The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw
Published: March 3,
2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Historical
Fiction, British Literature
Taken from Goodreads:
She must find her own place amongst the stars.
Caroline Herschel has always lived in the shadows. Beholden to her wildly
popular older brother, William, who rescued her from servitude, she's worked
hard to build a life for herself – one where she can go unnoticed and repay the
debt she believes she owes. But when her brother becomes obsessed with sweeping
the heavens, everything changes.
Newly appointed as the King's Astronomer, William is rushed away from the
bustling streets of Bath to the quiet countryside of Windsor. When Caroline
makes a discovery that could send her right back to the people she was rescued
from, she has no choice but to leave her carefully constructed life and follow
her brother. Taking up the position as William's assistant, Caroline resolves
to learn everything she can about astronomy. But the more she understands, the
more she falls in love with her telescope, and soon, she discovers that she
might be good at the science, great, even, and that the stars could offer her
the freedom she's always secretly wanted. When it’s clear that Caroline is just
as much the astronomer as her brother, she realizes she must break free from
the life she has lived and find her own place in the night sky.
Based on the true story of Caroline Herschel, The Woman and Her Stars shines a
light on a woman who was raised to believe she was worth nothing more than to
serve others, but whose genius and resolve made her one of the world’s leading
astronomers. An awe-inspiring story set within the societal boundaries of the
Georgian era, it’s a hopeful journey of self-discovery, familial bonds, and
passion.
My Thoughts: I
love a strong female character.
Caroline Herschel is just that.
She grows up only wanting to stay with her brother William and not be
forced to go back to her mother. William
treats her as an intelligent woman, giving her the skills to work along side
him. It is a time when woman are not
thought to be smart but she is recognized as a talented singer and eventually
an astronomer. I felt that the biggest obstacle was herself, she struggled to
accept herself as someone who was more than just the assistant.
Some of the stargazing was beyond what I was looking for
while reading the book but I truly enjoyed the family dynamics, the strength of
Caroline’s knowledge, and the protection that William gave her. William protected her from society and
family but held her back, unintentionally, within her own knowledge. She deferred to him and let him guide her
even when there were times that she had more knowledge than he did. The best parts of the book are when she
discovered or realized something new and showed her excitement in being the one
to find it.
The Woman and Her Stars is a historical British fiction
book. I enjoyed the story, the
characters, and the settings.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of the book via
NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads
Purchase your own copy on Amazon
Meet the Author (taken fromher website): I am a writer.
Previously, of articles and columns for newspapers and magazines. I’ve written
for Business Day, Sunday Times, Financial Mail, Sunday Independent, The
Weekender and many others I’ve forgotten and you might not recognise.
Now, I am the author of books featuring strong, interesting
and independent women. My writing also illustrates my love for animals and the
outdoors, and explores the interconnectedness of all living things.
Early in 2024, I was honoured to receive the 2024
Philida Literary Award. The award celebrates the life of
renowned South African author, André Brink and is presented annually to a
writer mid-career for an oeuvre of between three to five books of any genre.
My debut historical fiction, The Invincible Miss
Cust tells the story of Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary
surgeon, Aleen Cust. Find it at a bookstore near you here or
order it online here.
My second work of historical fiction, The Woman at the Wheel is
based on the life of Bertha Benz, wife of the ‘Father of the Automobile’, Carl
Benz. You can order it here.
Follow Me to Africa is inspired by the life of
distinguished paleoanthropologist, Mary Leakey. Order it from a bookstore near
you here or
order it online here.
My fourth work of biographical historical fiction, The Woman and Her
Stars is about the world’s first paid woman astronomer, Caroline
Herschel. It will be released on March 3, 2026 and can be pre-ordered here.
My first book, Nicko—The Tale of a Vervet Monkey on
an African Farm is a children’s book, which was published in 2017. My
inaugural novel for adults, The Wilderness Between Us was
published by Köehler Books in 2021 and is available in all formats on
Amazon here. You can locate it
via Indie Bound here and
find out more about it on Goodreads here.
In South Africa, as part of a distribution agreement
with KaravanPress, wholesale/trade orders of The Wilderness Between Us and Nicko can
be made from Booksite Afrika on
(021) 950 5900. The Invincible Miss Cust, The Woman at the
Wheel, Follow Me to Africa and The Woman and Her
Stars are distributed in South Africa by PenguinRandom House South Africa.
I live on the slopes of a mountain near the sea not far from
Cape Town in South Africa, where I walk my dogs with my husband, run and read
when I’m not at my keyboard. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
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