ENLIGHTENMENT (SARAH PERRY) (HB)

Thomas Hart and Grace Macauley are fellow worshippers at the Bethesda Baptist chapel in the small Essex town of Aldleigh. Though separated in age by three decades, the pair are kindred spirits – but their friendship is threatened by the arrival of love. Thomas falls for James Bower, who runs the local museum. They develop an obsession with the vanished nineteenth-century female astronomer Maria Veduva. Inspired by Maria, and the dawning realisation James may not reciprocate his feelings, Thomas finds solace studying the night skies. Could astronomy offer as much wonder as divine or earthly love?