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Stars of Alabama
🎧Listening Length = 10 hours and 18 minutes
With a voice both humorous and heartfelt, Sean Dietrich—also known as Sean of the South—weaves together a tale about the dignity of humanity and the value of enduring hope.
One child preacher traveling across the plains.
One young woman with a mysterious touch.
Two old friends, their baby, and their bloodhound.
And all the stars that shine above them.
When fifteen-year-old Marigold becomes pregnant amid the Great Depression, she 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 misfit family finds its 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 as the dust storms rage 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, these stories intertwine in surprising ways, reminding us that when the dust clears, we can still see the stars.
With a voice both humorous and heartfelt, Sean Dietrich—also known as Sean of the South—weaves together a tale about the dignity of humanity and the value of enduring hope.
One child preacher traveling across the plains.
One young woman with a mysterious touch.
Two old friends, their baby, and their bloodhound.
And all the stars that shine above them.
When fifteen-year-old Marigold becomes pregnant amid the Great Depression, she 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 misfit family finds its 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 as the dust storms rage 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, these stories intertwine in surprising ways, reminding us that when the dust clears, we can still see the stars.
Audiobook
First published July 9, 2019
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About the author
Sean Dietrich
35 books1,068 followersSean 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, The Bitter Southerner, Thom Magazine, and The Mobile Press Register, and he has authored ten books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 589 reviews
August 7, 2019
Sean Dietrich masterfully wove together this brilliant story. This was a good old-fashioned feel good story sprinkled with heart and hope. Short chapters, three separate storylines, all with a common thread of family. Not the family you were born to, but the family that you choose. This is a definite character driven story without a lot of bells and whistle‘s. There was just something so refreshing about this book for me, so much charm so much goodness. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by the author and it was almost like being told a bedtime story, and I loved the songs sprinkled throughout, a lot of them brought back memories of my childhood.
Marigold was abandoned by her family when she got pregnant at 15. She was a special girl with a healing touch, but after losing her baby in the forest she found her place in a brothel. Paul and Vern were the best of friends travel in the south with their Bloodhound. Along the way they collected a family. Not only did they find marigold’s baby and name her Ruth, but they also adopted a mother and her two kids. Cooter (Coot) was a child preacher with an incredible memory, just searching for a place to belong, with a box full of cash. All these characters wormed their way into my heart, but I have to admit that the Paul/Vern story resonated with me the most. I loved how these two men bonded with these children and were so helpful to the mother. A beautiful story with a wonderful ending that blended all these separate threads together magnificently. Next time you are in the mood for a genuine story full of clever and lovable characters, this is the book for you!
*** Big thanks to Thomas Nelson for my copy of this book ***
Marigold was abandoned by her family when she got pregnant at 15. She was a special girl with a healing touch, but after losing her baby in the forest she found her place in a brothel. Paul and Vern were the best of friends travel in the south with their Bloodhound. Along the way they collected a family. Not only did they find marigold’s baby and name her Ruth, but they also adopted a mother and her two kids. Cooter (Coot) was a child preacher with an incredible memory, just searching for a place to belong, with a box full of cash. All these characters wormed their way into my heart, but I have to admit that the Paul/Vern story resonated with me the most. I loved how these two men bonded with these children and were so helpful to the mother. A beautiful story with a wonderful ending that blended all these separate threads together magnificently. Next time you are in the mood for a genuine story full of clever and lovable characters, this is the book for you!
*** Big thanks to Thomas Nelson for my copy of this book ***
July 10, 2019
Review
Every once in awhile a book comes along that moves you down to your soul. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does you know that story will stay with you for a lifetime. Covering the trials of living in the rural South during the early 20th century, Sean Dietrich has written a mesmerizing and lyrical tale about the lives of several seemingly unconnected people. Each chapter bounces between the varying storylines before coming to its beautiful and dramatic conclusion.
Whilst everyone in this strongly character driven book was utterly delightful, it was really the relationship between the makeshift family of Paul, Vern, their dogs, and their adopted kids that moved me the most. Following their lives through the decades filled my heart nearly to the bursting point. Sometimes when you think things couldn’t get any harder or ever change, a chance meeting completely upends and shifts the direction of your life so much for the better, giving you a purpose you never would have dreamed of.
