The Luminaries Review

Eleanor Catton’s second novel The Luminaries is an excellent book. Vast, innovative, and heavy as a brick, it manages to strike a near-perfect balance between the experimental and the engaging.

Set in 1860’s New Zealand, the book follows twelve men brought together by a series of disturbing events that have taken place in their small gold-rush town. Each section of the book is preceded by an astrological chart, detailing the fortunes of these characters, and each of the twelve men is representative of an astrological sign. It may have have come off as incredibly pretentious, but Catton has exercised enough restraint and subtlety that these adornments can be ignored and the book can be enjoyed regardless.

However, this cannot be said for the book’s overall structure. Set out in non-chronological order, each section of the book is shorter than the last. Towards the end of the book this becomes very noticeable, where chapters are reduced to just a few hundred words of dialogue. Although it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book, it will certainly frustrate some readers.

Though particular idiosyncrasies help the novel stand out, The Luminaries’ greatest strength is its gripping, intricate plot. The book’s frequent jumps in chronology help to add mystery and intrigue to the gradually unfolding storyline as the focal point of the plot moves on from the twelve original characters to others. Ultimately, the mentioned elements work together to form a brilliant novel that succeeds in being both readable and innovative.

Text by Jordan Hayne