21. A book related to Maximilian Hell, the noted astronomer and Jesuit Priest who was born in 1720

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Maximilian Hell was born in 1720 (300 years ago!) in Hungary. He went on to become a Jesuit priest who was known for his study of mathematics, physics, and space. He is most known for his study of the planet Venus, of which he was accused of falsifying data, but then exonerated after his death. This week, we are reading books related to Maximilian Hell, whether the connection is through his name, his country, his studies, or his time period.

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Suggestions:
ATY Group Listopia
Wikipedia about Maximilian Hell

Goodreads Listopia of Books Set in Hungary
Listopia of Best Books Published in the 1700s
Books Set in Hell
Books about Math
Forbes Article Featuring Books about Math, Physics, and Astronomy
Books Featuring Priests
Books Set on Venus
Space.com's Books about Astronomy and Astrophysics
Book Riot's 50 Best Books Set in Space

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Optional Questions
1. What are you reading for this category?
2. How is this book related to Maximilian Hell?

[Cendaquenta]

Sounds like The Sparrow will be a perfect fit for this - it's about a group of Jesuit priests going to space.

[Liz]

The Sparrow was written for this prompt! I read it last year - a very interesting read.

[Dana]

I think I will read In This Mountain, featuring a priest main character.

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

I'd love to read a biography of Maximilian Hell; it sounds like he led an interesting life.

[Angie]

I am almost certainly doing Hyperion for this. More Jesuits in space. Or perhaps just one Jesuit. I haven't read the book yet, so I don't know. :)

[Milena]

I have had The Door on my TBR for years. The Sparrow does sound really good, though.

[dalex]

I will most likely be doing a book that fits one of these ideas that I posted in the KIS/BIO list.

a book with a character who is a mathematician
a book with a character who is an astronomer
a book with a character who is a physicist
a book with a character who is employed in a technology related field

"After joining the Jesuits Maximilian taught mathematics, astronomy, physics and technology..." (SOURCE)

[MaryAnn (EmilyD1037)]

I chose The Jesuits Guide to (Almost) Everything, A Spirituality for Real Life by Fr. James Martin because he was a Jesuit. It is a book from my TBR and been on it a long time.

[Karissa]

Apparently there is also a crater on the moon called Hell which is named after him. So for an additional idea of how to approach this prompt, you could do a book with Moon in the title or in the cover.

[Johanna]

Robinson Crusoe was published in 1719. I will probably read that. I'm not that into books set in space.

[Jill]

Milena wrote: "I have had The Door on my TBR for years. The Sparrow does sound really good, though."

I have had The Door on my TBR for a while too. It is going to be ,y book for this prompt.

[Lieke]

Is it 1719 (title) or 1720 (message 1)?

[Nadine in NY]

Lieke wrote: "Is it 1719 (title) or 1720 (message 1)?"


1720. I didn't even notice the "1719" in the header!! I guess I stopped reading at "Hell" and just clicked :-)

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Totally missed this 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Cheri]

I have been meaning to read The Transit of Venus for the longest time - seems like this is the ideal opportunity! It's a novel by Shirley Hazzard.

[Rachel]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with Stargazing

[[deleted user]]

Does a library in Hell count? If so I'll be reading

[SadieReadsAgain]

Milena wrote: "I have had The Door on my TBR for years. The Sparrow does sound really good, though."

I read this last year, and really loved it. Can't recommend it enough.

[SadieReadsAgain]

Struggling with this prompt so much, especially as I'm trying to stick to my physical/Kindle shelves. I don't have any books written in the 1700's or set in Hungary, I'm not into space/maths/physics...I'll need to trawl for religious characters I think!

I do have a book by Zoë Heller...would this count?

And I have some books set in places that could be considered hell, like a concentration camp (Night) or refugee life (The Broken Circle: A Memoir of Escaping Afghanistan)

[Nadine in NY]

LOL I’d say Heller counts! And I like her writing. That’s a good idea.

[Marie]

I'm going to read one of the Science of the Discworld books for this, Judgement Day, it's about about science and religion, which seems to be what Max was into.

[Avery]

I am thinking of reading Inferno by Dan Brown or The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult because both relate to Dante's Divine Comedy and his journey through Hell.

Other options include Artemis by Andy Weir, The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele, or Twice in a Blue Moon in a Blue Moon because they all relate to the moon/universe/astronomy.

[Stephanie]

I think I am finally going to read (or listen to):

[Siobhan Louise]

I think I’m gonna read The Demon Assassin by Alan Gibbons because it’s the second in the Hell’s Underground series. It pretty self explanatory as to why 😊

[Martha]

Woops, wrong thread!

