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 But when school starts in the fall, it’s Bean who easily adjusts and makes friends, and Liz who becomes increasingly withdrawn.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

Does not Measure up to Walls' Other Novels

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No--the plot is too predictable in many important regards.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Too pedestrian.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jeannette Walls?

I have read all of her other books--this is the first one to which I did not give 5 stars, but I am not sure I would try her next book after this disappointment.

I love this author!!!!

I have read all of her books I could find! She makes you feel like you are right there with her!

סיפור מקסים. חבל שנגמר :)

הספר הראשון שלי באפליקצייה. חוויה מעולה. מומלץ מאוד לכל מי שאוהב ספרים וסיפורים ומעוניין לשפר את האנגלית שלו על הדרך.

growing up is not easy

growing up is difficult no matter what your situation and this story highlights the struggles

Jeannette walls awesome reading

enjoyed the book I had just finished reading glass castle and half broken horses. glad to have read silver star narration was great

Better than The Glass Castle

'Adult' issues, overall an amazing story. We have read all her books, Half Broke Horses and The Glass Castle. We'll read any future books she chooses to write.

Hire a narrator!

What did you like best about The Silver Star? What did you like least?

Jeannette Wall's is a good writer. I look forward to her books.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Hire a narrator!

What didn’t you like about Jeannette Walls’s performance?

Drab, too like her other books.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe

Any additional comments?

No

Lovely book!

This lovely read was a lot like Jeannette’s other books, in the same style and detail. I enjoyed that she read it herself. It was nice to hear the author reading her own material!
The characters are relatable, the mother being nuts and the family members answering their calls to action.
I really enjoyed all of Jeannette Walls’ books, a lot better than the movie, in fact!!

Could not stop reading it

I loved it and I hope there's more books in the future by her.All of her book I have fell in love with.

Loved it.

This is a captivating story that you don’t want to stop listening to until it’s done. The narrators voice is also very easy to listen to.