Radium Girls Review: Book and Play

The Radium Girls, a nonfiction book written by Kate Moore, is a fascinating, gruesome, & horrifying tale of young women in the early 20th century. Newly discovered radium was thought to be the wonder element. It had “no negative effects”, it could “heal” people, and it would glow in the dark. Because of this, watches for World War II were painted with radium. To keep up with the demand for watches companies—specifically the United States Radium Corporation and Radium Dial—built new factories and hired young women to paint the watches.

The Radium Girls, as they were called, just wanted to have a normal life. However, because of the radium, they suffered from extreme pain, loss of jaws and other bones, and some even death. So they decided to rebel against the companies that they had once worked at. The book and play follow the girls as they try to get revenge against the companies. What happens? Read the book to find out.

Review: Book, Young Readers Edition

The story of The Radium Girls is amazing. I recommend you learn about it. However, the writing in the book wasn’t very good. It was very simple, without a real writing voice. I read the young readers' edition, which was a shortened and simplified version of the original book. I am guessing that the adult book has better writing. Nonetheless, I am grateful that I read it. I think this book would be most enjoyable for 6th-grade students.

Review: Script of Play Adaptation

I thought the script of the play was good. They only used one of the two main plots in the book, which I thought was very smart. Still, the play was confusing, and I don’t think I would have understood it if I hadn’t read the book first.

Review: Blake Upper School Production

I thought that this performance was incredible. Saleya Scott, who played the lead part, Grace Fryer, put so much emotion into her part. There were a few messed-up lines, but the play was still wonderful. I especially loved the production design: Lighting, Sound, Costumes, and Set. They all fit with the theme of the play. Everything was dark and gloomy, resembling the factories that the girls worked in. The costumes and music fit with the time period perfectly. The only thing I didn’t love was the staging. Actors always seemed to be facing away from the audience during the most important parts. Still, I left the play trapped in the world of Radium Girls.

Movie

I know there is also a movie version of Radium Girls, which I have not watched. Because the tale is so gruesome, I would think that the movie is scary.

Ratings

Book — Story: ★★★★★; Writing: ★★★½

Script — Overall: ★★★★; Clarity: ★★★

Play — Acting: ★★★★½; Staging: ★★★½; Design: ★★★★★