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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
Did you ever have a teacher that had one of the monotone voices that would slowly lull you off to sleep? Well, that is this book. The Atomic Weight of Love by Elizabeth J. Church is Meridian Wallace looking back on her life. Meridian excelled in science and math. She loved birds and wanted to pursue a career in ornithology. She gets a scholarship to the University of Chicago. There, Meridian meets Professor Alden Whetstone who is twenty years older than her. His intellect intrigues Meridian. Alden has to leave college (this is during World War II) for a special, top-secret project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The two continue their relationship long-distance and eventually marry. After Meridian graduates she moves to Los Alamos. It is to be just for a year and then she will go to Cornell (she was accepted and received a scholarship) for her graduate degree (you just know that she will never get there). Read The Atomic Weight of Love to see how Meridian's life turns out.
This book was lacking. It needed some life (like a life without color). Meridian's story is one that has been written about many, many times (it is such a cliche). The difference with this book is the addition of the birds (there is information on birds interspersed throughout the novel) and Meridian's study of crows (she continued it in New Mexico). There is also some information on Alden's work on the atomic bomb. I think in order to enjoy a book you have to like the main character. I did not find Meridian or Alden (especially Alden) appealing. Alden felt he was superior to other people because of his intellect. He was controlling and self-absorbed. I give The Atomic Weight of Love 1 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of The Atomic Weight of Love from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
This book was lacking. It needed some life (like a life without color). Meridian's story is one that has been written about many, many times (it is such a cliche). The difference with this book is the addition of the birds (there is information on birds interspersed throughout the novel) and Meridian's study of crows (she continued it in New Mexico). There is also some information on Alden's work on the atomic bomb. I think in order to enjoy a book you have to like the main character. I did not find Meridian or Alden (especially Alden) appealing. Alden felt he was superior to other people because of his intellect. He was controlling and self-absorbed. I give The Atomic Weight of Love 1 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of The Atomic Weight of Love from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
bird_babe's review against another edition
5.0
thoroughly enjoyed this book. one of my favorites. highly recommend it.
theseventhl's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I loved that this book spent most of its pages in Los Alamos, post-World War 2, a setting and time period I rarely see in fiction narratives. I thought the corvid study information was well done and interesting.
But I didn't really like any of the characters, the romantic angles left me feeling frustrated, and I wish there was more nuance in the depiction of scientists overall. I don't think it helped that the most prominent scientist character - the MC's husband - embodied a lot of the worst stereotypes about scientists. Also, holy shit, every time a fat character is described or talked to, the fatphobia in the narrative just JUMPS OUT. Let fat people live without constantly commenting on their bodies, book!
But the book itself was well written on a craft level, and it's very obvious from the descriptions of the New Mexican landscapes and local life that the author is a LA native.
In the end, I am left conflicted and frustrated with how the story wound up, but intrigued as to whatever else this author has to say.
I loved that this book spent most of its pages in Los Alamos, post-World War 2, a setting and time period I rarely see in fiction narratives. I thought the corvid study information was well done and interesting.
But I didn't really like any of the characters, the romantic angles left me feeling frustrated, and I wish there was more nuance in the depiction of scientists overall. I don't think it helped that the most prominent scientist character - the MC's husband - embodied a lot of the worst stereotypes about scientists. Also, holy shit, every time a fat character is described or talked to, the fatphobia in the narrative just JUMPS OUT. Let fat people live without constantly commenting on their bodies, book!
But the book itself was well written on a craft level, and it's very obvious from the descriptions of the New Mexican landscapes and local life that the author is a LA native.
In the end, I am left conflicted and frustrated with how the story wound up, but intrigued as to whatever else this author has to say.
novelvisits's review against another edition
5.0
The Atomic Weight of Love by Elizabeth J. Church (1st Novel)
Single Sentence Summary: The remarkable life story of a brilliant woman who falls victim to the expectations of the times she lives in, while still searching for her role in the world as it changes.
Primary Characters: Meridian Wallace – a woman of science from the time she was a child. Meridian is both ahead of her time and trapped inside of it. Alden Whetstone – the very accomplished physics professor that Meridian marries. He is 20 years older than she is. Clay – a much younger man and a Vietnam veteran who Meridian meets in her forties.
