Reviews

Wie ein Leuchten in tiefer Nacht by Jojo Moyes

cmklaft's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lozza27's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the third audiobook I’ve listened to by this narrator and every one is a five star. I love the voices she uses for the characters and the contrast to her narration. It definitely helps build the story in my mind. The story itself was also so good. It combined horses and books, two of my favorite things, and told an uplifting and entertaining story. I loved being able to follow the storyline of multiple characters and I fell in love with so many of the characters and loved seeing how things changed and developed for them. I found myself making commentary as I listened as if I knew these characters and got mad when anything bad happened to them. It was such a fun reading experience! 

jp_priestley's review against another edition

4.0

Undoubtedly one of the finest books that I have read in many years. Part-dedicated to librarians everywhere by the author, The Giver of Stars is one of those rare books that can have you teetering between outraged, overwhelmed and overjoyed by turn. There were occasions when having been reading in bed, my partner would occasionally comment that 'you were giggling' to which I would invariably reply 'was I?' or similar. It would seem that I seldom find parts of any book so funny that I should laugh uncontrollably. Who knew?

As a final acid test for me when rating the merits of a book, Jojo's skillfully crafted story moved me to tears (but for joyful reasons) towards the closing pages. I am going to miss Baileyville, Kentucky and the women of the WPA Packhorse Library. Ladies, Mrs Nofcier is right to be so proud of your achievements!

The Giver of Stars by Amy Lowell

Hold your soul open for my welcoming.
Let the quiet of your spirit bathe me
With its clear and rippled coolness,
That, loose-limbed and weary, I find rest,
Outstretched upon your peace, as on a bed of ivory.

acmarinho3's review against another edition

4.0

Os acontecimentos deste livro encheram-me constantemente de raiva... as injustiças, a desvalorização feminina, a discriminação. Virei as folhas com alguma violência e acelerei o ritmo de leitura, porque só queria perceber como seria o final. Uma boa descrição de uma sociedade retrógrada e da importância de conseguir nadar contra a corrente.

hm_adams27's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring tense 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? No

4.0

lilbanne's review against another edition

4.0

The Giver of Stars was a cute, quick read. The book is based on the 1930s Horseback Librarian program in Kentucky, started by Eleanor Roosevelt, a program to bring books to enrich the lives of those who did not ordinarily have access to reading material, e.g., in the remote Appalachian countryside. I love a good historical fiction novel about reading. Count me in!

Alice Wright is a newlywed English woman who moved to Kentucky after marrying her husband, Bennet Van Celeve, a wealthy son of a mining baron whom she met on his tour of Europe. We quickly learn that Alice is bored and discontent living with her husband and father-in-law, so she signs up to be a librarian for the Horseback Program led by Margery O'Hare, a bootlegger's daughter. Margery is strong and independent but has a bad reputation in town because of her outspoken behaviour! Alice befriends Margery, Beth, Izzy and Sonia, other fellow librarians and quickly falls in love with the Appalachian hills. Alice realizes there might be more to her life than pretty dresses and making dinner for her husband.

The story delves deep into racial tension as well as misogyny. There is a clash between the old and the new guard as those previously repressed demand more. The Giver of Stars is a beautifully written story that makes you fall in love with the countryside of Kentucky.

Activating material: pregnancy, family abuse, domestic abuse, racism, misogyny

careycarpenter's review against another edition

4.0

I loved that the story is based on the history of the true packhorse librarians! So great that these women helped educate their communities with reading and books. The women and their relationships with each other are so fun.

sarahmcgurren13's review against another edition

4.0

This one has such a strong girl gang fighting for their right to read books.... and so much more.

annaloyd's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Delightful! Love a book about strong females doing what they love

oceanc's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0