BEYOND THE MAPPED STARS

An eclipse gives a young woman from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the chance to follow her dreams.

Elizabeth Bertelsen, 17, spends her days in Monroe, Utah, caring for her many younger brothers and sisters and her nights watching the stars. It’s 1878, and scientists from around the world (including Thomas Edison) are gathering in the American West to study a solar eclipse. Elizabeth dreams of becoming an astronomer, but her mother dismisses the idea as counter to God’s plan for a woman. When Elizabeth’s neglect leads to her sister’s near drowning, Elizabeth atones by traveling to Wyoming to help her older half sister Rebekka through childbirth (her father is polygamous). The shared experience of a train robbery leads to friendship with wealthy Black siblings, which eventually results in Elizabeth’s helping scientists during the eclipse and beginning to believe she can pursue both science and faith. Elizabeth’s quest for self-discovery sometimes drags, however, it’s refreshing to see members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their beliefs well expressed in historical context. Eves’ inclusion of Native American, Black, Chinese, and multiracial characters (and veiled references to gay ones) deliberately highlights the often overlooked diversity of the time. Elizabeth experiences prejudice for her religious faith; meanwhile, Black characters she meets highlight her lack of awareness of the impact of race. However, the overall racial harmony ultimately seems to erase realities experienced by people of color.

An interesting, if incomplete, glimpse into the history of the American West.