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bibliophile1019's review against another edition
2.0
I loved The Glass Castle. I enjoyed Half-Broke Horse. Unfortunately, I only tolerated The Silver Star. The story, which centers on Bean and her older sister who are abandoned by their flighty mother, was totally predictable and missing the heart that permeated The Glass Castle. I felt bad for the characters and their plight, but I didn't care about them. I think Walls should stick to writing memoirs or characters based on people she knows-- it allows her to breathe life into them.
ilovestory's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read, enjoyable but not as beautiful as her memoir.
cdale8's review against another edition
3.0
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this one, so 3.5. This was a compelling read, albeit I kept wondering if I'd read this before because the theme of irresponsible/unhinged parent(s) from the early boomer/silent generation was quite pervasive in her other works. It soon differentiated enough from the other works where I could relax and just enjoy the story and meet the characters. One star off for the abrupt ending, and the half star for alluding to a deeper understanding of the race relation issue that drove Mom away which never quite materialized in a satisfactory manner.
retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition
2.0
Another dysfunctional mother, who leaves her girls while she pursues a career in LA. Out of resources, they travel to Virginia to their uncle, who takes them in. They find a "normal" life there, with some difficulties.
bethtmorris's review against another edition
3.0
Decent first fictional effort from Jeanette Walls. Sweet heroine that served the story well. A tad predictable. Short, fun easy read. recommend!
onetothreedogs's review against another edition
4.0
I've read all of Jeannette Walls books and find them well written and nicely paced.
While her themes are predictable (there is always a dysfunctional parent and kids who suffer because of it), I still find her books compelling. She is a two-day read, three at most, and you can delve in despite distractions. Her books always provide good discussion fodder at book group.
While her themes are predictable (there is always a dysfunctional parent and kids who suffer because of it), I still find her books compelling. She is a two-day read, three at most, and you can delve in despite distractions. Her books always provide good discussion fodder at book group.
chantelleleblanc's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
Told from 12 year old Beans point of view. The Silver Star was an OK read. Bean and her sister Liz are abandoned by their mother. Their mother, is a flake. Searching for her "big break" in the music business and lying to her daughters about a lot of different things. They go to their mothers childhood home to stay with their Uncle Tinsley after people get wind of them being on their own. They are unexpected guests and gradually find some sort of routine. Bean learns a little about her father (who is deceased) and gets to know her uncle, aunt, and cousins. Then, to earn money they start working for a man who bullies everyone in the town. He is not only a bully, he enjoys sexually abusing young women. I expected more from this book. There was no reconciliation between the girls and their mother. Bean found out about her father in small doses. Liz's father was MIA (We were told he left and the circumstances of his marriage to their mom. But, still). I just think there were a lot of unanswered questions. Plus, the way Mr. Maddox (the town bully) was disposed of... Eh. Bean was the best part of the book.
tamfilley's review against another edition
4.0
Read this for book club and it made for an interesting discussion. It was well written and heartbreaking at the same time.Jeannette Walls has a knack for writing about difficult subjects. 12 year old "Bean" Holliday and her sister Liz are left to fend for themselves when their mother goes off to "find herself". Soon the authorities relocate the girls from California to third uncle's dilapidated mansion in Virginia, where Bean and Liz struggle to make sense of their all to tumultuous lives.