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jasonlaw77's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
benjamin_oc's review against another edition
5.0
Stella Gibbons’s STARLIGHT (1967) is a bizarre British class novel with a dozen sharply drawn characters and one demonic possession. It reminded me, in tone, of THE VET’S DAUGHTER by Barbara Comyns. And, like that novel, I suspect it will curl up and make a home in the dark recesses of my mind.
vscauzzo's review against another edition
3.0
An odd little book. I hadn't read any Stella Gibbons previously, and came at this book with no preconceptions. I admired the writing and the manner in which Gibbons tells this story and portrays the characters. There seems to be a constant undertone of conflict (or tension) - among the characters, among the time in which the book is set, and among the various values that the author subsumes the narrative with.
michael5000's review against another edition
2.0
Starlight is three unrelated ideas in search of a book. It's occasionally funny -- it's by Stella Gibbons, after all -- but it is very uneven in tone, and as a short book with a large cast, it is almost inevitably shallow and unsatisfying.
I'm surprised to see the number of reviews that describe Starlight as "dark. The first few chapters or so are fairly dark (and, interestingly, could have been written as a stage play), but there is an abrupt change of tone when we realize that what we thought was going to be the central plot of the novel evaporates and additional characters, increasingly less interesting, start jumping into the action. The demon, if there is one, might be read as adding darkness to the proceedings, but to my eye he was the least interesting character of all.
Gladys, the elderly protagonist, is the most interesting character of all, and her well-developed personality is a saving grace.
I'm surprised to see the number of reviews that describe Starlight as "dark. The first few chapters or so are fairly dark (and, interestingly, could have been written as a stage play), but there is an abrupt change of tone when we realize that what we thought was going to be the central plot of the novel evaporates and additional characters, increasingly less interesting, start jumping into the action. The demon, if there is one, might be read as adding darkness to the proceedings, but to my eye he was the least interesting character of all.
Gladys, the elderly protagonist, is the most interesting character of all, and her well-developed personality is a saving grace.
kchessrice's review against another edition
4.0
Gladys and Annie are elderly sisters living in the dilapidated Rose Cottage on the backstreets of post-war Highgate, sharing the building with ancient Mr Fisher who lives on the top floor. Barely scraping together a living, they are all thrown into panic when their home is sold to a terrifying 'rackman'. To the sister's relief he doesn't increase the rent and instead he installs his wife into the adjacent property to recover from an unnamed illness, but she doesn't seem to be recovering from the unknown malady and, to their horror, seems to be getting worse...
I went into Starlight with a completely open mind and never having read a word by Stella Gibbons previously (no, not even Cold Comfort Farm!). I'm so glad that I did because it was not what I was expecting at all!
I loved the writing: Gibbons' ability to focus right in on the nub of what makes people tick and their particular quirks was wonderful to read; the way she wrote about how Gladys's way of speaking is a baffling mix of stream of consciousness and stop/starts reminded me of someone I work with (!) and it filled out her character so clearly.
There is quite the cast of characters in Starlight and at times it felt the story was drifting off in different directions and as readers we never really got to know them too deeply (but then, again, maybe we're not meant to?). The story covers themes of poverty, social class, love, racism, xenophobia, old age, loneliness, religion and good and evil (seriously, wasn't expecting the turn it took! Let's just say it involves priests and lots of holy water). It could have been a heavy read, but honestly the writing is so good that you don't realise what's happening is so sad until you have the tears quietly gathering in your eyes (Oh, poor Mr Fisher)! I was so glad that there seems to be a peaceful resolution to Gladys and Annie's story.
I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago and still thinking about it, which must be a sign that it was a story that got under my skin! Thanks to Vicki (@antipodeanbookclub) for hosting the #QuietClassics2022 discussion at the end of February; it was a joy to read this book with the group who had such clever and interesting insights.
I went into Starlight with a completely open mind and never having read a word by Stella Gibbons previously (no, not even Cold Comfort Farm!). I'm so glad that I did because it was not what I was expecting at all!
I loved the writing: Gibbons' ability to focus right in on the nub of what makes people tick and their particular quirks was wonderful to read; the way she wrote about how Gladys's way of speaking is a baffling mix of stream of consciousness and stop/starts reminded me of someone I work with (!) and it filled out her character so clearly.
There is quite the cast of characters in Starlight and at times it felt the story was drifting off in different directions and as readers we never really got to know them too deeply (but then, again, maybe we're not meant to?). The story covers themes of poverty, social class, love, racism, xenophobia, old age, loneliness, religion and good and evil (seriously, wasn't expecting the turn it took! Let's just say it involves priests and lots of holy water). It could have been a heavy read, but honestly the writing is so good that you don't realise what's happening is so sad until you have the tears quietly gathering in your eyes (Oh, poor Mr Fisher)! I was so glad that there seems to be a peaceful resolution to Gladys and Annie's story.
I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago and still thinking about it, which must be a sign that it was a story that got under my skin! Thanks to Vicki (@antipodeanbookclub) for hosting the #QuietClassics2022 discussion at the end of February; it was a joy to read this book with the group who had such clever and interesting insights.
han_cat's review
2.0
Think I may be a bit of a simple reader, I don't think I really "got" this book. To my mind the story about the 2 Barnes sisters was interesting as was the descriptions of daily life in London. The occult part of the story didn't really work - wasn't enough of it or developed fully. Also somehow found it difficult to actually read, my mind kept wandering off so I got in a bit of a muddle!
Interesting, but not for me I think.
Interesting, but not for me I think.