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About Penny Haw:

Penny Haw is the author of the biographical historical fiction, The Invincible Miss Cust, The Woman at the Wheel, and Follow Me to Africa. She was the recipient of the 2024 Philida Literary Award for her 'oeuvre of literary excellence'. In 2022, her contemporary fiction, The Wilderness Between Us won the WFWA Star Award. Before turning to fiction, Penny was a journalist and columnist with bylines in many of South Africa's leading newspapers and magazines. She lives with her husband and three dogs between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Town, South Africa.

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INTERVIEW

What led you to write a novel about astronomer Caroline Herschel?

I met Caroline Herschel while working on my second biographical historical fiction, The Woman at the Wheel, which is set in the late 1800s and is about Betha Benz, wife of ‘father of the automobile’, Carl Benz. While writing a scene during which Bertha and her friend, Ava discuss the education and prospects available to girls and women, I wondered if Bertha might’ve been inspired by the feats of other women. Caroline Herschel came up in my research, my interest was piqued, and I conducted a short study of her. Although Caroline’s astronomical accomplishments pre-dated Bertha’s involvement with the Benz Motorwagen by almost a century, they were both German and it was possible that Bertha knew about and was inspired by Caroline and her accomplishments. As such, I included a reference to Caroline in The Woman at the Wheel. It was my editor, Erin McClary who flagged Caroline as a potential subject for a future book and, as soon as I had time, I undertook further research. When I discovered what Caroline had overcome to become one of the world’s best-known astronomers and learned about the mystery regarding why she moved out of Observatory House, I was hooked.

**Were there any challenges you faced while writing The Woman and Her Stars and if so, how did you overcome them?**

The greatest challenge was Caroline herself. She was a complex character who struggled to find her place in the world, and frequently made decisions that served others rather than herself. Caroline’s grim childhood and the cruelty and contempt she suffered at the hands of her mother and brother, Jacob instilled fear, loathing, and hopelessness in her. When William rescued her, she felt wholly beholden to him. So, she was guarded and governed by anxiety on one hand and gratefulness on the other. Her aversion to marriage added to her caginess, as did betrayal of her parents, Miss Hudson, and others. Initially, Caroline’s account of her life made it difficult for me to grasp wanted for herself. She was an enigma until I recognized key characteristics that showed up in her actions. It was then that I saw how she broke free of her angst and indebtedness and embraced her independence and talents. It took a while but, ultimately, I loved getting to know and understand her.

What resources did you find most useful for the writing of this novel and that you would recommend for readers who’d like to learn more about Caroline and the Georgian era she lived in? My primary research materials were Caroline’s memoirs and letters. These are extensive, detailed, and available as digital documents for those who are interested. It was when I discovered, via these materials, that Caroline destroyed everything she’d written around the time William married Mary that I became intrigued by what might’ve happened then, why Caroline left Observatory House, what occurred to bring her close to Mary, and how she finally took hold of her autonomy as an astronomer. My research included many other books and articles about Caroline and William, including The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes. The Herschel Museum of Astronomy at 19 New King Street in Bath was helpful. In addition, I reread many historical novels, particularly those by Jane Austen, which are set around the same era. Caroline and Jane conceivably crossed paths in Bath. Imagine that!

Discuss the relationship dynamics between Caroline and her brothers William and Alex. How are they different and/or the same?

William was, by all accounts, a charismatic character. He fled Hanover to avoid conscription and became an esteemed musician and music teacher in England, finally assuming the role of music director of public concerts in Bath. He was handsome, popular, and intelligent and, when his fascination with the night sky led him to discover the planet Uranus, he was appointed King’s Astronomer by King George III. William rescued Caroline from servitude in Hanover, brought her to England, and gave her the education and interesting life she’d quietly yearned for. He was her hero! Alex was the quieter brother. He was earnest, down-to-earth and prone to melancholy. He was also a musician and, although not a star gazer, a skilled technician, who helped William and Caroline build telescopes. Caroline didn’t worship Alex the way she did William. However, when they moved to Datchet and faced many challenges and William was busy at court, she recognised Alex’s strengths and appreciated him anew. The brothers were the same in that they were quietly devoted to Caroline and intrigued by the astronomical technology of the day. However, William was consumed by his work and oblivious to Caroline’s adoration and her frustrations. Although she didn’t confide in Alex, he was sensitive to what she was experiencing, and candid and pragmatic in his advice; characteristics Caroline came to appreciate with time.

Describe these women with four words each: Caroline, Margaret, Mary, Miss Hudson.

