What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blind Astronomer's Daughter
A novel of the obsessions of the age: scientific inquiry, geographic discovery, political reformation, but above all, astronomy, the mapping of the solar system and beyond. It is a novel of the quest for knowledge and for human connection - rich, far-reaching, and unforgettable.
In late-eighteenth-century Ireland, accidental stargazer Caroline Ainsworth learns that her life is not what it seems when her father, Arthur, throws himself from his rooftop observatory. Caroline had often assisted her father with his observations, in pursuit of an unknown planet; when astronomer William Herschel discovered Uranus, Caroline could only watch helplessly as unremitting jealousy drove Arthur to madness. Now, gone blind from staring at the sun, he has chosen death over a darkened life.
Grief-stricken, Caroline abandons the vain search, leaves Ireland for London, and tries to forget her love for Finnegan O'Siodha, the tinkering blacksmith who was helping her father build a telescope larger than his rival's. But her father has left her more than the wreck of that unfinished instrument: his cryptic atlas holds the secret to finding a new world at the edge of the sky. As Caroline reluctantly resumes her father's work and confronts her own longings, Ireland is swept into rebellion, and Caroline and Finnegan are plunged into its violence.
In late-eighteenth-century Ireland, accidental stargazer Caroline Ainsworth learns that her life is not what it seems when her father, Arthur, throws himself from his rooftop observatory. Caroline had often assisted her father with his observations, in pursuit of an unknown planet; when astronomer William Herschel discovered Uranus, Caroline could only watch helplessly as unremitting jealousy drove Arthur to madness. Now, gone blind from staring at the sun, he has chosen death over a darkened life.
Grief-stricken, Caroline abandons the vain search, leaves Ireland for London, and tries to forget her love for Finnegan O'Siodha, the tinkering blacksmith who was helping her father build a telescope larger than his rival's. But her father has left her more than the wreck of that unfinished instrument: his cryptic atlas holds the secret to finding a new world at the edge of the sky. As Caroline reluctantly resumes her father's work and confronts her own longings, Ireland is swept into rebellion, and Caroline and Finnegan are plunged into its violence.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2016
35 people are currently reading
2769 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 23, 2022
Late 18th century Ireland. Caroline Ainsworth grows up in Ireland with a father who is fascinated by the solar system. A local blacksmith helps him to build a telescope. Caroline assists her father with his observations in search of an unknown planet, and becomes a fervent stargazer. When her father learns that astronomer William Herschel discovered Uranus, his jealousy drives him to madness and suicide. Caroline abandons all the research and leaves Ireland for London, where with time resumes her work.
I’m a bit confused about the fictionalized part of Caroline’s life, which I know is sometimes taken in historical fiction. Not exactly based on true characters, but to some extent, and maybe that’s what contributed to a bit choppy flow. I would prefer this story to be based exactly on true characters.
In reality, Caroline Herschel was a sister of the famous astronomer William Herschel. As she worked along her brother, she discovered a few planets, one bearing her name. She certainly made a contribution to astronomy.
I’m a bit confused about the fictionalized part of Caroline’s life, which I know is sometimes taken in historical fiction. Not exactly based on true characters, but to some extent, and maybe that’s what contributed to a bit choppy flow. I would prefer this story to be based exactly on true characters.
In reality, Caroline Herschel was a sister of the famous astronomer William Herschel. As she worked along her brother, she discovered a few planets, one bearing her name. She certainly made a contribution to astronomy.
September 7, 2023
As an infant, the girl who will be re-named Caroline has two tragedies befall her. A foundling, she is brought home by the O’Siodha family, the father a blacksmith, when they find her in a barn beside her deceased mother, who had named her Siobhan. Once home with the O’Siodha’s, an accident occurs which crushes her tiny hand, making it virtually ineffectual for holding, grasping anything.
Arthur Ainsworth is the owner of this land, recently married to Theodosia. Originally from London, he moves to Inistioge, Ireland to pursue his passion for astronomy. A short time passes and Arthur and Theodosia are blessed, momentarily, with twin girls. The thrill of the moment soon passes as the girls weaken before their eyes. In her grief, Theodosia loses all interest in life, and Arthur, desperate to keep his wife with him, requests his “caretaker” of the estate to go forth and find him a healthy female infant. And so, Siobhan leaves the O’Siodha family and becomes Caroline the daughter of Arthur Ainsworth. And so she grows up under the stars and becomes the assistant to her father, the astronomer.
As a not-quite woman, Caroline is quite sheltered, she rarely comes in contact with outsiders. Her nights are spent assisting her father, her days finding sleep in stolen moments. She has her own telescope, a gift from her father, which she uses to see the world outside her walls, including watching Finnegan O’Siodha, she feels drawn to him in a way she doesn’t quite understand. Finnegan is helping her father build a telescope, bigger and better than any other, but Arthur’s ever watchful eyes manage to keep them apart, but only for so long. Finnegan can’t keep his eyes off the young woman that Siobhan has become.
William Herschel and his sister Caroline have a significant role as astronomers who are eagerly trying to find the next planet to name. Caroline, called Lina by her brother, also is plagued by disabilities. While the storyline for William and Caroline / Lina is fictionalized, their storyline is based on the lives of William and Caroline Herschel. Caroline Herschel is credited with being the first woman to discover a comet, and the first woman to be officially recognized in a scientific position.
