The Luminaries: A Novel Direct

: Twelve local men represent the 12 signs of the zodiac. Their actions and interactions are influenced by their "sign's" traits.

: The book is divided into 12 parts. Each part is exactly half the length of the one preceding it, mimicking a waning moon. Part One is 360 pages long, while the final part is just a few paragraphs. Literary Style and Themes

: Seven additional characters represent the planets (the "Luminaries"), including the sun and moon. The Luminaries: A Novel

: Catton employs a "Dickensian" style with sprawling backstories and omniscient narration, typical of 19th-century literature.

The discovery of a hidden fortune in the home of a local drunk. : Twelve local men represent the 12 signs of the zodiac

The story begins with Walter Moody, a young prospector who arrives in the settlement of Hokitika to seek his fortune. Upon arrival, he stumbles into a secret meeting of 12 men who are investigating three intertwined mysteries: The disappearance of a wealthy man. The attempted suicide of a prostitute.

The novel's most unique informative feature is its structural adherence to Western astrology: Each part is exactly half the length of

: Beyond the Man Booker Prize , it won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction. The Luminaries: A Novel (Man Booker Prize) - Amazon.com