Caroline: guarded, lonely, passionate, brilliant. Margaret: fragile, intuitive, generous, hapless. Mary: spirited, hopeful, devoted, forgiving. Miss Hudson: cunning, duplicitous, pushy, resentful.

What obstacles, social and personal, did Caroline (and other women) face in the 1700s?

Although receiving an education was a challenge for all females in the 1700s, Caroline was particularly disadvantaged in this regard. She was hungry to learn but, because her growth had been stunted by typhus and she was badly scarred from smallpox, her mother decided any education would be wasted on her. At the time, a little basic education for girls was deemed useful to ensure they married well. Caroline’s mother was certain no man would want her because of her disfigurements and thus decided she should receive no education. A woman’s worth was never considered beyond the support she could provide a man. Women were considered physically, intellectually and emotionally inferior, were treated as secondary citizens, and expected to produce children and take care of domestic matters. The nature of her childhood meant Caroline also faced social obstacles. Although her family was middleclass, she didn’t form relationships outside of her family in Hanover, where she was a servant. When William took her to Bath, where he educated and trained her to become as singer, she had to learn to interact with people belonging to various classes and to perform for audiences. I was intrigued by how this must’ve felt. Caroline was self-conscious about her appearance but sang beautifully and learned the ways of an English lady from Miss Fleming and Miss Hudson. Still, I wondered whether she felt at ease in their company or if her relationships with people like Mr. Corden and Hannah were more comfortable for her. Of course, once she became confident as an astronomer, she also had to adjust to being in the company of scientists, other learned men, and members of the nobility. That she was eventually able to navigate and thrive in such circles highlights what an extraordinary woman she was.

What lessons did Caroline learn from her experiences that you hope readers will see and possibly apply to their own lives?

I hope readers will be inspired by how much Caroline overcame and recognise that, although she had William to thank for rescuing her from Hanover and teaching her music and then astronomy, she succeeded because she was driven and dedicated. I hope people will be moved by her curiosity and determination and be inspired not to let fear and doubt hold them back. However, given Caroline’s background and circumstances, her story is also a reminder of how difficult it can be to follow one’s passion. I admire people who recognise what excites them and resolve to chase their dreams, but stories like Caroline’s remind me how it’s not necessarily simple and not everyone is able to do what they want in life. Perhaps a useful lesson is that you should be as honest as possible with yourself and others about what you want and be brave enough to talk about your wishes and ambitions. Caroline might’ve saved herself plenty of anxiety and heartache if she’d told people what she hoped for sooner.

Please share the importance of Comet, Caroline’s dog, in her life.

I’m an animal lover and have always had animal companions, which is why I include animals in my books. Caroline meets Comet when she is at a crossroads in her life. William has been appointed King’s Astronomer and must move from Bath to be closer to Windsor Castle. Caroline is unsettled because she loves Bath and is comfortable with her life as a singer. However, she knows she must go with William. Rescuing Comet from the streets of Bath and taking him to Datchet comforts her and represents certainty and continuity. She believes he will be loyal to her and keep her company in her new home. Walking Comet in Datchet not only gives her pleasure; it also leads to her meeting Mr. Corden. Of course, things don’t work out exactly as she hopes in terms of the dog’s devotion to her and she learns that she must share Comet’s affection, which is a forewarning of what is to come.

Do you have a personal interest in astronomy and, if so, can you share a memorable experience or a bit of your own ‘star’ journey?

I’ve always loved stargazing, particularly when I’m somewhere far away from artificial lights. Having been raised on a farm and had the privilege of enjoying countless camping holidays in the mountains and wilderness, I appreciate quietly observing the night sky and contemplating the magic of the unknown. There are many uninhabited regions in South Africa, which makes it a great place to admire the night sky. It’s no coincidence that one of the best star-viewing destinations in the southern hemisphere, the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is located about 350 kilometres from Cape Town. At home, I walk into my garden with my dogs before going to bed every night, and look up, and admire the stars and constellations. Like Caroline, the more I’ve learned about astronomy, the greater my interest has grown. I’m particularly fascinated by how, despite how much more we know about celestial bodies since Caroline studied them, the same sense of wonder and mystery prevails. So much has changed in the world, but the night sky remains mesmerizingly indefinite. Whenever I gaze at the stars, I imagine I share Caroline’s amazement and appreciation.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? If not, what sparked the interest? Please share your highlights in becoming a published author. And what advice would you give to your younger self (or anyone following in your footsteps)?

