Let’s Review-The Brightest Star in the Sky
by on March 3rd, 2010
filed under Book Review
Have you ever read a book that left you with the overwhelming urge to hug it?
Yeah, me neither.
Until I read Marian Keyes’ The Brightest Star in the Sky.
I sat there, totally alone, late at night, as I closed the book for the last time.
I looked around.
No one was there. Everyone was asleep. But still!!! Hugging a book? Nah, not me. I wasn’t going to do it.
After much scoffing & mental teasing of lame people who hug books… I mean it’s a book for jeepers sake!…I hugged it. <hangs head>
I hugged this book.
Marian Keyes’ writing is really something that defies common story telling. It bends and twists ordinary story telling bounds. It leaves you craving more while simultaneously gifting you with a deep sense of gratitude and completion.
Ms. Keyes has the rare ability to make you think about a book for days… nay, weeks as I did with her book Is Anybody Out There. Her stories have layers. And those layers have layers that are so deeply layered… Cripes, but I’m gushing like a prepubescent Twilight fan!
Welcome to 66 Star Street…
In the top floor flat lives music exec Katie. She spends her days fighting off has-been rock stars and wondering how much cheesecake you’d need to eat yourself to death.
Below her, a pair of muscular Poles share with a streetwise cabbie named Lydia who has a sharp tongue, an even sharper brain but some unexpected soft spots.
On the first floor is Fionn – the gardener who prefers the company of parsnips to people. But he looks like a fairy-tale prince and when he’s offered his own television show, he’s suddenly thrust into the limelight.
And at the bottom of the house live Matt and Maeve, who are Very Much In Love and who stave off despair by doing random acts of kindness.
But a mysterious visitor has just landed at 66 Star Street and big changes are on the way. Old secrets are working their way to the surface, bringing love, tragedy and an unexpected optimism. And life will be different for everyone…
I searched the almighty web for the best possible description for this story or really collection of stories. I found the best one (above) on Marian’s website. Ms. Keyes tells this tale in 3rd person, which is unusual yet the only way to tell it. If you’re a fan, you’ll love this book. If you’ve never read Marian Keyes… where the hell have you been?… I mean, it might take a couple of pages to get into it but trust me, it’s worth the effort. I easily made the metaphysical jump, but then I was raised by two failed Buddhists. For those of you who were not so fortunate, Marian tells this tale so skillfully, so wonderfully comically, you’ll easily make the leap too.
I give Marian Keyes’ The Brightest Star in the Sky two pints of Guinness, a Blarney Stone and two Irish eyes a smilin’. That’s ar fheabhas (‘excellent’ in Gaelic).
Pop on over to my friend Barrie Summy’s blog to check out more wonderful book reviews.
I love Marian Keyes. So, this is a must-read for me! I did enjoy this teaser.
It’s rare to read a book that’s really this special. Thanks for pointing it out
Love Marian Keyes!! Thanks so much for the review.
Now added to my TBR list.
I love Marian Keyes, too, and hadn’t read her in awhile. But, recently I purchased another one and I’ll have to put this on my “must read” list, too.
That’s quite a stellar review! How can I not pick it up? I could use a hug…
I hope you all enjoy the book as much as I did.
I’ve never hugged a book before–stroked it, perhaps, but not hugged–so I’ll have to check this one out! I’ve never read anything by Marian Keyes….I guess I’ve been out in my garden too long:)
I love the vision of hugging a book. Although I’ve heard good thing about her, I haven’t read Marian Keyes, but you make me want to remedy that. Nice review!
Um, when can I borrow this one? I’m jonesing for some MK.
I cried repeatedly while reading Anybody Out There? *Highly* recommended. For those of you unfamiliar with Keyes’ work, Anybody Out There is part of a series about the Walsh sister. I recommend reading it in order. They’re all amazing:
Walsh Sisters
1. Watermelon (1995)
2. Rachel’s Holiday (1998)
3. Angels (2001)
4. Anybody Out There? (2006)
They’re all clever, witty, and sad by turns. She’s a wonderful writer.
Nice looking blog you have here. The theme is awesome, great color combination.