I recently re-read The Giver Of Stars after I spotted a patient of mine reading it. We were gushing about the story together, leading me to abandon the TBR pile and re-reading it. I absolutely had to sate the need that she had arisen in me to revisit the librarians on their horsebacks, spreading the love.
Love is what this story is meant to be about – love and books, which is a pretty brilliant combination from my perspective, but not everyone is impressed by Eleanor Roosevelt’s travelling library initiative and the effects of empowerment on the working class.
Alice, one of the librarians, finds trouble at home as she navigates an unsatisfying relationship with her new husband while also living with her father-in-law, local arch-businessman who is campaigning to close down the library she loves. Alice is a wonderful main character who grows on the reader swiftly, not disappointing as the novel continues.
Fiercely independent Margery is a fascinating character to follow as she leads the new librarians in their role, including Sophia, whose employment sparks controversy in a racist mining town. The bonds formed between the librarians under significant pressure from members of the community are beautiful, and warming to read. Those friendships, and the strength of character that each librarian develops as the book progresses, are the best part about the Giver Of Stars for me, along with the love for books that the community develop despite a distrustful start.
This is a well-written, heart-warming book set in the scenic Kentucky mountains, written by one of my favourite authors, which I would recommend to anyone looking for a feel-good empowering historical fiction book to reignite their love of books.
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