Enlightenment is a dazzling new work of literary fiction from Sarah Perry, the acclaimed author of The Essex Serpent. This story of love and astronomy unfolds over the course of twenty years, following the lives of two improbable best friends, Thomas Hart and Grace Macaulay, who have spent their entire lives in the small Essex town of Aldleigh.

Despite the three-decade age difference, Thomas and Grace are kindred spirits, struggling with their commitment to religion and their yearning to explore the world beyond their small Baptist community. Their friendship faces a severe test as two romantic relationships cause a rift between them. Thomas develops an obsession with a vanished nineteenth-century astronomer rumored to haunt a nearby manor, while Grace escapes Aldleigh for London.

As the years pass, Thomas and Grace's lives are drawn back together, both by chance and by choice, as they unravel the mystery of the absent astronomer. This journey becomes a devastating tale of love and scientific pursuit, prompting them to question the nature of love, the constancy of the universe, the extent of fate's predestination, and whether they can find a path back to one another.

Enlightenment is a thrillingly ambitious novel, rich in symmetry and symbolism, and represents Sarah Perry's finest work to date. It is a story of friendship, faith, and unrequited love, inviting readers to ponder the immutable and the transient, and the written destiny in the stars.

Interesting Facts About Space is a journey through the cosmos, guided by the witty and introspective Enid. An aficionado of all things astronomical, Enid can describe the terrifying wonders of black holes with ease, but her own fears are much closer to home—like her inexplicable phobia of bald men, a secret she guards closely.

Between her addiction to true crime podcasts and a carousel of dates with women from dating apps, Enid is trying to navigate the complexities of life, including reconnecting with her estranged half-sisters following their father's death. But life takes a peculiar turn when Enid finds herself in her first serious romantic relationship and starts to suspect that she's being stalked.

As Enid's paranoia escalates, she's forced to face the haunting realization that she can't escape the most persistent follower of all—herself. With a blend of quirky humor, charm, and a touch of heartache, Interesting Facts About Space explores the importance of confronting our hidden fears and the most intimately human aspects of our identity.