Because there were so many characters and so many plots to follow, the book shifted among their perspectives quite a bit. It was only 352 pages but had 100 chapters so you get an idea of how short most the chapters were. It was a little jarring at first to keep having chapters cut off so soon after starting, but after awhile I became used to it. Plus I was never upset at having to read a different storyline because I was that invested in all of the characters.
Honestly, I loved this book so “dadgum” much that the only thing I can really fault it for is for actually ending because of how attached I became to the characters. I would happily read sequels, prequels, or even just stories about Paul and Vern’s lives before finding Ruth. Same with old Joseph– I’d love to learn more about the life of that cantankerous man before meeting Coot on the rails. How I loved the bond between those two men!
Final Thoughts
Once I began reading this powerful story I couldn’t put it down. I simply fell into the pages, swept up in its beautiful rhythm. That is, until I had to force myself to stop for a few days because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to all these wonderful characters yet.
This was my first time reading anything by Sean Dietrich, but I’ll be keeping my eye on him because The Stars of Alabama has instantly become one of my favourite reads of 2019. Thank you so much to the author and the publisher for putting this marvelous book out into the world
Read the full review on my blog!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me a chance to read this wonderful book in exchange for a review.
Every once in awhile a book comes along that moves you down to your soul. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does you know that story will stay with you for a lifetime. Covering the trials of living in the rural South during the early 20th century, Sean Dietrich has written a mesmerizing and lyrical tale about the lives of several seemingly unconnected people. Each chapter bounces between the varying storylines before coming to its beautiful and dramatic conclusion.
Whilst everyone in this strongly character driven book was utterly delightful, it was really the relationship between the makeshift family of Paul, Vern, their dogs, and their adopted kids that moved me the most. Following their lives through the decades filled my heart nearly to the bursting point. Sometimes when you think things couldn’t get any harder or ever change, a chance meeting completely upends and shifts the direction of your life so much for the better, giving you a purpose you never would have dreamed of.
Because there were so many characters and so many plots to follow, the book shifted among their perspectives quite a bit. It was only 352 pages but had 100 chapters so you get an idea of how short most the chapters were. It was a little jarring at first to keep having chapters cut off so soon after starting, but after awhile I became used to it. Plus I was never upset at having to read a different storyline because I was that invested in all of the characters.
Honestly, I loved this book so “dadgum” much that the only thing I can really fault it for is for actually ending because of how attached I became to the characters. I would happily read sequels, prequels, or even just stories about Paul and Vern’s lives before finding Ruth. Same with old Joseph– I’d love to learn more about the life of that cantankerous man before meeting Coot on the rails. How I loved the bond between those two men!
Final Thoughts
Once I began reading this powerful story I couldn’t put it down. I simply fell into the pages, swept up in its beautiful rhythm. That is, until I had to force myself to stop for a few days because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to all these wonderful characters yet.
This was my first time reading anything by Sean Dietrich, but I’ll be keeping my eye on him because The Stars of Alabama has instantly become one of my favourite reads of 2019. Thank you so much to the author and the publisher for putting this marvelous book out into the world
Read the full review on my blog!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me a chance to read this wonderful book in exchange for a review.
July 1, 2019
During the Great Depression a fifteen year old girl becomes pregnant, has her baby and leaves her in the forest to go look for food, when she returns her baby is gone.
This novel brings together a cast of characters that I really liked, Vern and Paul who find the baby and care for her, a young mother and her children who are left desolate that also end up traveling with Vern and Paul... they all become a family, and it’s a struggle, but there’s lots of love.
There is also another story line involving church revivals and healings, and other characters who become entwined together.
I enjoyed the characters but the story didn’t really keep me very interested.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson!
This novel brings together a cast of characters that I really liked, Vern and Paul who find the baby and care for her, a young mother and her children who are left desolate that also end up traveling with Vern and Paul... they all become a family, and it’s a struggle, but there’s lots of love.
There is also another story line involving church revivals and healings, and other characters who become entwined together.
I enjoyed the characters but the story didn’t really keep me very interested.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson!
May 19, 2022
Stars of Alabama by Sean Dietrich is a story that included SW area of the US during the great depression. Exciting high point was to hear the Joplin Minors mentioned (my hometown). Pittsburg and Cherokee, Kansas. All small towns in SE Kansas I am familiar with. But for the story itself. It jumped back and forth between 3 story lines. It got confusing. I was often lost and confused. Caused me to lise interest.
