An Imperfect Lens by Anne Roiphe
Who would think that a novel about the search for the Cholera bacterium would be intriguing, suspenseful and romantic? Louis Pasteur sends three young French scientists to 1880s Alexandria, Egypt to investigate the origins of a Cholera epidemic. This rich, lyrical novel chronicles the adventures of the Frenchmen in their race against the German scientist Robert Koch to discover the bacteria and claim the glory for their country. The author’s attention to detail provokes unbearable tension as everyday incidents may lead to death. A boy selling pineapple slices cut the fruit with a knife that was washed in a pail that was used to rinse his sister’s sandals. A servant washing dishing is distracted by scalding water and accidentally puts away used silverware, thinking she had already cleaned it. Add to that the exotic atmosphere of Egypt, a pair of star crossed lovers, innumerable scheming characters, and you have a novel that is hard to put down.