Super Short Summary

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton follows Walter Moody, a young Scotsman who arrives in Hokitika, New Zealand, in 1866 during the gold rush, where he becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a suspicious death, a disappearance, and a cache of gold. As Moody helps unravel the complex tale, the narrative reveals the interwoven lives of diverse townsfolk and employs astrological motifs to explore themes of fortune, identity, and societal conflict. The novel contains derogatory terms and depictions of drug use, violence, and suicide.