My review of Luminous by Samantha Wilcoxson

Told with compassion and deep emotion, this tale of the horrors of radium dial painting in the early twentieth century is not without resonance in the world of 2023. The exploitation of the powerless by owners concerned about matters far more significant than mere human life – like profit, growth and investment – have echoes across the globe. Because the focus remains on one central figure throughout the book – and a deeply sympathetic figure at that – the reader engages emotionally from the very outset. And what a range of emotions he or she experiences – pity, grief, sympathy, horror, shame, outrage, anger, disgust. The book is an emotional rollercoaster of a ride, well researched and convincingly told. The only quibble for me – and there will be many readers for who this is no criticism at all - is that the writing veers too far towards religiosity in the latter stages and, as a consequence, relationships become idealised and the tone sentimental.  Nonetheless, a remarkable story, finely told, and one I can recommend. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luminous-Story-Radium-Samantha-Wilcoxson-ebook/dp/B085ZWBFCQ