There are lovely moments, heartbreaking moments, moments of historical events, the political climate of the times in Ireland eventually adds another dimension. There are some lovely passages, the stories of Siobhan/Caroline and Finnegan merged effortlessly into a budding love story, but overall the discontinuity of the story made it difficult to fully immerse myself.
Pub Date: 11 October 2016
Many thanks to Bloomsbury USA, NetGalley and to author John Pipkin for providing me with an advanced copy.
Arthur Ainsworth is the owner of this land, recently married to Theodosia. Originally from London, he moves to Inistioge, Ireland to pursue his passion for astronomy. A short time passes and Arthur and Theodosia are blessed, momentarily, with twin girls. The thrill of the moment soon passes as the girls weaken before their eyes. In her grief, Theodosia loses all interest in life, and Arthur, desperate to keep his wife with him, requests his “caretaker” of the estate to go forth and find him a healthy female infant. And so, Siobhan leaves the O’Siodha family and becomes Caroline the daughter of Arthur Ainsworth. And so she grows up under the stars and becomes the assistant to her father, the astronomer.
As a not-quite woman, Caroline is quite sheltered, she rarely comes in contact with outsiders. Her nights are spent assisting her father, her days finding sleep in stolen moments. She has her own telescope, a gift from her father, which she uses to see the world outside her walls, including watching Finnegan O’Siodha, she feels drawn to him in a way she doesn’t quite understand. Finnegan is helping her father build a telescope, bigger and better than any other, but Arthur’s ever watchful eyes manage to keep them apart, but only for so long. Finnegan can’t keep his eyes off the young woman that Siobhan has become.
William Herschel and his sister Caroline have a significant role as astronomers who are eagerly trying to find the next planet to name. Caroline, called Lina by her brother, also is plagued by disabilities. While the storyline for William and Caroline / Lina is fictionalized, their storyline is based on the lives of William and Caroline Herschel. Caroline Herschel is credited with being the first woman to discover a comet, and the first woman to be officially recognized in a scientific position.
There are lovely moments, heartbreaking moments, moments of historical events, the political climate of the times in Ireland eventually adds another dimension. There are some lovely passages, the stories of Siobhan/Caroline and Finnegan merged effortlessly into a budding love story, but overall the discontinuity of the story made it difficult to fully immerse myself.
Pub Date: 11 October 2016
Many thanks to Bloomsbury USA, NetGalley and to author John Pipkin for providing me with an advanced copy.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : The Blind Astronomer's Daughter - Nevisande : John Pipkin - ISBN : 1632861879 - ISBN13 : 9781632861870 - Dar 480 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2016
September 28, 2018
I started this book at midnight and by 8 AM I had finished. The writing is running the story is different the ideas are interesting and it touches on illness, mental illness and deformity. It's historical fiction its best and it changes the game for me. This was a beautiful breathtaking and I absolutely adored it. I'm between 4.5 and five stars I'm really not sure which way to go but I will think about it and then a review will come.
May 31, 2022
4 stars - English hardcover
The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter is a dazzling new historical novel, about one woman’s life in a time of stunning scientific advancement and violent rebellion.
In late-eighteenth-century Ireland, Arthur Ainsworth and his adopted daughter, Caroline, spend their nights searching the skies for an uncharted planet that they believe is hiding inside the orbit of Mercury. But when William Herschel—who at this time is still an obscure musician and amateur astronomer living in Bath with his sister Lina—stumbles upon distant Uranus, Arthur Ainsworth is overwhelmed by jealousy, his quest turns obsessive, and he eventually ruins his eyes by staring recklessly into the sun. Soon after, Arthur throws himself from a roofroop leaving Caroline behind.
Grief-stricken, Caroline at first abandons the vain search for a new planet, and she leaves Ireland for London in an effort to forget her unrealized love for Finnegan O’Siodha, the tinkering blacksmith who was helping her father build a massive telescope larger than Herschel’s own. Finn, too, attempts to ignore his passions; he travels to Edinburgh to start a new life only to find that he cannot keep Caroline from his thoughts, and he begins working tirelessly to ensure that their trajectories reconvene.
And than the story unvolves. You see that a lot of study went in to know the facts to write this book. The effort to do this makes this book even more intersting to read.
The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter is a dazzling new historical novel, about one woman’s life in a time of stunning scientific advancement and violent rebellion.
In late-eighteenth-century Ireland, Arthur Ainsworth and his adopted daughter, Caroline, spend their nights searching the skies for an uncharted planet that they believe is hiding inside the orbit of Mercury. But when William Herschel—who at this time is still an obscure musician and amateur astronomer living in Bath with his sister Lina—stumbles upon distant Uranus, Arthur Ainsworth is overwhelmed by jealousy, his quest turns obsessive, and he eventually ruins his eyes by staring recklessly into the sun. Soon after, Arthur throws himself from a roofroop leaving Caroline behind.
