Delighted to include this title in the June edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. Read it ahead of Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming Manhattan Project period drama Oppenheimer.
* Also included in a round-up of further reading for Oppenheimer movie (August 2023).

It’s 1945 and August Snow is on trial at the International War Crimes Court for patenting a more lethal version of the atomic bomb. He invented the radiation machine to cure his young daughter’s cancer, despite knowing that the same technology was capable of great destruction – and he profited from the disaster.

June, August’s former wife, will also be attending the hearing. Even though she had nothing to do with making the bomb, she ponders if she was innocent? To what lengths would a mother go to save their child?

I really enjoyed the story of motherhood throughout this book. It really didn’t start until the second half, but then it did, and it was gorgeous. My qualms come from the fact that it was entirely made up. Which, yes, fiction, but then I read the true story and then I just realized how self-centered the character August was. The book made it seem like he was a noble, selfless man who sacrificed so much for his family, when he created this all for himself. That’s fine, I just felt that the author too way too many liberties with the story for my liking. I did really enjoy the dual narration – this is always my favorite way to enjoy a story. I also enjoyed learning more about the creation of the radiation machine.

This is an interesting read, and I do recommend it – if only for the beautiful story of motherhood.

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada – McClelland & Stewart, and Netgalley, @netgalley, for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

One thing I loved about this book was that it contained some of the most beautiful passages about motherhood.
I thought that the novel started off slowly. Honestly it was as though June become her true self when she became a mother. I cannot get over how much I loved that aspect of this novel.
Therefore, I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first.
Interesting concepts to think about…
I enjoyed the dual narrative.
Recommend.

“Find what you love, and let it destroy you.”

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.