I’ve been a storyteller for as long as I remember. As I mentioned, I grew up on a farm and spent hours roaming the hills with my dogs, telling them long, complicated stories, radio-play style. Later, at boarding school, I wrote episodes about the fictitious Ant Family. These were eagerly circulated around the room while we purportedly did our homework every evening. However, the creation of fiction was placed on the backburner for about three decades while I worked as a journalist. It was only in 2017, when I wrote my first book—a children’s story called Nicko—that I returned to fiction. The fun I had encouraged me to write more fiction. My contemporary fiction, The Wilderness Between Us won the Women’s Fiction Writers Association Star Award in 2022. I was thrilled when Sourcebooks Landmark published my first work of biographical historical fiction, The Invincible Miss Cust the same year, which set me up to write three more works about extraordinary women in history. Nowadays, I’m lucky enough to write fiction full-time. I love the playfulness of it. It’s as if I’ve come full circle; I could almost be wandering over the hills of the farm, reciting my tales to my dogs once again. Advice? Don’t let doubt stop you. There’s endless information around about what you should and shouldn’t do, and what works and what doesn’t that it’s easy to overthink things and stall. If you love storytelling, and the process of writing and continually learning, let that fuel your fire. Do it for the joy. It’ll show in what you create.

As a historical novelist, has your journalist background helped or hindered the fiction writing process? Is it hard to transition from reporting to imagining?

There are advantages to having been a journalist. I’m accustomed to working to deadlines and, even when they’re self-imposed, have great respect for them. It seems like the luckiest thing to me that I love writing. I can’t imagine doing anything else. However, as much as I enjoy it, I’m disciplined about my work. I don’t romanticize writing or wait for the muse to appear. I’m pragmatic and businesslike about the process. Also, my work as a journalist prepared me for the process of research. I enjoy it but have learned not to allow it to take over the job. Being able to imagine rather than report is great fun. I love it! On the other hand, I’ve had to learn to adjust certain things about my style since focusing on fiction. As a journalist, one doesn’t leave readers guessing. I’m still learning not to over-explain in my fiction. But isn’t that one of the joys of writer? The fact that we’re always learning and can always improve?

If you could time travel to the past, when and where would you go, who would you want to meet and what three questions would you ask them.

With each of my works of biographical historical fiction, I’ve fantasised about meeting my subjects. I longed to ask Aleen Cust, Bertha Benz, Mary Leakey, and Caroline Herschel if I’d understood their motivation, emotions, and characters correctly. If I had the opportunity to meet Caroline, I would ask her whether she ever had the opportunity to sing again after leaving Bath; if she communicated with her mother and/or Jacob later in life and whether they every apologised or acknowledged how wrong they had been to deny her an education; and what she was proudest of in life.

Where is your favourite place to sit and write? Is there anywhere special you like to visit to renew your spirit or receive inspiration?

I almost always work at my desk in my office at home in Hout Bay, which is about 20 kilometres from Cape Town, South Africa. It’s my favourite room with a view of the mountains before they disappear into the Atlantic Ocean. I’m inspired by daily walks on the mountainside with my husband and our three dogs, and early morning runs with a great friend who patiently listens to my endless chatter about my books.

What does your current bookstack look like? Share 4 titles and why you have chosen them? Any favourite stories you’d recommend that you read in the last six months? I’m currently reading an advance copy of a work historical fiction by Janis Robinson Daly called Under Two Flags, which will be published in March 2026. It’s beautifully detailed and immersive with a tenacious, passionate female protagonist. Next, I’m looking forward to reading Fiona Valpy’s new book, The Dark of the Moon by Fiona Valpy. I enjoy Fiona’s books, which always remind me how relatable historical fiction can be. Lily King’s Heart the Lover and The Names by Florence Knapp are also on the pile because I enjoy mixing up my reading. There is so much great historical fiction available to read, but I like reading a variety of genres. Some of my favourite recent reads are The Frozen River by Ariel Lawton, I’m Sorry You Feel that Way by Rebecca Wait, and Blood’s Inner Rhyme by Antjie Krog.

Are you working on a new writing project and, if so, can you share a little about it? I am working on another book about a woman from history whose contributions were entirely overshadowed by those of her husband. Like my book about Mary Leakey (Follow Me to Africa), it is largely set in Africa, and I am hugely excited about it. My desk is piled with research material at present, I have an outline and have begun writing. However, because I am not writing it under contract, I’m not ready to say too much more about it. Hopefully, that will change in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you so much for these interesting questions, and your interest in my work and books. It is greatly appreciated.

You are most welcomed, Penny, and thank you for being my guest author today!

I highly recommend all of Penny’s novels and please visit her website where you can read all about her books, see feature articles and lots of other writing information.