Grief-stricken, Caroline at first abandons the vain search for a new planet, and she leaves Ireland for London in an effort to forget her unrealized love for Finnegan O’Siodha, the tinkering blacksmith who was helping her father build a massive telescope larger than Herschel’s own. Finn, too, attempts to ignore his passions; he travels to Edinburgh to start a new life only to find that he cannot keep Caroline from his thoughts, and he begins working tirelessly to ensure that their trajectories reconvene.
And than the story unvolves. You see that a lot of study went in to know the facts to write this book. The effort to do this makes this book even more intersting to read.
September 2, 2016
If I was a high school student and my teacher was planning on evaluating my literary analysis , I'm not sure I would pass. Beautiful cover, interesting premise, but this story was all over the place for me. I always felt as if I was standing on the other side of the river, watching events take place.
December 25, 2016
This is not only an enjoyable read, it’s good literature. Pipkin's historical novel is set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and primarily focuses on the big advances to astronomy at the time, from new discoveries in space to how to build your own telescope. You’ll follow several prominent characters to different countries, including the real astronomers: William Herschel and his sister Caroline. The title character is fictional, but gives the author more room to play with the plot. Here’s to strong women ahead of their times!
With so much technical research to juggle, the book could easily have become dull, laborious, and esoteric, but Pipkin does a superb job of making us care about the human drama unfolding. He also takes us through the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which adds a lot of action and horror to an otherwise intellectual book.
With so much technical research to juggle, the book could easily have become dull, laborious, and esoteric, but Pipkin does a superb job of making us care about the human drama unfolding. He also takes us through the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which adds a lot of action and horror to an otherwise intellectual book.
May 4, 2021
DNF -- just could not get into this book. I really wanted to like it, but the constantly shifting POV drove me insane! Maybe it calmed down latter in the book but I couldn't make it that far :-(
November 10, 2016
*I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley*
Rating: 5/10
The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter is a sweeping tale that ties together the scientific, the historical, and the political. There are a variety of main characters that serve to give the reader a glimpse into the Ireland of the late eighteenth century. However, I believe the author may have been too ambitious in his scope as the stories can feel disjointed and jarring at points.
The story gets off to a slow start as the author established a baseline for his characters. We learn the history of Caroline Ainsworth and her father before joining them in their search of the heavens. This novel does a very good job of explaining astronomy and the unceasing need of the stargazers of that time to find the next astronomical marvel. A great deal of time passes as Arthur and Caroline gaze up into the heavens, however any suspense that may have built up is ruined by the opening of the book. At the start of the novel, before the reader knows either of the characters, the ending of their story together is revealed.
There were multiple subplots that all started at different times in the novel. While I enjoyed learning more about how various people lived in the time period, these stories were only slightly related to the main plot regarding Caroline. The only one that I think needed to be included was Finn’s because it fleshed out the character and showed an entirely different side of Ireland than the other storylines. Otherwise, the stories served to make the story feel piecemeal, the cohesiveness stressed with each switch.
As for the romance aspect, most of the romance in this novel is between humans and the heavens. So if you’re looking for a historical romance, this may not be the book for you. There wasn’t a lot of development in terms of interpersonal relationships so it was difficult for me to connect to or care about the characters.
Overall, this was an interesting novel that explored a time period where man was racing to discover the skies. I would recommend it to those who prefer historical fiction that focuses on the events of a time period rather than the people.
Rating: 5/10
The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter is a sweeping tale that ties together the scientific, the historical, and the political. There are a variety of main characters that serve to give the reader a glimpse into the Ireland of the late eighteenth century. However, I believe the author may have been too ambitious in his scope as the stories can feel disjointed and jarring at points.
The story gets off to a slow start as the author established a baseline for his characters. We learn the history of Caroline Ainsworth and her father before joining them in their search of the heavens. This novel does a very good job of explaining astronomy and the unceasing need of the stargazers of that time to find the next astronomical marvel. A great deal of time passes as Arthur and Caroline gaze up into the heavens, however any suspense that may have built up is ruined by the opening of the book. At the start of the novel, before the reader knows either of the characters, the ending of their story together is revealed.
There were multiple subplots that all started at different times in the novel. While I enjoyed learning more about how various people lived in the time period, these stories were only slightly related to the main plot regarding Caroline. The only one that I think needed to be included was Finn’s because it fleshed out the character and showed an entirely different side of Ireland than the other storylines. Otherwise, the stories served to make the story feel piecemeal, the cohesiveness stressed with each switch.
As for the romance aspect, most of the romance in this novel is between humans and the heavens. So if you’re looking for a historical romance, this may not be the book for you. There wasn’t a lot of development in terms of interpersonal relationships so it was difficult for me to connect to or care about the characters.
Overall, this was an interesting novel that explored a time period where man was racing to discover the skies. I would recommend it to those who prefer historical fiction that focuses on the events of a time period rather than the people.
June 20, 2016
"Nothing in heaven or earth is content to be alone, and so there must always be something more."
'She has come into her life with the randomness of a comet, but it is no ill fortune that she brings, and he will keep the world at a distance so that no random harm befalls her." Of course we know, no matter how fragile our loved ones are, we cannot contain their life in a manner than hides them from harm. Despite her damaged arm, Caroline grows up and becomes her father's assistant. When Caroline's adoptive father Arthur Ainsworth takes his own life after watching his labor seemingly come to nothing as others surpass him, she is left with his work and his hunger. But she is also a woman of passion for the blacksmith's son.
