Eileen Pollack Knihy

Obsessed with uncovering the genetic marker for Valentine's disease, young MIT researcher Jane Weiss is determined to avoid romantic relationships to prevent becoming a burden. However, her plans change when she unexpectedly falls for her future stepbrother, Willie, who also has a connection to the disease. As Jane navigates her groundbreaking research and her feelings for Willie, she must confront the potential implications of her discoveries on their lives and her future.

The story follows Professor Maxine Sayers, who, after the death of her husband, struggles with profound grief and the mysterious disappearance of her son, Zach. Her world is turned upside down when she suspects a former student may be linked to a terrorist known as the Technobomber. Driven by a mother's instinct to protect her son, Maxine abandons her teaching duties and personal life to search for Zach, torn between her desire to warn him and the responsibility to inform the authorities about her suspicions.

The narrative follows Eileen, a precocious girl navigating the challenges of being smart and female in 1960s upstate New York. Her journey unfolds from a restrictive rural high school to Yale, highlighting societal expectations and gender biases she faces, including being overlooked in advanced courses and later, in her marriage. Through autobiographical essays, Pollack employs humor to explore themes of inequality, human connection, and resilience, ultimately portraying her ongoing quest for love and acceptance in a world slowly evolving towards equality.