Marian Keyes needs no introduction (which I'm glad of, cos I'm rubbish at introductions), so let's just launch straight into her latest novel, The Brightest Star in the Sky. Before I started reading it, I knew two things: it's based around a group of people all living in the same house - 66 Star Street, Dublin - and it's narrated by someone mysterious (and you don't find out who until nearly the end).
It made a nice change to sit down and read a book I was pretty clueless about, but I have to admit, for the first 100 or so pages I was a bit worried. Various characters were being introduced, but nothing much was actually happening. Character is always more important to me than plot, but I did worry that I was in for 600 plotless pages.
Stupid me. The publisher's tagline isn't 'Trust Marian' for nothing and before long I was completely engrossed. I don't want to say much - or anything really - about the plot, except that there is one. More than one, in fact. And they're wonderful. But the characters are what makes this book. There are so many and they're all so different, but I became completely involved with them all. So much so that at one point when a relatively minor detail was revealed about one of them, I exclaimed out loud and felt a physical pain. As I read on, I just got more involved, right up to the utterly satisfying conclusion.
I definitely think The Brightest Star in the Sky is Keyes' best book (with the proviso that I haven't read Rachel's Holiday since it came out). It really seems to me to be in a different league to her other books. No, it's not as funny as some others, but it's more well-rounded and the writing is stronger.
I have only two complaints. I guessed the identity of the mystery narrator about half way through and would have liked to have wondered for longer. And the gold cover. I don't like it at all. Much prefer the black one above. Other than that, The Brightest Star in the Sky is almost certainly my favourite book of this year. I can't recommend it highly enough.
i am part way through reading this book and am absolutely loving it.
i agree with you over teh cover too, i would of much prefered the black and silver one
Posted by: sarah broadhurst | 04 November 2009 at 12:59 PM
Ooh, Sarah, I envy you! I wish I was reading again for the first time! :)
Posted by: Keris | 04 November 2009 at 01:00 PM
I think I'm going to have a bash at this one! I've never read Marian before so am expecting... also love that black/silver cover, it really does make me want to read and read! :)
Posted by: maz | 04 November 2009 at 01:26 PM
I'm intruigued! I was going to be a tightarse and wait for the paperback but you sell it so well :)
Posted by: shauna | 04 November 2009 at 01:40 PM
Oooh didn't realise it was already out. I would have liked the black cover too - can't imagine a gold one - sounds a bit Jackie Collins lookey-likey?
Daredn't order it off Amazon cos of the p.off strike...
Posted by: Debs | 04 November 2009 at 05:19 PM
I got mine off Amazon and it came the next day!
Posted by: Keris | 05 November 2009 at 10:23 AM
Ooh, I'm looking forward to this one! Might wait and buy it myself to read over xmas though (you need to get yourself a couple of nice books just in case no-one else comes through, don't you? LOL) xx
Posted by: diane | 08 November 2009 at 03:23 PM
I've only read two Keyes, but I have collected several more. I LOVED Rachel's Holiday. This recommendation makes me add this to my list too.
Posted by: Lisa | 09 November 2009 at 03:50 AM
ive read and re-read all marians books, im not quite halfway thru this one, and as yet, i just cant get into it, im waiting for something to happen, but ill carry on.......................i didnt have the patience to wait for the paper back either lol !
Posted by: rachel reeves | 19 November 2009 at 11:21 PM
I'm reading this now, 400 pages in and I dont like it at all. It doesn't seem to have a real plot, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and I dont like this mystery narrator as I can't work out who it is. Feel like giving up....
Posted by: Chloe @ chicklitreviews | 22 November 2009 at 12:20 AM
nope i just cant get into this one..............it doesnt have the ' i cant put it down factor'
Posted by: rachel reeves | 23 November 2009 at 11:10 PM
rachel's holiday is marian's best - read it ASAP!
Posted by: mhairi | 19 February 2010 at 05:19 PM
All the action happens in the last little bit. There was a lot of nothing in the middle, but I was still interested... The characters minus Fionn were all really likeable. :)
Posted by: Girl With a Thousand Thoughts | 14 March 2010 at 02:49 PM