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Oh My Stars
I am convinced that at birth the cake is already baked. Nurture is the nuts or frosting, but if you’re a spice cake, you’re a spice cake, and nothing is going to change you into an angel food.
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 (“Hey, Olive Oyl, where’s Popeye?”), the lonely girl finds solace in artistic pursuits. Only when she’s hired by the town’s sole feminist to work the night shift in the local thread factory does Violet come into her name, and bloom. 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.
Realizing that she has only one clear 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, whom Violet is certain is the blackest man to ever set foot on the North Dakota prairie, and Kjel Hedstrom, who inspires feelings Violet never before has 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.
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 (“Hey, Olive Oyl, where’s Popeye?”), the lonely girl finds solace in artistic pursuits. Only when she’s hired by the town’s sole feminist to work the night shift in the local thread factory does Violet come into her name, and bloom. 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.
Realizing that she has only one clear 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, whom Violet is certain is the blackest man to ever set foot on the North Dakota prairie, and Kjel Hedstrom, who inspires feelings Violet never before has 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.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2005
142 people are currently reading
7121 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Landvik
26 books1,055 followersLorna Landvik is a mother of two and wife of one. She is the author of eight novels, including the best-selling ANGRY HOUSEWIVES EATING BON BONS, PATTY JANE'S HOUSE OF CURL and OH MY STARS. Also an
actor and playwright, Lorna has appeared in many stage productions. She is a new and passionate neophyte to the practice of yoga, which is a fine antidote to her long established practice of lounging.
actor and playwright, Lorna has appeared in many stage productions. She is a new and passionate neophyte to the practice of yoga, which is a fine antidote to her long established practice of lounging.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 667 reviews
May 25, 2012
What a lovely surprise. I thought Lorna Landvik wrote thin romances, but this story is far from thin. The great depression, the beginnings of rock and roll music, a look at race relations in the twentieth century, sewing skills, all get mixed into this story about family and love and growth. It's absolutely charming.
October 17, 2012
The phrase oh my stars makes me roll my eyes. The sappiness should make me roll my eyes. The way everything falls together for the remaining characters at the end--eye-rolling material, but... oh my god. It must have hit at the right moment because I loved this book. I doubt I'll reread it because there's a chance I'll miss the loveliness next time. It's like a night in a bar. Sometimes those nights are cheap and you can see all the clap-trap and drunkiness. Other nights, it's better than a garden or church for seeing god. This book hit this time so I could see the god part.
April 11, 2009
I'm giving this book a 3 because the characters were complex, colorful, and memorable, and some of the writing really painted a picture for me. Lorna did a good job of making some of the scenes really come alive. The whole concept of a lost soul being saved by complete strangers really captivated me too. I just read some other peoples reviews and noticed that some of you felt the characters were unrealistic. I didn't feel that way at all. Violet Mathers may be a bit unusual, but certainly not unrealistic. By the middle of the book, I felt like she could've been somebody I've come across in my everyday life,- it's really amazing to think about all of the stories each person you meet has, and that's what this book got me thinking about most of all.
My problem with it is that it moved too slowly, and there never seemed to be a climax. Every time I thought something was finally going to happen (in particular, between she and Kjel), nothing did. After awhile, it was really hard to get through it, and I felt like I was only reading just to get to the end so I could start something else. I found myself wondering how the author was able to drag it out as she did; I can't imagine writing something like this and enjoying it. It just felt unnecessarily lengthy and by the time it got to the ending, it felt like Lorna just tied it up really quickly, as though she'd finally gotten tired of it.
That being said, I did like how the story itself ended. I didn't predict it at all, and it was wonderful to see such a broken, fragile character find happiness and strength.
My problem with it is that it moved too slowly, and there never seemed to be a climax. Every time I thought something was finally going to happen (in particular, between she and Kjel), nothing did. After awhile, it was really hard to get through it, and I felt like I was only reading just to get to the end so I could start something else. I found myself wondering how the author was able to drag it out as she did; I can't imagine writing something like this and enjoying it. It just felt unnecessarily lengthy and by the time it got to the ending, it felt like Lorna just tied it up really quickly, as though she'd finally gotten tired of it.
