Enlightenment

A Novel

De: Sarah Perry

Narrado por: Alex Jennings

Enlightenment has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Oddly uncompelling

A frustrating novel, filled with many ridiculous coincidences as the characters tracked down evidence of a 19th century female astronomer. I often couldn’t figure out why it was written in the way it was, historical artifacts discovered in ridiculously unbelievable moments. Deus ex machina, but to no satisfying effect. I also found many of the characters underwritten. Nathan—does he have any substance? Why is Maria from Romania? And why so many injuries to characters? I appreciated the book’s approach to loneliness and solitude. I got a glimpse of what the author was trying to accomplish, but I was frequently distracted by the odd qualities of the plot, and don’t feel it succeeded as the epic tale it hoped to be. Excellent narration.

Beautiful writing unique story, might relisten to parts

This audiobook seems very unique to me. The basic idea of a protagonist in one timeline getting drawn into a mystery in the past where slowly that past story is revealed is not unique but the people involved in the story are very unique in their own stories and the way they become involved with each other. The writing is just amazing. At times just wonderfully richly descriptive both in terms of how physical settings are described and how people are described. It’s also often thoughtful , creative, insightful almost meditative in places , especially in the parts that are given as excerpts from the newspaper column about astronomy written by the main protagonist, Thomas. Woven throughout is the nuanced exploration of what love is and what is worth having faith in. This review doesn’t do justice to the book which I loved. I will say that I read one review which said the writing felt almost 19th century in tone and I can see why that person said that. The writing is very rich and detailed and nothing in this story moves quickly although there is more than one surprising and unexpected event. In my listening, I realized for me this is a book where you want breaks to digest things so I like that this the three large sections were divided into into smaller mostly hour long- ish chunks. I would take a break after each chunk often not returning until the next day. More than once, I found myself relistening to pieces of this but enjoying the relisten because the writing is so beautifully crafted. But for me because of the richness of it it wouldn’t work as a book for a day at the beach or an airplane trip. It needs breaks for digestion!!!

Unusual, gothic story

An interesting story made better by an excellent narrator. Very British. A reflection on the dignity of every day lives.

Maybe I’m too simple for this book

We follow Thomas and Grace over a span of 20 years and their struggle between their faith and what they want in life. Enveloped in all
of this is Maria Vaduva a long deceased astronomer who is very much an acting character in the book. The book is split into 3 parts. I have to admit that I almost gave up quite a few times as I found the first 2 parts long and drawn out. With that said, the third part of the was absolutely delightful and saved the book for me. All in all Enlightenment is the story of 2 kindred spirits, unrequited love, and the stars. I would definitely recommend pushing through this one.

Disappointed

Based on the descriptions of the novel, I had high expectations. However, the quality of the writing did not make up for the plodding nature of the narrative. There were some nuggets of “quoteability” that flashed across like the comet being sought in the novel, but not enough to convince me of the hype surrounding this book.