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simoneboyle's review against another edition
The prose was lovely and easy to read, but the themes became too much. I can’t see Rosin as anything but a predator taking advantage of a younger, vulnerable relative, and if my guess is right likely to repeat the same pattern with Francois. I can see what is coming with Liam. It makes me feel a little sick and I just can’t bring myself to continue even though I would have otherwise liked to see how everything tied up with Severin’s story and the history of her family and the ghosts.
Content Warnings
nnicduffy's review
3.0
The comet seekers is about the lives of two families, one in Ireland & one in France and their journey to one another. The book spans across numerous timelines from 1066 up until present time (2017) and follows a number of characters all connected and charted through comets. Ultimately its about wanderlust, attachment, love and humans needing humans… also about lots of comets. I loved the concept around the ghosts although would have loved to understand this more, I felt I ended the book with lots of questions.
ryzmat's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a gorgeous book. Some of the most beautiful and expressive writing I've read in a long time, it tells a story full of love and melancholy, of mystical, fated relationships, of comets and ghosts. This was an incredible reading experience and a nice start for 2017.
funktious's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A lovely book - I think I’d come across this before but it was also highly recommended by the Storygraph alogorithm, so well done for that, as this definitely hit all my buttons of home as a “place” you feel connected to (or not,) staying home versus leaving, different types of ghosts… I loved the French half of the story most, though really felt for Roisin and her difficult choices. And I loved the comets holding it all together, such a beautiful idea. A great read to end the year on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Incest
raoionna's review
4.0
Lovely book about love and longing centered around different years and places that comets were visible. I found the boom gently moving.
mrsmeganrose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thoughtsfromapage's review
4.0
3.5 stars
The Comet Seekers is beautifully written. I was so excited to read it based on the summary and other reviews I had read. Somehow, I just did not totally connect with the story. There are SO many characters that I found it hard to keep up with them all. I also just did not love the story line. Sedgwick’s prose is lyrical, and I truly enjoyed reading her writing so after several days of thinking about the book after I finished it, I decided to give it 3.5 stars.
Her descriptions of Antarctica are very descriptive, and I felt like I was being transported there. She conveys the isolation, the darkness, and the ice and cold phenomenally well. That was my favorite part of the book by far (and the cover which is spectacular). Thanks to BookBrowse for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Comet Seekers is beautifully written. I was so excited to read it based on the summary and other reviews I had read. Somehow, I just did not totally connect with the story. There are SO many characters that I found it hard to keep up with them all. I also just did not love the story line. Sedgwick’s prose is lyrical, and I truly enjoyed reading her writing so after several days of thinking about the book after I finished it, I decided to give it 3.5 stars.
Her descriptions of Antarctica are very descriptive, and I felt like I was being transported there. She conveys the isolation, the darkness, and the ice and cold phenomenally well. That was my favorite part of the book by far (and the cover which is spectacular). Thanks to BookBrowse for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
ksangabriel15's review
3.0
3.5 stars
So, I was not expecting the more...fantastical elements in this book but that didn’t really detract from the story. I really enjoyed seeing François and Róisín’s stories slowly merge together. However, I was a bit confused about Brigitte... I would’ve liked to have gotten at least a little bit more information about her. (Actually, the family tree could’ve been clearer in general.)
I liked the shift in timelines as well as the astronomy lessons, but admittedly I was a bit taken aback by Róisín and Liam’s relationship. And of course, I’d have loved to see more of Róisín’s relationship with François once they are finally together. (That’s not a spoiler, I promise!) At least the ending was satisfying in that I didn’t have any lingering questions.
I think this would be an interesting movie, but I’m not exactly sure how to categorize this enough to recommend it to anyone in particular.
So, I was not expecting the more...fantastical elements in this book but that didn’t really detract from the story. I really enjoyed seeing François and Róisín’s stories slowly merge together. However, I was a bit confused about Brigitte... I would’ve liked to have gotten at least a little bit more information about her. (Actually, the family tree could’ve been clearer in general.)
I liked the shift in timelines as well as the astronomy lessons, but admittedly I was a bit taken aback by Róisín and Liam’s relationship. And of course, I’d have loved to see more of Róisín’s relationship with François once they are finally together. (That’s not a spoiler, I promise!) At least the ending was satisfying in that I didn’t have any lingering questions.
I think this would be an interesting movie, but I’m not exactly sure how to categorize this enough to recommend it to anyone in particular.
purelykara's review against another edition
4.0
The comets trace the story of Róisín and François crossing their paths until they come together. A story of connection, of love, of loss; when we find ourselves broken then remade. Two people will stitch each other back together across time and space. Chapters jump back and forth between past and present, but always when a comet is in the sky. Beautiful and magical; the only thing I struggled with was the lack of quotation marks when characters are talking, but that's always been hard for me. Basically just forces me to read slower. This was a great read to have while everyone was preparing for the eclipse, which just enveloped me in the awe of sky.
wrdtrvlr's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful book about things and people that leave and reappear, or seem to reappear.
The clever analogy of the comet's orbit is also in the details. Sedgwick writes to satisfy a scientific or practical mind. Here's an example: When Roisin asserts to Francois that people can't be satisfied with a meaningful relationship with just one person and says, "You need more. Everyone needs more." Sedgwick's outer world agrees, "There is a gust of wind that makes the taut fabric of the tent resonate like a string; ripple with harmonics."
It took me a while to allow the snippets of story to piece together into a novel. I'm glad I gave the author the time she needed. After all, comets take long journeys before they come round right.
The clever analogy of the comet's orbit is also in the details. Sedgwick writes to satisfy a scientific or practical mind. Here's an example: When Roisin asserts to Francois that people can't be satisfied with a meaningful relationship with just one person and says, "You need more. Everyone needs more." Sedgwick's outer world agrees, "There is a gust of wind that makes the taut fabric of the tent resonate like a string; ripple with harmonics."
It took me a while to allow the snippets of story to piece together into a novel. I'm glad I gave the author the time she needed. After all, comets take long journeys before they come round right.