That being said, I did like how the story itself ended. I didn't predict it at all, and it was wonderful to see such a broken, fragile character find happiness and strength.
November 29, 2010
Violet is a one armed, tall, skinny girl who thinks she is ugly. Since she lost her arm in a factory accident, she decides to withdraw her savings from the bank and take a buss trip cross coutry. She plans to jump off the Golden Gate bridge when she gets to California, but a bus wreck changes her plans.
After being taken in by a North Dakota family, she begins to see possibilites. She takes off with the farmer's son and a fellow black passenger. The men start a band, Violet becomes their manager. She starts designing clothes and that business is a success. Many obstacles face the troup of musicians and Violet, and a tragedy brings them back to the farm, where Violet goes into the fashion design business in the small town near by. She is a huge success.
I liked the book because Violet learned to be a strong woman and overcame her tragedies to have a successful life; not bad for a person who was going to drown herself in San Francisco Bay.
After being taken in by a North Dakota family, she begins to see possibilites. She takes off with the farmer's son and a fellow black passenger. The men start a band, Violet becomes their manager. She starts designing clothes and that business is a success. Many obstacles face the troup of musicians and Violet, and a tragedy brings them back to the farm, where Violet goes into the fashion design business in the small town near by. She is a huge success.
I liked the book because Violet learned to be a strong woman and overcame her tragedies to have a successful life; not bad for a person who was going to drown herself in San Francisco Bay.
June 10, 2013
Oh my stars, where do I begin? Ms. Landvik - I read your "Housewives eating Bon Bons" book years ago and liked it. What happened?
One of my first impressions was what I saw some other Goodreads readers write: "it seemed unbelievable", "not real". I concur! Though the first few chapters were fairly good with documenting her tough childhood and bad feelings about herself it went sour from there. I always go back to the 3 elements of a story: setting, plot, character. Part of the "not real" feeling came from the lack of setting. It NEVER felt like the 1930s. The characters didn't act or speak in the right manner. Also, the whole musical band description was so off. She kept describing an Elvis type experience, which just wasn't even on the scene at that point. In fact, our first real "idol" for swooning teenagers wasn't until the 1940's with Sinatra. Plus she kept describing a "rock-n-roll" sound, which we didn't even HAVE yet until the 1950's. It was all ballads and big band. And the whole blacks & whites hanging out thing - NEVER at that time. So when they were playing at fairs, etc. it seemed so out of sync that the audience was all "ok" with it - so it threw me out of the story.
I was excited to think this might be a romance - IT IS NOT! Just because people think one of the guys is really handsome does not mean there's a love affair going on! The author just tells us how ugly she (the main character) is and how guys call her names. Then at the very end, suddenly everyone is enamored by her and she hooks up with someone who was really pretty much in the "friend zone" the entire story. What?? Good authors know you need to build that so the reader cares. I actually thought their getting together at the end was awkward and I raced through the ending describing their "aging" together. Which, by the way, the author races through, too.
On top of all this, it just felt like a bad ABC movie of the week, or remember the old "Hallmark Productions Presents" - ugh! The dialogue was brutal - check it out: "Leola enveloped the small girl in her arms. 'I'm a funny kind of sad,' she said. 'Sad because the song reminds me of someone I loved very much, and happy because I like to be reminded.' What the?? Here's another gem between the mismatched husband and wife: "I'd give up my music for her," he told Violet. "I'd give up my life." "I'd give up your life for her too," said Violet solemnly. "Just as long as she doesn't inherit your sense of humor." "If she doesn't inherit mine, whose is there to inherit?" HA HA HA - Hilarious - NOT!
The characters were thin. In fact, in the beginning I actually kept mixing up the white guy, Kjel with the black guy, Austin. And I thought of Violet as a blonde until the author finally mentions that she has black hair. So I guess not only did she not describe the setting well, but she didn't do justice to the characters. They were all just "good people" like Kjel, his mom & dad, the townsfolk; or "bad people" like Dallas, the brief scenes of KKK guys, and the cold sister, Berit.
