Her Hidden Genius
Marie Benedict
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie and co-author of The Personal Librarian. Rosalind Franklin has always been an outsider―brilliant, but different. more
284 pages, Hardcover
First published Sourcebooks Landmark
3.94
Rating
12820
Ratings
1542
Reviews
Marie Benedict
16 books 9650 followers
Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a commercial litigator at two of the country's premier law firms. While practicing as a NYC lawyer, Marie dreamed of a fantastical job unearthing the hidden historical stories of women -- and finally found it when she tried her hand at writing. She embarked on a new, thematically connected series of historical fiction excavating the stories of important, complex and fascinating women from the past with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself. She then released CARNEGIE'S MAID, the story of a brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie toward philanthropy, followed by the B&N Book Club pick and NYTimes bestseller THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the tale of the Golden Age of Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr who made a world-changing invention, and LADY CLEMENTINE about Winston Churchill's wife. She then wrote the Costco pick and NYTimes bestseller THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE which focuses on the real-life disappearance of Agatha Christie and the role it played in shaping her into the world's most successful novelist. In her first co-written novel with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, Marie released the NYTimes bestselling and Good Morning America Book Club pick THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN about Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian to J.P, Morgan who hid a secret about her identity -- and that was followed by HER HIDDEN GENIUS about the brilliant British scientist Rosalind Franklin who discovered the structure of DNA but her research was taken and used by James Watson and Francis Crick. Coming this January 2023 is THE MITFORD AFFAIR, an explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters -- the brilliant, aristocratic Mitfords --, one of whom will have to choose her country or her family as the sisters get caught in the crosshairs of WWII.Community reviews
Each year I look forward to whom Marie Benedict will spotlight in her stories of strong women in history. Her Hidden Genius published this week. About the book: “Marie Benedict's powerful new novel shines a light on a woman who sacrificed her life to discover the nature of our very DNA, a woman whose world-changing contributions were hidden by the men around her but whose relentless drive advanced our understanding of humankind. ”Have you ever heard of Rosalind Franklin. Working on DNA, she is bright and maybe a little bit quirky. more
Her Hidden Genius brings an intense historical woman whose high standards of ethics and drive to serve for betterment of humankind were instilled in her childhood and carried her to one of the greatest discoveries in scientific world, thus, influencing the humanity. France, 1947. Rosalind Franklin is a new researcher at chemistry institute in Paris. As a woman researcher, she felt discrimination in her native England. That’s why she welcomed this opportunity to be working in Paris where male-minds seem to be much more open toward female scientists. more
8/31/22: Again, denied. This year it is for . I was a top reviewer on . Denied, then got the book mailed to me in advance and 3 additional books, too. This year, I am definitely more in ‘Go with the Flow Mentality’ By the time I finish the other Marie Benedict books I have and all the other Science books I have, it will be January. more
Warning: Reading the final chapters of this book may lead to WWE (Weeping While Exercising). Be sure to have tissues handy. Too icy to run outside today, so I jumped on my trusty elliptical machine to burn some calories (too many snacks last night while cheering on our hometown team -- Go, Chiefs. ). This is why I read Marie Benedict. more
Rosalind Franklin is known as the female scientist who played a major role in Watson and Crick’s generation of a theoretical model of the structure of DNA as a double helix. This would lead to the discovery of how DNA could be inherited, opening up the whole field of molecular genetics. For this discovery Watson and Crick were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. However, it was Rosalind, an exceptionally talented scientist who took the X-ray photos that led her to be the first to suspect that DNA was a double helix and she who made the many calculations from the data she collected that Watson and Crick used in their model. That her photo and data was shared with Watson and Crick at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge without her knowledge, leading to their discovery is one of the most shameful episodes in science. more
Several years ago, I read Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict and found myself intrigued with the author's writing style and keen attention to detail. Somehow, I lost track of her subsequent releases but recently saw that she had a new book, Her Hidden Genius, publishing in January of 2022. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and am eager to share my thoughts on the novel. Dr. Rosalind Franklin is most known for studying and discovering key facts and game-changing details about DNA. more
