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172nd out of 761 books
—
735 voters
Troubling a Star (Austin Family #7)
The Austins have settled back into their beloved home in the country after more than a year away. Though they had all missed the predictability and security of life in Thornhill, Vicky Austin is discovering that slipping back into her old life isn’t easy. She’s been changed by life in New York City and her travels around the country while her old friends seem to have staye
...moreMass Market Paperback, 296 pages
Published
August 1st 1995
by Laurel Leaf
(first published 1994)
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It's been since junior high or early high school that I last read Madeleine L'Engle's Austin Family books. I remember LOVING Vicky's experiences with the dolphins. Other than that, I only have vague memories of the storylines. I never reread any of them, as I have the Wrinkle in Time series several times over the years. So I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy Touching a Star, which was published around ten years after I read the others in the series. I did like revisiting the characters, but did...more
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First of all, NO ZACHARY GRAY. YAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!
Troubling a Star is the last of the Austin family chronicles (Wasp isn't traditionally considered part of this same group, is it?). In this book, Vicky visits Adam in Antarctica and finds herself in the middle of international intrigue as a result.
But the book really isn't about international intrigue. It is, again, about Vicky growing up. Here, she's returned to her hometown of Thornhill and found that she can't slip back into the same old life; he...more
Troubling a Star is the last of the Austin family chronicles (Wasp isn't traditionally considered part of this same group, is it?). In this book, Vicky visits Adam in Antarctica and finds herself in the middle of international intrigue as a result.
But the book really isn't about international intrigue. It is, again, about Vicky growing up. Here, she's returned to her hometown of Thornhill and found that she can't slip back into the same old life; he...more
Whew... I'm so glad I'm finally finished with this book. To start off I'd first like to say that throughout the novel I was more interested in the way the author dealed with the philosophy and politics, even the science, than the main plot. But I can say that I was curious about Vicky, the main character, and how she would turn out at the end (she was a rather mysterious protagonist) but wasn't psyched when the author didn't show her thoughts as much as I would have liked. When I started reading...more
I know I've read this before, since the names and some of the situations were familiar to me, but it's been a long time. It was good to read it with fresh eyes.
I've never been a huge fan of Vicky Austin...I much prefer the O'Keefe family and books. That said, I was willing to give Vicky a chance. But this book was a little boring. It read like someone's travelogue journal entry where most days were pretty routine and nothing much happened. Also, I found it strange that no less than THREE boys on...more
I've never been a huge fan of Vicky Austin...I much prefer the O'Keefe family and books. That said, I was willing to give Vicky a chance. But this book was a little boring. It read like someone's travelogue journal entry where most days were pretty routine and nothing much happened. Also, I found it strange that no less than THREE boys on...more
I loved Madeleine L'Engle's books as a kid (didn't everyone love A Wrinkle in Time?) and thought I could go for a nice fantasy romp. But Troubling a Star was written in 1994 and didn't have the same magic I'd remembered. The dialogue was stilted and a 16-year-old girl who loves to hang out with an octagenarian and delights in reading Shakespeare so that she can have witty(ish) banter with her far-off love interest seemed charming but hopelessly unrealistic (sadly). I kept thinking that soon Vick...more
When I picked this book up I didn't know it was series of books. But it is just as good as a stand alone. What really hooked me on this book was the beginning. Vicky is describing where she is. She's on an Ice Berg in the middle of the ocean with a seal. What I wanted to know is how she got there. The book takes you from Vicky's home to Antarctica. While on the trip Vicky keeps getting mysterious notes from Adam. Adam is a student at LeNoir station at Antarctica. It all starts when Aunt Serena g...more
As requested :)...
I must have picked this book up years ago when I was on a "Wrinkle in Time" kick, but then it just sat there. Therefore I wasn't aware the book is actually a part of a series of books about the Austin family. Thankfully that really wasn't an issue in reading the book in terms of background.
