Reviews - Wandering Stars | The StoryGraph

3.44k reviews for:

Wandering Stars

Tommy Orange

4.02 AVERAGE

krystyn_mtl's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a direct sequel to There, There (which I loved). I didn’t know that when I read it, and so I spent a lot of this book trying to remember characters and plot points from the first. (Ok, technically Part 1 is a prequel and Part 2 is the sequel.) It’s hard to rate when I know I missed key elements.

I love how Orange gets inside characters heads. I love that he writes about music and YouTube and cultural identity in ways that few others do.

The themes of drugs, addiction, depression make this a tough read. The pacing is slow, with some sections leaping over years and some dwelling in moments. There are a lot of characters to follow, which some people will like and some will find challenging.

It felt like this was a tough book to write (judging by the author’s note) but I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Content Warnings

wordssearched's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

jklalli's review against another edition

3.75

emotional sad medium-paced

akkarian33's review

4.0

Not as good as "there there". Story seemed disconnected

tsbookworm777's review against another edition

5.0

Wandering Stars is the perfect sequel. It continued the story of There, There in such a moving way. I rarely feel changed by reading a novel, but Tommy Orange has continued to produce honest, beautifully written work that leaves the reader with a before and after. This book is a powerful continuation of a story that is so needed in the landscape of art, storytelling, literature, culture. Wandering Stars was a triumph, and written so beautifully that reading felt like a gift. Thank you Tommy Orange.

PS - I cannot recommend the audiobook version of this book enough. Each character has a distinct voice, and reader, and it is really an enhanced experience. The text moves and doesn’t require the assistance, but it really is a special treat.