Doctor Rosalind Franklin has a brilliant mind, an eye for picking up details that others miss and she’s determined to unearth the secrets of DNA. In 1947, she starts working in Paris, and here she’s treated as an equal for the first time in her professional career. Her parents start to pressuring Rosalind to return to England, after her heart is broken and she returns home. Her wealthy parents are Jewish, they believe in giving back to the community and they do through their philanthropy. Rosalind has to deal with men being chauvinistic at her new job at Kings College, they don’t use her proper title, they call her names, she’s not invited to their boy’s club lunches, and her office isn’t secure. more
A captivating novel about an amazing woman in history. Doctor Rosalind Franklin is a brilliant young scientist who leaves her home in England for a research opportunity in Paris. There she experiences the warm camaraderie and acceptance of her peers. They value her keen mind and work ethic, something that was lacking in England. After a budding romance gone wrong she decides to pursue work back in England. more
2 starsKnown for writing historical fiction that illuminates the stories of women who have been lost to history in some way, Marie Benedict seems like the perfect choice to tell the story of Rosalind Franklin. In my previous outings with her work, I have been impressed by her ability to delve deeply into the inner lives of these women to give their stories maximum impact. I did not find that to be the case with Her Hidden Genius. Benedict begins the book in the middle of Rosalind's career, dropping us immediately into the scientific aspects of this book without giving us a picture of how Rosalind is as a individual. I kept hoping that I would eventually get to that bigger picture of Rosalind, but this somewhat repetitive and clinical story ultimately proved me wrong. more
Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict reminded me of The Other Einstein. Dr. Rosalind Franklin is a scientist. She is working hard on discovering the structure of DNA as a double helix. She doesn’t get credit. more
I'm a long time Rosalind Franklin fan who just read my first Marie Benedict novel. I have to say is, this book was hot garbage. The writing was abysmal- see Rosalind Run. Run Rosalind Run- is the level of writing I'm seeing here. This has to be the first fictionalized history novel I have read that has absolutely 0 references or sources to where the author did her research. more
La historia de una mujer que permaneció en las sombras por el machismo y discriminación en una sociedad liderada por hombres, los cuales la subestimaron tanto, que cuando ella mostró lo que podía lograr no supieron cómo contenerlo. La fábula de una científica brillante y rigurosa que pudo sacar de las sombras los secretos de ADN, un recuento de como tuvo que combatir los estereotipos sobre mujeres y científicas que hacen su trabajo y el precio que le cobro esa lucha, una crónica sobre la forma en la que otros se apropiaron de sus detalladas contribuciones sin su consentimiento y una exploración del basto y crucial legado de Rosaline. Es fundamental ver como a su legado le crecieron alas después de estar tantos años en las sombras, es crucial ver como los legados de las mujeres tanto en la historia como en la actualidad deberían ser conocidos y celebrados y no enterrados. En este libro me enoje mucho jaja pero igual lo disfruté muchísimo y no creí que me gustara tanto pero ya van varios días después de que lo termine y aún lo tengo presente, cosa que no sucede con muchos así que vaya que si lo recomiendo. more
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. more
Marie Benedict manages to write such a richly woven tale that balances the research with the story of a fascinating female scientist( Rosalind Franklin) that has often been overlooked in favor of her male contemporaries. Set in the post-WWII era and jumping between Paris and London, we learn the incredible true story of Rosalind Franklin and how her work with X-rays was also tied to important DNA research. I look forward each year to the women that Marie Benedict brings into the spotlight with each of her books. I am not of a science background but I felt that the way Rosalind Franklin, through Marie Benedict, tells the readers about her research, made me very invested in the storyline. My goodness, a woman had to have a very thick skin to deal with what Franklin and the other female scientists were forced to endure. more
Marie Benedict delivers once again with this biographical novel about scientist Rosalind Franklin. Rosalind was a chemist and X-ray crystallographer from England whose tireless work and talent lead to the discovery on DNA. Throughout her life and career, she had to fight against a family that did not understand her myopic interest in science, the epic misogyny of her male colleagues, and ultimately her own health issues. The novel opens in 1947 Paris where Rosalind has taken a job in a lab in which her skills and knowledge are valued, and everyone is treated equally. Despite her enjoyment with this work environment and the satisfying social life she has created for herself; Rosalind decides to return to work in England after a disappointing romance that never got off the ground. more
Un libro inspirador e imprescindible para comprender y reivindicar, a través de la historia de la química Rosalind Franklin, el rol fundamental de las mujeres en la ciencia. more
