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rainandcheese's review
3.0
"But right now I can’t help thinking this universe is a mystery that wants to be solved; a mystery trapped inside each and every one of us."
I've been thinking for a long time what to say about this novel. I have finished Beneath Wandering Stars months ago and I have so much to tell you guys about it but whenever I face computer screen or paper, I am at loss of words. This wasn't any other YA novel I have ever read and at the same time, this was everything a YA novel should be. Sure, this novel doesn't have handsome fairies, vengeful queens, witches or wizards. It's no fairytale retelling or dystopian fiction. It is about a girl and a boy walking a pilgrim, as simple as that. And yet, it extends even further into something complex and deep and wonderful at the same time. I also read a similar book long ago which features walking teenagers as well. No one dies horribly in this book, though.
Beneath Wandering Stars approaches spirituality and philosophy that I don't get to see enough in recent YA fiction, not unless we're talking about the angst-driven coming-of-age novel which main philosophy is to hate the world and all those living in it. Beneath Wandering Stars isn't written with hate and despair, it's written with longing
When I came upon the first pages of the novel, I was immediately hooked. It sets a somber tone that doesn't go overboard melodramatic.
This novel doesn't zip ahead with drama and action; it barely has those and I find this realistic than any other YA novel I've read. But, I can't help to expect something big to happen but that's just me. The dialogues sound unnatural for a bunch of teenagers, I have to say, and I think it lacks the zest and energy that makes YA novels so vibrant. Our narrator, Gabi, is thankfully not a heroine carved out of angst and despair. She is still your common surly teenager but her character is more melancholic than sullen and I like that she tries to hide her sadness through her sense of humor and positive-thinking. It is refreshing to see a female protagonist who isn't so bitter about everything but it's a bit alienating as well, quite like how your head feels lighter after cutting off your hair. On the other hand, I don't think we see enough novels about military experiences geared for young adults. It's all pretty new to me so it's an insightful viewpoint on how people born from military families (aka military brats) such as Gabi, Lucas abnd Seth live and see the world.
Even though the novel revolves around military brats, it does not spin around war, violence, and human deprivation but rather, it focuses on its emotional side-effects. In retrospect, the book can be too darn serious but you get a sense of tranquility while reading. If you ask me, it's better to read it one chapter at a time. This book has tons of ideas, some random, some without much sense but all of them thought-provoking that requires time to process. Whilst most YA novels add so much sex, violence, and depravity for a compelling story, Beneath Wandering Stars revolves around life, growth and companionship that most YA novels seem to be forgetting these days. More than anything else, it's a novel about lost people.
On the other hand, The Camino de Santiago is a beauty itself. The whole thing just fascinated me that I don't mind doing it some time in my life. I'd even bring the book with me :D The Camino de Santiago is a route used by pilgrims, quite like a long trek towards St. James's shrine, and is used as a path for spiritual growth. There is so much history involved throughout this book and most of it is at lost to me. Fortunately, Ashlee Cowles describes the rich history and culture of the area through the people Gabi and Seth meet along the way. Every person they meet has a reason for walking the pilgrims' path, may it be amusing, profound or simple yet all are interesting the same as we see how each story influence Gabi's personal walk as well. At times, Gabi herself discovers stories from the past that borders to the supernatural and I think it coincides well to the spiritual element of the novel-- of history affecting the present, of old stories influencing the new, and of ghosts reminding the living that they are indeed alive. In between their walks, we see glimpses of Gabi and Seth's shyer and more doubtful selves and to ultimately see them survive the walk and their own personal wars together is satisfying. The book doesn't end in an ultimately, triumphant ending, but it is hopeful.
THE VERDICT
I've been thinking for a long time what to say about this novel. I have finished Beneath Wandering Stars months ago and I have so much to tell you guys about it but whenever I face computer screen or paper, I am at loss of words. This wasn't any other YA novel I have ever read and at the same time, this was everything a YA novel should be. Sure, this novel doesn't have handsome fairies, vengeful queens, witches or wizards. It's no fairytale retelling or dystopian fiction. It is about a girl and a boy walking a pilgrim, as simple as that. And yet, it extends even further into something complex and deep and wonderful at the same time. I also read a similar book long ago which features walking teenagers as well. No one dies horribly in this book, though.
Beneath Wandering Stars approaches spirituality and philosophy that I don't get to see enough in recent YA fiction, not unless we're talking about the angst-driven coming-of-age novel which main philosophy is to hate the world and all those living in it. Beneath Wandering Stars isn't written with hate and despair, it's written with longing
When I came upon the first pages of the novel, I was immediately hooked. It sets a somber tone that doesn't go overboard melodramatic.
Mail service in the midst of a war. It’s crazy when you stop and think about it. Some guy’s job requires him to dodge bullets just so messages like the one that arrived in my mailbox today can make it from soldiers to their families. The book in my hands is almost as tattered as the manila envelope it came in, postmarked in Kabul. There’s no letter, no note of explanation, only this dog-eared paperback that’s seen better days. An image of a golden galley—one of those ancient Greek ships that wandered the waves of the wine-dark sea—sits in the center of the cobalt cover, right below the boldfaced title.
THE ODYSSEY
“That from your soldier?”
My soldier? For the record, I will never have a soldier.
