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A review by kelly_inthe419
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
4.0
While I did enjoy the Giver of Stars and many of its characters, I didn't love it as much as I expected.
Set in the mountains of Kentucky during the depression era this is the story of a group of women who become packhorse librarians to rural areas of their community, where many people are under-educated and have little access to reading material. The packhorse librarians were a real part of our history, conceived of by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I loved learning more about this history - mending books, taking bits of old magazines like recipes and stories and puzzles and putting them together in a new format.
I also loved the strong female friendships and how the women grew to love and trust and rely upon one another. Margery was my favorite as the tough, smart, independent woman - unusual for that time and place. But the story is primarily focused on Alice, a young Englishwoman who moved to Kentucky after marrying the son of a mine owner. Life in rural Kentucky is nothing like what she expected and neither is her marriage. She finds comfort and friendship among the packhorse librarians and their customers.
The murder mystery and love interests were a bit predictable but nonetheless enjoyable. But the power of literacy and reading shines through and the work of the packhorse librarians is so interesting. I definitely want to read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek as well to compare the stories and learn more.
Set in the mountains of Kentucky during the depression era this is the story of a group of women who become packhorse librarians to rural areas of their community, where many people are under-educated and have little access to reading material. The packhorse librarians were a real part of our history, conceived of by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I loved learning more about this history - mending books, taking bits of old magazines like recipes and stories and puzzles and putting them together in a new format.
I also loved the strong female friendships and how the women grew to love and trust and rely upon one another. Margery was my favorite as the tough, smart, independent woman - unusual for that time and place. But the story is primarily focused on Alice, a young Englishwoman who moved to Kentucky after marrying the son of a mine owner. Life in rural Kentucky is nothing like what she expected and neither is her marriage. She finds comfort and friendship among the packhorse librarians and their customers.
The murder mystery and love interests were a bit predictable but nonetheless enjoyable. But the power of literacy and reading shines through and the work of the packhorse librarians is so interesting. I definitely want to read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek as well to compare the stories and learn more.