Something Rotten in the State of Research

Confessions from a PhD

Fiction - Drama
97 Pages
Reviewed on 08/03/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Something Rotten in the State of Research: Confessions from a PhD by Joanne McEvoy is a fictionalized memoir that follows Aisling, who moves to Copenhagen to begin a PhD in agile learning design while managing a laundry list of personal and professional upheavals. She juggles collaborations with colleagues like Manee, whose behavior crosses the line and strains their work relationship. Aisling leads multiple projects involving course redesign, EU funding applications, and cross-institution partnerships, often contending with conflicting agendas and leadership disputes. Meanwhile, she balances her evolving social life and boundaries as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic carries on. Central to the story is Aisling’s effort to establish herself academically and socially within a competitive, sometimes hostile environment while handling project management pressures and ethical dilemmas related to authorship and workplace conduct.

Something Rotten in the State of Research by Joanne McEvoy is an impressively sharp and tightly constructed story that packs a big punch in every way, especially in its length. The writing is excellent, precise, and observant, and the characters are fully fleshed out in a way that’s rare even in books triple its length. Aisling in particular stands out; I love her. She taught me quite a bit, too. Bumble BFF is a real thing, as it turns out! Seriously, though, her boundary setting amplifies her worth and agency, and her thoughtful handling of skepticism says more about her character than any description could. Interactions unfold organically, and even secondary characters, like Klaus, Victor, or Haosravah, are allowed to flourish. There is a true realism to Aisling's academic and professional projects that makes their progression and derailments feel both believable and sharp-edged. The book ends satisfyingly but promises more to come, which I am looking forward to reading.

Jennifer Senick

Something Rotten in the State of Research by Joanne McEvoy follows the journey of Aisling, a woman living in Ireland, as she navigates the complexities of being a PhD student and her often troubled relationships. She feels adrift in her long-term partnership with Sean, a relationship built on familiarity and maybe some comfort rather than passion. When an opportunity in Copenhagen arises, and after much deliberation with her daughter and her brother, Aisling sets off for a fresh start. There, she quickly becomes attracted to Magnus, one of her fellow researchers, but initially keeps things friendly, unsure of his interest and hesitant to pursue anything too quickly. Manee, her supervisor, makes his interest in her clear, but she feels it isn’t a good idea and insists they keep things platonic and just be friends. New professional challenges, such as projects for her PhD, personal revelations, and shifting loyalties, keep Aisling questioning what and who she truly wants, all against the backdrop of academia.

Joanne McEvoy’s Something Rotten in the State of Research was a quick, interesting read. I found Aisling’s choices to be messy or complicated, but in her own way, she was quite relatable. I also thought her relationship (or maybe lack of one) with Sean was pretty true to life. Some people stay together out of habit or routine, even if they’re seemingly detached from their partners. Watching her take the leap to Copenhagen felt both empowering and anxiety-inducing. I was also rooting for her as she tentatively allowed herself to pursue something genuine with Magnus, which seemed to be blossoming toward the end. The academic setting felt authentic, and I appreciated that it didn’t take place in the U.S., which gave me a different perspective on things. I was satisfied with where the first part ended, glad for Aisling’s growth, and I look forward to part two to see if her hard-won happiness lasts. Aisling’s coming-of-age story saw her changing certain aspects of her life, yet staying true to who she is.

Cloie Belle Daffon

Something Rotten in the State of Research: Confessions from a PhD by Joanne McEvoy begins as Aisling makes a significant decision that marks the start of a new chapter in her life. Aisling's married life with Sean had been good, but they both wanted different things. Being married meant facing challenges together, yet for a long time, Aisling sensed that they were not on the same page. Ultimately, she decided to prioritize herself this time. She aims to find something that will give her a new purpose in life and make her feel she belongs. Consequently, she accepts a PhD research position in Copenhagen. This decision means encountering a new place, new faces, and new challenges. Venturing into a new world is never easy. In this journey, Aisling faces controlling power relationships and harassment in the workplace. Will she be able to manage all this while also proving herself? Discover the answers in Something Rotten in the State of Research!

Something Rotten in the State of Research by Joanne McEvoy is distinctive, appropriately paced, and well-written. I enjoyed Aisling's initial journey in her PhD research because it challenged me to understand the projects they were planning and discussing. I enjoy tales centered around knowledge and education. I also loved Aisling’s character; she’s a strong woman who knows what she wants in life. She pursued the PhD research position despite not knowing anyone there and not speaking the language. She’s intelligent and has a passion for her career, which is something I currently feel I lack. I admire her determination, and she has inspired me in many ways. The ending left me wanting more! I can’t wait for the next book. Well done!