#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | A REESE WITHERSPOON X HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK“A great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together.” —Reese WitherspoonFrom the author of The Last Letter from Your Lover, now a major motion picture on Netflix, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of … their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond in Depression-era America
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.more
I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Jojo Moyes. The Giver of the Stars is very different for her, but it sucked me in like all the others.
What an incredible book about courage, friendship, and creating your own family. LOVED it!
It took me a few chapters to become engrossed in the characters. I enjoyed the unusual setting and plot. Following the historic account of the library on horseback through the KY mountains was something new and not the same old “boy meets girl.”
Excellent characters and realistic situations. Great historical perspective
This is an excellent book dealing with the women in the 1930s moving out of traditional roles assigned to them by society. I am truly thankful for the women who came before me that fought to move beyond societal expectations. My heart hurt for Alice who felt unloved and misunderstood by her parents as they were more concerned with appearances than the happiness of their daughter.
Read this with a book group. Was a great read and we all learned a lot about traveling libraries throughout history.
This tale of the pack horse librarians of the early 1900s in Appalachia was such a joy to read. Alice and Margery two completely different women, from different countries and cultures, and yet they come to have more in common than either of them expected. The entire cast of characters is vividly drawn, and the themes of freedom and equality are poignant. I’m planning to read The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson so I can experience another pack horse librarian tale. Highly recommend! And this would be a great book club pick!
One of my all-time favorite rates. Would recommend to anyone.
What a wonderful book set in rural Kentucky during the 1940’s. I did not know the history of the librarians on horseback. The history woven into the fictional story was a boon. I loved it and can’t recommend it enough!
A well crafted story of rural Kentucky built around a little known government program in the 1930s that used small traveling libraries to promote literacy. But that hardly does this novel justice. Because it’s about so much more.
Alice Van Cleve is a young, English woman who marries the son of a wealthy American coal mine tycoon, to escape her too-proper life and critical parents. Alice and Bennett settle into her father-in-law’s home in rural Kentucky. Although her home life turns our disappointing, Alice soon volunteers for the fledgling library program where she meets a small group of disparate women who slowly become a tight circle of friends. One is Margery O’Hare – a gutsy mid-thirties single woman who speaks her mind, flaunts the conventions of society, and is even more interesting a character than Alice. There’s also a young woman whose polio disability and overprotective mother have closed down her life. A tomboy eager for time away from an all-male household. And a quiet, dignified black woman who knows much more about libraries than all the others put together.
But the story is less about the library program itself than about the lives of women in rural America in the 1930s. The deeply ingrained expectations that shape their lives, the limitations imposed by a conservative society, and the consequences — both good and bad — when women begin to behave more independently.
The story is also set against the growing labor movement in America. The Van Cleve mines — with their sub-standard housing, over-priced company store, and unsafe mining conditions — are relentless in their efforts to resist unionization. And like many men with money and power, Mr. Van Cleve expects (demands!) to get his way in all areas of his life. Especially dangerous in someone who so fiercely holds grudges.
It’s a suspenseful read, with unexpected twists and turns. And yet, there is also a central love story that is tender and lovely. A well-executed historical novel that will show you a slice of historical America you’ve probably never seen.
I loved this book and didn’t want it to end!
Gives you a glimpse of the times during Eleanor Roosevelt’s time. Powerful women portrayed in this book
This was such a good story. I have read other books by this author, but this one was a departure from her usual style. I did not know anything about the WPA Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky before reading this book, but it was such an interesting part of history. The friendships that were formed among the librarians and the people that they brought books too was truly inspiring. And also the friendships that formed among the librarians themselves as they got to know each other after their long rides each day into the hills delivering books was wonderful. This story shows the good in people, the strength in people that they don’t realize that they have and how people support each other when they need it most. I did not want this story to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wonderful book. Recommended to my book club and purchased copies for friends.
This is the first Moyes book that I’ve read. I enjoy historical fiction and this book delivered. I knew nothing about the packhorse libraries of the WPA. Combining that with vivid descriptions of the “ hollers” of Kentucky, the horrific conditions of mines during that era, the plight of African Americans plus a good dose of romance
made an truly entertaining book. I look forward to reading more of Ms Moyes’ work.
I listened to the audio version of this book. This was my first written by Jojo Moyes. I understand that this historical fiction is different than anything else she has written up to this point, but judging by The Giver of Stars, she is a tremendous writer.
This story that is based on the women who rode horseback to isolated areas around them to deliver books had a basis in history, but the fictional characters that Ms. Moyes created and the emotional plot that she delivered was truly what made the story for me. I was totally invested in the lives of every single character and the hardships of the time.
The narration by Julia Whelan was outstanding. The many different voices were done superbly and I do believe that her performance added depth and feeling to an already tremendous story.
I was slightly nervous going into this one as the last JoJo Moyes book I read nearly destroyed me and made me run out of tissues. When I started this it took me a while to get into. Not because the book wasn’t good, because it was, but because I had gone into this blind I hadn’t realised it was a historical romance and this is a genre I tend to struggle with. That being said this one was very well written and the fact that it was based on a true story made this more special.
Set in the US Depression era the characters were strong and fierce and this was definitely written with passion as the descriptions on this historical era were very clear and rich. It touched on some very vital issues that surrounded women and the people at that time, racism, sexism, exploitation and the classes.
One of the best books about the Kentucky Book women that I have read and I have read 3 of them over the last 6 months. It is about a group of women who deliver library books on horses and donkeys in eastern Kentucky mountains. It was actually a WPA program back in the early 1900’s. Of the 3 books I have read about them, I think Jojo Moyes’s book is the best, but all 3 are good and full of information! I think Moyes’s book is a little more exciting! Your choice!
Same old formula
I am not much of a historical reader but I do like Jojo’s books so I thought I would give it a read.
Set during the Depression in Kentucky these women have a mobile library. Lots of crazy things happen to this town and group of women. pretty good read.