I am quickly becoming a fan of Marie Benedict’s commitment to showcasing lesser known women from history who had a big impact. Yes to women lifting up other women!

In her new release, pub date January 25/2022, Marie Benedict shares the story of Dr. Rosalind Franklin - a pioneer in X-ray crystallography and the structure of DNA. In 1950s Britain, as a woman in STEM, Dr. Franklin is dismissed and repeatedly disrespected because of her gender. We all know the story of a woman who needs to work twice as hard to get the recognition she deserves, only to have a man swoop in and steal the credit she rightfully deserves.

Scientists and science afficianados will love the level of detail in this novel. Benedict did not shy away from putting the science front and centre - I am in awe of the amount of research and comprehension required to do this story justice.

While I enjoyed this novel and loved learning about this exemplary woman, it was a bit outside my wheelhouse. I found myself skipping the science-y passages as they just didn’t hold my attention.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Marie Benedict for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Her Hidden Genius” follows the story of Rosalind Franklin, a woman who dedicated her life to science and whose scientific contributes helped to advance the understanding about humankind.

Whether working at a university in London, or in a laboratory in Paris, in the aftermath of World War II, Rosalind always felt close to science and the unchanging laws of physics and chemistry. When Rosalind is assigned to work on DNA, she believes that if there is someone who can unearth its secrets, it’s most definitely her.

“Her Hidden Genius” tells us about the struggles of a woman working in a male dominant field; how competition drives scientific discoveries; and how the life’s work of one person can forever change humankind, after the double helix structure of DNA reveals itself.

Sometimes I forget how much I like reading Historical Fiction, and I’m so thankful that books like “Her Hidden Genius” remind me that I really do!!!

Whenever I decide to pick up an historical fiction novel, I tend to go for the ones that try to tell the unknown stories of the past, that strive to go deeper and to show just how complex and not linear history is; and how, more often than not, some important voices have been silence in the dominant version of history.

In this novel, Marie Benedict explores how Rosalind, a young female scientist, had to navigate her way around a male-dominated field, and deal with all the prejudices that includes, while still founding a way to completely dedicate her life to her work, her great legacy to humankind.

Thank you to @netgalley, @bookmarked and @authormariebenedict for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Having read and loved several books by Marie Benedict including my favorites The Personal Librarian and Carnegie’s Maid. I looked forward to reading Her Hidden Genius.. I particularly enjoyed the first forty percent of the book and how Marie Benedict brought the human side of Dr. Rosalind Franklin to life. Benedict’s descriptions of the workplace and friendships Rosalind formed in France under Monsieur Mathieu and Jacques Mering kept me interested. Once Rosalind returned to England, I began to have difficulty staying focused on her scientific work with DNA and found myself skimming some parts to get to personal parts of her story. My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions n this review are my own.

This is the story of Rosalind Franklin, the scientist who's work with x-ray crystallography uncovered the double helix structure of DNA, as well as understanding the molecular structure of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal and graphite. Because of the timing, and the field of science being saturated almost exclusively with men, Rosalind did not get the credit she so rightly deserved. This book was both interesting and infuriating for that reason. Before I read this book, I had never even heard of Rosalind Franklin. I am so glad I got the chance to read this and learn about her contributions. The book did seem a bit slow at some parts, but I think that was more because of the science aspect, and lets be honest here.... science was NOT my strong point in school. If you are a fan of historical fiction then you will definitely want to check this one out.

The story begins in Paris, France, where Rosalind Franklin accepts a position as a researcher at a chemistry institute. During the war she faced discrimination at the hands of her male colleagues, forcing her to seek an opportunity abroad, much to her parents chagrin. Franklin finds the environment completely different in France, researchers frequently collaborate and are open minded to feedback, there is none of the discrimination she faced in England, and she even opens herself up to the possibility of love. She eventually makes her way back home to England and accepts a position at Kings College, there she will be working on uncovering the structure of DNA. Coming back to England meant that she would be going back to the old boys club, lines are drawn early and a rivalry quickly forms between her and one of her male colleagues. As the race heats up to uncover the structure of DNA, Franklin begins to question wether or not she wants to continue at Kings College, she decides to leave for a smaller institution and tries to get on with her career. Luckily she finds another great group of people to work with and is thriving, unfortunately she is given terrible news, bringingthis brilliant researchers life and career to a halt.

This is my third book by Benedict and I love how she can fully capture her subjects in a way that makes for great reading. Since these are fictionalized versions of their life, her books always make me want to go out and read more on the subject afterward. I breezed through this book, the writing was concise and held my interest throughout. I have to admit to scanning over the more technical parts to get to the relationships she had with her love interests and her colleagues, but I'm not science-minded so that might not be the case for everyone.