May 17, 2023
What a lovely, lovely read! How refreshing to read about people who, in the midst of struggling to overcome their own problems, are ever mindful of the needs of others. In spite of the setting in the dismal years of the Great Depression and the struggling economy in the following decade, this was a very uplifting and encouraging tale.
The story opens in about 1932 and focuses on 4 different groups of people in 4 different geographic areas of America. The author gives us an excellent bird’s eye view into the difficulties each area and each person were encountering. We had the horrific dust storms in the Midwest where adults and children were dying from dust induced pneumonia. We had the shysters out to make a buck any way they could. We had women in brothels because they were well fed and housed and well dressed there.
But all in all our characters are kind hearted and well meaning and very, very hard working. We encounter people generous to a fault, but not with money as few had any money. We encounter a lot of poverty and starvation, prevalent at the time – especially in the South. And we encounter the wiliness of people as they sought to preserve themselves or their loved ones.
And of course, the stories all dovetail bringing all these disparate parts together for a very satisfactory ending.
I am very thankful to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for an ARC of this wonderful book and for the introduction to this [new-to-me] author. I will definitely seek out more books from Sean Dietrich.
The story opens in about 1932 and focuses on 4 different groups of people in 4 different geographic areas of America. The author gives us an excellent bird’s eye view into the difficulties each area and each person were encountering. We had the horrific dust storms in the Midwest where adults and children were dying from dust induced pneumonia. We had the shysters out to make a buck any way they could. We had women in brothels because they were well fed and housed and well dressed there.
But all in all our characters are kind hearted and well meaning and very, very hard working. We encounter people generous to a fault, but not with money as few had any money. We encounter a lot of poverty and starvation, prevalent at the time – especially in the South. And we encounter the wiliness of people as they sought to preserve themselves or their loved ones.
And of course, the stories all dovetail bringing all these disparate parts together for a very satisfactory ending.
I am very thankful to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for an ARC of this wonderful book and for the introduction to this [new-to-me] author. I will definitely seek out more books from Sean Dietrich.
May 27, 2019
Sean Dietrich is well known in the South as a gifted writer and story teller. Many folks follow his podcast, Sean of the South, read his daily blog online and snatch up one of his many books that share short pieces that touch the heart. I am one of those folks and like to think I am his biggest fan. when I found out he had a new novel hitting the shelves I pre-ordered and found a way to get an advanced reader copy so I could have a head start.
I was not disappointed one bit. Not one tiny bit. Mr. Dietrich's writing is memorable and his words soon become embedded into my soul and allow me to view the world with a little bit more hope than when I first started reading Stars of Alabama.
The story is set around 1932 and in the style that we have come to know and love from this author that is warm, folksy and descriptive. The phrases that stuck in my head long after the story is finished include several but my favorite is the phrase "Quit your sorryin'." The characters are real and down to earth and the salt of earth as they endure a difficult life in Kansas during the time of the Dust Bowl. Most of them find their way eventually to Alabama and thanks to some wonderful storytelling we find out how their lives are all intertwined.
I loved reading about the times and especially the evangelists and revivals that were front and center during this time. While the characters were many and varied they all shared one thing in common thanks to Mr. Dietrich. They were multi - dimensional and their personalities poured out of the pages of this wonderfully written novel.
I will long remember Marigold, Baby Ruth, Paul, Vern, Coot and the many others who popped off the pages. Naturally there were a couple of hound dogs (it is Sean Dietrich after all) who contributed to this tale of Southern living and I will never forget Louisville and Stringbean.
I absolutely loved this book and will be re-reading it when my copy arrives upon publication. It's that good. It is a story that is tough to read in some places but ultimately hope wins out and we are reminded that we are not alone in this big old world. There is something (Someone) much larger who is keeping an eye on things.
A very special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson- Fiction for an ARC. I was thrilled and honored to review an advance copy. This is my honest review.
I was not disappointed one bit. Not one tiny bit. Mr. Dietrich's writing is memorable and his words soon become embedded into my soul and allow me to view the world with a little bit more hope than when I first started reading Stars of Alabama.
