Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - Wandering Stars

Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

50 reviews

patlo's review

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challenging dark emotional tense 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

5.0

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ukponge's review

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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sydlio's review

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emotional informative reflective sad

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? Yes

5.0

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yleavy's review

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challenging dark emotional funny 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

4.5

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cheazcakeguy's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

4.5

Another fantastic book from Tommy Orange. I just recently read There There and immediately after finishing, pre-ordered Wandering Stars. This book is a continuation of the first book. It doesn't really feel like a "sequel," but it follows some of the characters from There There after the events of that book, and also goes back in time to talk about their family history. It feels more like an extension of the first book, but differentiates itself in many ways.

I like that this book focused in on fewer characters - the Red Feather family specifically, some of my favorite characters from the first book. It spends more time with each character, and as a result their struggles and triumphs are more impactful. This book has similar themes to There There, but focuses a lot more on family dynamics in the face of adversity (without getting too spoilery, it deals a lot with addiction and violence, as well as illness). There were so many moments in this book that I resonated with emotionally - highs and lows. The internal monologues of the characters were often so forthright and confessional, like they are pouring their hearts out to the reader, with run-on sentences as they struggle to find the words to articulate their feelings, like someone might do when trying to confide in a therapist, journal, or friend. Yet Orange always finds the right words, and when they hit you they hit hard and deep. And the characters are so relatable in their struggles and feelings and insecurities, you can't help but love and root for them all.

My only real gripe about the book is with the pace. While I liked learning about the Red Feather family history, the pace felt a little uneven in roughly the middle third of the book. This is also a really heavy and emotionally devastating book (as is There There), so make sure you're in the right headspace before diving in.

I just discovered this author, but I can't wait to see what he does next. I think his books are for everyone and should be read by everyone.

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