The Comet Seekers: Book summary and reviews of The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick

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Rebecca H. (Bolton, CT)

The Comet Seekers
This novel tells the story of two protagonists, Roisin, an Irish astronomer, and Francois, a French chef. Themes of longing and loss, belonging and freedom, longing for the past and hope for the future, sound throughout the narrative. The stories of secondary characters whose lives impact those of Roisin and Francois intertwine throughout.
The novel's structure revolves around the appearance, at intervals through history, of comets in the skies. As the book progresses, we see how the stories of all these characters run parallel, touch briefly, and then intersect each other. The reader must pay careful attention to the chapter headings (Halley's Comet, Comet Giacobini, etc.) in order to keep track of the narrative as it shoots between time periods and points of view. The absence of quotation marks when characters are speaking may also be challenging. This novel is worth the attention, though. The writing is graceful and compelling and the quirky characters moving and enchanting.
Romance, magic realism, ghost story, historical novel, fantasy; all are elements that combine to make this book a wonderful read.

Portia A. (Monroe Township, NJ)

A Beautiful Story
Once I started reading I couldn't stop. The stories of a family spanning a millennium, all tied together by the passing of comets. There is love, there are ghosts real or imagined, there are regrets and there are choices. A very beautiful story.

Cindy B. (Houston, TX)

Not exactly what I expected
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.

Martha D. (Hillsboro, OR)

The Comet Seeker
First off I should say I'm a sucker for stories with even a hint of magic in them. Much like Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman, Helen Sedgwick took ordinary people and gave them extraordinary lives.

With the backdrop of comets and stars, Roisin and Francois lives and the lives of their families unfold with all the small and grand moments that make life interesting. I loved spending time in their world and was sorry when it had to end. A true sign of a good book is slowing down near the end hoping to make it last just a little bit longer. Helen Sedgwick has a good book on her hands.

Doris K. (Angora, MN)

The Comet Seekers
This is an interesting story based on many eras and a variety of people connected by their fascination with comets. We learn early the Roisin and Francois are together in Antarctica. How they get there is a convoluted story involving many generations of two separate families. The story line jumps from 1066-2017 and the years in between.
Basically I enjoyed the book, but the short scenes are rather distracting and don't allow for sufficient character development. This is the main reason I chose to give it 4 stars instead of 5.

Cheryl M. (Le Claire, IA)

The Comet Seekers
From 1456 through 2017, major comets displays judged from mediocre to brilliant are tracked. These comets seem magical by members of Roisin and Francois and their families.

Roisin and Francois seem to have a special bond, not explained by their backgrounds. Roisin was raised in Ireland and Franois was raised in France. Roisin has an unexplained desire to see new and different places, running from commitment, seeking something inexpicable. Francois, on the other hand, seems content to stay in one place his entire life, pushed on by his grandmere, and the pull to find something he cannot define. Both face their own demons and desires, and the eventual safety and security they find each other.

Does the past influence our future? Is it in our genes, our heritage? Can it follow us where ever we go? Sedgewick explores these questions through a tightly woven story of family and comets that come and go. The book was easy to read with a depth not uncovered until the very end. I think the characters could have been developed more, their angst and longings better defined. The story line was interesting and unusual. I would recommend reading this book, although it isn't for everyone.

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