Synopsis: Growing up in a small Pennsylvania town, Meridian Wallace was ten when she was given her first book about birds. At eleven it was Darwin’s Origin of the Species. She was a woman who reveled in science, and especially ornithology. At 17, in 1941, Meridian set off for the University of Chicago where she was a gifted student, always challenging herself to learn more. While there she met and fell in love with her physics professor, Alden Whetstone. His mind never failed to draw Meridian in.
When the call of WWII and developing the nuclear bomb drew Alden to Los Alamos, he and Meridian quickly married. She temporarily gave up her plans for a graduate degree in ornithology to follow Alden to Los Alamos. One year became two, and two became three, until Meridian realized the dreams of her own advanced degree had ceded to Alden’s greater calling. Through the years Meridian kept up her “science” by researching crows. She met people who influenced her life and understood the doubts she had about compromising her dreams to Alden’s. One of those people was Clay, a Vietnam veteran, who opened up Meridian to many new possibilities. Throughout the 60’s, 70’s and beyond, Meridian was challenged to change with the world or be left behind.
Review: I really loved this debut novel by Elizabeth Church. It was a little slow in the first few chapters, but then it took off and soared! The whole time I was reading The Atomic Weight of Love, I was thinking of my own mother and my grandmother. Meridian would fall roughly between their ages, and so much of what she experienced, the women in my family must also have experienced. Today, a woman as brilliant as Meridian would go off and get as much education as possible. She’d be out in the world using all she had learned to discover new things, write books, educate others.
In the 40’s and 50’s, it was the expectation that a woman would follow her husband and his career path even if it meant giving up her own. Most of the women at Los Alamos had abandoned careers and dreams for their husbands’ “greater” contributions. When talking with a friend about the “assumed compliance” of the wives living in Los Alamos Meridian comments,
“What I mean is that the entire culture assumed, right along with our husbands. It was understood. And while they might well respect us, sometimes even be a tad less intelligent than us, by marrying them we tacitly agreed to a contract in which we would sublimate. They did not have to subjugate – we did that for them.”
Meridian struggled with her lost career her entire life, but for most of it she couldn’t see her way clear to do things any differently. Like my grandmother, and to a lesser extent my mother, Meridian’s destiny was rooted in her husband’s choices.
I loved the changes in Meridian as she began to evolve with changing times. Clay, a much younger man, challenged Meridian to put herself first and look at what she wanted and needed most in her life. Church did a brilliant job of developing the female characters in The Atomic Weight of Love, even the lesser ones. You knew them well and understood the choices they made and the demands the times placed on each. The men seemed a little bit one-dimensional, but it was really Meridian’s story so that can be forgiven.
The author titled every chapter after a species of bird, telling what that species is called as a group and relating a small detail about each species. I grew to look forward to that little tidbit at the start of each chapter. Well done! Grade: A
Single Sentence Summary: The remarkable life story of a brilliant woman who falls victim to the expectations of the times she lives in, while still searching for her role in the world as it changes.
Primary Characters: Meridian Wallace – a woman of science from the time she was a child. Meridian is both ahead of her time and trapped inside of it. Alden Whetstone – the very accomplished physics professor that Meridian marries. He is 20 years older than she is. Clay – a much younger man and a Vietnam veteran who Meridian meets in her forties.
Synopsis: Growing up in a small Pennsylvania town, Meridian Wallace was ten when she was given her first book about birds. At eleven it was Darwin’s Origin of the Species. She was a woman who reveled in science, and especially ornithology. At 17, in 1941, Meridian set off for the University of Chicago where she was a gifted student, always challenging herself to learn more. While there she met and fell in love with her physics professor, Alden Whetstone. His mind never failed to draw Meridian in.
When the call of WWII and developing the nuclear bomb drew Alden to Los Alamos, he and Meridian quickly married. She temporarily gave up her plans for a graduate degree in ornithology to follow Alden to Los Alamos. One year became two, and two became three, until Meridian realized the dreams of her own advanced degree had ceded to Alden’s greater calling. Through the years Meridian kept up her “science” by researching crows. She met people who influenced her life and understood the doubts she had about compromising her dreams to Alden’s. One of those people was Clay, a Vietnam veteran, who opened up Meridian to many new possibilities. Throughout the 60’s, 70’s and beyond, Meridian was challenged to change with the world or be left behind.
