Two Moons: A NovelAstronomy, politics, and romance join forces in this novel from the writer John Updike has called "one of the most interesting American novelists at work." It's the spring of 1877 in Washington, D.C., and at the U.S. Naval Observatory, Hugh Allison has conceived a secret ambition: to project an image through time and space. But his plan takes on urgent life only when the mathematically gifted Cynthia May enters his orbit as one of the observatory's human "computers." A Civil War widow whose beauty has been shadowed by worry and poverty, Cynthia reluctantly falls in love with the younger Hugh, who missed the war that has haunted her life. But the fate of their love affair -- and of Hugh's heavenly vision -- may be out of their hands, decided instead by an astrologer and by the actions of a dangerously magnetic politician who wields his power over a Senate convulsed by Reconstruction and a wildly disputed presidential election. Masterfully combining historical detail and startling invention, Thomas Mallon gives us a galvanizing story of earthly heartbreak and otherworldly triumph. |
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admiral Allison already appeared arrived asked called closed coming Conkling Conkling's Custom Cynthia desk don't door eyes face feel felt give going gone half Hall hand Harkness Harrison he'd head hear heard hope hour House Hugh It's keep knew late later laughed least leaving less letter light looked Madam Costello Mary Mary Costello minutes Miss moon moving never Newcomb night noticed Observatory once passed past planet President Professor reached realized remained replied Rodgers Roscoe Conkling seemed senator she'd smile soon sound stars steps stopped Street suppose sure talk tell things thought Todd told tonight took trying turned voice waiting walked watched week woman wondered York young