A review by just_one_more_paige
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
I've been on the waitlist for this one for a few months now. I had been hoping to get it in time for our relaxy-vacay to Mexico, but no such luck. It would have been the perfect poolside read. But, I enjoyed it even without the pool. And it was a great complementary read to The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, which I had finished just as this hold came through.


Lucy Muchelney just had to sit through the wedding of her former lover, and needs a distraction. With her brother threatening to sell the family's telescope, her only remaining refuge - the study of the stars she learned from her father - looks to be in jeopardy too. So when a letter comes from a correspondent of her father's, looking for someone to translate a definitive astronomy text from the original French, she takes a chance and leaves for London, to present herself as the best choice for the job. Catherine St Day, getting over the recent death of her husband - a well known explorer/scientist - is a bit surprised when Lucy shows up in person, on her doorstep, to answer the letter she'd sent. But the surprise quickly turns to intrigue and interest and she decides to let Lucy stay. As the two women orbit each other, spending more and more time together between embroidery and art (for Catherine) and translation and research (for Lucy), their relationship changes into something more than friendship. And together, they'll have to fight misogyny, social norms, and scars of previous relationships in order to make a future together (one brighter and more promising than they'd ever have imagined without the other).


Apparently, this is the year I get really into queer historical romance. I can't say I'm upset about it. Historical romance is not a sub-genre I've ever been pulled to before, but I think the additional sub-sub-genre of queer historical romance was the missing piece I needed to get me going. Anyways... I really enjoyed this one. It was quieter, on the whole, than the ones I've read recently, like Country Gentlemen, the entire The Last Binding trilogy, or Mortal Follies. To be fair, a number of those had magic, and one had smuggling as a key plot point, so they were predisposed to heightened drama. But it was an interesting contrast to move from that into this world. Lucy and Catherine had sparks of their own, no question, as they pushed the boundaries of what society allowed for women, both privately and publicly. And of course, the sparks that flew between them as they discovered each other emotionally/physically were bright as well. But the overall story felt more controlled and contained. I sort of enjoyed that change. I fell into the two of them together, all the time they were able to spend with each other, supporting and nurturing each other's projects and confidence; it was sweet and comforting and fulfilling in a different sort of way. And I personally have a very intense soft spot for lovers (even if it’s just the nascent feelings and they don’t even really know it yet) getting all worked up and angry in defense of their “person’s” honor and dignity, especially if they don’t feel that way for themselves (yet), but doing that for someone else helps them find their own strength and realize they’re worthy of that same dignity/defense. One of my favorite "tropes" and it was deployed spectacularly here. Yes, please.


I thought the framing story, Lucy's choice to get a bit creative with the translation of the French astronomy work, in order to make it accessible to a wider population, was inspired. Creative nonfiction is the reason I got into nonfiction, and I have learned so much through that entry-point. Similarly, I so appreciated the discourse on widening the definition of who deserves the title of scientist or artist. Who, historically, has been able to "bestow" that honor or create those parameters and who are they keeping out? What types of science and art are refused recognition on similar grounds of "undeserving?" It's a major theme of the novel and I thought it was well done. Important, but not overdone or too heavy in presentation. And then the ending, the low key surprise twist, showing that women (and people of color) have always been there, doing the work, it’s just a matter of getting recognition, added a perfect exclamation mark to the points Waite had been making the whole time. Finally, story/theme-wise, the debates on art and science, that despite how the world insists on seeing them as opposites, the genius of both lies in creativity and pushing boundaries, was everything. I have long tried to make similar points, but have never been able to do so with such clarity. I was so grateful to read it here. 


As far as Lucy and Catherine themselves, I really liked reading their overall arc. Catherine's support of Lucy and Lucy helping Catherine to come into her own - stop dempening herself for others' sake - was lovely. The dynamic of Lucy being the one to guide Catherine as a lover, as she had greater experience and awareness despite her younger age, was unique, not something I've read often in romances, and done so sweetly and gently. The worry and jealousy each experienced was very real, and authentic, but also...it leaned a bit too close to miscommunication at times, and that's one of my least favorite tropes. They were each legitimately trying to care or allow space/freedom for the other, and that's genuine and I love the sentiment, but so much of that could have been avoided if they'd just talked and I always struggle with that. The agreement they come to in the end, a way to commit both to each other and to the women and work they want to champion, was such a fantastic wrap-up though. Oh my stars (see what I did there?), hats off to that. 

Like I said, this was a lovely read, even without the poolside vibes. Inspiring, scientifically and self-discovery-wise. A couple very nice steamy scenes. And overall, a solid first experience into what felt like, to me, a more earnest/classic style of historical romance than I've read before.    
Expand filter menu Content Warnings