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Percival's Planet: A Novel (2010)

by Michael Byers(Favorite Author)

3.47 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0805092188 (ISBN13: 9780805092189)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Henry Holt and Co.

review 1: [Full disclosure: Michael Byers was a college professor of mine at Michigan.]Byers manages this piece of historical fiction, about the discovery of Pluto without making the history seem inevitable and by drawing well-rounded, interesting characters. I didn't like it quite as much as his debut novel, Long For This World, because I thought it needed a bit more editing, paring down, but a good read, and highly recommended for anyone who likes fiction that focuses on scientific discovery.
review 2: There were times when I thought this book would never end, but it did, and then I almost felt like I wanted a little more. I did the audio edition and I was frequently disappointed in the narration. I'd like to find something else he did and try that, to know if it was ... morejust this book, or if I need to avoid him, period. Some of the portrayals of the characters were a little too much for me - I don't need huge distinctions from one to another to follow a story as a rule. And it really can impact your feelings about a character if you cringe every time he or she speaks. The story was just great at times, but not wholly consistent. I think I admire it perhaps a little more that I liked it, if that makes sense. This was truly an odd assortment of people, and the author took a lot of time and effort to connect some to the main plot. Some parts I found to be quite unique, especially with regard to Mary's illness and finish to Felix's story. I would recommend it to those who are not put off by things that develop slowly. less

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