Three Irish boys. Three very different backgrounds. A bond that will be tested beyond all reason.USA Today Bestselling Author Jean Grainger is taking you to Ireland…For Liam, Patrick, and Hugo, life in 1960’s Ireland proves to be both idyllic and flawed. Leading vastly different lives, an unexpected friendship blooms between the teenagers when they all attend a private Catholic boarding school, … when they all attend a private Catholic boarding school, a bond that seems unbreakable.
But, in a world where the Catholic Church is a pervasive presence, and life is both simple and complicated, can their friendship survive as they navigate love and loyalty, secrets and lies? Are they close enough to weather the gale, or will their separate struggles tear them apart?
In Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, author Jean Grainger is reminiscent of the late Maeve Binchy as she brings to life the struggles and simplicity that often go hand-in-hand with growing up. Experience it all with Liam, Patrick, and Hugo as they face the beauty, turmoil, and endless possibilities of life under the turbulent Irish sky.
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I loved this story. Laughed and cried with characters. I look forward to reading many of her books.
At first, I didn’t think I would enjoy this book; but how wrong I was.
A story of lifelong friendship, difficulties, hardship and overcoming obstacles.
This book is so well written and sincere.
Under Heaven’s Shining Stars is a moving story centered around the friendship between 3 boys who seem an odd match at first but defy the odds to experience the ultimate meaning of the word friend. Liam, Hugo and Patrick’s friendship touches those in their lives whom they love forming a close knit extended family of friends willing to go the extra mile for each other.
Highly, highly reccomend.
Excellent book,being a native of Cork,myself,I could relate to this book very well,and I will say all the locations mentioned are spot on,a really good read.
Wish the story last longer and new what happened in later life and with their families and friends
I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters and setting (Cork, Ireland in the 1960s and 70s) are interested and depicted well. Very interesting plot. My only complaint (and really not much of one): it seemed that things were maybe resolved a bit too neatly by the end of the book.
I really like how the characters came together in the beginning and their friendship grew to be so strong. We get to watch that growth over the years as they face challenges, personal trials, and triumphs. Having raised three sons I couldn’t help but get emotionally involved with these young men. A wonderful story, by a beautiful storyteller.
An interesting Irish coming of age novel. Not set in the usual environment of revolt and bloodshed. Character development is dynamic and continues to the end of the book. An absorbing read!
I thought this story was grand as the Irish say. I read a lot of books and usually skim or skip words completely but I read every word of this book. It historical fiction about three boys growing up in a small Irish town. They are unlike friends but it works. The development of the characters was God from beginning to the end. I really cared about them.
It reads like a true story and was fun, funny, heart warming, sad, it hit every emotion in the spectrum. It was about friendship and loyalty in good times and bad. It grabb me from the beginning and would highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I liked this story but being a Christian, I had a lot of mixed feelings about this. This was a roller coaster of emotions type of story. Because of the violence in this, among other things, I would say this was not for the under 18 readers. Set in a not too distant past Ireland, it centered on three young boys and their pains and struggels growing up in a poorer part of town and the impact of going to a Catholic school. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review this. I’ve given it a 4.5* rating.
UNDER HEAVEN’S SHINING STARS by Jean Grainger
A story of three best friends, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, as they attend St Bart’s secondary school, a seminary for wealthy boys, in Cork, Ireland. Their friendship seems unlikely, considering their divergent personalities, but they forge a firm friendship which carries them through poverty, physical abuse, murder, sexual abuse by a priest and the discovery and acceptance of Hugo’s homosexuality.
Jean Grainger’s writing style has an honest, to-the-point simplicity as she brings the reader into the warmth of Liam’s home where his mother is the grounding force that binds the three boys together through each crisis.
The author broaches some important issues, including questions about Catholicism and homosexuality. The overriding lesson is that love, in all forms, conquers all. Several characters are well-developed and the story is well told. This is the second book from this author I’ve read.
So Much Owed – An awesome, must read book. WWII is the time frame and the story is set in Ireland and England. Interesting, multidimensional characters that keep the reader caring about them and their journey during the war. There’s past history, WWI and the Troubles, faced by some of the characters that shape the decisions made during WWII. The storyline is mesmerizing and intense, immersing the reader in a world of joy, pain, sorrow and happiness. Ms. Grainger is a talented storyteller and I enjoyed everything I’ve read so far by her. 5*
Shadow of a Century – A well written, sad but uplifting story set in both Ireland and New York. The characters are well developed and interesting. The storylines are well thought out and hold your attention, especially the last three-quarters of the book. If you enjoyed Maeve Binchy’s books, you’ll enjoy both books by Jean: Shadow of a Century and Letters of Freedom. I disagreed with the main character’s comments on a gun-crazed USA and the Democrats fixing all problems if in power. US politics aside, the story is worth reading. 3*
Under Heaven’s Shining Stars – This story reminded me so much of Angela’s Ashes. Both stories are so well told about life in a poor Irish neighborhood; although Angela’s is a true story written by her son about their lives. The story is mesmerizing and I took days to devour this intense story of love, caring, acceptance and terror. The characters just blossomed, growing into maturity and grace as their lives unfolded. The story and neighborhood is typical regardless of where you live, especially during that time period when people were closer with their neighbors and communities.
Even with the bad parts, the story left warmhearted and loving and happy feelings, along with the horror. There so many ways these characters could have gone and become, but their love and support kept an even keel and good won. All the books written by this author have been very good to excellent; I highly recommend her work. This is my favorite book so far. 5*
Jean Grainger Box Set end.
What Once Was True – A well written, well thought out novel with interesting people, events and places. The historical parts are well done and personal as told by the participants of those events. The storyline blends history with the growth of all the characters. Ranging in ages and social status, the effects of the Troubles and World War II are clearly seen. If you love Binchy and Pilcher, and authors like Pearl S. Buck, this heartwarming and heart breaking world that Ms. Grainger crafted will sweep you away with her vivid descriptions and characters. 5*
bad language
A book with fascinating insight into the lives of three young Irish boys, and being the child of Irish immigrants myself made it all the more interesting. But even if you’re not Irish the book is a wonderful read. The three main characters are extremely well developed that you forget that this isn’t a true story as you are reading along. A delightful and fluid read.
It was about characters and the author built each boy year by year. It was a story of soul deep friendship, one that is rare. I saw both good and bad in people, often frustrating, but always touching the reader deeply.
I absolutely positively LOVED this book. Because it was set in the 1940-50 era it is not “modern” but it is so typical of those years (which I lived through) that every word was totally believable. I have some of Grainger’s other books and am eager to read those as well. I hope that they are similar, and I have every reason to believe they will be.
Jean Grainger is one of my favorite authors. I love her historical novels and well developed characters.
Brought forth a lot of emotion. The characters touched me deeply as I laughed and cried and rejoiced with them.
I thought it would be lame because of the title, but it was well worth reading.
Not the type of book that matches my values.