Tall, slender Violet Mathers is growing up in the Great Depression, which could just as well define her state of mind. Abandoned by her mother as a child, mistreated by her father, and teased by her schoolmates, the lonely girl finds solace in artistic pursuits. It's only when she's hired by the town's sole feminist to work the night shift in the local factory that Violet comes into her name and blooms. Accepted by her co-workers, the teenager enters the happiest phase of her life, until a terrible accident causes her to retreat once again into her lonely shell. Realising that she has only one choice, Violet boards a bus heading west to California. But when the bus crashes in North Dakota, it seems that fate is having another cruel laugh at Violet's expense. This time, though, Violet laughs back. She and her fellow passengers are rescued by two men: Austin Sykes, who Violet is certain is the blackest man ever to set foot on the North Dakota prairie, and Kjel Hedstrom, who inspires feelings Violet has never before felt. Kjel and Austin are musicians whose sound is like no other, and with pluck, verve and wit, Violet becomes part of their quest to make a new kind of music together.OH, MY STARS is Lorna Landvik's most ambitious novel yet, with a cast of characters whose travails and triumphs you'll long remember. It is a tale of love and hope, bigotry and betrayal, loss and discovery - as Violet, who's always considered herself a minor character in her own life story, emerges as a heroine you'll laugh with, cry with and, most important, cheer for all the way.
This book deserves to be read on the strength of its title alone. Spanning 40 years, from the swinging 60s up to the 90s, this is a big-hearted slice of life that's forever teetering between tears and laughter' MAIL ON SUNDAY on ANGRY HOUSEWIVES EATING BON BONS
Tall, slender Violet Mathers grew up in the Depression, which could just as well define her state of mind. Abandoned by her mother, mistreated by her father, and teased by her schoolmates, Violet feels very alone.
Desperate for escape, Violet boards a bus heading to California. But when the bus crashes in North Dakota, it seems that fate is having another cruel laugh at Violet's expense. This time, though, Violet laughs back. She's rescued by two men: Austin Sykes, who Violet is certain is the blackest man ever to set foot in North Dakota, and Kjel Hedstrom, who inspires feelings Violet has never felt before.
OH MY STARS is a tale of love and hope, bigotry and betrayal, loss and discovery - as Violet, who's always considered herself a minor character in her own life story, emerges as a heroine you'll laugh with, cry with and, most importantly of all, cheer for all the way.
