Today marks the start of the blog book tour for Luminous: The Story of A Radium Girl by Samantha Wilcoxson, and I’m thrilled to host this leg of the tour. A big thank you to Coffee and Thorn Book Tours for the opportunity to take part in yet another fantastic tour!
Author: Samantha Wilcoxson
Genre: Historical, Biographical Fiction: Fictional account of real events, 1920s and 30s.
Published: June 5, 2020
Print length: 321 pages (83K words)
Age range: This is an adult book, but may be suitable for mature older teenagers
Trigger warnings: Distressing medical content
Blurb
Catherine’s life is set on an unexpected course when she accepts a job at Radium Dial. She soon finds out that the excellent pay is no recompense for the evil secret that lurks in the magical glow-in-the-dark paint. Catherine Donohoe takes on the might of a big corporation and becomes an early pioneer of social justice in the era between world wars.
Emotive and inspiring—this book will touch you like no other as you witness the devastating impact of radium poisoning on young women’s lives.
Praise For Luminous
Samantha makes you feel so many different emotions. The strongest for me was anger at the Radium Dial Corporation for subjecting these girls to this poison, while they knew it was making them very ill. The next strongest emotion was extreme sadness for what these girls went through. This book takes you on a heartbreaking journey through Catherine Donohoe’s life.
~Amazon Review
Samantha Wilcoxson’s novel Luminous is more than just an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is a tearjerker, that tells a tale of a fate so devastating that simply turning the pages will hurt. And it is based on a true story.
A history, that should not be forgotten. A history, that may repeat itself if we’re not careful.
~Amazon Review
Luminous is a gripping fictional account of Catherine Donohue’s life, told with such passion, honesty and empathy, it stays with you for a long time. And perhaps that’s a good thing. It makes us listen up.
I can’t recommend this novel highly enough. A must-read, it is my Book of the Year.
~Amazon Review
My Review
5/5 Star Rating
Luminous: The Story Of A Radium Girl by Samantha Wilcoxson has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind, evoking unexpected emotions throughout my reading. This fictionalized account of the Radium Girls is a powerful narrative that delves into the darkest depths of corporate greed, juxtaposed with the enduring spirit of its protagonist, Catherine Donohue.
Immersed in Catherine’s harrowing ordeal, I couldn’t help but feel a profound connection with her. Wilcoxson masterfully infuses humanity into a tale marred by inhumanity, creating a character one longs to comfort and protect. Hours after completing the book, anger simmers at the inhumane treatment of human lives for the sake of profit.
Wilcoxson has breathed life into a compelling character—a champion who never wavered until justice was served. Catherine’s initial excitement about her employment with Radium Dial as a Watch Dial Painter, a source of financial support for her family, is a poignant reminder of the innocence that would be shattered when she picked up that fateful radium-laden brush, condemning her to a life of perpetual glow and suffering, innocently believing her employer had her best interest at heart.
The atrocities committed by Radium Dial, their willful blindness to the dangers, and their denial of liability even as their employees succumbed to gruesome fates are chilling revelations. Yet, amidst the darkness, the story weaves themes of love, family, and friendship with delicate precision, often overshadowing Catherine’s pain. Her husband’s unwavering love, their resilient children born from Catherine’s lithium-tainted body, and the loyal friends who fought alongside her all contribute to a multifaceted narrative.
Luminous is a story that will forever resonate with me, serving as a stark reminder of corporate America’s relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of precious human lives. Samantha Wilcoxson’s narrative skillfully combines the elements of tragedy, resilience, and the enduring human spirit, making it a story impossible to forget.
About The Author
Samantha Wilcoxson is an author of emotive biographical fiction and strives to help readers connect with history’s unsung heroes. She also writes nonfiction for Pen & Sword History. Samantha loves sharing trips to historic places with her family and spending time by the lake with a glass of wine. Her most recent work is Women of the American Revolution, which explores the lives of 18th century women, and she is currently working on a biography of James Alexander Hamilton.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/samantha_wilcoxson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha_wilcoxson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carpe_librum
E. Denise Billups, Author 