The Path of Minor Planets

Andrew Sean Greer

In 1965 a group of astronomers and Berkeley grad students travel to a small island in the Pacific to view the return of a comet first sighted by and named after Dr. Swift. He is having a party in honor of "his" comet. Denise is one of the students - a female genius in a time in science when women were a novelty not to be taken seriously. Her close friend and fellow grad student Eli and his wife Kathy are on the trip. Dr. Swift has also brought his young 5-year-old daughter, Lydia.

The group is gathered on a high platform on the island. After the comet is sighted, people excitedly shout as they spot the meteors that accompany the comet. Then tragedy occurs - a young boy falls over the crumbling side wall to the rocky beach below - dying immediately. Some people of the group like Kathy return to America immediately. Others, including Eli, Dr. Swift, Denise, and Lydia, remain the full time although their lives are forever changed.

Over the next 25 years the comet marks the lives of these five people. There may be rational scientists in the group, but none are exempt from the turmoil and passions of normal living. Happily ever afters don't appear to be anyone's lot.

Andrew Sean Greer has pulled together a tale of science and pathos in The Path of Minor Planets. The protagonists are often at odds in their different life paths, intersecting at the parties at the comet's furthest and nearest points of time. Denise marries and has a son. Eli and Kathy move to England. Dr. Swift divorces but has custody of Lydia. There are scientific discoveries and disappointments; there are romances and affairs; life continues to happen.

The Path of Minor Planets is not always easy to follow. Greer winds around his characters and their lives, making it difficult to understand the story. It comes together, then breaks apart again. The end is like life - frustrating with more story to tell.

Notice: Suggestive dialogue or situations