She falls in love with Finnegan O’Siodha, connected to her heart as much as the stars are connected to the heavens. But her father left her with a madness, a madness to know more about the sky, still the madness of love beckons. Finnegan had helped her father build his telescope but war has come and with it has swept him from her dreams and arms. Finn cannot let go his love for her either, regardless of the danger he finds himself in as Ireland swirls with violence. Leaving for London to find him, she discovers more than stars in the sky and collects more losses. Forging on, she is still clinging to hope that Finn will return to her, that they will have a life full of children. She ventures out into the world her father wanted to protect her from. There will be heartbreak, and she will have to adjust to everything that has changed. This is for anyone that loves historical fiction, and while there is a love story it isn't just one between a man and woman. It is a love story of one's passions.
In the end, it may take another to pull her out of her loss and urge her to return to her life's work. "They are an unlikely pair, mismatched travelers, but there is no accounting for the forces that throw people together." Much like the discoveries above, life too has endless possibilities. The early mapping of the solar system is fascinating, and the building of telescopes so very intricate a process. This is a hard book to review for me because it is full of historical events and while it is also about love and relationships it is not what I would call a romance.
Really enjoyed it.
Bloomsbury USA Publication Date October 11, 2016
'She has come into her life with the randomness of a comet, but it is no ill fortune that she brings, and he will keep the world at a distance so that no random harm befalls her." Of course we know, no matter how fragile our loved ones are, we cannot contain their life in a manner than hides them from harm. Despite her damaged arm, Caroline grows up and becomes her father's assistant. When Caroline's adoptive father Arthur Ainsworth takes his own life after watching his labor seemingly come to nothing as others surpass him, she is left with his work and his hunger. But she is also a woman of passion for the blacksmith's son.
She falls in love with Finnegan O’Siodha, connected to her heart as much as the stars are connected to the heavens. But her father left her with a madness, a madness to know more about the sky, still the madness of love beckons. Finnegan had helped her father build his telescope but war has come and with it has swept him from her dreams and arms. Finn cannot let go his love for her either, regardless of the danger he finds himself in as Ireland swirls with violence. Leaving for London to find him, she discovers more than stars in the sky and collects more losses. Forging on, she is still clinging to hope that Finn will return to her, that they will have a life full of children. She ventures out into the world her father wanted to protect her from. There will be heartbreak, and she will have to adjust to everything that has changed. This is for anyone that loves historical fiction, and while there is a love story it isn't just one between a man and woman. It is a love story of one's passions.
In the end, it may take another to pull her out of her loss and urge her to return to her life's work. "They are an unlikely pair, mismatched travelers, but there is no accounting for the forces that throw people together." Much like the discoveries above, life too has endless possibilities. The early mapping of the solar system is fascinating, and the building of telescopes so very intricate a process. This is a hard book to review for me because it is full of historical events and while it is also about love and relationships it is not what I would call a romance.
Really enjoyed it.
Bloomsbury USA Publication Date October 11, 2016
June 13, 2017
I'm.adding this one to my "Try Again Later" shelf. This just isn't the book for me right now.
July 29, 2016
Reading this was a bit of a departure from the books that have been drawing my interest lately. However, it was set in Ireland and sounded like an intriguing sort of historical novel. The Blind Astronomer's Daughter (due to publish October 11, 2016) is a meticulously detailed story of men's search of the heavens and on a smaller scale, of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. My favorite books are those that entertain with a good story while at the same time informing me of a new time or place, and this one definitely fit the bill! The writing style vaguely reminds me of Dickens.
The story spans many decades and encompasses two distinct families or people groups. Arthur Ainsworth and William Herschel are two astronomers countries apart, but both scouring the heavens for new plants, comets, stars - and always trying to build bigger, better telescopes for viewing outer space. Ainsworth's interest though, is a true obsession that controls his every movement and spills over onto his daughter and the tenants of his property and in the long run, drives him truly mad. His daughter, Caroline, even years after his death, is never truly free from the influence of his obsession even as she forges her own path in the world.
Caroline, I feel, is truly the main character of this book - even though we spend at least half of the book following other characters around. In the end it all comes back to her story. While I admired her tenacity, it all had a very bittersweet, melancholy feel to it. Had I been in her place, I would probably have given up to despair many times over but she just keeps on picking herself up and trudging along. Her story does not have a happy ending, per se, but it has a hope of happiness that is probably a good deal more realistic.
Now for the issues I had with the book. To be honest, until I was about halfway through, I genuinely regretted volunteering to read it! Like I already said, it's quite different from the majority of books I've been reading lately. I've really drifted away from the more literary style, and this was not only literary but the author made the genuinely absurd decision to write the entire thing in 3rd person present tense. For some reason, I find that annoying in the extreme. Maybe it was in an attempt to bring us closer to the events of the book, but it was completely unnecessary and I think the usual past tense form would have worked much better. The descriptions are lovely but long winded. The characters in the beginning, are generally not all that interesting or sympathetic - Finn is the exception. I liked Finn all the way through, even more than I liked Caroline. Arthur Ainsworth should be sympathetic, as he has a pretty darn rough start in life, and Fate seems to conspire to kick him when he's down, but overall he just comes across as having no backbone at all and being an inconsiderate ass that never thinks of anyone but himself.
