Reviews

The Blue Star, by Tony Earley

pattieod's review against another edition

4.0

"The Blue Star" is a lovely snapshot of a year in a young man's life in Appalachian North Carolina in the years at the beginning of WWII. Themes of young love and sexuality, poverty and race are explored through the lens of a callow, sheltered young man who knows that his years of youth and shelter are at an end, and that the wide world is calling, whether he likes it or not. Early makes you see the clouds rolling in over the mountains, feel the wind on your face, and taste the pinto beans and cornbread; he really puts you in the place and lets you live there for a few hours.

So delightful that it might be a five-star as it marinates over the weeks.

appalonia's review against another edition

4.0

The continuing story of Jim Glass (from Earley's previous novel "Jim the Boy" along with several short stories). Jim is now a teenager and World War II looms on the horizon. Raised with abounding family love and understanding, Jim is in his final year of high school and is confronted with the call of duty and war. Jim falls in love at first sight with Chrissie Steppe, the daughter of a woman who was once courted by Jim's Uncle Zeno. But Jim knows Chrissie belongs to Bucky Bucklaw, who has recently enlisted in the Navy. I love Tony Earley's writing, which consistently presents compassionate, sweet and gentle stories. Four and a half stars.

tdwightdavis's review against another edition

5.0

Yet another absolutely beautiful book by Tony Earley. This story follows Jim from Jim the Boy during his senior year of high school. A truly moving book, set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor and the beginnings of World War II, this story captures perfectly what it's like to be an 18 year old boy on the cusp of adulthood. I really hope Earley writes more stories about Jim.

pkadams's review against another edition

4.0

Tony Earley creates timeless stories in the early to mid 20th century that captures the cadences of life in a palpable way that isn't sappy or nostalgic. The Blue Star covers the senior year of Jim Glass on the eve of WWII in a small town located in rural NC. I found the clear, unadorned, succinct prose-style a welcomed change to the often overly self-conscious and pretentious writing that most post-modern authors affect. His style struck just the right tone and timber for a story that centers around a rural community just emerging from the Great Depression. Although a simple and straightforward plot, the author is thoughtful and deceptively subtle. I have a lot of respect for the author who creates a realistic, heart-wrenching love story that involves teenagers. My admiration grew when I finished the book and realized I was satisfied with the ending though it wasn't predictable, depressing, or sappy. I can't figure out why this book hasn't received wider popularity.

birdmanseven's review against another edition

5.0

I really hope he writes more of these Jim Glass stories. They are unlike anything I have read. Tony Earley has a unique and very low-key style. I think I may have actually liked this more than I did Jim the Boy. It was interesting and surprisingly emotional.

We discuss this and other favorites in the Historical Fiction genre here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-57-historically-fictitious

hazeltine's review against another edition

4.0

I was all ready to give this book 3 stars until the last chapter, which had me crying like a baby. I didn't like it as much as Jim the Boy I think because the first book was so sweet and innocent and the writing was just beautiful. Here Jim is now 17 and it is really hard to be sweet when you are a 17 year old boy. The writing was still great, but it lost a little of the freshness the first book .

satyridae's review

3.0

I liked this sequel to Jim The Boy a lot, though I didn't like it quite as much as JTB. It's evocative and sweet. I found some of the characters to be a bit clunky and heavily drawn. And I don't know if Earley's naming Chrissie's father Injun Joe was a tip of the hat to Twain or merely a coincidence. Either way it was jarring to my eyes every time. And Bucky Bucklaw's name was too reminiscent of Whitey Whitesides. Perhaps this is nitpicky on my part. I found this book quite readable, solid, but not luminous. I do hope there's another after this.

richard's review

The Blue Star is a sequel to Earley's excellent Jim the Boy. Jim is now a high school senior in the time just before the US enters WWII. I liked Jim the Boy a bit better, but this one is still great. These books are totally nostalgic and sentimental, which normally I wouldn't like, but here I love it. Earley somehow manages to be sentimental without being saccharine or corny.