Intuition
by Allegra Goodman
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Book Reviews of Intuition
Book Review: Slow and tedious characters ...
Summary: 2 Stars
I had a very difficult time finishing this novel, although I did. It was very boring but my main problem is I did not care for any of the characters - mostly disinterest, but actually disliked Sandy, Cliff and Robin, the main ones. I truly did not care about their fates. Unlike some reviewers, I thought the science was tremendously simplified, not really that believable (except for the excrutiating detail on the lives and deaths of the mice) and everyone is so darn selfish the greater good seems utterly lost in this story (although perhaps that's the point). The hearings at the end are a bit interesting, but it's such slow going getting there, it's not worth the effort.Book Review: Not worth the effort
Summary: 2 Stars
This book has been on my to-read list for a while now. I finally finished it, and I have to say I was extremely disappointed. The science is ambiguous. There are too many peripheral characters who have no bearing on the plot. Those characters who are central to the plot are not likable in the least. And finally, the motivations of each of the central characters are never truly defined. I still don't know who the real "villain" in this story was. And if it is who I think it is, then the author did not explain well enough how the science behind it was wrong. Basically, this book was so ambiguous throughout that I'm left unable to make any judgments of my own.Book Review: If It Only Had a Heart
Summary: 2 Stars
I read Intuition because it a selection for my book club. Alas, not my cup of tea. I now know a little bit about cancer research, but was unable to connect with any of the characters. Although the plot was totally focused on scientific activities and politics, it was never clear exactly what scientific deception the male lead had committed. Indeed, it was unclear which character was central. When the promising cancer research goes south, all the characters worry about their careers, but not one mentions the cancer patients, present and future, who are the real losers. I would not recommend this novel.Book Review: Not what it appears to be
Summary: 3 Stars
I was rather disappointed with this book, perhaps because the publisher's blurb gives the impression that it will be a medical mystery. The premiss -- is one of the characters making up data to claim success for a cancer-fighting virus -- was enticing, but the author uses far too many
internal dialogues, with almost half of the book devoted to folks whining about what is occurring. I also found the ending anti-climactic, almost as if the author just ran out of steam.
Not a bad book, by any means, but as a medical mystery, I thought it could have been much better.
Book Review: Actually 4 and a half - Highly recommended
Summary: 4 Stars
I really loved this book. The science / research subject matter was a little off-putting at first (e.g. growing tumors in hairless mice and the "sac"ing (sacrifice) them when they're no longer needed), but the characters and plot pulled me through. It seemed like the academic culture and dysfunction were pretty right on, and the characters very believable. And there's enough ambiguity as to what's good and who's right to keep you thinking. It's quite a page turner at the end. This is one of the best books I've read in the last year.