I liked this read very much. Yes, Hannah Gardner Price is fictional but her life was based on that of Maria Mitchell, who was the first first professional female astronomer in our country. Through her passion for studying the stars, she found a comet and earned a medal from the King of Denmark. The discovery changed her life as she became recognized for her dedication to the skies and passion for astronomy.
I suppose some readers do not like the romance the author included as part of the character's story but, after all, authors do take liberties as they spin their yarns. To me, Hannah was depicted as a passionate woman whose life was strongly affected by the times in which she lived. Her love for her family and the community in which she lived is an integral part of the tale. The beliefs of the times certainly made it difficult to pursue her love of the stars and I think the author painted that aspect with gentle thoroughness.
I suppose some readers do not like the romance the author included as part of the character's story but, after all, authors do take liberties as they spin their yarns. To me, Hannah was depicted as a passionate woman whose life was strongly affected by the times in which she lived. Her love for her family and the community in which she lived is an integral part of the tale. The beliefs of the times certainly made it difficult to pursue her love of the stars and I think the author painted that aspect with gentle thoroughness.