--Ashlee Cowles, Beneath Wandering Stars
This novel doesn't zip ahead with drama and action; it barely has those and I find this realistic than any other YA novel I've read. But, I can't help to expect something big to happen but that's just me. The dialogues sound unnatural for a bunch of teenagers, I have to say, and I think it lacks the zest and energy that makes YA novels so vibrant. Our narrator, Gabi, is thankfully not a heroine carved out of angst and despair. She is still your common surly teenager but her character is more melancholic than sullen and I like that she tries to hide her sadness through her sense of humor and positive-thinking. It is refreshing to see a female protagonist who isn't so bitter about everything but it's a bit alienating as well, quite like how your head feels lighter after cutting off your hair. On the other hand, I don't think we see enough novels about military experiences geared for young adults. It's all pretty new to me so it's an insightful viewpoint on how people born from military families (aka military brats) such as Gabi, Lucas abnd Seth live and see the world.
Even though the novel revolves around military brats, it does not spin around war, violence, and human deprivation but rather, it focuses on its emotional side-effects. In retrospect, the book can be too darn serious but you get a sense of tranquility while reading. If you ask me, it's better to read it one chapter at a time. This book has tons of ideas, some random, some without much sense but all of them thought-provoking that requires time to process. Whilst most YA novels add so much sex, violence, and depravity for a compelling story, Beneath Wandering Stars revolves around life, growth and companionship that most YA novels seem to be forgetting these days. More than anything else, it's a novel about lost people.
"The clues are all there—layered in the part of us that loves starry skies and sunsets, whispered by the muse who inspires painters and poets, hidden in the fractured piece of us that somehow feels more whole in a room full of strangers from around the globe. I don’t know much, but I know this thing, this mystery, must be behind the desire that has stirred millions of pilgrims across the centuries. Why else would people walk hundreds of miles to a place they’ve never seen? What is it that our restless hearts searching for?
"Home."
-- Ashlee Cowles, Beneath Wandering Stars
On the other hand, The Camino de Santiago is a beauty itself. The whole thing just fascinated me that I don't mind doing it some time in my life. I'd even bring the book with me :D The Camino de Santiago is a route used by pilgrims, quite like a long trek towards St. James's shrine, and is used as a path for spiritual growth. There is so much history involved throughout this book and most of it is at lost to me. Fortunately, Ashlee Cowles describes the rich history and culture of the area through the people Gabi and Seth meet along the way. Every person they meet has a reason for walking the pilgrims' path, may it be amusing, profound or simple yet all are interesting the same as we see how each story influence Gabi's personal walk as well. At times, Gabi herself discovers stories from the past that borders to the supernatural and I think it coincides well to the spiritual element of the novel-- of history affecting the present, of old stories influencing the new, and of ghosts reminding the living that they are indeed alive. In between their walks, we see glimpses of Gabi and Seth's shyer and more doubtful selves and to ultimately see them survive the walk and their own personal wars together is satisfying. The book doesn't end in an ultimately, triumphant ending, but it is hopeful.
THE VERDICT
afrolicthroughfiction's review
3.0
Originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction: https://afrolicthroughfiction.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/going-through-a-long-pilgrimage-full-of-life-lessons-in-beneath-wandering-stars-by-ashlee-cowles/
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I don’t know how to write this review because this is honestly unlike anything I’ve ever read before. And I’m not sure what to think about that.
*takes a deep breath* But I’m about to try.
I know what my hesitation is about. Or rather, my uncertainty. This story follows two people who go on a pilgrimage…and that’s the main plotline. Of course, I knew this before going into the book. And it’s kind of why I agreed to read the book – I was intrigued.
So why is it making a difference?
Well, because it’s so very different from what I’m used to. There’s no action. There’s a few drama points, but not many. The story is entirely focused on the journey. And because of that, this really short book seemed a lot longer than it was…and at the same time it was somehow refreshing?
Okayy, can you see what I mean about having mixed feelings about this? Wow this is confusing.
Aside from the romance, I don’t think there’s one thing in this book I’ve read about before. Obviously that just reflects my reading taste and the books I’ve come across, but it was nice to see this sort of story. I mean, this book covers a pilgrimage, a military family and it’s effects, and discovering many stranger’s stories while on an insightful journey. Ultimately, it’s the main character getting a lot of life lessons.
Speaking of the main character – called Gabi – she’s probably the only character I was bothered about. Not in a horrible way, just in a this-book-is-a-lot-about-the-main-character’s-journey (both physical and mental) kind of way. And with it being so short, there’s not much room for many other characters to be in-depth too. Admittedly, I didn’t think I’d like her at first, because straight away she seemed a bit gullible and/or naive to me. But that soon cleared away and I liked her just fine.
As for her background, like I mentioned before her family is military based – in the sense that her father and brother are both part of it. I loved seeing this, because it showed how much the military can affect families. Not just the soldiers, the families. It was nice to see the story focus on that aspect more, rather than turn the book into a very different story of action come from fighting, like so many others.
As for the journey itself…it was definitely interesting. I read most of this book in one sitting, and I honestly think that if I had taken a few days to read it instead, I might have enjoyed it a bit more. Because this is the sort of story that had a LOT of life lessons involved, in many different shapes and forms…so the story was really slow. Seemingly at the pace of the character’s walking during the pilgrimage, so at least it’s fitting. But for a long haul, is does become a trudge to get through, with no action to spice it up a bit.
Long story short, if you’re going to read this, take it easy. Take your time. Absorb it more.
One thing I did get out of this was the urge to travel. I know for sure from the descriptions in here that I probably wouldn’t be able to handle a pilgrimage, but the settings sounded stunning (most of the time, anyway).
I don’t really know what else to say about this book. It was hard collecting my thoughts on it, so I hope I’ve done a reasonable job at least. In short, I loved the eclectic characters you meet along this journey, and the glimpse into the lives of military families. But it’s definitely a book that should be soaked up slowly, to take in the words and their meanings rather than hoping some action scene is going to come along and speed you through the pages.
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[Available in Hardback and Kindle edition]
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