Note: When linking your story, backspace over the info in the middle box and leave your name. It makes it easier on everyone. Thank you. Let me know if you have any questions.
My story follows the PHOTO PROMPT below and the inlinkz frog. I appreciate honest comments.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
RADIOACTIVE
“Au revoir, mon ami.” Marie kissed Pierre’s ice-cold cheek.
“Where Papa?” asked fourteen-month-old Eve.
“He’s going to sleep his last sleep beneath the earth,” said eight-year-old Irène.
Marie placed a bunch of periwinkles and Pierre’s favorite photograph beside him. The picture was of her on the balcony of their first apartment on rue d’Allemagne. Refusing a black drape, she and her daughters adorned his coffin with flowers.
“I’ve no future without you, Pierre.”
“Remember our dream for humanity,” she heard him say, “for science.”
Days later Madame Marie Curie returned to the laboratory, her haven of discovery, joy and solace.
.
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Dear Rochelle,
You capture the essence of humanity within history the way x-rays reveal the structures that underpin all life. Imaginative in conception and smooth in execution, your story shines light into the shadows that time has cast on the events you describe. You illuminate. You enlighten. Good job.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Your glowing praise goes well with coffee in the early morning. I thank you for Your Lovely words of Illumination.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a fascinating story.. and finally radioactive poison also claimed Marie. Apparently everything including her notebooks are still too dangerous to handle.. so maybe the biggest wonder was that she survived so long.. and she is still one of the very few to get the Nobel Prize twice…
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Dear Björn,
Madame Curie’s life was amazing, wasn’t it? Reading excerpts from her journals had me wanting to know more.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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love the photos. the family at the end are tragic yet loving
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Dear Ruth,
Thank you for coming by to read and comment. I love old photos, they have so much story to tell if you “read” them. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a woman, what a life. Well portrayed, the remarkable perseverance despite everything.
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Dear Loré,
She was a fascinating woman. I was the one who never quite grasped math or science which increases my admiration for people who do.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for another great prompt. As always, it is interesting to see all the different directions people take this one.
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Dear J Hardy,
It’s always interesting for me to see where people will go and what the general theme will be. I always hope that writers will step outside their cubicles and see beyond the photo. I hope this meant you like the direction I took. 🙄
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve brought us another slice of history and made it real as only you can, Rochelle. I also love old photos. Well done as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Finding excerpts from Marie’s journal was a boon. Rather than being a dull scientist I always imagined, she was anything but. She was a passionate young woman who was devastated by her husband’s untimely death. I’m happy to have shared what I learned. As you might have guessed by now, I love old photos, too. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Curies sacrificed so much for humanity, including, I suspect, their daughters’ futures, because surely such a radioactive mother can’t have avoided affecting her children too.
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Dear Liz,
The Curies were amazing, particularly Marie. Iréne went on to become a scientist herself and was a devoted daughter. I didn’t find anything about Eve. Although Pierre was ultimately killed in a horse and buggy accident, the accounts say that he was weakened by their work with radium.
Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An amazing family and I love the photos.
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Dear Louise,
I love the photos, too. It was fun to learn more about them.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Superb portrayal of the human side of an extraordinary woman.
The elegance and precision of your writing is a lesson to us all.
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Such sweet, affirming words, Elephant. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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fascinating as always
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Thank you, IB
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Thanks for this. She did work too.
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My pleasure, Patrick.
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A perfect story to show that life goes on!
Well written!
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Thank you, Satya. 😀
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Dear Rochelle,
I’ve realized that I’m spoiled. Your prompt is so very organized that everyone else is not as good. They put the picture and their story on two different pages and don’t always have the blue box or the link to get the text to put the box on my page. I want to tell them, “For goodness sake, check out Rochelle’s blog to see how it’s done correctly.” I don’t of course.
Anyway, I’ve decided not to let it bother me. Thanks for being so organized.
Blessings,
Phyllis
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Dear Phyllis,
That’s high praise for my blog and I thank you. I’m not often accused of being organized. 😉
Of course, as a writer, I hope that somewhere in the mix, you liked my story. Thank you again for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course I like the story!!! ;0)
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Marie Curie’s story was one of the first we studied at school. Your story reminds me of the dedication and commitment that served as an example for all the girls at our school. Well done Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
It just shows what a woman can do. A contrast from my story last week. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was an amazing woman. So sad that she also succumbed to radiation. Thanks for reminding me of her.
janet
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Dear Janet,
You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
what a way to put a human face on the sacrifices of scientific research. This is all the more poignant knowing she died from radiation poisoning 30 years later. Great job.
