ENLIGHTENMENT

‘Comets have always caused a bit of a stir’ and Sarah Perry’s latest novel ‘Enlightenment’ is a mesmerising read balancing matters of the heart alongside the extraordinary astrological wonders of the universe. Shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize, this is a delightful novel for book clubbers especially as evenings draw in, giving more time to enjoy unexplained ghost stories as well as indulging us in a tale of love, faith and friendship.

It’s 1997 and the novel opens at Thomas Hart’s desk in the Essex Chronicle observing the editor’s suggestion to consider the imminent and recently discovered comet, Hale-Bopp. Thomas Hart, aged 50, is single and has been living a private life in the small town of Aldleigh, splitting his time between his job as a columnist, his Baptist pew at the church of Bethesda and his secret gay life in London. Thomas is intrigued by the planisphere given to him by his editor and drawn by the opportunity to consider an astrological story that would take him away from drearier events of his local surroundings.

The reader is enticed into Thomas Hart’s world resulting in a great affection for this pivotal character. Not only do we observe Thomas's double-life, but his interest in local mysteries and in particular, The Lowlands Ghost. Enter James Bower from the local museum services. Together they develop an obsession with the vanished nineteenth century astronomer Maria Vāduva, said to haunt Lowlands house and who may have discovered her own astronomical discovery that had never been acknowledged. Suddenly the stories collide as does his personal life in which we witness an unlikely friendship with one of the younger parishioners, Grace Macaulay, a furious teenager unhappy with life and with whom Thomas feels a responsibility for. Whilst Thomas falls in love with James, Grace meets Nathan a young local boy who pulls her away from her church into a wilder modern world, more befitting her age. Spanning 20 years the novel is divided into 3 celestial parts which neatly see Thomas and Grace orbit around each other but bringing them back together to solve the mysteries of Aldleigh.

Den readers appreciated the marvelling of the universe, encouraging us to look up at sky on clear nights and respect a world in which science and religion are not pitted against each but rather connected. Definitely gave us a deeper reading experience and lots of talking points. Den also recommends this on Audible.