Then we spend pages and pages and PAGES on astronomical details. Which is great and everything, and the amount of research required just staggers me, buuuuut...zzzzzzz. Also at one point we spend an ENTIRE chapter following Herschel's climb up a ladder. Where was the editor on that one? Seriously.
I knew very little about any of the Irish rebellions before reading this book. I'm still far from educated but I have a lot more facts than I did before! Also I think Pipkin managed to convey humanity in the midst of the bloodbath, even as it tears the country (and our story) apart. I personally never recovered from the battles of the rebellion as I read...one particular thing, I can't put in plain English without giving out spoilers...but I kept hoping and hoping that somehow, this thing would turn out differently and it wasn't until the last couple of chapters I gave up. I was so sad, it took me hours to go to sleep the night I finished it. Like I said before though...the story still ends with that hope of happiness, even if it wasn't the ending I was looking for.
3.5/5 stars. It's a really good story, more realistic than we often want from our books, I think, but a beautiful tale nevertheless.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This in no way affects my rating or opinion of the book itself.
The story spans many decades and encompasses two distinct families or people groups. Arthur Ainsworth and William Herschel are two astronomers countries apart, but both scouring the heavens for new plants, comets, stars - and always trying to build bigger, better telescopes for viewing outer space. Ainsworth's interest though, is a true obsession that controls his every movement and spills over onto his daughter and the tenants of his property and in the long run, drives him truly mad. His daughter, Caroline, even years after his death, is never truly free from the influence of his obsession even as she forges her own path in the world.
Caroline, I feel, is truly the main character of this book - even though we spend at least half of the book following other characters around. In the end it all comes back to her story. While I admired her tenacity, it all had a very bittersweet, melancholy feel to it. Had I been in her place, I would probably have given up to despair many times over but she just keeps on picking herself up and trudging along. Her story does not have a happy ending, per se, but it has a hope of happiness that is probably a good deal more realistic.
Now for the issues I had with the book. To be honest, until I was about halfway through, I genuinely regretted volunteering to read it! Like I already said, it's quite different from the majority of books I've been reading lately. I've really drifted away from the more literary style, and this was not only literary but the author made the genuinely absurd decision to write the entire thing in 3rd person present tense. For some reason, I find that annoying in the extreme. Maybe it was in an attempt to bring us closer to the events of the book, but it was completely unnecessary and I think the usual past tense form would have worked much better. The descriptions are lovely but long winded. The characters in the beginning, are generally not all that interesting or sympathetic - Finn is the exception. I liked Finn all the way through, even more than I liked Caroline. Arthur Ainsworth should be sympathetic, as he has a pretty darn rough start in life, and Fate seems to conspire to kick him when he's down, but overall he just comes across as having no backbone at all and being an inconsiderate ass that never thinks of anyone but himself.
Then we spend pages and pages and PAGES on astronomical details. Which is great and everything, and the amount of research required just staggers me, buuuuut...zzzzzzz. Also at one point we spend an ENTIRE chapter following Herschel's climb up a ladder. Where was the editor on that one? Seriously.
I knew very little about any of the Irish rebellions before reading this book. I'm still far from educated but I have a lot more facts than I did before! Also I think Pipkin managed to convey humanity in the midst of the bloodbath, even as it tears the country (and our story) apart. I personally never recovered from the battles of the rebellion as I read...one particular thing, I can't put in plain English without giving out spoilers...but I kept hoping and hoping that somehow, this thing would turn out differently and it wasn't until the last couple of chapters I gave up. I was so sad, it took me hours to go to sleep the night I finished it. Like I said before though...the story still ends with that hope of happiness, even if it wasn't the ending I was looking for.
3.5/5 stars. It's a really good story, more realistic than we often want from our books, I think, but a beautiful tale nevertheless.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This in no way affects my rating or opinion of the book itself.
February 3, 2017
"...Siobhan wonders if she has come all this way to look for something even more unfathomable than another planet. Perhaps she is, after all, just chasing ghosts. But is it so foolish a thought? No one believed that there might be another planet waiting beyond Saturn until someone thought to look."
If you've ever looked up at the majestic night sky and felt very small and awestruck, or wondered who else on the planet might in that same moment also be looking up at the stars, this book is for you.
Four stars only because of a little bit of dragging in the middle that I struggled with, but the gorgeous ending - which I both expected and did not expect - more than made up for it.
If you've ever looked up at the majestic night sky and felt very small and awestruck, or wondered who else on the planet might in that same moment also be looking up at the stars, this book is for you.
Four stars only because of a little bit of dragging in the middle that I struggled with, but the gorgeous ending - which I both expected and did not expect - more than made up for it.
December 10, 2016
Thanks Bloomsbury USA and netgalley for this ARC.
So ahead of her time that it did her no favors or did it?
This book will leave a impression on you so strong that you won't see the stars the same again. Imagery comes to life in HD; I wouldn't be surprised if they make a movie about this book.
So ahead of her time that it did her no favors or did it?
