This novel present a weird mix of fact and fiction. First the facts: Blanche Wittman (1859-1913), famous hysteria patient of Professor Charcot at Salpetriere Hospital in Paris is in a later fase of her life the assistent of Marie Curie. She dies from radiation poison. Fiction: Blanche writes of her experiences in 3 books. This is the basis of the novel. I did not like the novel, because of too much use of different styles and too much fantasizing. However I found the information about Blanche Wittman very interesting and it reminded me of the study which I read. Lisa Appignanesi. Mad, Bad and Sad. A history of women and mind doctors from 1800 to the present. Virago, 2009. ( )

An odd book. The Marie in the title is Marie Curie, and Blanche was at one point her assistant in the lab. Blanche who was a well known hysteria patient when she was younger eventually becomes a triple amputee due to radiation poisoning. While the amputation is mentioned repeatedly in the book, it is not the main story. Based on historical records the book gives a glimpse into the medicine, the science and the mores of the times.

I had never heard of the scandal in Marie Curie's life, and while I feel she was treated unjustly, I am not quite sure I am better for knowing about it. ( )

Too many repetitions! ( )

P.O. Enquist har ett fantastiskt språk och berättarteknik. Trots det blir jag inte helt engagerad i denna roman som bygger på Blance Wittmans och Marie Curies liv med fokus på kärleken. För min del beror det på att jag har lite svårt för sättet som romanen är skriven. Ibland blir det oerhört känslosamt och rörande men så stannar P.O. upp och ska analysera och "rabblar" fakta. För mig stör detta rytmen i berättelsen vilket gör att detta inte blir en av Enquists bättre romaner enligt mig. ( )

> Glissant d'un personnage à l'autre, s’appuyant sur des sources historiques pointues pour mieux s’en éloigner, l’auteur va bien au-delà du roman documentaire. La réalité, la vérité scientifique lui servent à dépasser la psychologie pour créer autre chose de vertigineux qui fait de Blanche et Marie un livre magnifique et incandescent.
—Télérama