Review: I really loved this debut novel by Elizabeth Church. It was a little slow in the first few chapters, but then it took off and soared! The whole time I was reading The Atomic Weight of Love, I was thinking of my own mother and my grandmother. Meridian would fall roughly between their ages, and so much of what she experienced, the women in my family must also have experienced. Today, a woman as brilliant as Meridian would go off and get as much education as possible. She’d be out in the world using all she had learned to discover new things, write books, educate others.
In the 40’s and 50’s, it was the expectation that a woman would follow her husband and his career path even if it meant giving up her own. Most of the women at Los Alamos had abandoned careers and dreams for their husbands’ “greater” contributions. When talking with a friend about the “assumed compliance” of the wives living in Los Alamos Meridian comments,
“What I mean is that the entire culture assumed, right along with our husbands. It was understood. And while they might well respect us, sometimes even be a tad less intelligent than us, by marrying them we tacitly agreed to a contract in which we would sublimate. They did not have to subjugate – we did that for them.”
Meridian struggled with her lost career her entire life, but for most of it she couldn’t see her way clear to do things any differently. Like my grandmother, and to a lesser extent my mother, Meridian’s destiny was rooted in her husband’s choices.
I loved the changes in Meridian as she began to evolve with changing times. Clay, a much younger man, challenged Meridian to put herself first and look at what she wanted and needed most in her life. Church did a brilliant job of developing the female characters in The Atomic Weight of Love, even the lesser ones. You knew them well and understood the choices they made and the demands the times placed on each. The men seemed a little bit one-dimensional, but it was really Meridian’s story so that can be forgiven.
The author titled every chapter after a species of bird, telling what that species is called as a group and relating a small detail about each species. I grew to look forward to that little tidbit at the start of each chapter. Well done! Grade: A
barefootmegz's review against another edition
5.0
Huh. It's rare for me to read the typical "book club" picks, and rarer for me to enjoy them. But there is something about well-written books featuring scientific women in a time before women in STEM was encouraged. (I liked [b:The Signature of All Things|17465453|The Signature of All Things|Elizabeth Gilbert|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1364277893s/17465453.jpg|21889418] by Elizabeth Gilbert in the same way.)
I guess my feminism and my love of science is my bias, so maybe people who don't share that won't share my views on the book. I don't know if this is a literary masterpiece, but I enjoyed the book so much that I definitely didn't know any possible issues in the writing.
I will say that I expected maybe a LITTLE more ornithology, but I did enjoy the start of each chapter, and the fact that Meridian finds the crows in Los Alamos and so could continue her observations.
I was sad for her, and Belle and Clay's arrival made me really happy. I feel they really provided growth for Meri.
At the same time I felt a little disappointed that Meri's views on the nuclear bombs and the fallout remained fairly rigid and that she insisted on separating herself from the young people she met. But maybe this is purposeful because I don't think Church intended to write a political statement and maybe Meri should be fallible, especially as she remained a product of her era.
What REALLY satisfied me was near the end, when Meridian addresses the lives of her peers directly, and impresses the fact that scientific women who gave up their careers are not less fully-formed for it. The kind of empathy expressed for women in an age who were so pressured by their communities, and sometimes gave in, is something I haven't seen before in a work of fiction. These women weren't made out to be weak for the decisions they made.
I loved this book. I did. I loved Marvella and Wingspan too, and I was left inspired.
Disclaimer: I received a free eARC via NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I guess my feminism and my love of science is my bias, so maybe people who don't share that won't share my views on the book. I don't know if this is a literary masterpiece, but I enjoyed the book so much that I definitely didn't know any possible issues in the writing.
I will say that I expected maybe a LITTLE more ornithology, but I did enjoy the start of each chapter, and the fact that Meridian finds the crows in Los Alamos and so could continue her observations.
I was sad for her, and Belle and Clay's arrival made me really happy. I feel they really provided growth for Meri.
At the same time I felt a little disappointed that Meri's views on the nuclear bombs and the fallout remained fairly rigid and that she insisted on separating herself from the young people she met. But maybe this is purposeful because I don't think Church intended to write a political statement and maybe Meri should be fallible, especially as she remained a product of her era.