Marie Benedict is a fantastic writer and I recommend this novel you like science and specifically the history of a woman scientists. As much as I like Benedict's writing the scientific terms, procedures, and the protagonist's desires were over my head. I hate to admit to this, because it is really well done, but the subject matter is just not to my taste. Never-the-less, if you like science, this historical novel is unique and worth reading. more
I think that I read this at the wrong time and expected to get more out of the story than I did. I will definitely need to reread. at this time 3. 5 stars. more
Rich Writing and a Riveting StorySUMMARY1947: Dr. Rosalind Franklin is a brilliant young scientist who holds herself to the highest standards in the scientific community. She has just moved from London to Paris to accept a position continuing her previous research on the atomic structure of coal using X-ray crystallography. Her parents are not pleased with her decision to move away from their home in London and continually pressure her to return to the family business of philanthropy. Rosalind loves Paris, her work environment, her colleagues, and her research. more
I love how Marie Benedict shines a light on women from the past who are little well known. Ever since reading Watson and Crick's book for a college class, I've been fascinated by the role Rosalind Franklin played in the discovery of the double helix. This reimagined account of her life and work was compelling and so educational. Highly recommended, especially for fans of historical accounts of women in STEM like Benedict's The other Einstein or Half life by Jillian Cantor. Great on audio narrated by Nicola Barber. more
3-1/2/5I don’t usually care for fiction about real people written in the first person, but Ms. Benedict is indeed a gifted writer and has been able to pull it off with aplomb. Ms. Benedict has taken pains to bring to light women of the past whose herculean accomplishments have largely been overlooked, and she had done one heck of a job at it. I have enjoyed most all of her books to date. more
Short review for now: I sped read through the last 100 pages, so I could find out how the story concluded. My initial rating is 2. 5 stars, rounded down to 2 stars. I might revise it later. April 29, 2022 addition:My reasons for giving this book a low rating are varied. more
A fascinating story about a remarkable woman named Rosalind Franklin, a true pioneer in the experimental science of x-ray crystallography and discovery of DNA, who would make a life-changing discovery (Nobel Prize worthy. ) only to have it ripped out from under her by three men who would take the credit. Infuriating. Marie Benedict is a gifted writer and historian who brings intelligent trailblazing women to life. I received a complimentary copy of this book. more
Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict is an excellent historical fiction that focusses on the life of Rosalind Franklin. I just loved this book. I have been a fan of Ms. Benedict for some time and have read, and loved, every one of her books. Obviously, I was super excited that she has written yet another gem that highlights the beyond fabulous Rosalind Franklin. more
As a Marie Benedict fan, I love the way she takes little or unknown woman and shines a light on her strength and contributions. The plot usually captivates me with some unusual turns or facts and the thorough research is made easy to understand. This book does none of that. I found the research hard to follow and boring and the redundancy of her life in research, despite changing locations, unappealing. I have an advanced science degree and still was not impressed with the story nor any 'ah ha' moment. more
Marie Benedict is one of my most adored authors. In her books, she has highlighted exceptional women whose brilliant minds have touched upon literature, science and the silver screen. Some very well known and some hidden like this powerful new novel, HIDDEN GENIUS. Hidden Genius is a story about the brilliant discovery of the double helix by Rosalind Franklin, born in London on July 25, 1920, the second of five children from a prominent Anglo-Jewish family. Though her life was short-lived, dying of ovarian cancer in 1958, and at only 38 years old had already published over 40 scientific articles, her contributions in science were overshadowed by James Watson and Francis Crick. more
4. 5 rounded up. Excellent. Hats off to Marie Benedict for bringing forth profound women of importance from the depths of history to their deserved prominence. I had not heard of Rosalind Franklin until reading, 'Her Hidden Genius: A Novel,' and was shocked to learn she was THE scientist to conduct the research and discover the double helix structure of human DNA. more
Did not finish. I have enjoyed Benedict's other books - enormously. This one I found very difficult to follow. Disappointed. more
”I feel like you’re on the brink of a major discovery…”If you love historical fiction or stories of women in STEM, add Her Hidden Genius to your TBR list. Rosalind Franklin is a fascinating figure in real-life scientific history, and her story, as told by Marie Benedict, is artfully-crafted and compelling. ”So to answer your question, Papa—‘to what end’ is my work. I’ll be researching how life itself replicates… Papa, the science I’ll be conducting is the study of life itself. ”Rosalind Franklin was a scientist and chemist in the 1940s whose work was integral to our modern understanding of DNA. more