Stars of Alabama | Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

From Sean Dietrich—also known as Sean of the South—comes a poignant tale of the stars that shine all around us . . . if only we’re willing to look.

When she becomes pregnant at fifteen, Marigold is rejected by her family and forced to fend for herself. And when she loses her baby in the forest, her whole world turns upside down. She’s even more distraught upon discovering she has an inexplicable power that makes her both beautiful and terrifying—and something of a local legend.

Meanwhile, migrant workers Vern and Paul discover a violet-eyed baby and take it upon themselves to care for her. The men soon pair up with a widow and her two children, and the untraditional family finds their way in fits and starts toward taking care of each other.

As survival brings one family together, a young boy finds himself with nary a friend to his name amid the dust storms still raging across Kansas. Fourteen-year-old Coot, a child preacher with a prodigy’s memory, is on the run with thousands of stolen dollars—and the only thing he’s sure of is that Mobile, Alabama, is his destination.

As the years pass and a world war looms, their stories intertwine in surprising ways. With a voice both humorous and heartfelt, Sean Dietrich weaves together a tale about the dignity of humanity and the value of enduring hope—reminding us that when the dust clears, we can still see the stars.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 9, 2019

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MY REVIEW

Sean Dietrich’s Stars of Alabama delves into the Great-Depression-era South with a cast of diverse characters, connected unexpectedly. The way in which the story surrounding these characters unfolds makes it evident that Dietrich is a skilled storyteller, bringing the facets of their experiences, personalities, and emotions to life with clarity.

So, it is no fault of the author’s that I did not enjoy this character-driven novel as much as I anticipated. I think I can only blame the fact that I was not in the mood for this type of story at the time I read it. Thus, interested readers, be sure to check out Stars of Alabama—it could be just the book with which you’ll fall in love next.

★★★

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, podcaster, speaker, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South Magazine, Yellowhammer News, The Bitter Southerner, Thom Magazine, and The Mobile Press Register, and he has authored ten books.

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