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The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics: Feminine Pursuits
Verfasst von Olivia Waite
Gesprochen von Morag Sims
Buchaktionen
Mit Anhören beginnenBeschreibung
As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover's sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn't until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess' London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.
Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband's scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project-instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.
While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
Buchaktionen
Mit Anhören beginnenInformationen über das Buch
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics: Feminine Pursuits
Verfasst von Olivia Waite
Gesprochen von Morag Sims
Beschreibung
As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover's sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn't until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess' London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away.
Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband's scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project-instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested.
While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
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4.5/5
This was my first time reading an F/F historical romance and I'm not disappointed at all. I loved how the women of this book were portrayed. They have depth, a character, hobbies and problems of their own.
I'm also VERY satisfied with how the romance bloomed and how they explored their sexuality. And the message about going at one's pace in order to feel comfortable.
The story revolves a lot around science and sexism. So be aware of that. But I must say, I find it has been done taking into account the time period it is set on.
10/10 would recommend!
Rating: 5This was my first time reading an F/F historical romance and I'm not disappointed at all. I loved how the women of this book were portrayed. They have depth, a character, hobbies and problems of their own.
I'm also VERY satisfied with how the romance bloomed and how they explored their sexuality. And the message about going at one's pace in order to feel comfortable.
The story revolves a lot around science and sexism. So be aware of that. But I must say, I find it has been done taking into account the time period it is set on.
10/10 would recommend!
Perfect way to start the year. It gave me so much hope and anticipation for the future.
Rating: 5
4.75 stars. This book is special, by any means.
I've been reading romances set in recency times for ages, but first of all, lesbian fiction in this genre is something of a rarity.
In my twenties I did enjoy authors like Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, Julia Quinn or Carla Kelly; however there was just something about heterosexual romances in terms of feminism - no matter how "old" or progressive the heroines were, they're almost all saved by the hero and marriage. I feel it's never equality, never the real deal, it's always a mismatch of sex and power. In short, I've been so sick of this heterosexual lense.
Anyway, I haven't read recency romances in the almost ten years I've been with a woman. I did try to find lesbian recency romances, and I came across "Pembroke Park" and that was basically it. So I am really overjoyed that I found this book.
BTW, it took me ages to read this book and in the meantime the audiobook has been released. The narrator Morag Sims is fantastic. She does a brilliant job with the voices, even if her voice for Catherine gives the impression that she is much older than in her mid thirties (more like in her sixties to be honest). But I got used to it.
The story starts with 25 (22?) year old Lucy Muchelney, daughter of a renowned and well respected astronomer. She has been her father's assistant, but has actually been the brilliant brain behind his research for quite some time.
After his death, she wants to continue his work, but is left alone with her brothers, who tell her that nobody would employ a woman astronomer. As Lucy is also heartbroken because her lover Pris decided to wed a man she doesn't love, Lucy embarks on a journey to London, in search of her father's fellow researcher.
Arrived in London, she is faced with only his widow, Catherine St. Day, Countess of Moth. Catherine has been married for 15 years and has her own scars. Her late husband has never been satisfied with what he had and wasn't a kind man. Left out of intelligent matters, Catherine (who must be about 35) now enjoys her freedom and peace. She's a real artist with her embroidery.
When Lucy stands at her door, Catherine wants to help her to gain entry at the Polite Society. She's astounded at Lucy's talent with a difficult mathematical translation from French.
When Lucy is snubbed at at the Polite Society because she's a woman, Catherine withdraws her funding and lets Lucy publish her book elsewhere. This way, both women enjoy their days in a comfortable routine.
Lucy is a breeze of fresh air for Catherine. When Catherine's aunt Lady Kelmarch invites them to her country cottage, Catherine learns that her aunt was her mother's lover and life companion. Two women together as lovers, this is like a revelation for Catherine. She thinks of the times she admired other women and slowly realizes what she missed the whole time. She's also practical about it because with a woman she would never have to marry again.
This is a key scene in the book, as on the one hand, Lucy and aunt Kelmarch are already "member's of the club", and on the other hand Catherine's revelation is undeniably sweet when she also realizes she has feelings for Lucy and doesn't know how to go about it. Catherine then decides to woo Lucy and it's really really sweet, as Lucy is already half in love with her but didn't dare make a move. It's really well done how they both discover each other. I liked the reversed roles especially, Lucy being the experienced one, but Catherine being indignant about taking it slow: "it's not as though I'm entirely new to the business; I was married for fifteen years".
The story is so multi layered. There is the romance, progressing rather quickly, but then the relationship is more slow burn. Catherine finally gains trust, as Lucy is always kind and patient with her, something she's direly in need of after her marriage.
There is also the society aspect, which is very well done in this book. We see aspects of queer life, for example in the forms of aunt Kelmarch's salon, and also gay men. We see glimpses of the racist society when Catherine's maid confesses: "I have spent two weeks thinking you were about to give me the sack... My sister said to watch out when they start bringing in people who are younger and lighter complexioned."
We also see how deeply mysogeny is ingrained into the characters, especially the men, but also in both MCs.
Catherine becomes quickly insecure and jealous, not only of Lucy's former lover Pris, but she also fears that Lucy might bow to her brother's wishes and marry a man. Over and over again, Lucy has to gain her trust, but Lucy is really patient with Catherine, it is really sweet. And it's great to see how this is also a story of awakening for Catherine in more than one sense.
All in all, I really loved the chemistry and the characters and the story. A really special book.
Rating: 5I've been reading romances set in recency times for ages, but first of all, lesbian fiction in this genre is something of a rarity.
