SISTERS IN SCIENCE

A strong familial bond is the true star of this dual biography.

The life of Marie Curie is viewed through the lens of her relationship with her sister and fellow trailblazer Bronia Dłuska. Raised in Poland, the two were determined to have an education. After participating in secret classes at “the Flying University” (schooling that traveled from home to home), the sisters made a pact. Marie would support Bronia’s education at the Sorbonne, and, once Bronia had graduated and gotten a job, she’d do the same for Marie. Marie almost backed out of her schooling when her turn came, and only her older sister’s urging and support reminded her of their agreement. The story delves into Marie’s accomplishments but never strays far from Bronia, showing how these two lives consistently informed and relied upon one another. Appropriately illustrated by the Balbusso twins (sisters themselves), the artwork is a glorious amalgamation of math, science, and illustration. Everything from atoms to numerals and even radiation symbols are worked seamlessly into the highly detailed images. The sole fly in the ointment is that neither the main text nor the backmatter makes a single mention of the dangers of radiation, leading one to think that Marie’s discovery had no price to pay. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Genius doesn’t come out of nowhere, as this loving paean to strong sisterhood exemplifies.