The Smallest Lights in the Universe

A Memoir

By: Sara Seager

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In this "bewitching" (Anthony Doerr, The New York Times Book Review) memoir, an MIT astrophysicist must reinvent herself in the wake of tragedy and discovers the power of connection on this planet, even as she searches our galaxy for another Earth.

"Sara Seager’s exploration of outer and inner space makes for a stunningly original memoir." (Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone)

Sara Seager has always been in love with the stars: so many lights in the sky, so much possibility. Now a pioneering planetary scientist, she searches for exoplanets - especially that distant, elusive world that sustains life. But with the unexpected death of Seager’s husband, the purpose of her own life becomes hard for her to see. Suddenly, at 40, she is a widow and the single mother of two young boys. For the first time, she feels alone in the universe.

As she struggles to navigate her life after loss, Seager takes solace in the alien beauty of exoplanets and the technical challenges of exploration. At the same time, she discovers earthbound connections that feel every bit as wondrous, when strangers and loved ones alike reach out to her across the space of her grief. Among them are the Widows of Concord, a group of women offering advice on everything from home maintenance to dating, and her beloved sons, Max and Alex. Most unexpected of all, there is another kind of one-in-a-billion match, not in the stars but here at home.

Probing and invigoratingly honest, The Smallest Lights in the Universe is its own kind of light in the dark.

©2020 Sara Seager (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"It is the easiest thing in the world to resign yourself to what is, to curl around yourself and your circumstances. This is a book filled with hope and wonder, because falling in love after loss is a defiant act of optimism, much like searching the stars for life beyond our own little planet. You’ll leave this book feeling possibility and inevitability, comforted by the knowledge that even in the dark, we are not alone." (Nora McInerny Purmort, author of It’s Okay to Laugh)

"Sara Seager’s exploration of outer and inner space makes for a stunningly original memoir. Far from being dwarfed by the scale of exoplanets and galaxies, her most human tale of love, loss, and redemption is illuminated and given meaning by this backdrop.... A beautiful and compelling read." (Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone)

"I absolutely loved this book. It presents both cutting-edge science and the deeply human side of a MacArthur award-winning woman astrophysicist. While searching for other planets in the universe, she grieves for her husband who died of cancer." (Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain)

A bucket of tears and snot, plus a few good bits

It was my fault that I had failed to figure out before getting the book (and Audible narration) that this was a highly intimate memoir, not a popular science book I expected.

Before listening far enough into the the first chapter I gave my bright daughter a paper copy to encourage her interest in astronomy. "Look, Sara, here's your namesake, a prominent exoplanetary astronomer, discussing her research". And a few days later she came back to me in bewilderment, "this is not about astronomy, this is only about Sara Seager and her tantrums". Oops.

A shockingly shameless memoir of a highly accomplished, extremely intelligent and articulate window of Concord, MA. This is how the book should be advertised. I've suffered through the book I had no intention of reading, and by the end felt quite tired and "morally bedraggled" by the author's incessant lamentation.

One nice tidbit that in a way justified reading the whole book was the passage about the "Star Shade". I had been completely unaware of this project, and it's surprising that this "chantry book" revealed this gem of an idea. Of course, prof Seager makes no attempt to explain to the unworthy lay audience why a flower pattern helps better block bright starlight (diffraction pattern results in a near perfect wave cancelation for the right wavelength) beyond saying "math says so" or "of course it should be a flower". Plus the whole Star Shade narrative is used to put down a colleague. Nevertheless, I've learned something I didn't expect to learn thanks to prof Seager. Still 5 stars from me.

Great for Anyone Interested in People or the Stars

I only happened upon this book because it was listed on Amazon Deals. Sometimes I wonder whether the books listed under deals are discounted because they don't get enough attention on their own merits, but I think this book deserves to be a best seller. It combined two things I love, biographies and science. Just covering the research of her career or her personal story would have been worthy of a book, but the combination of the two made this one of the best books I have listened to.

The role she has played in finding exoplanets is quite impressive. It's hard to believe that a single person has played such a significant role in so many aspects of something that is quite important to me, the search for another earth. Time after time, she had the knack for thinking of the solution to a problem and the courage to carry it out despite a lot of naysaying. It was quite inspiring.

Her personal story was also very moving. It made me tear up quite a few times. She did such a good job of explaining the depth and breadth of her emotions throughout all the ups and downs of her eventful life. Her tale of perseverance through all her hardships offered a lot of valuable lessons, and I think could offer hope for anyone in a similar situation.

I would highly recommend this book. I'm really glad she wrote it, and I hope she continues to have great success in her personal and public life.

Beautiful memoir, beautifully delivered

Loved it. the narrator makes the science accessible, as well as the beauty of life

Wonderful story about sadness and the stars

I’ve been a huge fan of Dr. Seager’s work for years, but this deeply personal story really made me appreciate her even more. It’s a candid story of a long dark march from despair to at least relative happiness. So grateful that i bumped into this book.

Amazing story

Such a sad book that gives so much hope and attention to how much life Truly means. I never cry and I was holding back tears in a bus station at some parts.

A wonderful life in the sciences

This is a wonderful listen for so many reasons: the narration matches the feelings the author wants to convey perfectly; the blend between the author's life and her life in the sciences is perfect. I teared up several times as the story pulled me in and along for a wonderful ride that starts with the author's self-reflection and led to a lot of my own. You won't be disappointed if this is your next listen.

Wonderfully candid, radically hopeful

This beautifully crafted astronomical allegory was one of the most relatable memoirs I’ve ever read. Not only was it an objectively fascinating story, it also made me feel all of my feelings.

A gripping read for science fans

This autobiography by Sara Seager was gripping and fascinating. I've followed the progress of her field and devices like Kepler over the years and was pleased to learn so much about the field from Sara's life story. She endured much hardship and pain but persevered and made great accomplishments in science.

I did not like the narrator. Her breathless almost-crying performance was an irritating and incorrect portrayal of the author.

Exceptional and Eloquent!

The Smallest Lights in the Universe is an eloquent, poetic, and beautiful story. Sara Seager writes with grace and style about her loves, her losses, and her joys. She also illustrates what being a woman in STEM is like and brings a strong voice to us all.

I was sad when I finished this book. I personally related to Sara's journey and this comforted me. The Smallest Lights in the Universe was a constant companion for my first two chemotherapy infusions. I will miss peering into the lovely world of Sara Seager. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. It helped me not feel so alone.

"Everything brave has to start somewhere..."
- Sara Seager

A beautiful journey

This book was about so much more than just astronomy and space exploration. It was a book about the internal and external struggles of a brilliant astrophysicist trying to find a way to discover the possibilities of both space and within her own life. I was hooked from the beginning as I've always had an interest in space, but her personal struggles gave me insight into the true meaning behind her explorations.