A review by heyreadingpants
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

Book review: Wandering Stars

by Tommy Orange
4⭐️
I was so happy to see a follow up to There, There - a book that shocked me by the suddenness of the ending. Wandering Stars both picks up where we left off - with Opal, Jacquie, Orvil, Loother and Lony after the events of the powwow - and takes us back to trace their family through generations. 

The historical sections - which were about a third of the book - quickly traced the family from the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado through prisons and residential schools that forced Native folks to assimilate. I wish this section of the book had lasted longer and had more detail - it was a story I’ve never seen told before and told really well. 

Once we return to the modern contingent of the family, we see the effect of trauma play out in as many ways as there are characters. We see the choices and impacts of addiction, and how addiction can feel like not a choice at all. Characters throughout both sections make choices that make you want to jump into the story to stop them, they’re that bad. And usually you can see their why, see what made them choose their path. It’s a tough read and a good read.

I loved Opal. I think she will stick with me the most. 

Wandering Stars mixes awful, realistic, depressing events and character development with just the smallest bit of hope. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings