Silent Star

Rating:
Summary: The religious story line takes away from the overall story.
Review: "Silent Star" is a heartwarming, very relaxed book to read, but I was unaware of its religious theme. From the synopsis of the book, I thought it would have been more of a historical fiction (which it is classified as, but it should be classified into the religious genre), as I had not read a book about anyone who delivered the dreaded messages telling families that their sons, fathers, and husbands had died in battles during World War II. This topic was barely used, and it was only to bring in the religious aspects, which disappointed me. Also, the protagonist kept changing from Andy to Estella, and it seemed that the antagonist wasn't very clear, either. There was absolutely no character development, and I wish more time was spent on the people, rather then their religion. My final complaint is that author Tracie Peterson was practically saying Andy was Jesus Christ, which I found erroneous. The similarities she presented to the reader were too similar, and I found that disturbing. However, this story does show the closeness of neighbors during this troublesome time in history, which we rarely experience in this day and age. I "sorta" recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Touching Story
Review: This is a story about a telegram delivery boy, Andy who lives in a mining town in Pennsylvania and his story. He was in an accident when he was a boy and it killed his father and left him with a pronounced limp. He lived with his mother in a small town where everyone knew each other. It was wartime, WWII and everyone was over anxious about the war and the casualties of same.

This story is about Andy and how he befriends Estella an older women who was widowed with no children. She befriends him, and nurses him back to health after he becomes ill with influenza. He is also very down on himself because he delivers telegrams to families when they loose a son during the war. When they see him on the street they hide away from him, fearing that by them looking at him, they will bring them "bad luck" and also bring bad news.

The friendship with Estella also helps and aids Estella. She is a widow with no children of her own, just a very strong religous life that she eventually shares with Andy.

The book was a nice story with a flavor of Christmas and the holiday season, I would recommend it highly for something light to read during the busy holiday season.