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January 2019

reviews

The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel by Marie Benedict

The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel by Marie Benedict

She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both?

Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich’s plans while at her husband’s side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.

But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she knew a few secrets about the enemy. She had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis…if anyone would listen to her.

A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication, The Only Woman in the Room is a masterpiece. (publisher)

Hedwig Kiesler is an Austrian Jewish, even if she doesn’t think of her as a Jewish since her family isn’t religious. Rich older man sees her in a stage production of Sisi and wants her. Hedy’s father sees trouble coming and thinks this man, who is an arms dealer, could bring protection for Hedy in the pre-WWII days. After the marriage, the charming man turns into a controlling man who doesn’t want her to carry on acting and just wants a trophy wife to show people.

She manages to escape from her marriage and ends up in Hollywood and carry on her acting career and becomes known as Hedy Lamarr.

I liked the first part in Austria better and learning more about her early years. I felt the latter part of the book was a bit rushed. I didn’t totally buy the author’s idea behind the adoption. She spent the first part of her life not even knowing she was Jewish and then suddenly wanting to save all the Jews.

Also, I felt like her interest in science came from nowhere. During the war when she comes up with the idea of frequency hopping thing but there was no mention in the book before that she had any interest in science and suddenly, she is a genius.

She was a fascinating woman, and this was an interesting read, but I have to admit that I had higher hopes for this one.

3/5

Published: Sourcebooks Landmark (January 8, 2019)
Format: ebook
Source: Netgalley

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2018 End of Year Survey

This annual survey is hosted by the incredibly Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner.

I don’t remember when I have read so few books last so this wasn’t a great reading year in that sense. But there were some great books there.

2018 READING STATS

Number Of Books You Read: 39
Number of Re-Reads: 0
Genre You Read The Most From: Historical

Best in books

Best Book You Read In 2018?
I can’t say only one so here’s top 4 in no particular order:

A King’s Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman
Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh
The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley
The Cold Light of Dawn by Anna Belfrage

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
The Last Hours by Minette Walters. It sounded so promising, I mean medieval and black death, but couldn’t finish the book.

Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Totally different from what I expected.

Best series you started in 2018? Best Sequel of 2018? Best Series Ender of 2018?
Best series you started: Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter 1) by Nalini Singh
Best Sequel: The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley
Best Series Ender: The Flames of Florence: A Da Vinci’s Disciples Novel by Donna Russo Morin

Favorite new author you discovered in 2018?
Nalioni Singh

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Didn’t read anything out of my comfort zone

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018?
Tiffany Blues by M.J. Rose. I feel like every year I choose one of her covers…

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2018 to finally read?
A King’s Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2018?
Shortest: The Three Fates by Kate Quinn
Longest: A King’s Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman

Best 2018 debut you read?
The Lost Queen by Signe Pike