Picture a scientist.

Is the scientist wearing a lab coat? Are they holding a beaker? Or delivering a TED talk? 

Are they a man?

Recent studies show that when children are asked to draw a scientist, approximately 77% of the drawings depict a man. Although this is a massive improvement from the 99% we saw at the start of the Draw a Scientist study in the 1960s, it is nowhere near equal representation.

These cultural stereotypes can have an impact on women’s ability to experience self-concept or social fit in male-dominated careers, leading to fewer women entering these fields and causing some women who’ve worked vigorously to enter these fields to be unintentionally pushed out.

Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor is an exciting debut novel exploring the impact of patriarchal structures in STEM, the effects of external and internalized misogyny, the unbreakable bond and inexplicable emotions surrounding first love, and the dangerous yet addictively ambitious world of biotech startups. 

Zoe, the daughter of an MIT professor, grew up in her brother’s shadow, constantly chasing approval from the men who underestimated her. Desperate to prove her validity in the academic world, separate from her professor father, she enrolls at Harvard. It’s here, in an organic chemistry classroom, that Zoe meets Jack. 

Jack fits the classic image of the “brilliant scientist.” He is always slightly disheveled, unbothered by the pressures of social niceties, and endlessly bouncing from one place to another, lost in his work. The very opposite of Zoe, down to his left-handedness, it’s no surprise that Jack draws Zoe into his orbit. 

Matched in their curiosity, brilliance, and ambition, Zoe and Jack form an unbreakable bond that only strengthens when one of their late-night scientific discussions results in a breakthrough. Zoe’s theory, combined with Jack’s experimental results, holds the promise of immortality through a novel anti-ageing drug.

When Zoe and Jack secure backing from investors, they drop out of Harvard and form a startup, with clever marketing catapulting them into biotech stardom. But in a flash reminiscent of Icarian myth, Zoe and Jack’s success, messily built from cleverly constructed image and manipulation, is in danger of falling apart when their ambition overshoots their reality.

Although the excitement of the plot stems from the rise and fall of Manna, Zoe and Jack’s company, the heart of the story lies in the many moments, sometimes subtle and other times loud, of misogyny and sexism experienced—and perpetuated—by Zoe. 

A bit satirical in its representation of startups, Notes on Infinity expertly portrays the effect of capitalism and startup culture on the scientific community. I couldn’t help but think analogously of Colossal, a genetics startup working toward the de-extinction of animals—you may know them as the company that brought back the “dire wolf”—while following the journey of Manna. This topic is highly relevant to current events and will likely be an interesting aspect of the novel for many readers, especially those with firsthand experience of startups.

Notes on Infinity is sure to spark interesting and crucial conversations surrounding the impact of patriarchal structures, the dangers of internalized misogyny, and the effects of startup culture on the scientific community. Fans of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Blake Crouch are likely to fall in love with Taylor’s debut novel. And with her unique understanding of the many aspects of human life, future releases from this author will be highly anticipated.

You can purchase Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor at Bookshop Benicia or reserve it at the local library. You can find more book reviews and recommendations from me on Bluesky and Substack (@booktails).

Manna Mocktail

Ingredients

  • 8 leaves of fresh mint
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 cup pomegranate juice
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • A dash of turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp raw honey
  • Pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Muddle the mint and ginger in a large glass.
  2. Pour the pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and sparkling water into a glass, stirring gently to combine.
  3. Add a dash of turmeric and raw honey, stir well. (optional)
  4. Fill two glasses with ice cubes and strain the mocktail mixture into both glasses.
  5. Garnish, sip, and glow!
    Manna Mocktail

    Further reading: