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A review by alisonburnis
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Because I was reading this as part of the Booker longlist, I waffled a bit on if I should read There There first - a book that’s been sitting on my TBR for a while but I haven’t read yet. Ultimately I decided to read this first, and I don’t think that was a bad idea, since it’s both a prequel and a sequel, following the ancestors of the characters and bringing them through to the events of There There. I also wanted to approach it as a standalone work, since many people may see it on the list and read it by itself, as I have.
Starting with Jude Star, Orange follows his family through the generations, all the way to the present day, situating it as a family saga centred on the North American Indigenous genocide. I really enjoyed the historical part of the book; each character was distinct and Orange did some really excellent things with narrative view. The second part, set in contemporary times, was good but more conventional.
This is a complex family story, but one worth the adventure. Orange is a talented and incredibly nuanced writer, and his characters were a masterclass in creating multiple voices. A beautiful addition to the longlist.
Starting with Jude Star, Orange follows his family through the generations, all the way to the present day, situating it as a family saga centred on the North American Indigenous genocide. I really enjoyed the historical part of the book; each character was distinct and Orange did some really excellent things with narrative view. The second part, set in contemporary times, was good but more conventional.
This is a complex family story, but one worth the adventure. Orange is a talented and incredibly nuanced writer, and his characters were a masterclass in creating multiple voices. A beautiful addition to the longlist.