Fallen Star

by Joan O'Neill

In 1950s Ireland, Sixteen year old Stella's innocent childhood is shattered when charismatic Charlie comes into her life. Where Stella's family struggle to make ends meet, Charlie can have anything he wants, and that includes Stella, who is rapidly falling for him. Then Stella discovers she is pregnant. Suddenly Charlie is gone, and Stella is left with only the bracelet he gave her. Stella's devoutly religious mother, horrifed by the scandal, sends her errant daughter to a Magdalene Laundry convent, miles from home, where in return for daily and rigorous and endless chores, Stella will be able to have her baby in secret. The convent is bleak and austere, the nuns themselves cruel and lacking compassion. When Stella's baby girl is born, it will be taken from her for adoption, the only answer is to run away with her child. But Stella didn't expect the struggle and pain of being a single mother - with her family turning against her, who can she rely on for help. Out of the blue, comes support and love from an unexpected quarter, to finally make Stella's story a happy one.

Genres: Young Adult, Ireland

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2005

About the author

Joan O'Neill is a well-established, best-selling author of adult fiction both in Ireland and the UK. Originally published over in Ireland, the Daisy Chain trilogy has been in print since 1990 and the reissues have proved to have enduring appeal to readers of 10 and above. Joan has three grown up daughters and lives with her husband in idyllic County Wicklow in Ireland. In between writing she is a keen water-colourist and travels frequently to Italy to gain inspiration and paint.

Reviews

[Lisa Guiry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. So gripping, and there was always something happening. Kept me wanting to read more and more. Fantastic story

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I for one really liked this book, and this was the book that encouraged me to read books by Irish writers. A great romance, portraying the hope that a girl (Stella) had at being happy when her reputation was tarnished and ruined. I thankfully haven't been through what this protagonist had, but Joan O'Neill makes it easy to sympathize with Stella in terms of being used by someone you love, and deserted by the rest who ought to love you. I enjoyed it immensely, and felt myself going along with Stella through her painful and difficult journey to find security,stability,hope and love. I don't usually re-read books but this is worth it

[DITOX09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have many things to say about this book
The way it depicts it's story with very good philosophies and idealogies of life. The life of unmarried mothers it shows is also very realistic and emotional, and yeah the emotional times of the books are just so sad that it's hard to bear. It shows the feelings of people in a very good way which ends up in a well written book. I will never forget this book. It was a nice time reading this book. Characters are very well written, story is very good and heart touching. I cried. The way it ends the story is also very good. This book is so realistic about how it depicts life of an unmarried mother. So many characters holding their own personality. Romantic scenes are also very very good. This book made me cry at many times. This book is so beautiful and emotional I can't put in words.

I loved this book so much and I will never forget this beautiful and one and only book and the time I spent reading this book. My favorite book of all time.
5/5

[Lordems · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being objective this is very much a teenage book so portrays the innocence & naivety well . However the historical fiction subject I’m struggling with the happy ending . Teenagers need to read historical fiction & learn difficult subject matters. I don’t agree they can always have the romantic endings. For me this was difficult to see a happy ending within the brutally of this particular historical event, especially when for so many young women that didn’t get have a chance of getting out.

[Saoirse Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have EVER read! Definitely recommend reading this

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

15-year-old Irish Catholic girl in the 50s gets pregnant, mother flips and sends her to a convent that's more like a workhouse. Pretty average, better once she'd escaped and was on the run.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written book. This made me cry at times but it had a nice heartwarming ending.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is a good story, and well written, but it also has a message. I would recommend it to other teenage girls.

[Selah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is a good story, and well written, but it also has a message. I would recommend it to other teenage girls.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite good! I couldn't put it down until I had finished. I will probably buy it and re-read it in the future. I would definitely recommend it.

[Erica Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story but was very badly written.. Plot moves too fast and there are lots of mistakes in it