THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY by Marian Keyes

Publisher: Viking Adult
Date published: January 2010
ISBN: 978-0670021406
Contemporary
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


A spirit is roaming Dublin, looking for a special house. Finally, it arrives at 66 Star Street. Someone’s life is about to be changed, but the spirit is uncertain about who this person will be. Various people live in this house and their lives are viewed by this spirit. Katie has just reached 40 and her boyfriend, Conall, is a workaholic and not ready for a commitment. A married couple, Maeve and Matt, seem to have a good marriage, but something is very wrong with them. Lydia is a young, sassy taxi driver who shares an apartment with two polish boys. She worries about her aging mother and a strong desire for one of her roomies. Then there is Jemima, an elderly woman who is a bit psychic. She has her adopted son Fionn staying with her. The spirit looks into each of their lives, learning all it can about each one. Each one of these characters will find their lives interlocking with each other as the spirit finds the one it needs.

I haven’t read a book by Marian Keyes before and this one has made up my mind that I must read more of her work. This is a fascinating mixture of light comedy with dark threads running through it. I particularly liked the viewpoint of the spirit. Throughout the whole story you are not sure what this spirit is and why it is there and this alone had me propelling through the book to find out. Was it an angel of death? Or an angel of love? I cannot tell you as this will spoil a mighty fine story.

Ms Keyes delves deep into her characters lives and brings out every nuance of their character. There some real tragic moments, but also some very laugh out loud moments too. I was fascinated by these people’s lives and was amazed at how different they all were. I felt like I was like the spirit that was watching real live people. I can highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read another by this very talented author.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.