Who Would Like This Book:
Ready for an uplifting tale about courage, friendship, and the transformative power of books? "The Giver of Stars" delivers with a cast of strong, relatable women who break boundaries as horseback librarians in 1930s Kentucky. Moyes brings the rugged beauty of Appalachia to life and shines a spotlight on a fascinating piece of little-known history. If you love historical fiction with themes of empowerment, women supporting women, and a dash of romance, this one will hit the spot - especially for fans of heartwarming stories and book lovers who appreciate the magic of literacy.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the book started off slowly, with a pace that took a bit to pick up. Others felt the characters or plotlines could be predictable, or that the story tied up a bit too neatly at the end. There were critiques that some aspects of mountain culture and the historical context could have been explored in greater depth. Additionally, if you like sharp distinctions between fiction and fact, the controversy around its similarities to "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" might be distracting.
About:
'The Giver of Stars' by Jojo Moyes is a historical fiction novel set in rural Kentucky during the Great Depression, focusing on a group of women who become packhorse librarians as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's WPA program. The story follows Englishwoman Alice, who finds herself in an unhappy marriage and discovers purpose and friendship through the packhorse library program. Led by the bold and unconventional Margery, the librarians face challenges from the conservative locals, leading to a murder trial that tests their bonds and beliefs.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of domestic violence, prejudice, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society.
Has Romance?
While the book includes romantic elements, the primary focus is on the friendships and struggles of the female characters.
From The Publisher:
THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER
A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK
A spellbinding story of love, community and the power of reading from the author of The Last Letter from Your Lover, now a major motion picture, and Me Before You, the worldwide bestseller
THE GREATEST LOVE STORY IS THE ONE YOU LEAST EXPECT . . .
Alice Wright doesn't love her new American husband.
Nor her domineering father-in-law or the judgmental townsfolk of Baileyville, Kentucky.
Stifled and misunderstood, she yearns for escape and finds it in defiant Margery O'Hare and the sisterhood bringing books to the isolated and vulnerable.
But when her father-in-law and the town turn against them, Alice fears the freedom, friendship and the new love she's found will be lost . . .
'A beguiling tale of unlikely love. The most appealing thing is Moyes' wonderful way with romance. Delightful' The Times
'Beautiful, special . . . with characters so real they feel like dear friends. I loved it and didn't want it to end!' Liane Moriarty
'Inspiring and wildly romantic' Daily Mail, Books of the Year
'Her best book yet. It's a romance - but about female friends, the outdoors and the magic of reading' Grazia
'Epic' David Nicholls, bestselling author of One Day
Ratings (119)
Incredible (23) | |
Loved It (58) | |
Liked It (27) | |
It Was OK (9) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (232):
Read It (123) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (78) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (27) |
5 comment(s)
3.75 for the story, 5 for Julia Whelan’s narration.
Disclaimer: I listened to this book on audio narrated by Julia Whalen (spoiler alert: it was AMAZING)
WARNING: this book will result in a severe book hangover
This. BOOK. I’ve never, in my life, read/listened to a book that made me feel every single emotion. I could feel my heart swell at parts and shatter in others. NEVER has a book made me weep audibly (multiple times) with tears STREAMING down my face. NEVER have I EVER been so satisfied with an ending! NEVER have I EVER LOVED EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER (minus the villains). This book has all the things you could possibly want in a novel- strong (female) characters, historical setting, crystal-clear imagery, betrayal, triumph, joy, despair, hatred, love, heartbreak, friendship, brawls, birth, death, lovable animals, corruption, heroes, villains, humanity, as well as humor. I wasn’t even halfway through this book before I knew this was going to be one of my favorite books. Once I got about 3/4 of the way through, I declared this was my favorite book of all time- regardless of how it was going to end. Jojo Moyes took me on a wild ride for >14 straight hours. As the story unfolded, I could not predict where it would go. The five extraordinary ladies feel like family to me. There was not a part of this story that lulled, or felt unnecessary. Moyes intricately, and masterfully wove in so many character’s backstories, that I became attached to each one. Throughout the book I was in awe of Moyes ability to create such a riveting epic.
I will read this again, and I know I will discover new aspects of the story I missed the first time. That, my friends, is the highest praise I can give a book.
I am suffering the worse book-hangover now. I feel like giving up reading altogether because I don’t feel I’ll ever experience a book this good again. This is a special one (I hope I’ve conveyed that to you). I will now judge every book I read against this one. Sorry to “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah, there’s a new favorite book in town.
Set in 1937, Alice have recently married Bennett and moved to Kentucky, however life isn't as lovely as she hoped. When the city asks for women to travel around on horse back deliverying books to people Alice gets excited and joins the crew. Been wanting to read this for a while and got really happy when I found it in my library and I wasn't disappointed at all! A very compelling and well written story about something I knew very little about. Something I love to read about and learn as well as being entertained! Don't normaly read books about around that time of history but I did very much enjoy it anywho
This book was an enjoyable historical fiction that was read for the Weekly Drip Book Club! It was a bit slow at the start for myself, but the mix of drama and romance was a fun read.
The strength of women
What can you read after
The Giver of Stars?
About the Author:
Jojo Moyes is a novelist and journalist. Her books include the bestsellers Me Before You, After You and Still Me, The Girl You Left Behind, The One Plus One and her short story collection Paris for One and Other Stories. The Giver of Stars is her most recent bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick. Her novels have been translated into forty-six languages, have hit the number one spot in twelve countries and have sold over thirty-eight million copies worldwide. Me Before You has now sold over fourteen million copies worldwide and was adapted into a major film starring Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke. Jojo lives in Essex.
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