The story is set around 1932 and in the style that we have come to know and love from this author that is warm, folksy and descriptive. The phrases that stuck in my head long after the story is finished include several but my favorite is the phrase "Quit your sorryin'." The characters are real and down to earth and the salt of earth as they endure a difficult life in Kansas during the time of the Dust Bowl. Most of them find their way eventually to Alabama and thanks to some wonderful storytelling we find out how their lives are all intertwined.
I loved reading about the times and especially the evangelists and revivals that were front and center during this time. While the characters were many and varied they all shared one thing in common thanks to Mr. Dietrich. They were multi - dimensional and their personalities poured out of the pages of this wonderfully written novel.
I will long remember Marigold, Baby Ruth, Paul, Vern, Coot and the many others who popped off the pages. Naturally there were a couple of hound dogs (it is Sean Dietrich after all) who contributed to this tale of Southern living and I will never forget Louisville and Stringbean.
I absolutely loved this book and will be re-reading it when my copy arrives upon publication. It's that good. It is a story that is tough to read in some places but ultimately hope wins out and we are reminded that we are not alone in this big old world. There is something (Someone) much larger who is keeping an eye on things.
A very special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson- Fiction for an ARC. I was thrilled and honored to review an advance copy. This is my honest review.
August 1, 2019
With the intimate voice of Harper Lee and the deep easy humour of Mark Twain, the thematic resonance of William Faulkner and the grace of Flannery O'Connor, Stars of Alabama reads like a warm hug.
August 28, 2019
4 ☆ Stars of Alabama is set during the Great Depression-era leading up to WWll. It follows three colorful main characters each with separate stories. A homeless mother in search of her missing baby, a child prodigy searching for a loving and trusting family, and a tent revival preacher with a baseball past.. with all three coming together in surprising ways. Sean Dietrich has written a heartfelt story of friendship, love of family that isn’t always blood, and finding hope through the darkest of times. It’s a wonderful feel-good southern story that will make you smile!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2019
We can begin with... I’m biased. I am huge fan before I even came to this book. But I also came at it wit h the fear that it wouldn’t be as good as his other writings and live events.
It exceed them. This may be the best fiction book I’ve read so far this year. It’s beautiful and it takes it time but it’s never ever boring
It exceed them. This may be the best fiction book I’ve read so far this year. It’s beautiful and it takes it time but it’s never ever boring
January 13, 2020
3 1/2 Stars
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
*I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
'You can control what you know and what you think and what you do. But not who you love.'
'The Stars of Alabama' tells the story of multiple characters struggling to survive in the south amid the Great Depression. The stories of various unrelated characters come together to form a beautiful tale of survival and love.
I really love Southern Fiction. It, along with historical fiction, is by far my favorite genre. When the two come together they are always a must-read for me. Sean Dietrich is known for his southern persona and storytelling and this story did not disappoint.
This book has all the things I love, a gritty struggle to make ends meet, strong but endearing characters, all set among the historical south.
I loved Vern and Paul's story the most. To me, they were the most likable and had the most interesting personalities. I didn't really connect with Marigold's character and I really didn't care much for the supernatural part of her story. I feel like if we had gotten to know her backstory more and how she became a homeless pregnant teen, she would have been a more fleshed-out character.
I was also not a big fan of the ending. I would like to have had more of the loose ends tied up and less ambiguity. I did enjoy the book. I just felt it was lacking something.
This is one of those books that really make you appreciate the things that we have today and appreciate those that came before us. It also brings home the fact that life experiences are more important than having things and happiness is not always in what we can acquire.
.
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
*I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
'You can control what you know and what you think and what you do. But not who you love.'
'The Stars of Alabama' tells the story of multiple characters struggling to survive in the south amid the Great Depression. The stories of various unrelated characters come together to form a beautiful tale of survival and love.
I really love Southern Fiction. It, along with historical fiction, is by far my favorite genre. When the two come together they are always a must-read for me. Sean Dietrich is known for his southern persona and storytelling and this story did not disappoint.
This book has all the things I love, a gritty struggle to make ends meet, strong but endearing characters, all set among the historical south.
I loved Vern and Paul's story the most. To me, they were the most likable and had the most interesting personalities. I didn't really connect with Marigold's character and I really didn't care much for the supernatural part of her story. I feel like if we had gotten to know her backstory more and how she became a homeless pregnant teen, she would have been a more fleshed-out character.