What REALLY satisfied me was near the end, when Meridian addresses the lives of her peers directly, and impresses the fact that scientific women who gave up their careers are not less fully-formed for it. The kind of empathy expressed for women in an age who were so pressured by their communities, and sometimes gave in, is something I haven't seen before in a work of fiction. These women weren't made out to be weak for the decisions they made.
I loved this book. I did. I loved Marvella and Wingspan too, and I was left inspired.
Disclaimer: I received a free eARC via NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
bellamonster's review against another edition
4.0
Follows a very predictable storyline much like many other books, but the commentary was still impactful.
gwalt118's review against another edition
3.0
In this novel, Elizabeth J. Church chronicles the life of Meridian Wallace, wife of Alden Whetstone, who gives up many of her dreams (academic, professional, personal) for her husband's ambitions. It's a story of a woman who is far too influenced by social pressures and struggles to break free of the confined life she and her husband have created. The beginning of the novel and the end of the novel are excellent; the middle is slow, and I found myself waiting, wishing, hoping for Meridian to take some sort of action. I found myself staunchly disagreeing and sympathizing with Meridian at the same time. The characters in this novel, specifically Meridian, frustrated me immensely. This is a good novel; however, if you're a fan of a lot of action rather than description and contemplative thoughts, you may not enjoy it.
thethirdcrouch's review against another edition
4.0
I remember a TV host asked about why do we still choose to love someone even if it hurts. I think this is more about people who've been hurt by past relationships and still choosing to love again. She answered that it is because we like how it feels, that we cherish being in love and being loved. I heard this during the time that I was angry, furious at Meridian's husband and at her. In this post-pandemic era people would call it red flags. Those kind of astute nerd guys are devoid of emotional intelligence it's impossible he felt love for her. It's him roleplaying what patriarchy expected him to do. A task, a sort of obligation as an eomployee to the company. Then she'd meet and have an affair with a young man named Clay who was too good to be true that I didn't want to fall in love in their relationship. He's really good, thank you very much. He cared for her and her crows and he liberated her. She healed him. He was there at the right time much like Belle was. Belle was there to inspire her in her career and shower her love. Clay was too.
Towards the latter of the story, her husband fell ill at the time when she had decied to leave him and get her life back. She didn't leave him. She chose to stay by his side. I think it's guilt. I don't believe it's love or whatnot. It's unfair and I hate it. Especially what she learned after this. And there's a woman named Emma who she'd confide during these times but she's not Belle. Belle would be my avatar in this story and I know she won't let Meri accept patriarchy's fate for her. This Emma is the counter that people would use right now, coincidentally, against Rachel Zegler's comments anout her role as the live-action Snow White. Emma chose and likes domesticity, being a housewife, caring for her husband. I understnd this and I know feminism accepts this as long as it is the woman's decision and she has agency. Emma has. But then again I always think how much of this is their dream growing up and how much was just settling down because you became a wife and a mother and it is the patriarchy's choice that the woman should care for the family. It is noble and it is a remarkable task but, much like what Meri did when she married her husband, it was her sacrifice. She chose it ultimately but why is it her sacrifice to make? Emma clearly expressed that she chose her role and understood that women deserve the freedom of choice but she's weirdly holding Meri back. There was this implicit notion that her choice was the default one but Meri's was rebellion, an escape from the normal, from the safety.
Another funny coincidence is me reading this book and then Oppenheimer came out. This novel gave more grounded view of America during the war and glimpses of the bombs' implications. But this novel is a love story. Of a woman to her self and her dreams. Of a woman to the man she deserves should she choose to give love. I hope everyone finds love, romantic or otherwise, who let's them be free as the birds of the wild. Ultimately I think Meri did. She deserved better. Some time I'll be able to reconcile that.
