I was browsing in Kirkcaldy Waterstones, as I do whenever I’m in town, and the first thing that caught my eye about this book was the title. Evocative, don’t you think?
The second was the era of 1937, which I seem to be drawn to at the moment, and yet this was set mainly in a back and beyond place called ‘Balleyville’ in Kentucky. An English girl, who married a local mine owner’s son, moved there. Then she became involved as a horseback librarian, taking books to out of the way and often isolated homesteads, Intriguing, don’t you think?
I was soon absorbed into Alice Wright’s life, which soon became intolerable. What had she done to make such a huge step in her life?
I loved the unlikely friendships Jojo Moyes formed between these ladies and the men who supported them. There was conflict aplenty, and possible tragedy, but there was also love and laughter too.
A sign, for me, of a great book, is one that lives with me long after I have finished reading it. ‘The Giver of Stars’ will go on my bookshelf to be read again, maybe in a few years time. Another rare but great sign!
Diana Jackson 