Reviews

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

emoody's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

swear2gd's review against another edition

5.0

Tommy Orange always writes with such raw, intense emotion and sometimes that feels daunting, but with this book I was enraptured. I couldn't put it down even if I wanted to.

The emotions I felt reading Wandering Stars were intense and every word felt like it left a deeper cut in my heart -- but i'm better for it.

Addiction is a beast of a thing and to write about it in such a poetic but real way is a talent and I look forward to reading this again when it officially releases. Incredible work, truly. I'm recovering from sobbing as I write this

lpick10's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed Wandering Stars! The story traces the family story of Jude Star from the Sand Creek Massacre to the Carlisle India School to the present day, showcasing how generational trauma and addiction impacts Native American families. I though this was a great follow up to There There!

amaya_jam's review against another edition

i really don’t like the writing style and despite it’s acclaim, it’s best i dnf a book where i don’t even like the first 2 chapters 

trinak's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.25

tarkalson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

wakejyles's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kaedau's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️ 

A generational story about trauma, addiction, and survival. For those who know what it’s like to struggle with addiction, this book heavily discusses what addiction and recovery is like. So be kind to yourself if this is a trigger for you. 

Tommy Orange’s writing is so unique and impactful. In some ways, the style of writing feels urgent. Like the story must be told now, and we must listen now. But, there were a few times that I lost the thread of thought. 

Having read There There earlier this year, I had previously met some of the characters. Do I think you have to read it first before Wandering Stars? No, I think this story is important and meaningful on its own, but I did enjoy having the background. 

My only true plot issue was the involvement of Richard Henry Pratt’s perspective. I never did understand why his voice was important to the family we were following through the generations. Overall, a superb read and an important voice in literature. 

rcallus210's review against another edition

5.0

Really, really enjoyed this!! An excellent sequel from an amazing new voice in the literary world. The first half takes a bit of commitment, but the payoff is hugely worth it. I loved the wide breadth of characters he introduced us to in There, There but I love how this work both expanded and focused around some of his most visceral characters from there. Really beautiful character development, complex themes, poetic prose, I loved it!

kamrynharned's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I searched high and low for novels by indigenous authors that would be beautiful, educational and moving WITHOUT being what felt like a trauma dump. This book was almost that, but would have been even more powerful if it had been a little less preachy. I loved the generational approach, but I wish it spent time more evenly on each era and set of characters. It worked through the middle generation so quickly that I almost forgot how everything was connected by the end of the book, and there were some genuinely fascinating parts of history it referenced that I had never heard of (take over of Alcatraz??).  Its portrayal of addiction was very moving and harrowing, especially through the perspective of Orval.  Definitely not a happy ending, but not unsatisfying at all.