Reviews

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

sandiet's review against another edition

4.0

Engaging story, narrated by Julia Whelan.
This story is based on the Packhorse Librarian Project in Kentucky which delivered books to remote regions in the Appalachians between 1935 and 1943.
I enjoyed the strong female characters especially during a time when it was difficult for women to have their own ideas. Interesting to get some insight into a project I didn't know anything about.
Jojo Moyes writes very well and her novels move along without dragging.
Highly recommended. Solid 4 stars.

zhelana's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative slow-paced

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

4.0

This was another one of those books where everything good is happening for the first half of the book and by the time bad things start happening, I don't want them to. I've started to think of the book as a comfort read. But anyway, about halfway through the ladies of the library start to have problems, and so it goes. I think I would have liked this book more if it had been 3/4ths as long as it was, and a lot of the first bits were cut out. That said, I didn't particularly want the book to end, either. I enjoyed my time in these ladies' lives. It was also about a part of the country that doesn't get written about very often. I can only think of one other book I've read that was in this location, and that was modern memoirs not historical fiction. So it was pretty unique. I'll give it a lot of credit for that. But anyway, I didn't love this book, but I did like it. So 4 stars.

adaim's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ebc726's review against another edition

3.0

Overall, I enjoyed it. But I’m really skeptical knowing the plagiarism accusations.

itscati's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

yandaman's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

4.25

aligra77's review against another edition

4.0

This book is set in Kentucky in The Great Depression and is based on the true story of the Pack Horse Librarians who delivered books and magazines to rural communities. The women librarians believed that education was a way out of poverty and they began a mission to reach the poor and the lost. They endured fierce opposition and encountered the harshest of conditions but all of this strengthened their resolved and in turn cemented their friendship. This is a wonderful book about love, friendship, loyalty and the power of books. Being a book of historical fiction this is a departure from
Jojo Moyes usual genre of writing but it doesn’t disappoint. I received a free copy of this book. A favourable review was not required and all opinions expressed here are my own

katiegetslit's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book a lot! It was really fun getting to know these characters and watching their friendships progress throughout the book. They were all very different and going through their own stuff, but worked well together and had a great bond. I loved watching people warm to them and the library books.

stephanie_w11's review against another edition

4.0

This was a beautiful book. The setting, the characters, the plot...just so good.

jaybis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Animal death, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Incest