-David
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Dear David,
The more I research and write these little historical fictions, the more I see for myself that there’s a human face on it. I’m happy that comes across.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was a beautiful and tender scene, Rochelle. And then, quite the amazing woman. Madam Curie is a major figure in the history of science. You’ve brought history to life!
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Dear Eric,
It’s comments like yours that make me want to keep digging deep into history to find humanity.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve read something of Madam Curie before, long ago, this has me wanting to search for something to read of her now. Especially if it is a romantic as your piece.Très bien.
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Dear Dawn,
I think there was much more to Marie and Pierre than meets the eye from the history books. Happy reading and thank you for such a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful story and a homage to a brilliant mind. Thanks Rochelle.
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Dear Anne,
I thank you for such a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely, Rochelle. As usual, you educate without it feeling like a lesson, and you take me right into the hearts and minds of people I’ve heard of but could never meet. I marvel at this every week, because it’s so easy to read about the people of our history and never really think of them as people with feelings and families and lives beyond whatever made them famous. You see past all that and give me humans I could imagine as friends (or enemies).
Great marker for (close enough) International Women’s Day too.
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Dear Jenn,
I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with an articulate reply to your magnificent comment. Alas, I’m left with two words, thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an expert you are at saying so much in so few words. You are also an inspiration in your own right. You provide craftsmanship that is a measuring stick by which so many others can judge their progress and learn to excel even more.
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Dear Sandra,
‘Expert’ and ‘inspiration’ are huge compliments.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Defintely your niche! Funnily enough I did wonder if she was to be covered here one day! Her end was so sad, too. Handled so well, Rochelle, as always.
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Dear Hamish,
You never know who will be covered. It all depends on where the path leads. I’m not quite sure how I arrived at this story, really.
Thank you for your kind words. Nice to have you back in the neighborhood.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read Mme. Curie’s biography a while ago. I shall have to read it again
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Happy reading, Larry.
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Hi Rochelle,
I found your story touching. Irene expresses a very mature answer to Eve about their father.
Flowers draped on the coffin seem very peaceful. A very interesting story for the prompt.
Isadora
p.s. I do have a question: in writing a story is language that is not considered appropriate acceptable. The story I am writing deals with people who use blue language. I don’t want to offend anyone nor do I want to disrespect your challenge. I may change it anyway but want to know the rules more clearly. Thank you so very much. : )
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Dear Isadora,
Thank you for your lovely comments on my story.
As for your question, I don’t presume to dictate to anyone what they can or cannot write on their own blog.Personally I’m not fond of use of profanity for the #$%^ of it. 😉 However, if you feel it’s necessary to the story go ahead. You can always preface your story with a warning for any who might be offended. I would also caution you about going overboard with it. Like dialect, overuse can detract from an otherwise good story.
Thank you for asking. I hope that helps.
The only rule I really impose is that of the use of the photo prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My comments are in response to your amazing writing so “Thank You” and Your welcome.
I appreciate your answer to my question. I must agree with you on language. It’s not me. I’m not a fan of it. But, the minute I saw the photo I had the story. It popped in my head while
having a cafe at Starbucks.
I took longer to post because I didn’t want to use the blue language. My brain froze.
However, I eliminated a few but for the intensity of the story left a sprinkle here and there. Hope you enjoy my story. And, I apologize in advance if it is offensive.
Thank you for hosting this wonderful challenge. It has helped me so much in a very short time. : )
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A beautiful story and your writing is truly amazing. I felt like I was right there among them and part of the story, feelings their feelings as well. This is excellent!
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Dear Joy,
Thank you for your most excellent compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you have once again taken names and faces from our history books and shown them as people who love and are loved and who have suffered terrible personal loss for their contribution to humanity. Sad and beautiful and a pleasure to read.
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Dear Siobhán,
Your comments are a pleasure to read as well. As history comes alive for me as I write I’m pleased to read that my stories make it come alive for others.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the research you put into your stories. Another story of an heroic outcome to a sad situation. They gave so much to mankind but, sadly, didn’t realize the full potential of their work. Great story, as usual.
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Thanks for telling her story here, Rochelle. What sacrifices they made for humanity. What passion they have for their work. Wonderful story telling.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
There was certainly more to Madame Curie than radium and research, wasn’t there? Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an inspiring and intelligent woman.
Once again, a very interesting story.
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Dear Francesca,
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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good read. I love to read about great women. Randy
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Dear Randy,
Most happy to oblige.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Last week was such a wipe for me…I want to be sure to comment here.