I thought she even misunderstood the use of the phrase, "Oh my stars". Oh my stars, skip this book!
One of my first impressions was what I saw some other Goodreads readers write: "it seemed unbelievable", "not real". I concur! Though the first few chapters were fairly good with documenting her tough childhood and bad feelings about herself it went sour from there. I always go back to the 3 elements of a story: setting, plot, character. Part of the "not real" feeling came from the lack of setting. It NEVER felt like the 1930s. The characters didn't act or speak in the right manner. Also, the whole musical band description was so off. She kept describing an Elvis type experience, which just wasn't even on the scene at that point. In fact, our first real "idol" for swooning teenagers wasn't until the 1940's with Sinatra. Plus she kept describing a "rock-n-roll" sound, which we didn't even HAVE yet until the 1950's. It was all ballads and big band. And the whole blacks & whites hanging out thing - NEVER at that time. So when they were playing at fairs, etc. it seemed so out of sync that the audience was all "ok" with it - so it threw me out of the story.
I was excited to think this might be a romance - IT IS NOT! Just because people think one of the guys is really handsome does not mean there's a love affair going on! The author just tells us how ugly she (the main character) is and how guys call her names. Then at the very end, suddenly everyone is enamored by her and she hooks up with someone who was really pretty much in the "friend zone" the entire story. What?? Good authors know you need to build that so the reader cares. I actually thought their getting together at the end was awkward and I raced through the ending describing their "aging" together. Which, by the way, the author races through, too.
On top of all this, it just felt like a bad ABC movie of the week, or remember the old "Hallmark Productions Presents" - ugh! The dialogue was brutal - check it out: "Leola enveloped the small girl in her arms. 'I'm a funny kind of sad,' she said. 'Sad because the song reminds me of someone I loved very much, and happy because I like to be reminded.' What the?? Here's another gem between the mismatched husband and wife: "I'd give up my music for her," he told Violet. "I'd give up my life." "I'd give up your life for her too," said Violet solemnly. "Just as long as she doesn't inherit your sense of humor." "If she doesn't inherit mine, whose is there to inherit?" HA HA HA - Hilarious - NOT!
The characters were thin. In fact, in the beginning I actually kept mixing up the white guy, Kjel with the black guy, Austin. And I thought of Violet as a blonde until the author finally mentions that she has black hair. So I guess not only did she not describe the setting well, but she didn't do justice to the characters. They were all just "good people" like Kjel, his mom & dad, the townsfolk; or "bad people" like Dallas, the brief scenes of KKK guys, and the cold sister, Berit.
I thought she even misunderstood the use of the phrase, "Oh my stars". Oh my stars, skip this book!
December 8, 2019
This had to be one of the most depressing Lorna Landvik books I have ever read. I was tempted to do to this e-book, as I did to another one of her's that went a little too far into the author's politics and have Amazon take it back.
It was bad enough for it to be depressing, but historically -unless the Beatles started getting popular 15 or twenty years before most of them were even born and Elvis started performing as an infant- then the history was horrible. As a matter of fact, Ms. Landvik does a terrible thing with her storyline by never letting us know just how many years have gone by.
Oh, I must mention I did finish this book because there is just something that makes you want to know if things ever get better. They do, sort of.
I'm not going to return this e-book -but can I guarantee I will never read it again or recommend it.
It was bad enough for it to be depressing, but historically -unless the Beatles started getting popular 15 or twenty years before most of them were even born and Elvis started performing as an infant- then the history was horrible. As a matter of fact, Ms. Landvik does a terrible thing with her storyline by never letting us know just how many years have gone by.
Oh, I must mention I did finish this book because there is just something that makes you want to know if things ever get better. They do, sort of.
I'm not going to return this e-book -but can I guarantee I will never read it again or recommend it.
June 5, 2007
Oh My Stars takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930's. It is a coming of age story about Violet Mathers who believes she is flawed both physically and otherwise.
