Jewish Book Club discussion

We arrived at this book after voting in the genre of "historical fiction, non-Holocaust, with a strong female protagonist." It's a novel but based on a real person.
What are your reactions and thoughts?

Sounds promising. Looking forward to reading this book

Another five star read. Marie Benedict is my author of the year, and I have to say that I really love her works. I'm thrilled to be getting caught up in the entire compendium! She is such a beautiful writer and her characters have shape and movement. There is something about her writing that I am quickly falling in love with. The Personal Librarian may be in my top ten for life. I really enjoyed the Mystery of Mrs. Christie and its matching quickie audible Smoke Signals (which is co-written with Kate Quinn, author of the Rose Code. Smoke Signals is a sort of a fun blend between the two books.) I thought the Other Einstein was truly terrific. I love how she takes unknown women who made massive contributions and elevates them. Which is of course the story of Rosalind Franklin. Her contributions were unknown for many years, until after she died. But she is the "grandmother" of DNA, and had to compete in a man's world that would not accept her, stole her work, mocked her because of her commitment to science, and generally treated her poorly. Her commitment to science was unwavering, and she knew she was giving a gift to humanity different than her parents wanted or expected of her. The portrait of her is stunning, coming vividly to life by Marie Benedict. I really loved reading it. What a great author to pick for the year.

*I've had to return Carnegie's Maid to the library twice now. I do have Lady Clementine queued up on Audio, and the Only Woman in the Room is actually an owned copy sitting in my Hall. I can't wait for her next book, which I understand is another co-write with Victoria Christopher Murray.

*Adding some thoughts about the Jewish theme, for this group only, I would add that it was interesting to read the perspective of London and Paris just past WWII and Holocaust. And how drawn she was to other scientists who were also Jewish. I do know that once survival was assured, folks at that time even more strove to make "contributions" since so much knowledge was lost, and an entire people at risk for extinction. That truly does change how people/characters see themselves and their work. But also, how much her father/parents were influenced about wanting their children to focus on family/children/repopulation, and could not necessarily see her science as a gift to humanity. I loved how Rosalind always came home for holidays, and how much that identity was important to her. I think the Jewish theme really was, what its like to be a making a new life post holocaust. She was an outsider in every single way, marginalized. And yet, like a (then) modern Eve, she is indeed the the mother holding all the secrets to humanity. I thought it was a great pick and there is much more to discuss on this theme.

Amy wrote: "Another five star read. Marie Benedict is my author of the year, and I have to say that I really love her works. I'm thrilled to be getting caught up in the entire compendium! She is such a beautif..."

Amy, you are on a roll today :)
Great job.

I just started the book after finishing The Vixen. Too early to judge yet. I'll know better in a few days.