Those who have something to cling to – for solace – and so fortunate.
Now…I can’t read any others until I post one 😛
Ellespeth
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Dear Ellespeth,
Some weeks are like that. As John Lennon sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” I’m glad you made it by. Thank you for the read the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story of a great woman. I only wish it ultimately had a happier ending for her.
You have an amazing way of drawing me in in so few words.
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Dear Ali,
It is a sad story but she achieved more than most, man or woman. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fabulous! 100 words to illuminate such a large piece of history.
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Dear Samantha,
Thank you for reading and leaving such a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh dear, and no future for herself… Wonderful story. We admiringly read about famous people, but deep down, they are just human, full of fears and hopes. You show that so well.
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Dear GAH,
It’s true. Amazing people are still human. As the old saying should go, ‘he who dies with the most toys still dies.’
Thank you for reading and leaving such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved it! awesome seeing a different side of someone who is part of history. Great use of the prompt!
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Dear Dennisse,
Thank you so much for coming by to read and comment. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad she received recognition for her brilliance. Many scientific discoveries made by women were credited to male associates through out the years. You made her human for me. Merci Beaucoup Rochelle.
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Dear Traceym
If you haven’t guessed by now, historical fiction is a personal favorite of mine. Perhaps it’s because I need to see the humanity in it rather than dates and events. I certainly agree that women haven’t been given enough credit for their accomplishments.
At any rate, I’m happy you liked my story and came by to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A true team. And as Tracey said, thanks for making her human.
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Dear Alicia,
As I said to Tracey, I think I need to see the human face in history, so I write it. I’m happy to take others along for the ride.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a strong woman and a perfect time to present the story after women’s day gone by (although a few days have already gone… but still). 🙂
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Dear Norma,
It’s good remember strong women in the past, they’re our legacy.
Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, how you manage to carve out a historical piece of fiction is always amazing to me. You shine a well-deserved spotlight on a female scientist. If only history could include more stories about women like this, we would have a more complete picture of events. Beautifully written and told.
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Dear Amy,
There are so many unsung heroes in history. Finding them and bringing them to life (for myself as much as anyone) is part of the fun.
Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i didn’t know much about her. now you just aroused my interest in reading more about her.
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Dear Plaridel,
I’d like to know more about her, too.
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was very strong for me. I played the part of Marie Sklodowska (Curie) as a child in the school play and she has been a hero to me ever since.
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Dear Hilary,
Thank you for commenting and for sharing that bit of your own history. Somehow it adds more life to it for me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another wonderful story, that illuminates history. Vive! Well done, Rochelle!
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Dear Dawn,
Effusive compliments make me happy. 😀
Thank you. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor Marie; he was so young, and she an unconventional, high achieving working mother. You portray her discouragement and pain so clearly. The world is fortunate she returned to the lab.
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Dear Jan,
She was a dedicated scientist. I’m glad there are people like that in the world. If all were artists like us we’d be in serious trouble. 😉 We’d be singing, painting and writing our stories on cave walls.
Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You write historical fiction so well Rochelle. Poor Marie had a heavy load to bear with young children and a career which would have been frowned upon in those days. Good thing her husband spoke to her from the grave and she heeded his words.
Cheers Irene
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Dear Irene,
It would’ve been hard to be an ambitious woman in those times I think.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fascinating response to the picture. What a great insight into the life of a remarkable woman.
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Dear Margaret,
It’s all about what we see, isn’t it? 😉
Thank you for such nice comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t know Marie had any children. Learn something new everyday! It must have been difficult for her and the children, which you portray so beautifully in your story.
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Dear Tiffany,
It’s always nice to learn, isn’t it? I certainly did while researching this story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love how you always entertain and enlighten. Nice!
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Thank you Caerlynn. Nice of you to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As ever, Rochelle, you’ve captured a moment in history and managed to dramatise it in a way that encapsulates so much in so few words. Your story of Marie demonstrates how a woman can have a consuming passion for her work, share it equally with her husband, and still have the space to love her family. I’ve not read the biography of this great woman, but I assume she’d no idea that radiation could kill, as it was an unknown when she started out. It’s a bit like cigarettes being promoted by doctors for good health in the first place, and advertised as such. I’m sure that Marie wouldn’t have knowingly put her children at risk.
PS Sorry I haven’t been around much lately to participate in Friday Fictioneers, but had to battle with squeezing a great deal into a shrunken time slot.
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Dear Sarah,
I do understand about trying to squeeze into a shrunken time slot. (Well said.)
