Against the Glass

“Against the Glass is a historical fiction novel written by Linda M. Habib that follows Candy's emotional journey to find her place in an ever-changing world. The visual elements of this book enthralled me. Habib wove an inspirational tale and filled each scene with various themes and images centered around the fragile nature of glass and the delicate balance of life. I loved how the storyline incorporated so many reflections of glass, whether it was the glassy surface of the ice-skating pond, the glass particles within the kaleidoscope, or even the glass jars that housed Candy's insect specimens in her early days studying entomology. The writing was poetic and realistically painted the struggles a young woman faced trying to step outside the mold and find equality with men. I also loved Candy's personality. She faced many tragic and heart-wrenching scenarios, yet she worked hard to overcome the challenges and truly grow as a character. It was easy to cheer her on despite the horrible things that were said and done to her, and I loved seeing her push through to face the pain head-on time and time again. The hardest part to read was the abortion that she experienced. It was the grittiest part of the book but highlighted the horrid conditions that were one of the only options for women who became pregnant out of wedlock. Another character I adored was Candy's best friend, Brenda. Although she played a minor role in the overall story, I loved her feisty attitude and contributions to the historical changes throughout the story's progression. I enjoyed each of the four sections of the book and found very few minor errors. Against the Glass made me appreciate the sacrifices and struggles of the women who paved the way for me to attend college and have the opportunity to pursue a career. I'd highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction about women's rights and gender equality and those who appreciate thematic literature with a full-circle conclusion. The author includes scenes of abortion and verbal abuse better suited to a mature audience and those not triggered by such events.”

“I picked up Against the Glass by Linda Habib because I was looking for an emotional outlet and I can wholeheartedly say that it did not disappoint. Even though the story takes place in 1966, the content of the book is more relevant than ever. I am a strong advocate for women to have control over their reproductive rights and I loved the background information this novel was able to provide. In fact, it is quite eye opening to read about how society functioned and treated women back in the ‘60s, which is what I would consider the greatest strength of this book. The book itself is very well written and easy to read especially for covering such a controversial and hard hitting topic. The characters are fictionalized but it is easy to see how they very well could be real and that the events in the book could have likely happened to someone. It was inspiring to read about the bravery of women and how resilient they have to be to this day. I liked that the chapters are pretty short because sometimes I had to take a break emotionally and revisit the book after I had some time to reflect. I really appreciate the story’s rawness and how it wasn’t afraid to “go there.” I would recommend this novel to men and women alike, regardless of their political identity or religious views.”

““Against the Glass” by Linda Habib isn’t just a work of fiction, it’s a literary masterpiece. It’s definitely a book that not only intrigues but begs for inner reflection of one’s belief system. Even though “Against the Glass” is historical, its subject matter is as salient and relevant as ever .In addition to the “woman’s place in the world/workforce” discussion, the story delicately but powerful addresses the abortion issue. The writing overall makes these hard-hitting topics tenable and realistic. I couldn't put this book down! Dr. Candy was such a relatable character and her storyline was tastefully but artfully done. This is a well written story with well-rounded characters and a plot that is paced just right. Parts of the book were so poignant, I cried. This is a historical fiction but it’s also a love story to the bravery and resilience of all women. This is a book that tugs equally at the head and heart strings. Overall, this is a powerful read that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. I give “Against the Glass” a resounding five out of five stars! I cannot wait to read more from this incredibly talented author. One person found this helpful”

“I just finished Against the Glass, by Linda Habib, and I am in love. As a woman, medical professional, and Houston, Texas resident, this book hit home in all the perfect ways. Living in a state that recently made almost all abortions illegal and navigating the biased and unfair waters of medicine and science as a woman like Dr. Candace Madeleine resonated so deeply with me. Habib did so many things so right and so beautifully that I could not put this book down. The writing is beautiful, lyrical, effortless, and transporting. Not only does she create this stunning story in the past, she weaves a believable and relatable storyline of a woman who lived, loved, excelled, lost, and was mistreated in the world during that time period. The writing alone is ethereal and artistic and completely juxtaposed by the harsh, abrasive, cold, sterile medical backdrop. The writing is brilliant and historically accurate, and it makes this book shine. This book is as accurate as a history book but filled with heart grit and the relatable characters we all resonate with on one level or another. It’s the past brought to life. Also, the main character Candy, or Dr. Candace Madeleine, is a superb example of a 20+ year progression of her life that is reflective of the times concurrently. We see her evolution, growth, change, core being, struggles, triumphs, heartbreaks and more as she exists in an ever shifting world of science and medicine that was from the late 60's to the 80's. I love this book and can not recommend it enough. It does include some very intense, sensitive and gritty scenes that I would steer many young readers away from. However, I do think that it is a very important book that every woman would benefit from reading. Five stars.”

“It was very interesting. It captures the reader from the beginning and keeps a mystery like suspense through out the book.”