In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a seer whose prophecies were never believed. During World War II, Mildred Groves is in that same situation, treated horribly by her mother and sister; pitied as a sleepwalking simpleton by the other women at the Hanford research center (the scientific research base where she takes shorthand for a military physicist); and disregarded by the men of Hanford, who only see her curves. Yet Mildred is tormented by her prophetic dreams, which warn of the looming destruction that will be caused by the dangerous products being created at Hanford.
Based on a real research compound on the banks of the Columbia River in Washington state, The Cassandra presents a sobering and enlightening look at the inhumanity of war, the suppression of women's voices, and the environmental impacts of ignorance in the face of "progress." This was a fascinating glimpse into history, and at the same time, has powerful resonances in modern day. An excellent book.
*This is an advanced reading copy. The book comes out next month.
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