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Whistlin' Stardust
The old house on Cherry Street is bustin' at the seams as Doris and Glover Daniels prepare for baby number five. Auntie comes to help with the new baby, adding to an already crowded household. Fate steps in, and events take a turn that flip Glover's world upside down. Helping rescue two abused girls, traveling across four state lines in a 1940 Ford sedan named Lulu, and befriending a boisterous, red-headed Scotsman are in Glover's future as the fabulous fifties unfold. Friend and neighbor Bessie Pearl Pennycutt takes in a brown-skinned girl, hoping to give her a chance to realize her dream to become a teacher. Life in Alabama in 1950 is the setting for the adventures of breadwinner Glover Daniels, a mane who can hold his own in a fistfight or bake a peach cobbler when company comes.
270 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 5, 2017
It is wonderful, during these very troubling times, to read a book that makes you feel good. That's exactly what Whistlin' Stardust by Sara McFerrin did for me.
The story takes place in Gadsden, Alabama in 1950, and focuses on Glover and Doris Daniels, their family, extended family, friends and strangers who quickly become friends.
Gadsden is a town where a person's word or handshake cements a deal. Families gather in the living room to listen to their favorite radio shows while saving for their first TV. Families rush to cheer their neighbors on and help them when needed.
This is a book filled with compassion, humor, passion, sadness and faith-- all fueled by love. I laughed out loud and also shed a few tears. The characters come alive on the pages; I felt that I knew them by the book's end.
Whistlin' Stardust is a delightful read about a slower and gentler time, however just like in life, there are
family illnesses and tragedies. The Korean War started in 1950, and people were rightly very concerned about a War that touched their families and neighbors.
Whistlin' Stardust is the first book that I have read by Sara McFerrin; it will definitely not be my last. I am pleased to discover that she has incorporated the book's characters in her Curiosity Club Mystery Seies. I'm anxious to explore this series. I highly recommend Whistlin' Stardust; it is a wonderful book. Enjoy!
*I received this book as a gift, however that in no way affected my review.*
The story takes place in Gadsden, Alabama in 1950, and focuses on Glover and Doris Daniels, their family, extended family, friends and strangers who quickly become friends.
Gadsden is a town where a person's word or handshake cements a deal. Families gather in the living room to listen to their favorite radio shows while saving for their first TV. Families rush to cheer their neighbors on and help them when needed.
This is a book filled with compassion, humor, passion, sadness and faith-- all fueled by love. I laughed out loud and also shed a few tears. The characters come alive on the pages; I felt that I knew them by the book's end.
Whistlin' Stardust is a delightful read about a slower and gentler time, however just like in life, there are
family illnesses and tragedies. The Korean War started in 1950, and people were rightly very concerned about a War that touched their families and neighbors.
Whistlin' Stardust is the first book that I have read by Sara McFerrin; it will definitely not be my last. I am pleased to discover that she has incorporated the book's characters in her Curiosity Club Mystery Seies. I'm anxious to explore this series. I highly recommend Whistlin' Stardust; it is a wonderful book. Enjoy!
*I received this book as a gift, however that in no way affected my review.*
May 1, 2018
● Whistlin’ Stardust delivers an entertaining account and perspective on the 1950s highlighting the moments and events of the Daniels family and their surrounding neighbors, family and friends set in the backdrop of a rural community in Gadsden Alabama.
● In reading the book I found the main character Glover Daniels to be relatable although on a number of occasions I questioned his positive perspective in some of the precarious situations he found himself in. As the story began to unfold I discovered this trait was not contrived but his way of formulating a plan to reach a solution to many of the circumstances he faced.
● Although the book mentions the racial divide of that time it seems this community choose to buck those ugly, heinous traditions and customs of its time, instead becoming a wholesome group of people genuinely connected by care and concern for one another.
● At first glance the community seemed almost perfect but bubbling just under the surface were moments of criminal activity, abuse and neglect. These issues carefully balanced by the author’s savvy introduction of political and financial concerns of the era made for a few on the edge of your seat page turning moments of intrigue.
● Each chapter was filled with such vivid and descriptive language in describing the people places and things coupled with the extraordinary way the author captured the southern dialect and vernacular of the era propelled the reader into the story letting our imaginations give an almost firsthand account of each moment as it happened.
● At the end of the story I like how the author tied all the loose ends of each character giving a brief account of what happened in each of their lives. In the end you feel like a neighbor who moved into this community and was allowed to be apart of their lives for a brief moment in time.
● In reading the book I found the main character Glover Daniels to be relatable although on a number of occasions I questioned his positive perspective in some of the precarious situations he found himself in. As the story began to unfold I discovered this trait was not contrived but his way of formulating a plan to reach a solution to many of the circumstances he faced.
