A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain (audio)
Source: Purchased Audible, 1+ hrs. I am an Amazon Affiliate
A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain, narrated by Hillary Huber, is a short introduction to Marie Skłodowska, who later marries Pierre Curie, and becomes one of the most famous physicists and chemists of our time. McLain introduces us to a young Marie, who has made it to France to study at the Sorbonne -- one of the only women in the sciences. She faces a great deal of criticism from male students who feel she does not belong there, but she also finds that there are those who are willing to help her and believe in her education and work.
This story is relatively short, but it provides a sketch of Curie's determination and persistence, but also how dealing with prejudice on a daily basis can skew our perceptions of other people's intentions, particularly those people who actually support us. McLain delves lightly into the subject of overcoming these internal biases to see the good in front of us.
The narration was good, though I felt there was little emotion in the narration. Perhaps due to Curie's character and her scientific manner, but I would have liked a bit more emotion.
A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain should be its own novel. Curie is a fascinating woman of science who had to overcome a lot and who suffered a great deal for her discoveries. My one complaint is that it should have been a full-length novel.
Rating: Quatrain