I gave it three stars because I did like it, but I wouldn't put it on my "must read" list. I think it is geared for a select crowd of youth--most likely junior high in age group--and also int...more
I must have picked this book up years ago when I was on a "Wrinkle in Time" kick, but then it just sat there. Therefore I wasn't aware the book is actually a part of a series of books about the Austin family. Thankfully that really wasn't an issue in reading the book in terms of background.
I gave it three stars because I did like it, but I wouldn't put it on my "must read" list. I think it is geared for a select crowd of youth--most likely junior high in age group--and also int...more
I've recently been re-reading some classic young adult books, and Madeleine L'Engle was always one of my favorites. Her books are full of interesting questions. The intrigue is believable, the protagonist is truthful, and the philosophy is natural. Also, there are penguins, princes, and icebergs. What could be more fun?
The title comes from the lyrics of the song in the book, "Thou cannot harm a butterfly, without troubling a star." She addresses environmental aspects of this, as well as cosmic...more
The title comes from the lyrics of the song in the book, "Thou cannot harm a butterfly, without troubling a star." She addresses environmental aspects of this, as well as cosmic...more
I love Madeleine L'Engle, but this is not the best of her work. Still, it is certainly worth reading if you're looking for a bit of mystery and a lot of interesting bits of science and biology. Vicky Austin is the heroine of our story, and she embarks on a journey to the Antarctic alongside a man affectionately known as "Cookie." When she boards the 'Argosy,' to make the final leg of her journey, she finds out that there is more to the Arctic than it's chilling natural beauty.
Vicky is such a wo...more
Not one of my favorite L'Engles, but it's still a book written by one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed the suspense and the mystery, and I also enjoyed the political and environmental elements of the plot. That's one of my favorite things about L'Engle's writing: her ability to combine various themes into one story, especially when it's a young adult story.
Why wasn't this one a favorite? Well, sometimes, the action lagged. The book is almost 300 pages, but the juicy action takes up about 200....more
Why wasn't this one a favorite? Well, sometimes, the action lagged. The book is almost 300 pages, but the juicy action takes up about 200....more
I read this a really long time ago so forgive me if I have a few gaps in my review. Thanks. Here we go.
We've been falling all over the beloved Austin family for ages. They're realness, they're emotions, they're stories. But we especially love Vicky Austin, our young horoin who gets loaded with troubles as she makes a dreams up a trip come true to visit her long time crush, Adam, a marine biologish working in Antartica with a reserch team. Now, don't take this as girly what so ever. They've been...more
We've been falling all over the beloved Austin family for ages. They're realness, they're emotions, they're stories. But we especially love Vicky Austin, our young horoin who gets loaded with troubles as she makes a dreams up a trip come true to visit her long time crush, Adam, a marine biologish working in Antartica with a reserch team. Now, don't take this as girly what so ever. They've been...more
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In cleaning through my apartment I have found an old treasure-trove of book related papers, including my “books read” list from 1999-2000. In addition to listing the books, I wrote about 2-3 sentences to myself – sometimes they were plot reminders, sometimes commentary on the books. I don’t imagine these will be very helpful to anyone else, but I’m posting them here for two reasons: first, to keep my reviews/comments in one place now and, second, because they’re kind of a fascinating look at my...more
This is a continuation/sequel to A Ring of Endless Light, but it's not nearly as good as that one. There's no magic to it, none of L'Engle's usual mystery.
