The Movement of Stars, Amy Brill
The Movement of Stars, Amy Brill
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
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The Movement of Stars

Author: Amy Brill

Narrator: Carla Mercer-Meyer

Unabridged: 14 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/20/2013


Synopsis

It is 1845, and Hannah Gardner Price has lived all twenty-four years of her life according to the principles of the Nantucket Quaker community in which she was raised, where simplicity and restraint are valued above all, and a woman's path is expected to lead to marriage and motherhood. But up on the rooftop each night, Hannah pursues a very different—and elusive—goal: discovering a comet and thereby winning a gold medal awarded by the King of Denmark, something unheard of for a woman.

And then she meets Isaac Martin, a young, dark-skinned whaler from the Azores who, like herself, has ambitions beyond his expected station in life. Drawn to his intellectual curiosity and honest manner, Hannah agrees to take Isaac on as a student. But when their shared interest in the stars develops into something deeper, Hannah's standing in the community begins to unravel, challenging her most fundamental beliefs about work and love, and ultimately changing the course of her life forever.

Inspired by the work of Maria Mitchell, the first professional female astronomer in America, The Movement of Stars is a richly drawn portrait of desire and ambition in the face of adversity.

About Amy Brill

Amy Brill is a writer and producer who has worked for PBS and MTV. A Pushcart Prize nominee, she has been awarded fellowships by the Edward F. Albee Foundation, the Millay Colony, and the American Antiquarian Society, among others. The Movement of Stars is her first novel. She lives in Brooklyn.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Annette on October 20, 2018

Hannah Gardner Price is a fictional character inspired by the work of Maria Mitchell, the first professional female astronomer in America. In 1847, Maria discovered a comet, which earned her a medal from the King of Denmark. The story starts in 1845, Nantucket. “Hannah’s intention is: to find a comet......more

Goodreads review by Patricia on August 08, 2018

This was a really good story about the first professional woman astronomer. It is based on truth which I love historical fiction. It's a story about a very strong woman who helps other women. Very uplifting. There's a relationship story there about a woman who was a Quaker and was banished from the......more

Goodreads review by Carol on April 07, 2013

The Movement of the Stars by Amy Brill called to me immediately! As soon as I saw the cover, I knew the story would be connected to Maria Mitchell, the first professional female astronomer in United States. I had learned about her on my visit to Nantucket Island. But instead of a biography, this is......more

Goodreads review by Kimberly on July 03, 2013

I felt a bit cheated by this book. It really was a young adult novel dressed up as literary historical fiction. No. Many of the characters - including the two main ones - were only sketchily drawn, and secondary characters were really sterotypes - the bumbling suitor, the forgetful old man, etc. In......more

Goodreads review by Sarah on March 14, 2013

Set in 1845, Hannah Gardner Price is finding herself constrained by a time in history that doesn't value women's contribution to the workforce or science. She has been taught about astronomy by her father and her goal is to one day discover a comet. She finds herself in a dead end situation when her......more