Reviews

I really enjoyed this book, particularly how the beginning took us back to the generational history of the red feather and bear shield families.

The reason it is only getting 3 stars from me is because we did not get a wrap up to some of the other characters introduced in There, There. Perhaps there will be a third book? I’m not sure, but I really was interested to know what happened to Blue and Edwin, Harvey just disappears even though he went to the hospital with them after the shooting. I would have also liked to see what became of the movie project from the first book.

Despite those shortcomings, Wandering Stars is a deep look into generational trauma and addiction and is a must read. This book and There, There will go on to become classics, I’m sure of it.

tcu3's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad

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

3.0

Some parts of this book pulled you in, some parts really dragged, not really a connected plot, hard to read both emotionally and actually.

I think this could have had stronger editing and wound up a better book.

I thought there there was much better.

tevreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2024. ‘Wandering Stars’ by Tommy Orange is a book that deserves to be on future literary prize lists in America. Like Orange’s debut novel, this is a strong examination of Native American culture through modern history, in opposition to a capitalist society and its intergenerational trauma. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, without reading the prequel or being aware of historical events framed around the story – Orange is early a gifted writer and it’s great to see a book like this nominated for the Booker Prize. My only qualms were with the jumps in time for brevity at times leaving me wanting more.

cascadienne's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective slow-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

3.75

The author was incredibly ambitious in the scope of this novel - applying the same multiple-viewpoint and overlapping-timescale to one family over the course of generations, and telling the story that bookends the events of There, There.

It works, but it also struggles a lot more to be cohesive (especially as an audiobook). Or perhaps that’s the point?

plasticpansy's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

jennseeg's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

bgibley's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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