Book Review The Giver of Stars

Introduction

When I first came across The Giver of Stars, I noticed how much praise it was getting on social media and book forums. I already knew Jojo Moyes from her movie Me Before You with Emilia Clarke, which I really liked. But this book felt very different from her usual stories about love. This time, Moyes wrote something deeper, stronger, and more meaningful.

Overview of The Giver of Stars

In The Giver of Stars, we follow Alice Wright, an Englishwoman who marries the handsome American Bennett Van Cleve and moves to Kentucky. She hopes for a new and exciting life, but things don’t turn out as she imagined. Her strict and controlling father-in-law makes her new home feel just as limited as her old one.

Everything changes when a call goes out for women to join Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library program. They will ride horses across rough land to deliver books to people in the mountains. Alice wants purpose in her life, so she joins the group.

She meets Margery, a strong and independent woman who speaks her mind and doesn’t care what others think. Together, with other brave women, they become the Pack Horse Librarians.

Their journey is full of challenges — bad weather, harsh land, and small-town gossip — but they never give up. They bring books and knowledge to families who never had access before. This part of the story inspired me most. It showed how courage and learning can change lives.

Character Review of The Giver of Stars

The characters in The Giver of Stars are the heart of the book.

At the center is Alice, who leaves England dreaming of a peaceful marriage. But things don’t go as planned. Her real journey starts when she joins Margery to create a mobile library. What seems like a small decision becomes a brave act that tests her courage.

Alice grows stronger as the story moves forward. She learns to face fear, speak up, and stand by her beliefs. Moyes shows her struggles in a way that feels real and relatable.

Margery is another unforgettable character. She is tough, bold, and unafraid to live by her own rules. People in town talk behind her back, but she never lets it stop her. She believes women can live freely and love on their own terms. Her friendship with Alice feels honest and powerful.

Their bond reminded me of Reminders of Him, where love, guilt, and forgiveness shape the story. Both books explore how second chances can heal and transform a person’s heart.

Reviewer’s Evaluation

What I loved most about The Giver of Stars is how real it feels. Every scene flows naturally. Nothing feels forced or fake. Unlike Me Before You, this story doesn’t try to make readers cry — it makes them think and feel.

Moyes writes with warmth, humor, and emotion. The friendships between women are full of love and respect. Even when problems could be solved by talking openly, the story still feels honest. It shows how silence, pride, and fear can shape people’s lives.

I once thought Moyes wrote only romantic stories, but this book changed my mind. It’s mature, powerful, and full of life lessons. For me, The Giver of Stars was hopeful even in dark moments. I closed the book feeling inspired and proud of the women in it.

Plagiarism Controversy

While writing this review, I came across a BuzzFeed article about a plagiarism claim. It said that Jojo Moyes was accused of copying parts of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Both novels are based on the real-life packhorse librarians of Kentucky, but the article claimed the similarities were too close.

According to the report, a blogger who had early copies of both books noticed many matching details and contacted Richardson. Richardson said that the shared scenes were not part of historical records but things she had invented for her own story.

Her publisher, Sourcebooks, told her about the issue. But since Moyes’ publisher partly owned Sourcebooks, they refused to take legal action. They told Richardson she could hire her own lawyer, but she couldn’t afford one.

The story left many readers, including me, unsure what to believe. Still, both books highlight the same historical project that deserves to be remembered — the women who brought books and hope to remote mountain families.

If you enjoy heartfelt stories with a touch of nostalgia, you might also like The Summer I Turned Pretty. It captures that same feeling of warmth, love, and change over time.

Final Rating & Conclusion

For me, The Giver of Stars stands out as a beautiful story about strong women living in a world that tried to silence them. It’s about courage, friendship, and the power of books to change lives.

Alice and Margery are unforgettable. They show that love doesn’t always look like a perfect romance — sometimes, it’s found in kindness, loyalty, and freedom.

Because the story draws from real history, it feels even more powerful. It shows what women can do when they stand together.

If you want a story that’s simple to follow but rich with meaning, this book deserves a place near the top of your reading list. It’s mature, heartfelt, and full of hope — a story worth reading and sharing.