Towards the latter of the story, her husband fell ill at the time when she had decied to leave him and get her life back. She didn't leave him. She chose to stay by his side. I think it's guilt. I don't believe it's love or whatnot. It's unfair and I hate it. Especially what she learned after this. And there's a woman named Emma who she'd confide during these times but she's not Belle. Belle would be my avatar in this story and I know she won't let Meri accept patriarchy's fate for her. This Emma is the counter that people would use right now, coincidentally, against Rachel Zegler's comments anout her role as the live-action Snow White. Emma chose and likes domesticity, being a housewife, caring for her husband. I understnd this and I know feminism accepts this as long as it is the woman's decision and she has agency. Emma has. But then again I always think how much of this is their dream growing up and how much was just settling down because you became a wife and a mother and it is the patriarchy's choice that the woman should care for the family. It is noble and it is a remarkable task but, much like what Meri did when she married her husband, it was her sacrifice. She chose it ultimately but why is it her sacrifice to make? Emma clearly expressed that she chose her role and understood that women deserve the freedom of choice but she's weirdly holding Meri back. There was this implicit notion that her choice was the default one but Meri's was rebellion, an escape from the normal, from the safety.
Another funny coincidence is me reading this book and then Oppenheimer came out. This novel gave more grounded view of America during the war and glimpses of the bombs' implications. But this novel is a love story. Of a woman to her self and her dreams. Of a woman to the man she deserves should she choose to give love. I hope everyone finds love, romantic or otherwise, who let's them be free as the birds of the wild. Ultimately I think Meri did. She deserved better. Some time I'll be able to reconcile that.
bristlecone's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written story about how we sacrifice and how build our dreams and lives. I enjoyed Meridian and a story that pays full credit to the hardships, resentment, and struggled of bright and talented women who sacrificed their dreams for their spouses, families, and sexists demands of society
pallavi_sharma87's review against another edition
4.0
Its the story of a woman and her life.
It is this portrayal of intelligent woman that highlights the story. Meridian Wallace is a bit of a snob who thinks, she is different than other girls and is very much interested in science. And rejects her own age boys for a older professor, Alden Whetstone whom she feels is equal to her intellectual ability. Meridian's ambitions are put on hold when she marries Alden and decides to go to live with him where he is on a "top-secret-mission-on-war". She herself decides to postpone her studies each year to find bliss in her marriage and end up doing nothing and trying different things to satisfy herself. The frustration of not pursuing her career shows up in her marriage in different ways at different times. This lack of interest/romance attracts her to a younger man, Clay. Clay is a man of new ideas and supports Meridian immensely.
The main characters come from different age groups and Church has successfully shown that age specific traits in their behavior. Meridian, who sacrifices her career for her husband's career (Isn't the world full of such woman), Alden, busy with his aspirations knows that he is the reason for his wife's abrupt stop of higher studies tries to fill in her with love, but he is completely unaware of how to move forward romantically. And last, Clay, young, energetic but too good to be believed. Personally, I can relate to Meri and Alden, but there are no Clay's I have met or heard.
I loved Meri's childhood, the dad and birds. The enthusiasm of the child to learn is the best part. The only point which made me NOT give 5 stars is, I felt that some passages where a bit draggy and too descriptive.
Total 4 stars!
It is this portrayal of intelligent woman that highlights the story. Meridian Wallace is a bit of a snob who thinks, she is different than other girls and is very much interested in science. And rejects her own age boys for a older professor, Alden Whetstone whom she feels is equal to her intellectual ability. Meridian's ambitions are put on hold when she marries Alden and decides to go to live with him where he is on a "top-secret-mission-on-war". She herself decides to postpone her studies each year to find bliss in her marriage and end up doing nothing and trying different things to satisfy herself. The frustration of not pursuing her career shows up in her marriage in different ways at different times. This lack of interest/romance attracts her to a younger man, Clay. Clay is a man of new ideas and supports Meridian immensely.
The main characters come from different age groups and Church has successfully shown that age specific traits in their behavior. Meridian, who sacrifices her career for her husband's career (Isn't the world full of such woman), Alden, busy with his aspirations knows that he is the reason for his wife's abrupt stop of higher studies tries to fill in her with love, but he is completely unaware of how to move forward romantically. And last, Clay, young, energetic but too good to be believed. Personally, I can relate to Meri and Alden, but there are no Clay's I have met or heard.
I loved Meri's childhood, the dad and birds. The enthusiasm of the child to learn is the best part. The only point which made me NOT give 5 stars is, I felt that some passages where a bit draggy and too descriptive.
Total 4 stars!