This book will leave a impression on you so strong that you won't see the stars the same again. Imagery comes to life in HD; I wouldn't be surprised if they make a movie about this book.
September 26, 2017
The Blind Astronomers Daughter is more of a historical based novel, explaining the processes that one went through in order to be able to look into the heavens, as the astronomy field was just increasing in popularity, even though it was still an oddity.
This book was okay. I found the technical lingo of how the early telescopes worked and were made, pretty interesting.
Unfortunately the book took a turn for me about 3/4 of the way through, and I found it hard to keep interest in it, when the book turned more toward the wartime activities. Which generally I find interest in, so .... not sure why I didn't this time.
The story line fell apart to me a little but, but it picked up a tad later as Caroline, the daughter of Mr. Ainsworth, realizes what is really hidden in her fathers blue binder.
I am going to say it was just okay for me. A library worthy loan for sure though.
- CJ
This book was okay. I found the technical lingo of how the early telescopes worked and were made, pretty interesting.
Unfortunately the book took a turn for me about 3/4 of the way through, and I found it hard to keep interest in it, when the book turned more toward the wartime activities. Which generally I find interest in, so .... not sure why I didn't this time.
The story line fell apart to me a little but, but it picked up a tad later as Caroline, the daughter of Mr. Ainsworth, realizes what is really hidden in her fathers blue binder.
I am going to say it was just okay for me. A library worthy loan for sure though.
- CJ
February 3, 2019
Have you ever imagined what a dry bread would feel like to read? That's what this book is like.
January 20, 2018
Pipkin kept his story flowing, focusing on astronomy. His well developed characters' endless obsessions to build larger telescopes in attempts to discover new planets and their perseverance in spite of adversities of every sort, add in the horror of the Irish Rebellion, I think this is historical fiction at its finest.
I would give this book 4.5 stars.
I would give this book 4.5 stars.
July 14, 2016
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
The Blind Astronomer's Daughter is a wonderfully complex saga that ties together aspects of scientific, political, and military history of Ireland. Although the book does include a romantic storyline, I would not classify this book as a historical romance. It revolves around the life of a foundling child taken in by a low class working family who is passed off as the daughter of the family's landlord, Arthur, after the landlord suffers a tragic loss. Arthur is a man who develops a passion for looking to the sky to cope with his loss and understand the scientific mysteries of the universe. In turn, his passion becomes his daughter, Caroline's, passion. Secondary storylines are used to provide historical background and to iterate the effects that on-goings in one part of the world have on other parts. Readers are provided insight into other astronomical activities being conducted by William Herschel and his sister. Political and military struggles are described to emphasize the difficulties of living in Ireland during this time. Being a scientist, I appreciated the scientific historical context, especially with respect to telescope advancements and construction, mapping of the universe, and the Herschel siblings. I found it very interesting that the women in the story were the ones doing the number crunching. This was definitely not what I expected on this time period, but the author made it very believable. Development of the main characters was respectable; it was apparent to me that the author thought this through as the story evolved. My only complaint is that the author delved a little too far into the secondary storylines. At times, it felt like I was reading a different book.
The Blind Astronomer's Daughter is a wonderfully complex saga that ties together aspects of scientific, political, and military history of Ireland. Although the book does include a romantic storyline, I would not classify this book as a historical romance. It revolves around the life of a foundling child taken in by a low class working family who is passed off as the daughter of the family's landlord, Arthur, after the landlord suffers a tragic loss. Arthur is a man who develops a passion for looking to the sky to cope with his loss and understand the scientific mysteries of the universe. In turn, his passion becomes his daughter, Caroline's, passion. Secondary storylines are used to provide historical background and to iterate the effects that on-goings in one part of the world have on other parts. Readers are provided insight into other astronomical activities being conducted by William Herschel and his sister. Political and military struggles are described to emphasize the difficulties of living in Ireland during this time. Being a scientist, I appreciated the scientific historical context, especially with respect to telescope advancements and construction, mapping of the universe, and the Herschel siblings. I found it very interesting that the women in the story were the ones doing the number crunching. This was definitely not what I expected on this time period, but the author made it very believable. Development of the main characters was respectable; it was apparent to me that the author thought this through as the story evolved. My only complaint is that the author delved a little too far into the secondary storylines. At times, it felt like I was reading a different book.
February 20, 2018
An ambitious sweeping, sprawling historical saga set in the late Eighteenth Century and early Nineteenth century in England and Ireland. The principal scientific characters are based on real life astronomers William and Caroline Herschel who discovered the planet Uranus. They are linked to other fictitious characters in Ireland caught up tragically in the hard times and eventually by the disastrous Irish rebellion of 1798
There are many stories and sub stories in the novel .There are detailed scientific descriptions of the Astronomical advances . There is a gripping Irish love story. Then,there is the background and retelling of the rebellion and the Cultural life of Ireland in which the characters are caught.
I found it interesting and historically informative but maybe too ambitious with too large a canvas. The story confusedly jumped in time and place from chapter to chapter. This was possibly needed because of its scope.I would have liked to give it more than three stars and I can see how other readers have done this. It is a hauntingly beautiful and a brutally sad mix of stories whose memories remain with me long after reading it
There are many stories and sub stories in the novel .There are detailed scientific descriptions of the Astronomical advances . There is a gripping Irish love story. Then,there is the background and retelling of the rebellion and the Cultural life of Ireland in which the characters are caught.
