Scan barcode
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
3.0
Ordinary Matters is a short story collection with a difference – each of the stories are inspired by the women who have won the Nobel Prize. Since 1901, women have been recognised for their efforts in science through the Nobel Prize twenty times starting with Marie Curie.
The premise really appealed to me. At the start of each story the name of the woman, the year she won and for what is listed and then at the end there is an Author’s Note which provides some context of what the woman who won the Prize won for and some detail of the life and times she lived in. I read each story then flipped to the end to read the summary for each scientist which I think worked really well.
I understood going in that this was not a short story collection about the prize winners but rather stories that were inspired by them or linked to their discoveries but I was somewhat thrown by just how little link there was especially in the stories towards the end.
The initial stories had clear links – Marie Curie and her daughters are characters in the first story (though not the main voice) so I had expected this to continue but by the latter half there seemed to be almost no discernible connection to the scientist or her research. Perhaps I was missing the subtle clues? However this is simply a matter of expectations as the stories were all within themselves quite excellently written.
The stories span centuries and some are set in the future. There are stories set in the Grand Canyon, Stockholm and closer to home in Queensland. Some focus on the minutia of life while others present an almost fantastical reality. My favourite Something Close to Gold is about a baby that washes up on the beach and is discovered by a woman desperate to become a mother. This is a wondrously written and heartfelt story.
Overall I found the writing mesmerising however I perhaps didn’t love it quite as much as I hoped. If you do pick this up head into it understanding that these stories will not give you a historical insight into the winners of the Nobel Prize but each are very well written short stories about women and their importance in this world.
The premise really appealed to me. At the start of each story the name of the woman, the year she won and for what is listed and then at the end there is an Author’s Note which provides some context of what the woman who won the Prize won for and some detail of the life and times she lived in. I read each story then flipped to the end to read the summary for each scientist which I think worked really well.
I understood going in that this was not a short story collection about the prize winners but rather stories that were inspired by them or linked to their discoveries but I was somewhat thrown by just how little link there was especially in the stories towards the end.
The initial stories had clear links – Marie Curie and her daughters are characters in the first story (though not the main voice) so I had expected this to continue but by the latter half there seemed to be almost no discernible connection to the scientist or her research. Perhaps I was missing the subtle clues? However this is simply a matter of expectations as the stories were all within themselves quite excellently written.
The stories span centuries and some are set in the future. There are stories set in the Grand Canyon, Stockholm and closer to home in Queensland. Some focus on the minutia of life while others present an almost fantastical reality. My favourite Something Close to Gold is about a baby that washes up on the beach and is discovered by a woman desperate to become a mother. This is a wondrously written and heartfelt story.
Overall I found the writing mesmerising however I perhaps didn’t love it quite as much as I hoped. If you do pick this up head into it understanding that these stories will not give you a historical insight into the winners of the Nobel Prize but each are very well written short stories about women and their importance in this world.
rnmcfarlane's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
adelaideandastro's review against another edition
2.5
I enjoy short story compilations by design, that you can return to them over the span of weeks.
At points, however, I didn’t know whether I’d return to Ordinary Matter. The blurb gave quite a misleading impression of the content, and several stories felt like they were prematurely cut-off while the author was just warming up. I enjoyed the premise of a handful of stories, especially when the links to the Nobel Prize winners and their research was clear.
At points, however, I didn’t know whether I’d return to Ordinary Matter. The blurb gave quite a misleading impression of the content, and several stories felt like they were prematurely cut-off while the author was just warming up. I enjoyed the premise of a handful of stories, especially when the links to the Nobel Prize winners and their research was clear.
jm_donellan's review against another edition
5.0
A superb collection of beguiling, haunting, and insightful stories.
moontan17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Thoughtful, evocative and intense. So many of these stories left me winded with their beauty, hopefulness and, at times, an undercurrent of menace. Stunning.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
booksbecreads's review against another edition
3.0
"You want to be as smart as you can, my father told me when i was a girl in Colorado. As brave as you can. As trustworthy and honest. You can never be too much of any of those things"
I would have loved this book more if the stories were directly linked to the women scientists or the discoveries they made, two women made breaking discoveries around insulin which has forever changed my life.
I did find the writing beautiful.
I would have loved this book more if the stories were directly linked to the women scientists or the discoveries they made, two women made breaking discoveries around insulin which has forever changed my life.
I did find the writing beautiful.
keepingupwiththepenguins's review against another edition
3.0
Let’s be clear: the stories in Ordinary Matter aren’t about the women who won the Nobel Prizes, or even necessarily the work they did to win them. Instead, the stories are inspired by them, often only tangentially related to their discoveries. Without the link highlighted by the winner’s name and commendation appearing at the beginning of each story, you’d probably never make the connection. Overall, Ordinary Matter is a mixed bag, but the premise alone will be enough to draw you in.
My full review of Ordinary Matter is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of Ordinary Matter is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
paulineisreading's review against another edition
3.0
Ordinary Matter is a collection of 20 short stories that draws inspiration from female Nobel Prize winners and their works within the Science field. The first story opened up with Marie Curie, the 1903 winner all the way to the last story which closed with Frances Arnold, the 2018 winner. Some stories are based solely on these women and their lives however the majority are very loosely connected to an element or two, involving completely different fictional characters.
The premise of the book is certainly original and interesting. A number of the stories look at the simpler, everyday events that are close to reality while others are more inventive and told from really unique perspectives. The notable highlights for me are those that are more contemporary - namely ‘Witnessing’ and ‘Something Close to Gold’. There’s no doubt that Elvery’s writing is beautiful. She’s one of those writers that have a quiet way in telling a story that would really draw you in.
I did, however, struggle to wrap my head around the timelines of some of the stories and it felt a bit jumpy at times. I found it difficult to keep up with which period the stories are set in as they didn’t match with the prize winning year, and whether the stories are set in the present, past or future. I think i would’ve found it helpful if the timeline was laid out clearer in each story - but that could just be me though, i haven’t heard the same comment from any other reviewers!
Though this one wasn’t my favourite collection, it’s still well worth adding to your list - especially if you’re a fan of short stories.
The premise of the book is certainly original and interesting. A number of the stories look at the simpler, everyday events that are close to reality while others are more inventive and told from really unique perspectives. The notable highlights for me are those that are more contemporary - namely ‘Witnessing’ and ‘Something Close to Gold’. There’s no doubt that Elvery’s writing is beautiful. She’s one of those writers that have a quiet way in telling a story that would really draw you in.
I did, however, struggle to wrap my head around the timelines of some of the stories and it felt a bit jumpy at times. I found it difficult to keep up with which period the stories are set in as they didn’t match with the prize winning year, and whether the stories are set in the present, past or future. I think i would’ve found it helpful if the timeline was laid out clearer in each story - but that could just be me though, i haven’t heard the same comment from any other reviewers!
Though this one wasn’t my favourite collection, it’s still well worth adding to your list - especially if you’re a fan of short stories.