The novel charts an emotional and intellectual journey across different timelines. It is segmented into three parts titled after Kepler's laws of planetary motion: "The Law of Ellipses" (1997), "The Law of Equal Areas in Equal Time" (2008), and "The Law of Harmonies" (2017). Through these sections, Perry weaves a tale that connects personal relationships, loss, and intellectual discovery with astronomy and time. Thomas Hart is an introspective journalist who examines the themes of love, grief, science, and faith. As Hart navigates through significant moments in his life, he engages in various relationships. These personal narratives are intertwined with musings on the laws of physics.
It begins with Hart contemplating the seemingly insignificant details of his life and work. At fifty, he remains emotionally attached to past events, particularly his unspoken love for James Bower. Perry draws us into Hart’s routine existence through descriptions of a small town, rainy weather, and mundane events. Throughout this part, we witness Hart reflecting on his identity, relationships, and the town of Aldleigh. Hart's fascination with science begins to merge with his reflections on human relationships.
The narrative becomes more introspective as Hart attempts to find solace through Kepler’s second law. This law suggests that bodies in orbit move faster when closer to the sun—a metaphor for the emotional peaks and valleys of life. Hart recalls his long-standing intellectual fascination with Maria Văduva Bell—an astronomer with her own struggles. The novel concludes in 2017 with Hart now in his seventies. This final section introduces the theme of Kepler's third law, which deals with the relationships between orbital periods and distances from the sun. The law of harmonies becomes a guiding principle for Hart as he attempts to reconcile his past with the present.
Hart's unresolved feelings for Bower and his inability to confess his love mirror the elliptical orbit—his emotional journey never forms a perfect circle. Furthermore, his past is faster and more intense as he approaches critical moments. Finally, Hart's reconciliation with his past and acceptance of his fate signify a resolution of internal disharmony. The harmony of the cosmos parallels Hart's final acceptance of his life’s trajectory. Additionally, Hart’s oscillation between science and faith symbolizes his internal conflict between seeking divine meaning and finding peace in scientific laws.