I’m sure the Curies had no idea about the effects of radiation at first. They certainly paved the way for amazing discoveries, didn’t they?
Welcome back and thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Again, you bring history to life.
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Thank you, Alice. 😀
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I envy your ability to be so descriptive without sounding a bit superfluous. Great, as always.
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Dear Jorbi,
Like anything, it takes practice. Writing flash fiction for the past three years has had an amazing effect on my longer writings. You gain a sense of what is necessary and what isn’t. I’m very grateful to Madison Woods for creating Friday Fictioneers and then allowing me to adopt her baby.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Marie Curie’s story is just so fascinating. Medical history in general is very interesting. The humanity you captured, though, is what adds an extra kick to this part of the story. Well done!
Take care,
Emilie
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Dear Emilie,
We’ve come a long way since the days of leeches and Laudanum, haven’t we? We do owe to brilliant minds like those of Marie Curie.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your stories always inform and entertain but never seek to lecture. Thanks for another interesting glimpse into the life of an inspirational figure.
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Dear JWD,
This is one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received. I’ve always hated lectures.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely done Rochelle with another slice of history for us. Four years after her husband’s death Marie Curie had a love affair with Paul Langevin, a married scientist five years her junior. She was hounded by the press to the extent that the the Swedish Academy of Sciences tried to dissuade her from coming to Stockholm to receive her Nobel prize. Her response to the academy was: “The prize has been awarded for the discovery of radium and polonium. I believe that there is no connection between my scientific work and the facts of private life. I cannot accept … that the appreciation of the value of scientific work should be influenced by libel and slander concerning private life.”
But life is funny and now her granddaughter Hélène Langevin-Joliot is married to Michel Langevin, the grandson of Paul Langevin.
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Dear Subroto,
You make me want to dig deeper into Madame Curie’s life. I had no idea about the rest of the story. Thank you for sharing this.
And thank you for your comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I really like this one. I commend how you went more with the feeling of the picture rather than something literal or even an abstraction of it. The feeling of new-found loneliness and physical cold seems not only very unique to the story but unique to how the story was crafted out of a similar picture. Excellent.
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Dear Michael,
It’s always thrilling when someone understands how my story fits the prompt. You are exactly right. I was going with the feeling of the photo rather than the ubiquitous stump. 😉
Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Bubbles,
Once again you put us in touch with the emotions of great figures from history. Maybe someday people will look back and write stories about my discovery of HPSS (Home Project Shock Syndrome). Everyday I check the mailbox for my Nobel Prize nomination. It must have went to the wrong zip code.
All the best,
Abner
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Dear Abner,
Does Publisher’s Clearing House send out Nobel Prizes now? Although I think HPSS has caused more than one divorce. However, don’t quit your day job just yet. 😉
Thank you and Shalom,
Bubbles
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You find inspiration at deeper levels than most. I like that about you.
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Dear Erin,
Your comment is one I will cherish this week.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful and brilliant story, and complementary photos. Shalom
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תודה רבה
שלומ
רחל
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Rochelle, that was brilliant! I was wondering throughout the story what it would be and you totally nailed it… Class story! 🙂
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Dear Victoria,
It’s nice to see you again. Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve been out of action for a long while due to personal reasons, so it’s nice to be back… And your story was amazing, I loved it! Hopefully, next FF I’ll participate 🙂
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I was a chemistry student and even for a while a chemistry teacher in what feels like a former life now.
Wasn’t sorry to leave the strange world of the lab, but don’t regret it.
Marie Curie was strong strong woman and probably deserves more of a shout – well done for reminding us what we owe her. I had forgotten that she had to work on alone without her Pierre.
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Dear MJ,
I’ll bet you have some interesting lab stories. When it came to science and chemistry I was the worst student. You’d probably have expelled me. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The best/worst lab moment – being told, ‘Excuse me Miss, but the bin’s on fire.’
Calmly putting out that fire, whilst my heart was racing away, probably shortened my life by a few years, but earned me a good few ‘cool teacher’ points.
MJ
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I like the historical connection and pictures! A touching, bittersweet moment.
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Dear Emily,
Pictures always add to the story in my opinion.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Touching one.
Glad she returned to her lab & created history!
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Thank you, Anita. 😀
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Dear Rochelle
What an amazing woman she was, in her times that must have beem so difficult. The world owes her such a huge debt.
Well written as usual
Best wishes
Dee
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Dear Dee,
It was fun to take a slice of her life and imagine what she might have been like. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy life.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful blend of science and fantasy! I really enjoyed this.
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Dear Solo,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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