The Smallest Lights in the Universe

A Memoir

By: Sara Seager

Narrated by: Xe Sands

LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE WINNER • An MIT astrophysicist reinvents herself in the wake of tragedy and discovers the power of connection on this planet, even as she searches our galaxy for another Earth, in this “bewitching” (Anthony Doerr, The New York Times Book Review) memoir.

“Sara Seager’s exploration of outer and inner space makes for a stunningly original memoir.”—Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone

Sara Seager has always been in love with the stars: so many lights in the sky, so much possibility. Now a pioneering planetary scientist, she searches for exoplanets—especially that distant, elusive world that sustains life. But with the unexpected death of Seager’s husband, the purpose of her own life becomes hard for her to see. Suddenly, at forty, she is a widow and the single mother of two young boys. For the first time, she feels alone in the universe.

As she struggles to navigate her life after loss, Seager takes solace in the alien beauty of exoplanets and the technical challenges of exploration. At the same time, she discovers earthbound connections that feel every bit as wondrous, when strangers and loved ones alike reach out to her across the space of her grief. Among them are the Widows of Concord, a group of women offering advice on everything from home maintenance to dating, and her beloved sons, Max and Alex. Most unexpected of all, there is another kind of one-in-a-billion match, not in the stars but here at home.

Probing and invigoratingly honest, The Smallest Lights in the Universe is its own kind of light in the dark.

Critic reviews

“It is the easiest thing in the world to resign yourself to what is, to curl around yourself and your circumstances. This is a book filled with hope and wonder, because falling in love after loss is a defiant act of optimism, much like searching the stars for life beyond our own little planet. You’ll leave this book feeling possibility and inevitability, comforted by the knowledge that even in the dark, we are not alone.”—Nora McInerny Purmort, author of It’s Okay to Laugh

“Sara Seager’s exploration of outer and inner space makes for a stunningly original memoir. Far from being dwarfed by the scale of exoplanets and galaxies, her most human tale of love, loss, and redemption is illuminated and given meaning by this backdrop. . . . A beautiful and compelling read.”—Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone

“I absolutely loved this book. It presents both cutting-edge science and the deeply human side of a MacArthur award–winning woman astrophysicist. While searching for other planets in the universe, she grieves for her husband who died of cancer.”—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain

“The miracle of this breathtaking book is the way Sara Seager’s search for life in the universe mirrors her search for a fitting life here on earth. Who knew that so much love and beauty and hope could come from so much confusion and fear and grief? Who knew that the macrocosm and the microcosm could end up being the very same thing?”—Margaret Renkl, author of Late Migrations

“Seager’s beautifully written memoir strikes the perfect balance, weaving a richly told personal story with a clear and accessible tale of the birth and development of a new kind of astronomy—the search for other worlds like our own.”—Katie Mack, author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)

“A singular scientist has written a singular account of her life and work.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This thoughtful and affecting memoir of navigating life after loss reads like a comforting novel, inspiring others to follow their dreams and never give up on the possibilities of discovery and self-reflection.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“This wondrous tale of discovery, loss, and love is both expansive and intimate.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A bucket of tears and snot, plus a few good bits

It was my fault that I had failed to figure out before getting the book (and Audible narration) that this was a highly intimate memoir, not a popular science book I expected.

Before listening far enough into the the first chapter I gave my bright daughter a paper copy to encourage her interest in astronomy. "Look, Sara, here's your namesake, a prominent exoplanetary astronomer, discussing her research". And a few days later she came back to me in bewilderment, "this is not about astronomy, this is only about Sara Seager and her tantrums". Oops.

A shockingly shameless memoir of a highly accomplished, extremely intelligent and articulate window of Concord, MA. This is how the book should be advertised. I've suffered through the book I had no intention of reading, and by the end felt quite tired and "morally bedraggled" by the author's incessant lamentation.

One nice tidbit that in a way justified reading the whole book was the passage about the "Star Shade". I had been completely unaware of this project, and it's surprising that this "chantry book" revealed this gem of an idea. Of course, prof Seager makes no attempt to explain to the unworthy lay audience why a flower pattern helps better block bright starlight (diffraction pattern results in a near perfect wave cancelation for the right wavelength) beyond saying "math says so" or "of course it should be a flower". Plus the whole Star Shade narrative is used to put down a colleague. Nevertheless, I've learned something I didn't expect to learn thanks to prof Seager. Still 5 stars from me.

Amazing story

Such a sad book that gives so much hope and attention to how much life Truly means. I never cry and I was holding back tears in a bus station at some parts.

Beautiful memoir, beautifully delivered

Loved it. the narrator makes the science accessible, as well as the beauty of life

A wonderful life in the sciences

This is a wonderful listen for so many reasons: the narration matches the feelings the author wants to convey perfectly; the blend between the author's life and her life in the sciences is perfect. I teared up several times as the story pulled me in and along for a wonderful ride that starts with the author's self-reflection and led to a lot of my own. You won't be disappointed if this is your next listen.

Wonderful story about sadness and the stars

I’ve been a huge fan of Dr. Seager’s work for years, but this deeply personal story really made me appreciate her even more. It’s a candid story of a long dark march from despair to at least relative happiness. So grateful that i bumped into this book.