Stephen P. Kiernan
Expected publication date: May 5, 2020
From the critically acclaimed author of The Baker’s Secret and The Curiosity comes a novel of conscience, love, and redemption—a fascinating fictionalized account of the life of Charlie Fisk, a gifted mathematician who was drafted into Manhattan Project and ordered against his morals to build the detonator for the atomic bomb. With his musician wife, he spends his postwar life seeking redemption—and they find it together.There are so many interesting elements here - based on a real person, historical fiction, and a love story to boot!
Graduating from Harvard at the height of World War II, brilliant mathematician Charlie Fish is assigned to the Manhattan Project. Working with some of the age’s greatest scientific minds, including J. Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, and Leo Szilard, Charlie is assigned the task of designing and building the detonator of the atomic bomb.
As he performs that work Charlie suffers a crisis of conscience, which his wife, Brenda—unaware of the true nature of Charlie’s top-secret task—mistakes as self-doubt. She urges him to set aside his qualms and continue. Once the bombs strike Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the feelings of culpability devastate him and Brenda.
At the war’s end, Charlie receives a scholarship to pursue a PhD in physics at Stanford—an opportunity he and Brenda hope will allow them a fresh start. But the past proves inescapable. All any of his new colleagues can talk about is the bomb, and what greater atomic weapons might be on the horizon. Haunted by guilt, Charlie and Brenda leave Stanford and decide to dedicate the rest of their lives to making amends for the evil he helped to birth into the world.
Based on the life of the actual mathematician Charles B. Fisk, Universe of Two combines riveting historical drama with a poignant love story. Stephen Kiernan has conjured a remarkable account of two people struggling to heal their consciences and find peace in a world forever changed. - from Goodreads
Oh gosh, what a life they led. It definitely leaves me wanting to know what happened to them for sure.
ReplyDeleteRight??
DeleteWow, this sounds like it's going to be a powerful read. I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne!
DeleteOhhh! This has sounds an intriguing premise! I love a book that has these types of elements as well. :)
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DeleteI've been seeing this one around a lot lately and I love the sound of it--very compelling!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteOkay. Need this book! :D
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteI hope you really enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb!
DeleteThis sounds so interesting. I’ve heard of Fisk before in relation to his place in history but it would be fascinating to read his side of the story (even if it’s factionalized).
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteI think this one sounds like it will be a good one!
ReplyDeleteMy CWW
I agree!
DeleteI must admit, I became interested in this book as soon as I saw Manhattan Project. I am all about that science
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, you are!
DeleteOh this sounds really good. I've wondered at times if the people who worked on projects like that ever had crises of conscience or regrets- I'm sure they did given the huge ramifications of their work. Fascinating topic!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know, they must have felt so conflicted!
DeleteHmmm...this looks like an interesting book! Great pick!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my WoW!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Thanks, Ronyell!
DeleteThis sounds like a really good book club read. I'm going to add it to my list. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTressa @ Wishful Endings
Awesome, hope you love it!
DeleteI rarely puck up historical fiction, but I hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alicia!
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