The Giver of Stars

Reese's Book Club (A Novel)

By: Jojo Moyes

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best seller

A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick

USA Today's top 100 books to read while stuck at home social distancing

“I’ve been a huge Jojo Moyes fan. Her characters are so compelling.... It’s such a great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together.” (Reese Witherspoon)

From the author of Me Before You, set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond.

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.

Soon to be a major motion picture!

©2019 Jojo Moyes (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A captivating tale of love, friendship, and self-actualization.” (People)

"The Giver of Stars is a richly rewarding exploration of the depths of friendship, good men willing to stand up to bad and adult love. Moyes celebrates the power of reading in a terrific book that only reinforces that message." (USA Today)

"Though she made her mark writing contemporary romance, Moyes proves just as adept at historical fiction.... The Giver of Stars is a celebration of love, but also of reading, of knowledge, of female friendship, of the beauty of our most rural corners and our enduring American grit: the kind of true grit that can be found in the hills of Kentucky and on the pages of this inspiring book." (The Washington Post)

Women's Historic Packhorse Library

This wonderful story is rich with beautiful scenery, horses, women's rights and women's friendships. A captivating story that I didn't want to end.

So well read! Such a good read!

When the story started with a beauty in England marrying her handsome man, I worried the story was going to be too sanguine. But wow! The plot moved fast to very intersting and compelling. The performer was so very brilliant at giving every character it's own voice. I loved it.

great read and story

An inspiring story that helps us remember how far we have come and yet how far we have to go I. the boardroom.

Unexpectedly Wonderful

I was uncertain at first but this book was well worth the time. I became invested in each character of the story. I was quite frankly sad when I finished the book because I want to know how their lives continued.

Very interesting and inspiring part of our history

Before reading this book I knew virtually nothing about the subject matter. It was a very interesting read from that perspective, and well written. Recommended!

Exceptional narration

Julia Whelan has outdone herself. She brought the characters to life and made them believable. Loved this book.

Narrator

BEST narrator I’ve heard yet! Her facility with accents and genders made this a delight to listen to

So wonderful

One of the very best audio books I’ve listened to. Flood was overwhelmingly real and frightening.

I didn't want it to end

Great characters and narration. what a wonderful story. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.

Excellent book with great characters!

This is the first book I have listened to for this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator was excellent and the author's ability to develop and weave the characters into a great story, was wonderful. I have just bought my second book and am looking forward to another great listen.