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A review by reading_and_roaming20
The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. Just wow. Centered around Brian, a gay man with AIDS in the late ‘80s, THE PRETTIEST STAR absolutely wrecked me.
After watching his boyfriend and the majority of his friends succumb to AIDS, Brian, who has contracted it himself, returns to his small midwestern town to live out his final days. From here, the multi-POV storyline provides a hard look at the widespread homophobia and misinformation at the height of the epidemic.
THE PRETTIEST STAR is honest and holds nothing back, including the brutal physical realities of having AIDS. (Keep this in mind if descriptions of the illness may be too much.) I appreciated that this book didn’t make Brian’s long awaited return home into any sort of fairytale. His family has a lot to reckon with when it comes to their own prejudice and the judgement and outright hatred of a community rich with homophobia and ignorance. It all felt very realistic and was truly heartbreaking.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom as there were certainly some aspects of hope and characters who bring goodness and light to Brian’s life. It makes you want to reach through the pages to give them each a big, long hug. My favorite was Brian’s grandmother, whose unconditional love and support is such a special aspect of this story. Reading about her brought me joy.
This book, this book, this book. It hit me deep in my soul and has stayed with me. The ending had me in the kind of puddle of emotion where you just have to sit in the quiet for a bit to take it all in. Just trying to find an appropriate conclusion to this review has me lost for words, as I’ve found myself back in that place of reflection. So I’ll just say this…I highly, highly, highly recommend you check out this book.
(I would also recommend that you look into content warnings prior to reading.)
After watching his boyfriend and the majority of his friends succumb to AIDS, Brian, who has contracted it himself, returns to his small midwestern town to live out his final days. From here, the multi-POV storyline provides a hard look at the widespread homophobia and misinformation at the height of the epidemic.
THE PRETTIEST STAR is honest and holds nothing back, including the brutal physical realities of having AIDS. (Keep this in mind if descriptions of the illness may be too much.) I appreciated that this book didn’t make Brian’s long awaited return home into any sort of fairytale. His family has a lot to reckon with when it comes to their own prejudice and the judgement and outright hatred of a community rich with homophobia and ignorance. It all felt very realistic and was truly heartbreaking.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom as there were certainly some aspects of hope and characters who bring goodness and light to Brian’s life. It makes you want to reach through the pages to give them each a big, long hug. My favorite was Brian’s grandmother, whose unconditional love and support is such a special aspect of this story. Reading about her brought me joy.
This book, this book, this book. It hit me deep in my soul and has stayed with me. The ending had me in the kind of puddle of emotion where you just have to sit in the quiet for a bit to take it all in. Just trying to find an appropriate conclusion to this review has me lost for words, as I’ve found myself back in that place of reflection. So I’ll just say this…I highly, highly, highly recommend you check out this book.
(I would also recommend that you look into content warnings prior to reading.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Medical content, Outing, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, and Death