Her Hidden Genius
By Marie Benedict

Rich Writing and a Riveting Story

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
1947: 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.

1951: After a devastating broken heart, Rosalind does move back to London to work at Kings College Biophysics Research Unit, where she is surprised to be assigned the study of the structure of cell DNA. It’s a far cry from her previous expertise on nonliving structures but capitalizes on her knowledge and skills as an X-ray crystallographer. She is also told she is expected to be the first to map the structure of DNA and unlock the exact location of genetic material. The competition to be the first was ferocious, and Rosalind needed to stay on guard to ensure no one stole her research while at the same time fighting vehemently against women stereotypes.

REVIEW
Author Marie Benedict significantly and keenly writes about women of the past who have contributed much to society but received little or no recognition for their accomplishments. Dr. Rosalind Franklin is a perfect candidate for Benedict’s pen. Many books have been published about Rosalind’s research, some crediting her with the discovery while others crediting the men who used her research. The story is riveting, and the writing is rich.

HER HIDDEN GENIUS is both a dramatic and an enlightening book of a woman of courage and determination. Benedict’s detailed research and her fictional presentation helps us imagine the struggles Rosalind faced and appreciate her not only as a researcher but also as a daughter, sister, friend, and colleague. Readers will love the challenge of learning about x-ray diffraction and the study of DNA.

Other notable women that Benedict has written about include Mitza Maric (THE OTHER EINSTEIN), Clara Kelly (CARNEGIE’s MAID), Hedy Lamar (THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM) and Bella De Costa Greene (THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN)

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rosalind Franklin, a brilliant outsider, shuns the conventional path her family and society plans for her to pursue her passion for science. From the laboratories of Paris to London, her determination and trailblazing discoveries are applauded by some and ridiculed by others. Marie Benedict once again introduces us to an amazing woman whose contributions to the world have been dismissed or forgotten. Her illuminating narrative inspired me to learn more about this incredible genius whose hard work and sacrifice paved the way for generations of female scientists. I highly recommend this well-researched, fascinating glimpse of a DNA pioneer.

Marie Benedict just keeps on turning out wonderful books about women we don't know about but should! In Her Hidden Genius, she chronicles the life Rosalind Franklin, discovers the secrets of DNA, including its helix form. A brilliant researcher who doesn't suffer fools gladly, Rosalind comes from a wealthy British family who expects her to get married and have babies. But Rosalind has other ideas for her life that don't include those things, and after achieving her doctorate becomes a brilliant researcher, first in Paris and later in the UK. But women just don't do what she does, and Rosalind has to fight for the recognition she deserves.

Her Hidden Genius is a well researched, hugely interesting, brilliant take on Rosalind's life. As I turned the last page I wanted to read it over again immediately! A must read for anyone interested in brilliant women (which should be just about everyone!).

Amazing story of a woman scientist, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was excellent but who wasn't appreciated as a professional because she was a woman. We learn about her life, her struggles, and her passions. Her life changes the world, and in the process the world changes her. Marie Benedict again delivers an intriguing historical fiction read!

This made me wonder what Dr. Rosalind Franklin would have accomplished had she not died at the age of 37. She was key to the discovery of DNA but did not receive the attention or acclaim of her colleagues, in part due to her death but also due to her gender. Born into a prominent family, she defied expectations for women of the era, studying at Cambridge. Her research took her between labs in France and the UK. Her frustration with her colleagues comes through loud and clear, especially Maurice Wilkins, who undermines her when he isn't stealing her work. There's a lot of info about DNA here (perhaps a tad too much). If I have a quibble it's that there's more about her grievances than positive aspects of her life outside the lab. That said, I enjoyed this opportunity to learn about a pioneer in a critical field. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read I'd definitely urge as a crossover for the YA crowd.

As a woman who works in the molecular biology field I know about Rosalind Franklin. She is admired by every woman in STEM that I know. She is part of the building blocks for what my field has become. And I hope this book makes more people aware of her. I loved getting this personal side of her story and Benedict's writing had me so engrossed that I finished this in a day. I think the science is well explained and not overwhelming. Definitely definitely recommend!

The Hidden Genius tells the story of Dr. Rosalind Franklin--don't call her Rosy! She has spent years working on DNA using X-ray constellations to unlock its meaning. Though she has colleagues who conspire instead of collaborating, Rosalind is determined not to let anything interfere with her investigation. After painstaking years of study, she sees the double helix structure in DNA. But will she receive the right credit for her contribution?

First of all, let me start with the title and the cover. What a beautiful cover and fitting title. I know this is a work of fiction, but I praise Marie Benedict's skill in bringing a character to life. I found myself amazed, amazed at Rosalind's dedication and patience to get the science right during her study. I learned so much about this remarkable woman who sacrificed so much on her journey with the DNA.