[Bunny]

Stephanie wrote: "I think I am finally going to read (or listen to):

"

Stephanie, I read that and was surprised I actually enjoyed it and understood most of it.

[Reenah]

A Conspiracy of Paper is set in 1719. I will be reading the second book in the series, A Spectacle of Corruption, which is set in 1722.

[Charlotte]

I'm reading a book published in his lifetime - Candide by Voltaire.

[theStorykeeper]

Lucky Starr and the Oceans of Venus? (Asimov)

[Kathy]

I've started They Were Found Wanting by Miklos Banffy. Banffy is an author from Hungary. This book is the second in the The Writing on the Wall: The Transylvania Trilogy published in 1937. It's historical fiction, translated from Hungarian and very readable and interesting.

[Maggie]

How do you feel about Dead Astronauts by Jeff Vandermeer for this prompt?

[Bunny]

I read "The Stars of Heaven". This is not an easy read and I wouldn't recommend this unless you have a real interest in astrophysics. If you do then it might be for you. And it is about astronomy and talks
about the Star of Bethlehem, so covered both the astronomer and the priest aspects of Heil.

[Manu]

I looked up a few Hungarian authors and I'm going to be reading Embers by Sándor Márai.

[Beverly]

Manu wrote: "I looked up a few Hungarian authors and I'm going to be reading Embers by Sándor Márai."

Ermahgerd, Sandor Marai is the best! And that's not just because I'm Hungarian. His "Casanova in Bolzano" was one of the most beautiul books I've ever read.

[Manu]

Beverly wrote: "Manu wrote: "I looked up a few Hungarian authors and I'm going to be reading Embers by Sándor Márai."

Ermahgerd, Sandor Marai is the best! And that's not just becaus..."

I'm glad to hear it! The book just arrived and it will probably be my next read.

[Bana AZ]

I'll be reading Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan.

The protagonist is a Jesuit Priest who is a forensic anthropologist and detective.

(When I read the prompt, I thought "Maximillian Hell" was like a philosopher's view of what hell was like, not some guy's name. Lol. )

[Sarah]

My choice for this topic is Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus :) lol

I don't need relationship advice per se but my husband IS Hungarian (as Maximilian was) and one of his major works was on Venus so this book just came to me.

[Hinda Rochel]

Would a book about Hypatia count?

[Bana AZ]

Salixj wrote: "Would a book about Hypatia count?"

I would think so :)

[Trish, Annular Mod]

ZeeJane wrote: "Does a library in Hell count? If so I'll be reading The Library of the Unwritten"

That looks like an interesting read. It sounds similar to Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books.

I was vaguely wondering about Maths on the Back of an Envelope: Clever ways to (roughly) calculate anything, or perhaps Bang!: The Complete History of the Universe

I guess any of the Father Brown books ought to work: not Jesuit, but at least a Catholic priest.

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

Ana A wrote: "I'll be reading Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan.

I loved that book!

[Bana AZ]

Jackie wrote: "Ana A wrote: "I'll be reading Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan.

I loved that book!"

That's so good to hear! I bought the paperback book a few days ago. I hope to read it soon :)

[Kathi]

1. What are you reading for this category?
Quantum by Patricia Cornwell

2. How is this book related to Maximilian Hell?
It involves space, physics, math

[Susan]

This is an oddly, um, specific category, but the first book I read this year, The Janus Stone, had a Jesuit character who wasn't the MC but who was important to the plot. One of my GR groups read it in January, so I killed two birds with one Janus stone, and I wholeheartedly apologize for that bad pun.

[Jill]

What are you reading for this category?
I read The Bones of Avalon by Phil Rickman

How is this book related to Maximilian Hell?
It is about Dr John Dee , who was the was the astrologer of Queen Elizabeth 1, although many saw him as an alchemist and sorcerer.

[Matthias]

1. What are you reading for this category?
I read The Crystal World by J.G. Ballard
2. How is this book related to Maximilian Hell?
The book is about changes in time (and possibly physics) and features a Jesuit priest.

[Lauconn]

I went for a lighthearted one: The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics. The main character is an astronomer and that's a central focus of the book.

[Kim]

1. What are you reading for this category?
2. How is this book related to Maximilian Hell? scientists at the south pole studying physics, origin of universe, and accused of falsifying data

[Barb]

I am reading "Thou Shalt Not Kill" for this category, which is an anthology of short stories with biblical themes edited by Anne Perry.
I think the bible connection relates to M.Hell and qualifies it for the category.