Talk about The Blue Star..

Message 2002 of 8384

This book is another that I wouldn't have read, had it not been chosen as a group read, and I'm glad I didn't miss it. Although very much a "cozy", it was beautifully written and drew you into it easily and early on.

Although it was set in a different part of the country from where my family grew up, I could identify with a lot of it. Most from remembering stories my mom and other relatives had told. For instance, my mom ended up in a second, and happy, marriage with a boy she'd gone to school with and who had gone off to war, then returned to their home town and remained a bachelor until later, as a "mature" man, married my mom and took on her 3 wild daughters.

Did you all like this book?

posted by barbincolorado

Replies 1 - 10 of 12

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I agree Barb - yet another good book I would have never read if not for this group.
I've described it as a coming of age book to friends. I enjoyed the characters. The descriptions gave us people to enjoy (Jim's mother & uncles) and those who added the tension to the story (the wealthy, controlling Bucklows).
Jim loves Chrissy despite the obstacles thrown at them. And poor Dennis - is he - and Ellen Something - doomed to mill life.
The setting is this part of the county & seems like echoes of stories I've heard.

posted by tnbopeep
over 2 years ago

LOL, bopeep, do you think we're the only 2 who read this book? :x

posted by barbincolorado
over 2 years ago

GMTA - I sure hope not as this was a good book - not great, not enthralling, edge of the seat - just a well written, GOOD book. There was something in it - I don't know exactly what, that made me think of To Kill a Mockingbird.
This is a book I'd recommend to anyone. It's "wholesome". You called it "cozy" but I'm not sure that's the description I'd use.

posted by tnbopeep
over 2 years ago

Margy11911 posted that she read the book and would comment when she returned from trip.

Now you are at least three!

posted by rapa
over 2 years ago

I read it and liked it very much. It was a comfortable read. I did live in the hills of Missouri during the war and after. I remember the attitudes of the late forties and early fifties very well. The innocence of youth does fade away fast with the realities of life. I found myself wishing to be able to go back but still know what I know now. If I have time I am going to get Earley's first book Jim the Boy. I had questions about his family's history. The plot was a little contrived and I kept seeing it as a Hallmark warm fuzzy Thanksgiving movie. The relationship between Chrissie's mother and Jim's uncle was too convenient for me to believe. All that said I still am glad I read it.

posted by mongomjal
over 2 years ago

With all the murder & mayhem I read, there are times when I need a "palate cleanser". I've got my annual Christmas books to look forward to so maybe this was a gentle lead in to them.

posted by tnbopeep
over 2 years ago

LOL, Mary, I could easily see it as a Hallmark movie, too. That said, I enjoyed it as a change of pace, and actually was surprised that it held my interest the way it did.

I felt really sorry for poor Dennis Deane and Ellie Something, with her pregnant and them living in that wretched apartment.

Warmed my heart to see Norma and Chrissie getting along in the trip to deliver the quilt to DD and ES, and I laughed at the way they kind of ganged up on Jim and bossed him around.

We used to name our cars, so naming the car in the book seemed normal. :D

The uncles... they somehow seemed so much more sensitive and in touch with their inner feelings than I would have expected. I liked Zeno a lot. :D Wonder if he and Nancy will get together.

posted by barbincolorado
over 2 years ago

I read The Whistling Season last month and enjoyed it thoroughly but it was a very slow moving book... much like a Hallmark prarie movie... and then I picked up u>The Blue Star and i just couldn't get into it... I thought because it seemed to be the same kind of book and I needed a page turner after the previous one.

So I read a couple of more exciting books and then tried "Blue" again and after about 50 pages I just took it back to the library... I guess I just wasn't in the mood for it right now...

posted by carci
over 2 years ago

I am still reading "The Blue Star" and I read "Jim The Boy" and love it and I am enjoying TBS just as much. I was suppose to take it back today but I won't and I have already renewed it once so I'll have fines to pay but I am going to read it.

I love the uncles they remind me so much of my Mom's three brothers and my Dad's one brother. They were all born in Tennissee and lived in Missouri most of their life.

I can't wait to finish it. I just got to the part about shooting rats so I am not to far along but when I actually get the chance to read it goes fast. I like it very much so far.

posted by grammiesue
over 2 years ago

Well i liked the book when i read it awhile back. I guess Hallmark movie is a good classification for it. It was a change of pace from the usual stuff i read. Now that i am on "island time" i sort of like a cozy story so have been reading Ann of Anne of Avolee and did finish off the Help while in San Antonio.