The Giver of Stars

by Jojo Moyes

Book Overview

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

"A great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together." --Reese Witherspoon

From the author of the forthcoming Someone Else's Shoes, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond in Depression-era America

Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.

The leader, and soon Alice's greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who's never asked a man's permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.

What happens to them--and to the men they love--becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they're committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.

Based on a true story rooted in America's past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic--a richly rewarding novel of women's friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399562486
• ISBN13: 9780399562488
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.4" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Couldn’t put it down 🩷

I was captivated by this book! I couldn’t put it down. I want BBC to make an adaptation. So many parts towards the end had me tearing up. Loved the ending. Loved all the characters.

Easy read

If you are not familiar with FDR’s lending library program its a great read for book lovers.

Lots of people love to read

Packhorse Librarians were real. History woven into a story, made fun reading. Shared it with my book club.. they loved it

The subject matter engaged me. Did not want the book to end. I wanted the characters to continue the

It took me just a minute to get engaged with the book. I think I was distracted at first. When the plot started unfolding, I was swept away to the stories and strength of these amazing women. They delivered used books on horseback or mule on dangerous routes to reach the poverty stricken uneducated Kentuckians often dealing with prejudice and suspicion. So many layers, the author dove into. Great connection to historical fiction. Even though we have modernized our society, the deep roots of prejudice toward a woman can still be felt from different aspects of our society. Great read. When you are finished with this book, you should also read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Read both books back to back. Different stories but gave me a strong sense of just how brave these women were. Heartbreaking at times.

Beautiful story about strong women

Beautiful written story! Did not disappoint. A wonderful tale of strong women who did not bend to the will of others and continued to give books through out their small area! I absolutely loved the writing and the details given. The characters were extremely well developed and had lots of depth to them! It dragged in some places for me but not enough to take away from the rest of the story. I wish it had been a little shorter, but beautifully written regardless. I'm so glad I got this book from BOTM

Amazing author! Amazing novel!

This is the first book I've read by this author and now I'm hooked! She brings you into a world where women are brought together in order to survive a catastrophic event that changes everyone's lives. A world of love, cruelty and sacrifice. I wish I could do this writer justice with this review! If you read this book, you'll be looking for the rest of this author's writings too.