Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak by Leslie R. Schover is a sweeping historical fiction set during the Manhattan Project. We’re with Doris Friedman, a young Jewish woman who puts aside her dreams to marry Rob and raise their fragile daughter in the shadowy confines of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is a secret city built for the atomic bomb’s creation. As Rob works tirelessly on the bomb project, Doris juggles the pressures of motherhood, marriage, and assimilation. Her unlikely friendship with Betty, a Southern socialite, evolves against the backdrop of war and prejudice. When Doris finds herself drawn to an enigmatic army engineer, she is torn between desire and duty, especially when it becomes apparent he may be a Soviet spy. Schover weaves espionage, personal awakening, and ethical dilemmas into a deeply human story of sacrifice and survival.

Author Leslie R. Schover really knows how to make history come alive from the perspective of its people, creating an evocative, richly detailed portrayal of love and betrayal during one of history’s most secretive operations. Every angle is covered, from the simpler way of life that Rob and Doris have day to day, through to the bizarre covert circumstances of the world around them, and the fascinating social and cultural dynamics that shape how they live and interact with others. The dialogue is masterfully penned to give us these nuances without ever having to spoon-feed it, and I really felt for Doris as Schover brings an insider’s intimacy to the wartime home front in deeply felt description and narrative focus. The balance is spot on to give us plenty of scenes filled with emotional storytelling, but never losing the bigger picture of historical authenticity, and the themes of patriotism, loyalty, and identity build gently into a powerful and impactful story that I’ll certainly remember long after setting it down. Overall, Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak is a compelling blend of history, romance, and moral complexity that I would highly recommend.