I found it interesting and historically informative but maybe too ambitious with too large a canvas. The story confusedly jumped in time and place from chapter to chapter. This was possibly needed because of its scope.I would have liked to give it more than three stars and I can see how other readers have done this. It is a hauntingly beautiful and a brutally sad mix of stories whose memories remain with me long after reading it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2017
I hardly know where to begin with this astounding story. At its heart are two Carolines (one Irish, one German, with some 30 odd years between their ages) who are swept into astronomy by the obsessions of their strong-willed male relatives. Each goes on to make their own fascinating discoveries about the solar system, the universe, and the forces that govern it. Each Caroline also has a physical deformity which she is told makes it impossible for her to marry, and so each devotes her life to science instead of love and happiness.
My heart broke for both, though especially the younger Irish Caroline, who had no idea who she was or that there had been someone who'd loved her all along. Her scientific discoveries came to naught, since, as a female, her male colleagues didn't think her discoveries held merit.
Overall it's a beautiful story of adversity, passion, obsession, and how scientific discovery held a kind of mania over the populace at the time and those society deemed intelligent (or male) enough to obtain it.
My heart broke for both, though especially the younger Irish Caroline, who had no idea who she was or that there had been someone who'd loved her all along. Her scientific discoveries came to naught, since, as a female, her male colleagues didn't think her discoveries held merit.
Overall it's a beautiful story of adversity, passion, obsession, and how scientific discovery held a kind of mania over the populace at the time and those society deemed intelligent (or male) enough to obtain it.
August 29, 2016
This book had the potential to be every bit as wonderful as Pipkin's first, Woodsburner. I thought the making of telescopes in the 1700s was fascinating. But the dual storylines got a bit muddled and the love story never quite came together in my mind. If the focus had stayed more with Siobhan/Caroline, the astronomer's daughter of the title, I would have liked it better. I think there is a really wonderful book here but for me it's lost in an overly complex story. There is some wonderful history, some fascinating facts, some great characters and all the good got a little overwhelmed.
August 17, 2016
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy. I loved the premise of 18th astronomers, both male and female, living and loving during their age of discoveries. The author writes well. I just had a problem with the cohesiveness of the two plots and the pace of the story. I just couldn't stay interested. The things I wanted more of were just glossed over and the things I really didn't want to know were explained in great detail. Others seem to enjoy it though so give it a try.
November 18, 2016
So many storylines. Interesting history line of woman in early astronomy
January 22, 2023
The Blind Astronomer's Daughter mostly follows the fortunes of the fictional Caroline Ainsworth, daughter of an obsessive 18th century gentleman-astronomer on an estate in Ireland. The narrative interweaves with the story of the historical Caroline Herschel, sister of William (discoverer of the planet Uranus) and herself an astronomer and discoverer of eight comets. There is much interesting detail about the construction of large telescopes in remote places, justifying the key role played by the local blacksmith's son Finn O'Siodha.
The link with the Herschels remains distant and their presence is justified more by theme than plot. The second half of the novel diversifies away from astronomy into the Irish rebellion of 1798. While interesting, I did feel that the novel lost a little focus from here to the end. A fourth point of view character, James Samuels, a civil servant working in Dublin Castle is introduced (or rather, re-introduced since we have previously met him in a minor way as one of Caroline Herschel's music pupils). His appearance is barely justified by the main narrative though he does allow Pipkin to elaborate a little on the causes and progress of the rebellion.
The author makes some interesting and surprising choices about the development of the narrative, particularly where Finn's final fate is concerned. This is realistic, but does it work in a novel? The final chapter brings together Caroline Ainsworth and James Samuels in a way that feels artificial to me. I'm still not sure about it a week later.
The link with the Herschels remains distant and their presence is justified more by theme than plot. The second half of the novel diversifies away from astronomy into the Irish rebellion of 1798. While interesting, I did feel that the novel lost a little focus from here to the end. A fourth point of view character, James Samuels, a civil servant working in Dublin Castle is introduced (or rather, re-introduced since we have previously met him in a minor way as one of Caroline Herschel's music pupils). His appearance is barely justified by the main narrative though he does allow Pipkin to elaborate a little on the causes and progress of the rebellion.
The author makes some interesting and surprising choices about the development of the narrative, particularly where Finn's final fate is concerned. This is realistic, but does it work in a novel? The final chapter brings together Caroline Ainsworth and James Samuels in a way that feels artificial to me. I'm still not sure about it a week later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2017
I received The Blind Astronomer's Daughter as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
A sweeping epic taking place over the course of nearly 80 years, The Blind Astronomer's daughter explores the lives of amateur astronomers, against the backdrop of of 18th century Anglo-Irish political turmoil. We become acquainted with Arthur Ainsworth, who eventually goes blind in the pursuit of discovering a new planet, and his adopted daughter (and loyal assistant) Caroline, Finnegan O'Siodha, a poor Irish laborer who has a child found the orphaned Caroline, William and Caroline Herschel, a brother-sister team who discover the planet Uranus (much to Arthur's dismay), and James Samuels, a young music student of Caroline Herschel's who dreams of adventure on the high seas. As the decades pass, their lives intertwine in the pursuit of new worlds.