In my twenties I did enjoy authors like Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, Julia Quinn or Carla Kelly; however there was just something about heterosexual romances in terms of feminism - no matter how "old" or progressive the heroines were, they're almost all saved by the hero and marriage. I feel it's never equality, never the real deal, it's always a mismatch of sex and power. In short, I've been so sick of this heterosexual lense.
Anyway, I haven't read recency romances in the almost ten years I've been with a woman. I did try to find lesbian recency romances, and I came across "Pembroke Park" and that was basically it. So I am really overjoyed that I found this book.
BTW, it took me ages to read this book and in the meantime the audiobook has been released. The narrator Morag Sims is fantastic. She does a brilliant job with the voices, even if her voice for Catherine gives the impression that she is much older than in her mid thirties (more like in her sixties to be honest). But I got used to it.
The story starts with 25 (22?) year old Lucy Muchelney, daughter of a renowned and well respected astronomer. She has been her father's assistant, but has actually been the brilliant brain behind his research for quite some time.
After his death, she wants to continue his work, but is left alone with her brothers, who tell her that nobody would employ a woman astronomer. As Lucy is also heartbroken because her lover Pris decided to wed a man she doesn't love, Lucy embarks on a journey to London, in search of her father's fellow researcher.
Arrived in London, she is faced with only his widow, Catherine St. Day, Countess of Moth. Catherine has been married for 15 years and has her own scars. Her late husband has never been satisfied with what he had and wasn't a kind man. Left out of intelligent matters, Catherine (who must be about 35) now enjoys her freedom and peace. She's a real artist with her embroidery.
When Lucy stands at her door, Catherine wants to help her to gain entry at the Polite Society. She's astounded at Lucy's talent with a difficult mathematical translation from French.
When Lucy is snubbed at at the Polite Society because she's a woman, Catherine withdraws her funding and lets Lucy publish her book elsewhere. This way, both women enjoy their days in a comfortable routine.
Lucy is a breeze of fresh air for Catherine. When Catherine's aunt Lady Kelmarch invites them to her country cottage, Catherine learns that her aunt was her mother's lover and life companion. Two women together as lovers, this is like a revelation for Catherine. She thinks of the times she admired other women and slowly realizes what she missed the whole time. She's also practical about it because with a woman she would never have to marry again.
This is a key scene in the book, as on the one hand, Lucy and aunt Kelmarch are already "member's of the club", and on the other hand Catherine's revelation is undeniably sweet when she also realizes she has feelings for Lucy and doesn't know how to go about it. Catherine then decides to woo Lucy and it's really really sweet, as Lucy is already half in love with her but didn't dare make a move. It's really well done how they both discover each other. I liked the reversed roles especially, Lucy being the experienced one, but Catherine being indignant about taking it slow: "it's not as though I'm entirely new to the business; I was married for fifteen years".
The story is so multi layered. There is the romance, progressing rather quickly, but then the relationship is more slow burn. Catherine finally gains trust, as Lucy is always kind and patient with her, something she's direly in need of after her marriage.
There is also the society aspect, which is very well done in this book. We see aspects of queer life, for example in the forms of aunt Kelmarch's salon, and also gay men. We see glimpses of the racist society when Catherine's maid confesses: "I have spent two weeks thinking you were about to give me the sack... My sister said to watch out when they start bringing in people who are younger and lighter complexioned."
We also see how deeply mysogeny is ingrained into the characters, especially the men, but also in both MCs.
Catherine becomes quickly insecure and jealous, not only of Lucy's former lover Pris, but she also fears that Lucy might bow to her brother's wishes and marry a man. Over and over again, Lucy has to gain her trust, but Lucy is really patient with Catherine, it is really sweet. And it's great to see how this is also a story of awakening for Catherine in more than one sense.
All in all, I really loved the chemistry and the characters and the story. A really special book.
This book has so many wonderful things in it: Passionate scientists! Gorgeous dresses! Embroidery porn! Actual porn! Lesbians AND bisexual women! Women advocating for each other! It made me miss my bus stop, I was reading so hard.
Missing that fifth star for two reasons: 1) Maybe it's because I myself have been a female scientist, but the awful sexism of the male astronomers, and Lucy's brother, was all too real. It made me sick to my stomach. In a romance, I'd expect to see that balanced by an equally satisfying (if unrealistic) takedown, and it just didn't happen. I guess I wanted more grovelling and humiliation on the part of the sexist bastards.
and 2) I'd have liked the book to be a bit longer-- there's so much packed into so few pages that Lucy and Catherine's relationship and emotional growth felt a bit forced in places. They've both gone through so much that I found it difficult to accept a HEA (Happily Ever After) so soon. I'd have been happier with an HFN (Happy For Now).
Rating: 4Missing that fifth star for two reasons: 1) Maybe it's because I myself have been a female scientist, but the awful sexism of the male astronomers, and Lucy's brother, was all too real. It made me sick to my stomach. In a romance, I'd expect to see that balanced by an equally satisfying (if unrealistic) takedown, and it just didn't happen. I guess I wanted more grovelling and humiliation on the part of the sexist bastards.
and 2) I'd have liked the book to be a bit longer-- there's so much packed into so few pages that Lucy and Catherine's relationship and emotional growth felt a bit forced in places. They've both gone through so much that I found it difficult to accept a HEA (Happily Ever After) so soon. I'd have been happier with an HFN (Happy For Now).
Lovely f/f romance with science and embroidery!! Also a huge middle finger to all the "learned men" who kept people of color and white women out so they themselves could retain all the power and make all the rules.
Rating: 5