The Silver Star

A Novel

By: Jeannette Walls

Narrated by: Jeannette Walls

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of the best-selling memoirists of all time, a stunning and heartbreaking novel about an intrepid girl who challenges the injustice of the adult world - a triumph of imagination and storytelling.

It is 1970. "Bean" Holladay is 12 and her sister, Liz, is 15 when their artistic mother, Charlotte, a woman who flees every place she’s ever lived at the first sign of trouble," takes off to find herself." She leaves her girls enough money for food to last a month or two. But when Bean gets home from school one day and sees a police car outside the house, she and Liz board a bus from California to Virginia, where their widowed Uncle Tinsley lives in the decaying antebellum mansion that’s been in the family for generations.

An impetuous optimist, Bean discovers who her father was and learns many stories about why their mother left Virginia in the first place. Money is tight, so Liz and Bean start babysitting and doing office work for Jerry Maddox, foreman of the mill in town, a big man who bullies workers, tenants, and his wife. Bean adores her whip-smart older sister, inventor of word games, reader of Edgar Allan Poe, non-conformist. But when school starts in the fall, it’s Bean who easily adjusts and makes friends, and Liz who becomes increasingly withdrawn. And then something happens to Liz in the car with Maddox.

The author of The Glass Castle, hyper-alert to abuse of adult power, has written a gorgeous, riveting, heartbreaking novel about triumph over adversity and about people who find a way to love the world despite its flaws and injustices.

©2013 Jeannette Walls (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

superb book

loved the story and the narration. excellent and true to life plot. characters were so endearing.

Walls beautifully captures complexity of family.

What did you love best about The Silver Star?

Jeannette Walls never shies away from creating parental characters that you both love and hate. I think what I loved best was her focus on the sibling relationship and how protective that can be when you are dealing with parents who, for whatever reason, are unstable.

What aspect of Jeannette Walls’s performance would you have changed?

I found Walls' performance to be boring. In fact, I was shocked that as the writer if this story, there wasn't much inflection or emotion present during her narrating. It was definitely something I noticed within the first half hour but continued throughout the book. It may have seemed especially absent given the subject matter (particularly the alleged sexual abuse) as I felt using more emotion would've helped flesh out that scene. I also would suggest using different voices for the different characters. As a newbie to audiobooks (yet an avid reader) I find this helpful to get lost in the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not sure, but it would highlight the sibling bond and the resilience of the girls. And maybe mention the unique kindness of the uncle.

Any additional comments?

While I'm a huge fan of Walls, II didn't enjoy this as much as "The Glass Castle". I was thrown a bit when the story took a turn and the girls left for their uncle's home. Initially, I expected that the story would be about the journeys and obstacles of living alone while waiting for their mother's return. After completing the book, I see that the journey back to their mother's old home was integral in the direction of the narrative. I would still recommend this to a friend, but it wouldn't be my first recommendation.

The Silver Star

Jeannette Walls is a fabulous story teller. I have read and listened to all of her books. In this book, she writes in first person as the character Jean, called Bean and puts you right there with her in the story. You can almost feel the wind in her hair, the sun on her face and smell of the hay.

Entertaining

I had to give this book 5 stars in every category. It was entertaining and will read. I truly enjoyed the story kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time.

Disappointed :(

I really had high hopes for this novel since Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle is one of my all-time favorite books. But I was disappointed with this one. The story was quite elementary—I really feel the target audience may have been young teens, but it was not marketed that way.

If you haven’t read or listened to The Glass Castle yet, that is the book I am happy to recommend—

Interesting

Read this book since it was our book club choice. Enjoyed it. Not deep.
But the motherhood vs the kids.."..strange and not believable.

Great read!

If you could sum up The Silver Star in three words, what would they be?

Great summer read!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character " Bean". Her 12 year old perspectives run a wide range from innocent to tenacious & stubborn through the whirlwind of changes she & her sister take on, both In their world as kids & the world of adults. Uncle Tinsley, the reclusive hoarder, was a close second with his odd, but caring efforts in offering the girls an anchor in their lives.

Which scene was your favorite?

1st day of school at their new school - the mixture of excitement & dread against the backdrop of the historical timing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were both "laugh out loud" moments & moments where I winced with empathy for Bean, her sister, & her mom, & others in the Holladay clan.

Any additional comments?

Believable characters & real life dilemmas.

Interesting Story

From reading Walls' other books, you can see some of her past experiences influencing this story.
I enjoyed the novel quite a bit.

could have been better

didn't love the narration
I think it could have been done better, that being said it got me through my road trip!

Amazing

Jeanette Walls is one of my all time favorite authors. I loved The Glass Castle and she did not disappoint with this. It had me.on the edge of me seat. Great book