SYNOPSIS
Thomas Hart and Grace Macaulay have lived all their lives in the small Essex town of Aldleigh. Though separated in age by three decades, the pair are kindred spirits–torn between their commitment to religion and their desire to explore the world beyond their small Baptist community.
It is two romantic relationships that will rend their friendship, and in the wake of this rupture, Thomas develops an obsession with a vanished nineteenth-century astronomer said to haunt a nearby manor, and Grace flees Aldleigh entirely for London. Over the course of twenty years, by coincidence and design, Thomas and Grace will find their lives brought back into orbit as the mystery of the vanished astronomer unfolds into a devastating tale of love and scientific pursuit. Thomas and Grace will ask themselves what it means to love and be loved, what is fixed and what is mutable, how much of our fate is predestined and written in the stars, and whether they can find their way back to each other.
MY REVIEW
I am in two minds about this book, it is beautifully written there is no doubt about that, but I struggles with the story. It is told in three timelines 1997, 2008, 2018. The main character is Thomas Hart, he is a newspaper columnist from a town in Essex. As the story begins I felt Thomas seemed old before his time, his dress is old fashioned although very smart. He worships at Bethesda chapel in town, the community is made up of people with strict beliefs in the bible, and they are trying to live away from everything in the modern world. I kept thinking the time had gone backwards, as in before 1997 a long time before that.
The newspaper editor asks Thomas to write an article on Astronomy, Thomas meets James Bower who runs the local museum. They become drawn into the mystery of nineteenth century Romanian astronomer Maria Veduva who had vanished, known as the Lowland Ghost. Whilst looking into Maria Veduva’s history Thomas is drawn to James, but he realises that James doesn’t see him in the same way. Thomas is a closet gay. He lives a strict life at home but goes into London to meet
Thomas knows Grace Macauley from the Bethesda chapel where they both worship, when Grace is first introduced she is a teenager she is old fashioned and direct, slightly eccentric. Grace is the daughter of the community’s preacher, her mother had died whilst giving birth to her. Thomas watches over Grace, like a godfather, he loves her, but not in a sexual way more as a fatherly figure, he wants her to see both sides of the world not just Bethesda where it is not just protective but also has very strict boundaries.Thomas wants to make sure she could survive in the world outside of Bethesda. The passing timelines show Thomas growing old and Grace growing up. Grace meets Nathan whilst in the sixth form, he has no connection to Bethesda, and lives in what is like another world the wilder side, without the constraints that Grace has. But can such a relationship work? With different types of love and faith. One single moment throws all of them apart.
Ok, what I found difficult is that at times it was like reading a historical novel, but I think it’s partly to do with Thomas’ pieces he writes for the newspaper. Throughout, the story is about different types of beliefs, whether that be religious, astronomy or love. Or unrequited love. The consequences of one small thing that can have a huge impact on life. How love can be lost and found over and over, but different types of love.
I found it very difficult to actually connect with any of the characters, it’s not that they weren’t believable, I just couldn’t connect. I am a reader who likes a character driven story, one where I am rooting for the character and in this I sadly didn’t find that. It took me a while to actually get into the story, I think this is a book that needs your full attention, concentration to take it in.
I did like the relationship between Thomas and Grace. I am sure that others will absolutely love this. I just don’t think it was one for me.
Thank you so much to @vintagebooks for an ARC it was very much appreciated.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Perry is the internationally bestselling author of The Essex Serpent, Melmoth, and After Me Comes the Flood. She lives in England.
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