● Although the book mentions the racial divide of that time it seems this community choose to buck those ugly, heinous traditions and customs of its time, instead becoming a wholesome group of people genuinely connected by care and concern for one another.
● At first glance the community seemed almost perfect but bubbling just under the surface were moments of criminal activity, abuse and neglect. These issues carefully balanced by the author’s savvy introduction of political and financial concerns of the era made for a few on the edge of your seat page turning moments of intrigue.
● Each chapter was filled with such vivid and descriptive language in describing the people places and things coupled with the extraordinary way the author captured the southern dialect and vernacular of the era propelled the reader into the story letting our imaginations give an almost firsthand account of each moment as it happened.
● At the end of the story I like how the author tied all the loose ends of each character giving a brief account of what happened in each of their lives. In the end you feel like a neighbor who moved into this community and was allowed to be apart of their lives for a brief moment in time.
May 16, 2017
The contemporary fiction novel, Whistlin' Stardust by Sara McFerrin stands apart from current action-filled books in that there is no tension to keep you turning the pages. In fact, there is very little action. The plot is very basic. It is the story of Glover Daniels' life from 1949 to 1950. Even though Glover and his family suffer hardships, those difficult times are glossed over and never add to the book's tension.What makes this story unique is not the plot but the character development and the style.
The story is very basic. It is the tale of Glover Daniels' life from 1949 to 1950. Even though Glover and his family suffer hardships, those difficult times are glossed over and never add to the book's tension.What makes this story unique is not the plot but the character development and the style.
With each chapter, we learn what makes Glover the man he is. "A man who lives his life for his family and an occasional butterbean sandwich."
The author creates visual images of what life was like in the South when a man's word was all that was needed to seal a deal and when family and neighbors gathered together to help each other and celebrate life's moments. As so often happens when recalling childhood memories, the picture that Ms. McFerrin paints is rosy with everything ending up just fine.
I loved how Ms. McFerrin uses words and Southern phraseology to texturize the flow of the story: slow, languid, and reflective of a more relaxed time.
If you are looking to relax with a book while enjoying Southern hospitality, you might enjoy Whistlin' Stardust. If you want action, this book will put you to sleep.
The story is very basic. It is the tale of Glover Daniels' life from 1949 to 1950. Even though Glover and his family suffer hardships, those difficult times are glossed over and never add to the book's tension.What makes this story unique is not the plot but the character development and the style.
With each chapter, we learn what makes Glover the man he is. "A man who lives his life for his family and an occasional butterbean sandwich."
The author creates visual images of what life was like in the South when a man's word was all that was needed to seal a deal and when family and neighbors gathered together to help each other and celebrate life's moments. As so often happens when recalling childhood memories, the picture that Ms. McFerrin paints is rosy with everything ending up just fine.
I loved how Ms. McFerrin uses words and Southern phraseology to texturize the flow of the story: slow, languid, and reflective of a more relaxed time.
If you are looking to relax with a book while enjoying Southern hospitality, you might enjoy Whistlin' Stardust. If you want action, this book will put you to sleep.
Read
September 16, 2022Great Read by Sara McFerrin.Can relate to this book so much since it is so similar to my childhood.It is a very fast moving book and I highly recommend especially if you were raised in the south during the 50's.
April 23, 2020
Fun book to read having grown up in the Gadsden area. Recognized many places mentioned throughout the book
July 7, 2016
I very much enjoyed this novel about a family in the 1950's in Gadsden, AL. As I came to know the main character Glover Daniels, I began to see many things about him that reminded me of my grandfather and I loved that nostalgic feeling that I had throughout the entire read. We knew many family men like him when I was growing up. I was hooked from the beginning as the story opens with Glover standing in the kitchen very early in the morning making his breakfast and packing his lunch for that day. He's talking to himself about the day ahead and right away, I liked Glover.
The story develops to follow Glover's family, friends and neighbors through life in the South in the early 1950's. Along the way, the author reveals things about living in this era. We learn about wash day and making moonshine. There are run-ins with people who aren't very likable. This is a story about hope and family, about working hard and giving your all to whatever you are doing. It's about the goodness in people and how people helped each other.
I recommend Whistlin' Stardust definitely for any Southerner.
The story develops to follow Glover's family, friends and neighbors through life in the South in the early 1950's. Along the way, the author reveals things about living in this era. We learn about wash day and making moonshine. There are run-ins with people who aren't very likable. This is a story about hope and family, about working hard and giving your all to whatever you are doing. It's about the goodness in people and how people helped each other.
I recommend Whistlin' Stardust definitely for any Southerner.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews