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Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond, from the author of Me Before You
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 Horseback Librarians of Kentucky.
What happens to them--and to the men they love--becomes a classic drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. Though they face all kinds of dangers, they’re committed to their job--bringing books to people who have never had any, sharing the gift of learning that will change their lives.
Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope. At times funny, at others heartbreaking, this is 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.
Review:
I really have enjoyed Jojo Moyes books. But all of the ones I have read (Me Before You, for example) have been contemporary fiction. How would she tackle my favorite genre, historical fiction? My opinion is that she writes it quite well! With a unique setting, strong characters, and a story that will break your heart, this was a very enjoyable book.
What I Liked:
Setting:The story is set in a rural Kentucky town. Alice, a newly married young woman from England, has arrived to live with her husband and father-in-law who are owners of the area coal mine. With her upper crust accent, she sticks out like a sore thumb. Plus, she has no idea of small town customs in the Southern United States.
I really love the author's descriptions of the stunning mountain scenery, and the dignity of rural people. Small towns have a particular way about them. On the one hand, there can be a gossipy pettiness where everyone knows your business. On the other hand, it can also band together to support one another in difficult times. Moyes does a superb job of conveying these dueling intentions.
Characters:
I really like Alice, a misfit British girl doesn't fit in English society, and finds it difficult to navigate her new surroundings. At first, I thought she was going to be rather wimpy, letting others bully her into submission. But even Alice has her limits. Seeing her find her confidence is really satisfying.
Margery, is the town's original misfit. Her family's reputation as local troublemakers has followed her, and she really doesn't care. She wants to live as she pleases. But the town has different ideas. Women who step out of line are suspect. This will bite Margery late in the story.
Besides the some truly infuriating male characters, there are also men who were very admirable. Sven, Margery's boyfriend, is supportive, but also itching to make their relationship legal. Fred is also a man who has immense patience with a different female character. I love that he shows his affection in small ways: cutting wood for the library, making food, driving this person home when it is too cold or rainy. I love these subtle gestures.
Story:
This book is based on true circumstances that happened in Kentucky. As a means to employ more people, a rural "packhorse" library was set up. Women were employed to ride horses up into the mountains to bring library books to isolated families. At a time where illiterate, these books were often their first introduction to reading. Besides reading, the librarians also brought recipes, farming tips, and personal advice to these people.
This story was so compelling. I love that families who begin as suspicious of the library grow to look forward to their weekly visits.
The story also follows Alice and Margery's various challenges. Alice's marriage is not as picture-perfect as it seems. Her husband is uninterested in becoming intimate, and her father-in-law is a bully. Margery tendency towards unconventionality does her no favors when a man (who has been in a feud with her family) turns up dead. Could she have killed him?
What I Was Mixed About:
Historical Details:
Even though this book is set in the 1930's, at times it seems as though the story could have been happening in anytime from the 1880's on. The author does begin many chapters with quotes from a guidebook about Kentucky from that time period. But I would have loved more details about how people lived day to day in the early 1930's. How did people keep house? What kinds of things did they do for entertainment? Some of this was briefly covered, but I wanted more.
Trigger Warning for domestic violence.
Rating:
Release Date: October 8th, 2019
Author: Jojo Moyes
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 400 pages
Source: Edelweiss
Format: E-book
Recommendation:
