When Stars Begin to Fall

by Denise Williamson

Widow and single mother Mayleda and Joseph, her father's former slave who practices medicine in Philadelphia, face prejudice and tragedy in the midst of violence after the Fugitive Slave Law is enacted in 1851.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

446 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

Denise J. Williamson

Reviews

[Edie Asbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a difficult but compelling story to read about cultural and racial conflicts in the 1850s.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friends and family have always praised me for my intelligence, but I'll readily admit that social studies, especially history and geography, has never been my strong suit. I still have trouble locating all of the fifty states on a map, even after graduating from high school with an advanced diploma as well as getting quite high scores on the history and geography standardized tests in high school. Despite all of that, I love historical fiction, both in celluloid and literary form. Not only does it usually educate me in what always has been--in my opinion, anyway--my worst subject, but, when done right, it brings the struggles and triumphs of people in the past to life in a way that textbooks and encyclopedia articles never have. When Stars Begin to Fall, the second installment in Denise Williamson's Roots of Faith duology, is among those. The continuing story of Joseph, a slave in pre-Civil-War America who overcame insurmountable odds in the first book, is very gripping and involving, and makes for excellent reading. There was some violence and usage of racist terminology, but that's to be expected, given the subject matter. For those who love Christian historical fiction, such as the works of the Thoenes, Gilbert Morris, and/or the Lacys, this is definitely worth a read. A copy may be hard to come by; I happened to see this (and its prequel, I might add) on the shelf of items to be discarded while volunteering at my local library. If you can find used copies of the two Roots of Faith books, grab on to them and don't let them go.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read!!!
The story is set during Pre-Civil War times. It is the saga of a white woman born on a southern plantation who marries a man sympathetic to the black's plight. Mayleda risks her life numberous times, including almost being sold as a slave herself, to save her father's previous slave, Joseph, who lives in a free state, but is hunted by a plantation owner.
I love how this book tells both Joseph's and Mayleda's stories, a black and white issue. Other secondary characters add much to the story. I couldn't put this book down.

[Marguerite Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 2nd books of the series of Roots of Faith!

[Joie Pate]

I love the depth and history of this book. I can be a little slow going but once you start reading, you are hooked!