She becomes part of a band that is spreading a new kind of music.
It was a little slow in parts but you become very attached to the characters and especially Violet, who you want to see succeed.
She becomes part of a band that is spreading a new kind of music.
It was a little slow in parts but you become very attached to the characters and especially Violet, who you want to see succeed.
June 18, 2022
This book is awesome! I cannot believe it sat on my TBR as long as it did. This is so well written and the characters are weaved so well that you have fallen in love with them. It is like a mini epic. You take this adventure with them and you feel like you know them. As age and illness sets in you are so completely touched by all that is happening. Truly a wonderful book.
July 24, 2018
I was hooked on this book from the beginning. I was unfamiliar with the author but will check out her other offerings.
It was set in the 30s with memorable characters. If you are interested in history, family/friend sagas, music and race relations, this book will appeal to you. I urge you to order this book.
I debated about a 5th star but occasionally it walked right up to over sentimentality but never quite crossed the line.
It was set in the 30s with memorable characters. If you are interested in history, family/friend sagas, music and race relations, this book will appeal to you. I urge you to order this book.
I debated about a 5th star but occasionally it walked right up to over sentimentality but never quite crossed the line.
November 11, 2024
Good story, but I think a bit of a problematic use of racial slurs coming from a white author. A noticeable amount of slurs. With historical context they made sense, but it felt over the top. Also each chapter began with a reflection from the present day main character, but never really explained who the narration was speaking to, eventually revealing a 4th wall maybe? I didn’t love it
June 1, 2021
Oh my Stars what a great story. There’s a lot going on here, multi families, multi generational but mostly about Violet and her unusual life. To say more would diminish all I don’t mention and there would be spoilers.
I will say it is very atmospheric of the 1938 era and what was going on in the country.
I will say it is very atmospheric of the 1938 era and what was going on in the country.
April 11, 2009
Violet Mathers has had a difficult life. Her mother ran off and left her when she was only a child, and her father has no love or kindness for her. She’s grown up awkward and tall with a pronounced chin and looks that her cousin’s taunting have convinced her will never attract any man. When she finally finds a group of friends at work and a passion for sewing and design it seems that things are looking up for her. And then she loses her arm in a work-related accident. Violet returns to work – in the offices this time and not on the factory floor – but her bitterness and self-loathing eventually lead her to get on a bus to San Francisco, where she plans to throw herself off the Golden Gate Bridge and end her troubles.
And she would have done it too, had she her bus not crashed in North Dakota and had she not met Kjel (Shel) Hedstrom. Kjel is this beautiful blonde charismatic talented life-loving man whose family takes Violet in for the night after the bus crash. When Kjel learns Violet’s story, he decides that it’s in her own best interest that she come along with him, his African-American friend Austin, and Austin’s brother Dallas to help them start a band. It takes some time, but eventually Violet is managing the band and the band is attracting fans like bees to flowers.
As this is a Lorna Landvik novel, however, you know that things can’t stay good forever. There are plenty of ups and downs, and Dallas is a loose cannon – been in jail, has a chip on his shoulder the size of a redwood, constantly drunk, womanizing. They’ve pretty much brought trouble with them. Just as they are contracted to make a recording with a big name studio in New York, Kjel is shot and paralyzed by some stupid drunks Dallas brings back to camp with him. Dallas runs off and Austin and Violet are left to do what they can for Kjel.
There’s more trouble to come. They return to North Dakota where Kjel’s dad Esben is dying, and eventually Kjel joins him. Violet eventually opens a chain of stores called VIM (her initials) that sell fashions she designs – her childhood dream, and she and Austin marry and have a daughter named Miracle. Things move more quickly, as Landvik sketches out how everyone’s life works out eventually in the end. We lose Austin in the end, but Violet and Dallas are able to make a kind of peace between them.
Lorna Landvik is an expert mixer of humor and sadness – she always leaves you with a bittersweetness in your heart that makes you both smile and sigh at the same time. Life is painfully beautiful and her characters get so much out of it even when they hurt.
I listened to this as an audio book and the reader, Teres Byrne, was wonderful. She had the perfect drawl for Violet. Recommended.
And she would have done it too, had she her bus not crashed in North Dakota and had she not met Kjel (Shel) Hedstrom. Kjel is this beautiful blonde charismatic talented life-loving man whose family takes Violet in for the night after the bus crash. When Kjel learns Violet’s story, he decides that it’s in her own best interest that she come along with him, his African-American friend Austin, and Austin’s brother Dallas to help them start a band. It takes some time, but eventually Violet is managing the band and the band is attracting fans like bees to flowers.
As this is a Lorna Landvik novel, however, you know that things can’t stay good forever. There are plenty of ups and downs, and Dallas is a loose cannon – been in jail, has a chip on his shoulder the size of a redwood, constantly drunk, womanizing. They’ve pretty much brought trouble with them. Just as they are contracted to make a recording with a big name studio in New York, Kjel is shot and paralyzed by some stupid drunks Dallas brings back to camp with him. Dallas runs off and Austin and Violet are left to do what they can for Kjel.
There’s more trouble to come. They return to North Dakota where Kjel’s dad Esben is dying, and eventually Kjel joins him. Violet eventually opens a chain of stores called VIM (her initials) that sell fashions she designs – her childhood dream, and she and Austin marry and have a daughter named Miracle. Things move more quickly, as Landvik sketches out how everyone’s life works out eventually in the end. We lose Austin in the end, but Violet and Dallas are able to make a kind of peace between them.
Lorna Landvik is an expert mixer of humor and sadness – she always leaves you with a bittersweetness in your heart that makes you both smile and sigh at the same time. Life is painfully beautiful and her characters get so much out of it even when they hurt.
I listened to this as an audio book and the reader, Teres Byrne, was wonderful. She had the perfect drawl for Violet. Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2008
An unusual coming-of-age and on-the-road novel set in the Depression. The characters are a bit trite but the story is fun. As is so often the case for me, the story goes on a bit too long - after the story shifts from on-the-road to and-they-lived-happily-ever-after, I lost interest and the plot became a bit saccharine. Just stop reading at the end of Chapter 26 and it is a better book (I dare you to do this).
I particularly enjoyed the book because one of my daughers who is not a reader sent it to me. SHe said it reminded her of me.
I particularly enjoyed the book because one of my daughers who is not a reader sent it to me. SHe said it reminded her of me.
July 26, 2011
Oh my goodness, did I enjoy this book! I liked that music, artistry, and self-expression were the common languages for the unlikely "family" in this story. I liked that the historical backdrop punctuated the trials and tribulations of race, disabilities, and living in such a narrow-minded time. But for me, in the end it was really about the characters-- so real, so flawed, yet so likable. It tugged at my heartstrings so that I cried for their tragedies and cheered for their triumphs. What a lovely, lovely read.
July 23, 2019
Violet, turned into a brilliant and capable woman.
She grew up during the depression. Having a bad home life and losing part of her arm in a factory accident. She was on her way out of town.
The bus was supposed to go to San Francisco. It broke down in North Dakota. She formed a friendship with members of a traveling band.
It took time for Violet to reach her true potential. When she does, there is no stopping her...Band Manager, dress designer, seamstress and a successful entrepreneur.
Great read.
She grew up during the depression. Having a bad home life and losing part of her arm in a factory accident. She was on her way out of town.
The bus was supposed to go to San Francisco. It broke down in North Dakota. She formed a friendship with members of a traveling band.
It took time for Violet to reach her true potential. When she does, there is no stopping her...Band Manager, dress designer, seamstress and a successful entrepreneur.
Great read.
November 3, 2008
It was on my second attempt at "Oh My Stars" by Lorna Landvik that I really got into the story and found myself capitvated.
It tells the story of Violet Mathers as she grows up in the Great Depression ~ normally not a book I would flock to! However the characters are charming and keep your attention piqued as you turn the pages.
