Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book it reads so real you have to remember it is a novel and not a true story!