It is a mystery story, but it's a political mystery rather than a metaphysical one. Our heroine goes to Antarctica and gets caught up in a political power struggle for control of the continent. And, like in the previous book, the girl has three love interests. Three! And the one we're supposed to like is hardly in the book at all. Plus it get...more
It is a mystery story, but it's a political mystery rather than a metaphysical one. Our heroine goes to Antarctica and gets caught up in a political power struggle for control of the continent. And, like in the previous book, the girl has three love interests. Three! And the one we're supposed to like is hardly in the book at all. Plus it get...more
I'd just like writers to know that even if they've published over a dozen books, I hope their editors still have the nerve to edit their work. This was a great idea that was so poorly written, I was so disappointed. I've loved her other work so much and think that L'Engle is a fantastic writer. That this is a part of her body of work stains her reputation for me. I have two other of her books that I bought at the same time as TROUBLING and I am a wee bit hesitant to read them. So basically, stay...more
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I'll be honest, this is not Madeleine L’Engle’s best work. However, even a second-rate L’Engle story is a treat. This one is rather an odd bird—part a story of an angsty teenager trying to find her place in life; part political thriller; part Antarctic travelogue with a strong theme of environmental preservation. (Also literal odd birds: lots and lots of penguins.) Despite some plot weaknesses, I turned the final page with a sigh of content.
'Troubling a Star' got off to a slow start, but a few c...more
'Troubling a Star' got off to a slow start, but a few c...more
L'Engle's books always seem to have such poetic names. Troubling a Star, isn't that fantastic? Unfortunately the book wasn't quite as wondrous as the book title, but it was still pretty good. After all, L'Engle is a terrific writer.
Vickie (from the Austins series of which this is book 5) is still trying to find herself in the world. She recognizes that she loves to write, and more specifically loves to write poetry and is taking steps to improve this talent. She also has started visiting with he...more
Vickie (from the Austins series of which this is book 5) is still trying to find herself in the world. She recognizes that she loves to write, and more specifically loves to write poetry and is taking steps to improve this talent. She also has started visiting with he...more
Vicky is the reason I read the Austin books. For that reason, I was happy to recently discover Troubling a Star. The first few chapters also reunite us with her family and with love interest Adam Eddington from A Ring of Endless Light. Unfortunately, Troubling a Star left me dissatisfied. At the start, Vicky reveals that she wished for more than friendship from Adam. Yet she spends most of the book traveling to meet him and so nothing really ever has a chance to develop. With Troubling a Star be...more
the last of the austin family novels- perhaps not as good as i remembered it, or as good as the others in the series. adam's rich aunt serena, who lives conveniently near the austin's home, takes a shining to vicky and send her on an educational antarctic cruise. a highlight of the cruise, for vicky, will be visiting adam, who is doing some marine biology work or other on the ice. but lo! there is a foul plot afoot.
i found all the other characters on the ship incredibly annoying. they are consta...more
i found all the other characters on the ship incredibly annoying. they are consta...more
Sometimes I think about writing a review of this, but I never know exactly where to start with the whining. I will note that I felt like I had to rate it three stars because it's entertaining enough and I HAVE read it multiple times. If anyone else had written it, if I didn't know these characters at all, sure, it would be three stars. As a Madeleine L'Engle book, it's only two stars. Maybe one. At least in places. Major complaints: the plot is silly and unrealistic (but not in a magical-realism...more
It's a book by Madeleine L'Engle. How bad could that be? Well, um, actually? Pretty bad. Spectacularly, teeth-grindingly bad.
The plot's clunky. No, the plot's been recycled so many times that one can faintly see all the other stories below, like a palimpsest. The characters, many of whom we are supposed to know, are not themselves. None of the Austins are recognizable. Even worse, a major character is introduced as a long-time patient of Dr. Austin's, as well as Adam Eddington's beloved aunt- h...more
The plot's clunky. No, the plot's been recycled so many times that one can faintly see all the other stories below, like a palimpsest. The characters, many of whom we are supposed to know, are not themselves. None of the Austins are recognizable. Even worse, a major character is introduced as a long-time patient of Dr. Austin's, as well as Adam Eddington's beloved aunt- h...more
I know many might find this a terrible thing to admit, but I've always loved A Ring of Endless Light and Troubling a Star best of all Madeleine L'Engle's books--yes, even more than A Wrinkle in Time and it's sequels and companions. I'm not sure whether I can even explain why, other than to say that I somehow just really identify with Vicky Austin, more than I ever could with Meg or Cal or Charles Wallace or the twins.