I fell in love with this story and quickly added other books by Lorna Landvik to my reading shelf!
It tells the story of Violet Mathers as she grows up in the Great Depression ~ normally not a book I would flock to! However the characters are charming and keep your attention piqued as you turn the pages.
I fell in love with this story and quickly added other books by Lorna Landvik to my reading shelf!
April 25, 2013
Ok - I only read this because it was being passed around by friends. I thought, "get it read and get it back", thinking it would be a predictable romance story set in the late 1930's. Boy was I wrong.The story and main character grabbed me and it was hard to put down. Partially told as a rememberence and the rest as real time, it pulls you forward without giving up the surprises you will encounter. I cried at a few spots and hated to say goodbye.
August 18, 2017
One of my favorite books. It's one that I would "take to the island," because it has everything, a character you love and root for, history, music, tragedy, interesting details, something that feels like home.
May 16, 2019
Listened to this one on audio and the narrator was superb. I loved the characters and how they related to each other. Lots to say about the time period and how to treat others.
December 27, 2025
Will forever love this book
March 5, 2021
This is the second book I’ve read by Lorna Landvik and this book was as good as the first, Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons. Excellent storytelling in this book!
This book starts at the middle of The Depression taking us through approximately 1980 or 1990. It starts with Violet who is not loved by either of her parents. She has an accident which leaves her feeling inadequate. She leaves her family and decides to go to San Francisco. However, along the way, she winds up in Pearl, North Dakota. She ends up staying with a family who will be her mainstay during her remaining years.
Violet is talented, smart, artistic and business savvy. Her friends she meets along the way will stay with her always.
A bit slow in spots, but overall, a great storyteller’s story.
This book starts at the middle of The Depression taking us through approximately 1980 or 1990. It starts with Violet who is not loved by either of her parents. She has an accident which leaves her feeling inadequate. She leaves her family and decides to go to San Francisco. However, along the way, she winds up in Pearl, North Dakota. She ends up staying with a family who will be her mainstay during her remaining years.
Violet is talented, smart, artistic and business savvy. Her friends she meets along the way will stay with her always.
A bit slow in spots, but overall, a great storyteller’s story.
July 26, 2018
I'm not sure why I enjoyed this book so much, but I looked forward to picking it up every night.
Love, loss, set-backs, betrayal, racism...goodness and more love.
There was a simple pleasure in reading this book (though it is not exactly uplifting).
Love, loss, set-backs, betrayal, racism...goodness and more love.
There was a simple pleasure in reading this book (though it is not exactly uplifting).
January 31, 2019
I liked it, but only slightly. It's a good story, but it took way too long to tell. And I seriously felt like I was plodding through it. Unfortunately, my perseverance was not rewarded. It's ok at best.
May 30, 2021
I really did not enjoy this book. It seemed like it took the author forever to tell a story which could have been finished in many fewer pages. Having said this, I usually enjoy this author when zi am looking for something humorous and light
August 17, 2017
My favorite Lorna Landvik book (so far!) I read this several years ago after it was published, have my own copy of it at home and have read it more than once. Lots of humor and heart!
March 16, 2018
I LOVED this book! I'm going to be thinking about parts of it for a long time.
January 16, 2025
Did not care for the way it is written. Irritating , too unnecessarily wordy. I just could not get into or enjoy the main character. I stayed with it a bit too long. Put it down at about 40%. Not sure why it received the 4 star rating. 🤷🏻♀️
August 5, 2019
Delightfully different, each and every chapter begins from the perspective of old age. Then off we go, a flashback of younger years and the actual story line. Self exploration with much thought provoking pauses, great read.
May 29, 2024
Just a fabulous story - and beautifully written. I wanted Violet’s story to continue on and on. I suspect that one of Landvik’s great strengths is writing about the sheer force of family, whether it’s biological or not. It’s heartwarming to experience characters who have such strong conviction and embrace the people around them.
December 9, 2025
Wow, what a beautiful story. This novel evolved over the course of reading, I feel as if I read several books. This was a true masterpiece.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 667 reviews