This book had me enchanted. I absolutely love reading about brilliant, strong women fighting the patriarchy, pursuing their dreams and passions, and refusing to conform to the conventional. The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics follows two women: Lucy Muchelney, an astronomer’s assistant, and Catherine St Day, a countess and widow who was married to a prominent scientist. The two cross paths after Catherine sends Lucy a letter asking if she might know of someone capable of translating an innovative book on astronomy from French to English. Lucy’s father was a well-known astronomer and his work included complicated math equations that actually derived from Lucy’s brilliant mind. Lucy, who doesn’t have many options in her own life in terms of a future sine her father’s recent passing, jumps at the opportunity and immediately travels to London to ask if she, herself, can take on the task. Catherine isn’t too bothered by Lucy’s boldness and soon becomes charmed by the younger woman’s passions and chooses to support her. However, the nineteenth century isn’t kind to women and the two find themselves combating sexists ideologies that more than tested my patience.
Lucy is a young intelligent woman who is just as equally kind. Though a decade younger than Catherine, she takes on the role of teacher which reaches well past the classroom. Catherine is withdrawn and used to taking (physical and emotional) abuse as her late husband was a standard bastard who never appreciated her. Lucy shows Catherine how gentle and patient love can be, and how rough given proper consent. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the chemistry between them. About three-quarters through there was a conflict that I didn’t think necessary, but I suppose all relationships hit a wall at some point, and this wall at least allowed a display of loving commitment between the two women outside of financial dependence. I got the point.
The writing is smart, engaging, and beautiful. I enjoyed all of the scientific details which were written in a way so that a person who isn’t scientifically-inclined (like myself) can easily follow and understand. The novel is full of beautiful prose that elevated the story. It felt like a quick read to me, which might have been because I was so invested. In terms of romance, this isn’t really a “slow burn” (which, personally, was a relief- I find them more common and enjoy variance) as the two get together pretty early on, so the main focus is on them working together and encouraging each other to pursue their respective projects and the conflicts produced from those ventures.
If science, romance, and intellectual conversations appease you, then The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics won’t disappoint.
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