I love Marie Benedict's work and all I can say is, I hope she keeps them coming. Rosalind was a hidden genius who wasn't given the credit she deserved for the work that she put in. Marie Benedict gave her depth and built Rosalind's world so I felt as if I were experiencing everything as it happened. I really enjoyed this read.

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC.

Another fabulous story about a woman whose intellect and incredible drive allowed her to discover the true structure of DNA despite the discovery being credited to two male colleagues. Rosalind Franklin truly was a genius who didn't get the credit she deserved in her lifetime. I really enjoyed reading about her rigorous research and ethics, and how she kept on working her hardest while she was belittled by male scientist. Marie Benedict's does a great job researching her books, and how she strives to bring light to women who were slighted.

Marie Benedict is quickly becoming the preeminent author of biographical fiction. Her Hidden Genius is a compelling look at Rosalind Franklin, a scientist who was important to discoveries in DNA and viruses that shaped our understanding of the world. Not only did Benedict need to research the Franklin and the history of the time period, but the science of DNA as well. Her work pays off, shining a much needed light on an important historical figure in an accessible way. This is sure to be a book club favorite.

Marie Benedict is one of my favorite authors. I love how she brings unknown women to our attention. The first part of Her Hidden Genius was slow for me. However, I stuck with it and was rewarded with the remarkable accomplishments of Rosalind Franklin and her DNA research. There is a lot of science in this book, but it is not necessary to understand all of it. The science shows us the breadth of Franklin's knowledge and her obsession for collecting data. Watson and Crick received the Nobel Prize for their work in DNA. Rosalind Franklin did not receive her recognition until after her death. Thank you, Marie Benedict, for making this woman's life and work known to us.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley for making this book available to me for review.

I have read and enjoyed all of Marie Benedict’s other works. I was excited to read this novel about someone I knew very little about. In her other books. I found myself googling to find out if these events truly happened. Not so much with this one. Something about the language left my interest waning. It took me much longer to read this than I expected because it just wasn’t captivating. That being said, I will still be on the lookout for anything else she writes in the hope that I find it more engaging. In the meantime, I’ll be taking a break from historical fiction.

I love Marie Benedict's take on famous, and not so famous women, through history. This book is about Rosalind Franklin who has only recently been put into the spotlight for her work on understanding the structure of DNA.
One of the things I found really interesting about this book, is all of the different places she had worked over her years. I think the war had had a big impact on her and it was interesting to see how that played into her decision making process.

3.5 ⭐️s rounded up

“This will be your task, Miss Franklin—not just to map the molecular structure of DNA with an eye toward discovering the location of genes with your brilliant skills as an X-ray crystallographer but to beat anyone else who enters the race.”

Ms. Benedict once again shines a light on an under-appreciated, historically significant female figure. Rosalind Franklin’s mid century meticulous research regarding DNA and RNA structure is embellished with stories of ego, personal passion, money and intellectual sabotage. The revelations about scientific research and the rush to publish at the expense of data integrity, is perhaps more timely than ever.

I enjoyed the story, but I am not a science lover, and found the novel’s set up to move at pace too slow for me. Unsurprisingly, I felt much more engaged to the (imagined) human side of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Marie Benedict has a wonderful way of bringing little-known female historical figures to life. Her Hidden Genius tells the story of Rosalind Franklin, who was part of the "race" to discover the structure of DNA.

Rosalind believes strongly that women can choose science or marriage, but not both. She comes from a well-to-do Jewish family that believes strongly in giving back to the world, but thinks the way to do that is to volunteer, serve on committees, and attend fundraisers. They do not understand why she wants to be a scientist and work long hours, wearing herself out. And they certainly don't understand why she won't settle down with a good Jewish boy, get married and have children! But Rosalind knows that her not her path.

Rosalind is a brillant X-ray crystallographist, using brand-new techniques to use X-rays to "see" the atomic structure of different materials. The book chronicles her life from when she began at a lab in France, learning the techniques to use the X-ray crystallography to capture images that can be converted into 3-D images using mathematical calculations and spatial abilities, to her time in England at King's College and Birkbeck College, where she mapped out the structure of DNA.

As you might remember from science class, Crick and Watson got credit for discovering the structure of DNA, but I learned from this book why they get the credit and not Rosalind. It is a fascinating story, and Benedict does a wonderful job of sharing Rosalind's personal and professional triumphs and tragedies.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves history and learning about relatively unknown trailblazers in science. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

Highly recommend! The story was beautifully written and the characters stay with you long after you put the book down. The first book by this author for me to read but I cannot wait to read more!