randikaye's review against another edition
5.0
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
To be entirely honest, I'm not quite sure that Stars of Alabama was quite what I expected before I started reading... but what I got was so much better. It was truly one of the best novels I've read lately....and believe me, I've read a lot of them!
From the very start, I was transported through time and place to Alabama in the time of the Great Depression. Clearly, this is neither a time nor a place that I know of personally, but through his beautifully imagery and fantastic southern dialog, I felt as though I was there--- seeing and hearing it all perfectly. To me that ability to picture it all is truly the sign of a great story teller and Sean Dietrich certainly is that!
In Stars of Alabama, we follow the story of three quite different groups of characters. From the start, we can see how two of these stories are intertwined though they hadn't exactly met. I assumed that they would all cross paths at some point in the story, and in the meantime, I found myself rooting for each of these characters and wondering how their story would work out. The book was broken into short chapters (100 total to give you a better idea), which jumped back and forth from each group of characters. Normally, when a story jumps back and forth too often I find that it can be distracting and hard to follow, but personally I did not find that to be true for this one. The author did such a great job at establishing these characters that I found it was pretty easy to jump back and forth. I will say the time jumps (two separate ones) threw me a bit at first and I had to readjust my thinking to establish ages and such, but in the end I actually enjoyed getting to see these characters grow up and felt that that really added to the impact of the story.
I was a little surprised at the supernatural aspect of the story, just because I wasn't quite expecting it... but while it was an important part of the story, it wasn't the sole focus. I personally enjoy these more mystical stories anyway, but I don't feel like it's overwhelming to a point where others who might not still couldn't enjoy the story as well. More than anything, it truly was a story about the people- with the families and unlikely friendships along the way. Overall, it was a great read and one I would certainly recommend.
To be entirely honest, I'm not quite sure that Stars of Alabama was quite what I expected before I started reading... but what I got was so much better. It was truly one of the best novels I've read lately....and believe me, I've read a lot of them!
From the very start, I was transported through time and place to Alabama in the time of the Great Depression. Clearly, this is neither a time nor a place that I know of personally, but through his beautifully imagery and fantastic southern dialog, I felt as though I was there--- seeing and hearing it all perfectly. To me that ability to picture it all is truly the sign of a great story teller and Sean Dietrich certainly is that!
In Stars of Alabama, we follow the story of three quite different groups of characters. From the start, we can see how two of these stories are intertwined though they hadn't exactly met. I assumed that they would all cross paths at some point in the story, and in the meantime, I found myself rooting for each of these characters and wondering how their story would work out. The book was broken into short chapters (100 total to give you a better idea), which jumped back and forth from each group of characters. Normally, when a story jumps back and forth too often I find that it can be distracting and hard to follow, but personally I did not find that to be true for this one. The author did such a great job at establishing these characters that I found it was pretty easy to jump back and forth. I will say the time jumps (two separate ones) threw me a bit at first and I had to readjust my thinking to establish ages and such, but in the end I actually enjoyed getting to see these characters grow up and felt that that really added to the impact of the story.
I was a little surprised at the supernatural aspect of the story, just because I wasn't quite expecting it... but while it was an important part of the story, it wasn't the sole focus. I personally enjoy these more mystical stories anyway, but I don't feel like it's overwhelming to a point where others who might not still couldn't enjoy the story as well. More than anything, it truly was a story about the people- with the families and unlikely friendships along the way. Overall, it was a great read and one I would certainly recommend.
jvondru's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ehgold23's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
booklover1974's review against another edition
3.0
This is a well written book but I couldn't connect with the story or the characters so I had to put it down. I'm certain there are many other people that will love this book, unfortunately I'm not one of them. I give the book three stars because of the language.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
1.0
I enjoyed The Incredible Winston Browne so much that I sought Dietrich's other books. I waited a long time for this one to become available, and I am disappointed. I just can't connect with it; I'm glad others enjoyed it.
jesforeverlostinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This has been on my TBR for too many years. And I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it! If you love historical fiction I would highly recommend this book. Sean Dietrich masterfully weaves together three compelling stories set during the dust bowl period that we rarely read about. The characters are real, flawed, beautiful & horrible… kind & terrible… it’s a story full of found family, hope, forgiveness & healing. This was a feel good old-fashioned story sprinkled with heart & hope. The three storylines all have a common thread of family. Not the family you were born to, but the family that you choose. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by the author who is a master storyteller with his southern drawl, it was almost like being told a bedtime story that hummed along to the tune of the crickets & night bugs under the Alabama stars and I loved the songs sprinkled throughout!
Without giving away too much, this terrific novel tells the story of several people whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways during the height of the Great Depression and spans roughly 20 years. It’s told in short chapters, most no more than three pages long, each focusing on one of the novel's many main characters. For a while, it seems as though the stories will never overlap, but when they finally do, the results are incredibly satisfying. My favorite character was of course, Marigold. She was abandoned by her family when she got pregnant at 15. She is a special girl with a healing touch, but after losing her baby in the forest she finds her place in a brothel. Her life is hard but she never gives up or stops looking for her little girl. Paul and Vern are the best of friends who travel the south with their Bloodhound trying to survive. Along the way they find a child and name her Ruth & then later adopt a mother and her two kids. Cooter (Coot) is a child preacher with an incredible memory, just searching for a place to belong. Like a great storm, these people all come together in this beautiful story about love and family when times are hard. Stars of Alabama is one of those books that grabs you and won't let go until you've turned the last page.
Without giving away too much, this terrific novel tells the story of several people whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways during the height of the Great Depression and spans roughly 20 years. It’s told in short chapters, most no more than three pages long, each focusing on one of the novel's many main characters. For a while, it seems as though the stories will never overlap, but when they finally do, the results are incredibly satisfying. My favorite character was of course, Marigold. She was abandoned by her family when she got pregnant at 15. She is a special girl with a healing touch, but after losing her baby in the forest she finds her place in a brothel. Her life is hard but she never gives up or stops looking for her little girl. Paul and Vern are the best of friends who travel the south with their Bloodhound trying to survive. Along the way they find a child and name her Ruth & then later adopt a mother and her two kids. Cooter (Coot) is a child preacher with an incredible memory, just searching for a place to belong. Like a great storm, these people all come together in this beautiful story about love and family when times are hard. Stars of Alabama is one of those books that grabs you and won't let go until you've turned the last page.
katq's review against another edition
3.0
The first 2/3 of this book were hard to get into. I listened on an audio book so possibly was influenced by the speakers voice. One of those stories with multiple storylines where they all merge in the end.
ejcostello's review against another edition
3.0
Read this for Wednesday afternoon book club. It is a nice story about a variety of characters in the south during the great depression. I generally liked most of the characters, especially Paul and Vern. But, I could only read in small doses; the micro-chapters did not make for smooth reading for me.