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May book - The Wives of Los Alamos

(105 Posts)
LucyGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 01-May-14 10:38:36

This month's book pick is The Wives of Los Alamos...

Told in the collective voices of the wives of the men who created the atom bomb, this is the bold and emotionally charged story of the women of Los Alamos.

Their average age was twenty-five. They came from Berkeley, Cambridge, Paris, London and Chicago - and arrived in New Mexico ready for adventure. But hope quickly turned to hardship in the desolate military town where everything was a secret; including what their husbands were doing at the lab.

If you received one of our free copies don't forget to leave your comments and questions below! We'll be sending questions off to TaraShea towards the end of May.

pattieb Mon 05-May-14 14:54:53

Thanks for my copy of this unusual book
I have started it and my question is, what was the impetus to write this book and why did the author choose this writing style?

is there a link to your Phd ?

merlotgran Mon 05-May-14 14:26:35

I've just started it and now I've got used to the writing style I'm finding it hard to put down.

chloe1984 Sun 04-May-14 21:18:58

I really enjoyed it even though the style of writing was a first for me. Ashamed to say that the subject matter was fairly new to me and I found it absorbing , loved the way the writer managed to convey so much in a few sentences of very descriptive writing.

Deedaa Sun 04-May-14 20:23:54

I'm not minding the style at all. I haven't got very far yet but I think it's going to be riveting. What a situation to be in! It's like a witness protection programme on a huge scale.

inishowen Sun 04-May-14 18:41:37

I got mine yesterday. As usual a lovely surprise. I started reading last night and found the style very unusual. I keep waiting for it to change, but maybe it will remain throughout the book. I'm finding it a bit tiresome so far.

Frannygranny Sat 03-May-14 22:51:34

Thank you, my copy arrived this morning. Looking forward to reading it.

numberplease Sat 03-May-14 21:51:09

I`ve started to read my copy, a very different writing style , haven`t come across it before, still not sure if I like it or not.

Deedaa Sat 03-May-14 21:13:01

Mine arrived yesterday and I'm looking forward to starting it shortly.

chloe1984 Sat 03-May-14 20:49:00

Thank you for my copy will be starting it tonight

EastEndGranny Sat 03-May-14 20:25:35

Sorry! I forgot to say thank you for my copy.

EastEndGranny Sat 03-May-14 20:24:57

Thought I had missed out but my copy arrived yesterday. I have read the first 20 or so pages and am intrigued with the way it has been written. I haven't read the blurb but have guessed what it is about from the title. The way it has been written so far is building up a real creepiness about where the women are going but not sure it is going to carry me through to the end. Still I'm looking forward to trying.

morag89 Sat 03-May-14 19:49:53

Thank you for my copy which arrived yesterday.. I agree with the comments of eGJ, it is the first time I have read a book in this style. I have also read it through, I felt having been a military family for over 20 years there were a few similarities.........

matson Sat 03-May-14 17:46:25

thank you for my copy, I have started to read it today, interesting concept for a novel, I must admit to not realising that the scientists families were with them during the research.

Maggiemaybe Sat 03-May-14 12:46:43

I thought I might have missed out this time, but my copy of The Wives of Alamo has just arrived. Thank you so much, Gransnet - this promises to be a really interesting read. smile

DonnaBe Sat 03-May-14 11:49:26

How do you all get on with the 1st person plural narrative?

merlotgran Sat 03-May-14 11:28:56

Mine arrived yesterday. Thank you, GNet.

eGJ Sat 03-May-14 08:35:42

Mine arrive d yesterday; thank you. I sat down and read it in one sitting. An odd style of writing, but one which draws you in right away. It feels autobiographical, even though you are fully aware it is written recently. An interesting read and Tara Shea Nesbit has really tried to capture the atmosphere of the events. Just one small gripe. After the second event she writes that at one party the British toasted the Queen.............. It was still the King then. Apart from that an interesting insight into events 60 -69 years ago!

carol49cat Fri 02-May-14 19:17:41

Thank you, my copy arrived today. Having visited the strange place that is Los Alamos today, I am really looking forward to reading the back story.

Gagagran Fri 02-May-14 16:54:26

My copy came this lunchtime - just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Thank you GN. I love getting these books from the GN book club. sunshine

emmasnan Fri 02-May-14 16:10:39

Thank you, my book arrived a this afternoon. Looking forward to reading it this weekend.

grandma60 Fri 02-May-14 15:59:11

Thankyou. I have just got home from a week away visiting family and the bok ws waiting on the door mat. A lovely suprise.

numberplease Fri 02-May-14 15:29:00

Thank you for my copy, it arrived just before lunchtime, looking forward to reading it. And thanks to Gransnet for introducing me to several other genres of reading matter, different to my usual choices.

winifred01 Fri 02-May-14 14:35:31

Many thanks- The wives of Los Alamos arrived today.
Look forward to reading it.

Helen2014 Fri 02-May-14 10:53:32

The postie brought mine this morning - what a lovely treat! I will be away all weekend but I'll catch up when I get back.

Grandmanorm Thu 01-May-14 19:48:55

Thank you, mine arrived this afternoon. I shall be reading it tonight.