A Fierce Radiance
A Novel
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3.7 • 57 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
“An engrossing and ambitious novel that vividly portrays a critical time in American history.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Enthralling. A Fierce Radiance shines with fascinating detail.... Belfer’s powerful portrayal of how people are changed in pursuit of a miracle makes this book an especially compelling read.” — Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank
Set during the uncertain early days of World War II, this suspenseful story from the New York Times bestselling author of City of Light follows the work of photojournalist Claire Shipley as she captures America’s race to develop life-saving antibiotics—an assignment that will involve blackmail, espionage, and murder.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Penicillin operates as the source of romance, murder, and melodrama in Belfer's (City of Light) evocative WWII era novel. When Life magazine sends strikingly beautiful photographer Claire Shipley to report on a promising new medication made from green mold, Claire, 36, the single mother of a young son, who lost her daughter to blood poisoning eight years before, is moved by the drug's potential to save lives. She also becomes smitten with resident doctor James Stanton, a man with two interests: penicillin and bedding Claire. But as the war casualties pile up, penicillin becomes an issue of national security and the politics of the drug's production threaten to disrupt the pair's lust-fueled romance, especially when James is sent abroad to oversee human trials of the drug. The pharmaceutical companies including one owned by Claire's father realize the financial potential in penicillin, which leads to a hodgepodge of soapy plot twists: suspicious deaths, amnesia, illness, exploitation, and espionage. Belfer handily exploits Claire's photo shoots to add historical texture to the book, and the well-researched scenes bring war-time New York City to life, capturing the anxiety-ridden period.
Customer Reviews
A Fierce Radiance
Excellently written, taut and twisting turns leading you down many avenues of thought. Complex, just as patterns I learned when taught to weave 40 plus years ago... To.follow a thread to see where it goes.