This was a wonderful read. The characters--many of whom are women--are beautifully drawn and the prose was beautiful, the storyline interesting. I will say that it's something of a slow read. Usually it rarely takes me more than three days to finish a book, but this one took about three weeks. I'd pick it up, read a chapter or two, and not feel any huge need to keep going. It's not that it was bad, per se, but it is somewhat dense and the storyline unfolds slowly. Looking forward to reading more from John Pipkin.
A sweeping epic taking place over the course of nearly 80 years, The Blind Astronomer's daughter explores the lives of amateur astronomers, against the backdrop of of 18th century Anglo-Irish political turmoil. We become acquainted with Arthur Ainsworth, who eventually goes blind in the pursuit of discovering a new planet, and his adopted daughter (and loyal assistant) Caroline, Finnegan O'Siodha, a poor Irish laborer who has a child found the orphaned Caroline, William and Caroline Herschel, a brother-sister team who discover the planet Uranus (much to Arthur's dismay), and James Samuels, a young music student of Caroline Herschel's who dreams of adventure on the high seas. As the decades pass, their lives intertwine in the pursuit of new worlds.
This was a wonderful read. The characters--many of whom are women--are beautifully drawn and the prose was beautiful, the storyline interesting. I will say that it's something of a slow read. Usually it rarely takes me more than three days to finish a book, but this one took about three weeks. I'd pick it up, read a chapter or two, and not feel any huge need to keep going. It's not that it was bad, per se, but it is somewhat dense and the storyline unfolds slowly. Looking forward to reading more from John Pipkin.
May 31, 2017
An interesting story set in the time of revolutions in both science and politics--the revolutions in the United States, France and Ireland and the scientific discoveries of the solar system by both amateurs and professional scientists. This time frames the story of Caroline, the blind astronomer's daughter, and the other characters in the book. Caroline and the other astronomers from the upper classes find both joy and despair as a result of studying the sky. Finnegan and those of the lower classes are affected by both the upper class desire for knowledge of the universe and their own extreme struggles for survival. The two classes intertwine with the building of telescopes and the struggles for survival during the Irish Rebellion. The book mirrors the changes in politics through the changes in the lives of the characters who must start their lives over many times. The one constant being the study of the stars. Although difficult to start, and sometimes confusing as the lives of the characters are told in alternating chapters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and find myself thinking about it even as I am on to my next book.
June 12, 2019
The success of a historical novel, for me, is whether I have learned something new about history or science, or made new connections to what I already knew. This novel did both for me. I knew very little about astronomers of the 18th century, or how the discoveries in the heavens came about. I knew nothing of Caroline Herschel, which is a shame. She's a remarkable woman. The big connection for me was the Irish fight for independence being inspired by the American and French Revolutions. Setting the search for planets among the uprising illustrates perfectly the position the Irish were in, surrounded by interlopers who pursued cerebral pleasures while the native peoples starved on their own lands. I greatly admire Pipkin's lyrical writing, and it was a pleasure to read. I am impressed that he didn't indulge in graphic sex, which would have tempted many authors. The love story was sweet and realistic. I happened on this book by accident at my local library, and i'm glad I did. I'll look for more from John Pipkin.
June 22, 2017
I kept thinking I would put this one away, but once I got halfway through, I decided to just finish it. It got draggy-poo in several places. And the jumping-around timeline at the front was *very* difficult to get used to. (I realize why he did it, but kept thinking there must have been an easier, less confusing way.)
Also, I felt like one of the minor major characters was, for lack of a better word, an add-on. Like he got to the end and went, "wait a minute, I need something else here; let me go back and insert another character." Not entirely satisfying.
An interesting take on astronomy in the late 1800s, without getting too technical about it.
Also, I felt like one of the minor major characters was, for lack of a better word, an add-on. Like he got to the end and went, "wait a minute, I need something else here; let me go back and insert another character." Not entirely satisfying.
An interesting take on astronomy in the late 1800s, without getting too technical about it.
May 9, 2018
This book was reviewed on NPRs Sound of Applause. You'll learn a lot about telescopes in the late 1700's and the race for astronomers to discover new comets and planets. But mainly it is about two women named Caroline. One supports her father in his search for new bodies in the heavens and the other supports her brother in the same search.
Long, complex sentences that sometimes drift and sometimes are spot on are the common writing style for this author. I found the style vague and had a hard time concentrating on where he was going.
Long, complex sentences that sometimes drift and sometimes are spot on are the common writing style for this author. I found the style vague and had a hard time concentrating on where he was going.
February 17, 2024
Seemed the book was all over the place and no place. Redundancy in characters and imagery related to star gazing between the various characters, the main character basically just falls from script (as well as the war - without wrapping up the outcome) in the 3rd chapter from the end and some other guy appears shortly before to win the girl, so-to-speak.
The book left me frustrated and disappointed. If the characters hadn’t aged through the years spanned, one might consider a sequel that cleans the whole mess up.
The book left me frustrated and disappointed. If the characters hadn’t aged through the years spanned, one might consider a sequel that cleans the whole mess up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews