Her Hidden Genius is another fantastic novel about extraordinary but forgotten women by Marie Benedict. Specializing in women with great impact who have been neglected by history, Benedict again sheds new light on the life of a remarkable woman.
Rosalind Franklin never quite fits into the world she inhabits, whether it’s in a post-WWII Paris or a competitive Cold War London. Yet her brilliant skill and expertise in X-rays land her working on cutting-edge DNA research, unlocking the mysteries of life itself. Yet there are always others who will ruthlessly usurp another’s research, and the sharks of the labs have scented blood in the water.
A powerful, touching story, Her Hidden Genius paints a complex picture of a remarkable woman. Rosalind is deeply empathetic, working in a man’s world and facing horrific sexism. She also comes across as identifiably on the spectrum, giving a positive role model to anyone struggling with a similar brain. While the snapshot style of prose can be a little repetitive at times, the great depth of feeling brings the reader through it and, along with the narrator, to a triumphant conclusion.