This book is sort of part mystery, part travel adventure, part political intri...more
This book is sort of part mystery, part travel adventure, part political intri...more
I love L'Engle's commitment to the idea that the experience of beauty is fundamental to being human. In this book she takes that idea to Anarctica in through a story with the shadings of a suspense thriller. Though I admire L'Engle's bodness in listening to where a work takes her, the espionage plot seemed a bit thin. It was hard to believe Vicki Austin getting caught up in a world of international intrigue, and L'Engle was only able to develop a few of the characters sufficiently. But the descr...more
Just the right combination of suspence and self-discovery. This was a great conclusion to the Austen family series.
It's surprising how some of the characters turned out. I was automatically suspicious of Otto, but I think that's because he reminded me in a way of Zachary Grey, being all suave with Vicky and kissing her. But it turns out I shouldn't have so easily trusted Esteban, who I thought was trying to communicate something important about Adam's whereabouts. I guess I had him wrong!
Strang...more
It's surprising how some of the characters turned out. I was automatically suspicious of Otto, but I think that's because he reminded me in a way of Zachary Grey, being all suave with Vicky and kissing her. But it turns out I shouldn't have so easily trusted Esteban, who I thought was trying to communicate something important about Adam's whereabouts. I guess I had him wrong!
Strang...more
Troubling a Star was a very interesting and exciting book! this book had adventure, romance, heartbreak, and excitment at every turn!! Vicki the main character had so many decisions to make in this book and to her she thought to much adventure. In this book you get to see what the trip would be like to Anartica and the different stops along the way through Vickis eyes. Over all this was a very fun book that I couldnt put down!
Vicky presents herself as a heroine who is actually worthy of the adoration from the funny and brilliant Adam Eddington. She is real, honest and down to earth. She is also smart and interesting unlike some of the characters written in recent years *hint hint Stephenie Meyer*. The story is both educational and exciting and you're left till the very end wondering how things are going to turn out. I can even forgive the fact that Vicky only had to sit on that ice burg for about five seconds before...more
Apr 21, 2012
Molly G
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who particularly liked "A Swiftly Tilting Planet", perhaps, but not exclusively
Love love loved it. Been a while since a book demanded I pick it up, particularly when I didn't intend to (e.g. in bed on verge of sleep, which then is postponed because...), and held me captive until I finished. I wish they'd do that more often.
Sometimes the things you're most suspicious of at first, for that, turn out most dear. —which may possibly be one of the themes of the book.
Things about it I can of course criticize, not unconnected to things found in other L'Engle books. But don't reall...more
Sometimes the things you're most suspicious of at first, for that, turn out most dear. —which may possibly be one of the themes of the book.
Things about it I can of course criticize, not unconnected to things found in other L'Engle books. But don't reall...more
I've really enjoyed the Austin family series, but this book wasn't quite as good as the last ones. It wasn't very realistic, and I just didn't find it believable. And, as another reviewer pointed out, it's getting old to always have at least THREE boys who have a crush on Vicky. Not only that, one of them is a prince of a small country! Seriously? The ending was kind of lame as well. "Troubling a Star" is definitely my least favorite in the series.
I have always been a big Madeleine L'Engle fan. I bought this book years ago when I was in jr high. I have always been fascinated by the way she interweaves storylines and characters throughout all of the novels she has written, whether they are in the fantasy realm or not. An enjoyable read that works as a standalone novel, although it helps a bit if you have at least read other books of hers about the Austin family.
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Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer best known for her Young Adult fiction, particularly the Newbery Medal-winning A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters. Her works reflect her strong interest in modern science: tesseracts, for example, are featured prominently in A Wrinkle in Time, mitochondrial DNA in A Wind in the Door, organ regener...more
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“Thou cannot harm a butterfly, without troubling a star.”
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