I was also not a big fan of the ending. I would like to have had more of the loose ends tied up and less ambiguity. I did enjoy the book. I just felt it was lacking something.
This is one of those books that really make you appreciate the things that we have today and appreciate those that came before us. It also brings home the fact that life experiences are more important than having things and happiness is not always in what we can acquire.
.
Read
July 14, 2019I really wanted to like this book, but the page and a half chapters that broke with each character perspective ultimately made this way too choppy and hard to connect with the characters. This will be a DNF for me.
This book takes place in Alabama during the Great Depression. I find this time period very interesting and jumped at the chance to read it based on the description. I think the writing is good and I might have had an easier time connecting if it wasn't for the above, but it also dragged for me. It took forever to get going and the few things I liked about it weren't enough to make me continue. I dreaded picking it up each time and nothing really made me that invested.
Ultimately, there are many other reviews out there that are highly positive so if this book sounds interesting to you, I would pick it up.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Sean Dietrich for the opportunity to read this and provide an honest review.
Review Date: 7/14/19
Publication Date: 7/9/19
This book takes place in Alabama during the Great Depression. I find this time period very interesting and jumped at the chance to read it based on the description. I think the writing is good and I might have had an easier time connecting if it wasn't for the above, but it also dragged for me. It took forever to get going and the few things I liked about it weren't enough to make me continue. I dreaded picking it up each time and nothing really made me that invested.
Ultimately, there are many other reviews out there that are highly positive so if this book sounds interesting to you, I would pick it up.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Sean Dietrich for the opportunity to read this and provide an honest review.
Review Date: 7/14/19
Publication Date: 7/9/19
July 21, 2019
Excellent Read! At fifteen and pregnant Marigold is forced out on her own. She leaves her baby in the forest to go find food, when she returns the baby is gone. The two men who found the baby along with a woman give the baby a home. There are several parts in this story that weave together in the end. I'm an avid fan of southern fiction and this left cracks in my heart. The magic of the south bleeds on every page.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Dawnny-BookGypsy
July 2, 2024
A natural healer, an abused boy from a traveling tent revival, an abandoned baby, and a group of friends trying to make it through the Great Depression are a few of the characters we meet in this book. They are all making their way through the south starting in the Dustbowl years, and ending two decades later. You know these characters will cross paths, but that’s the only thread of actual lasting plot there is.
This novel is character driven to the max. At first, I loved this book! It made me laugh and pulled my heartstrings as well. Then I don’t know what happened, but at about 75% I just lost interest. It started to drag. Maybe the people these characters became after they all stabilized just weren’t as interesting to me as they were before. The short alternating chapters which made this a page turner for me in the beginning turned into an annoyance. You sort of know what is going to happen, and when you do, the book takes way too long to get there.
Don’t let me discourage you, though. If you want light reading without any deep thinking, and fun characters, this one is for you. Looks like everyone else loved this. For me, 3 stars.
This novel is character driven to the max. At first, I loved this book! It made me laugh and pulled my heartstrings as well. Then I don’t know what happened, but at about 75% I just lost interest. It started to drag. Maybe the people these characters became after they all stabilized just weren’t as interesting to me as they were before. The short alternating chapters which made this a page turner for me in the beginning turned into an annoyance. You sort of know what is going to happen, and when you do, the book takes way too long to get there.
Don’t let me discourage you, though. If you want light reading without any deep thinking, and fun characters, this one is for you. Looks like everyone else loved this. For me, 3 stars.
September 19, 2019
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.
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
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.
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.
This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.
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.
Read
September 12, 2019Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The audio version is read by the author and his voice and inflections really enhance the story. I wish the three parallel stories had insersected earlier in the book than at the very end, but that's just a personal preference. I laughed out loud several times, and almost cried at least once. I love a book that makes me feel something.
January 22, 2022
What can I say? This story has a million moving parts, but they are all delightful. The characters made me laugh, cry, and turn the pages at lightning speed. The author shows us the despicable side of human nature, as well as the dig-down-deep-parts of humans that let us stand up and fight against insurmountable odds. Highly recommend this book. Nora Wolfenbarger author of The Promise.
October 29, 2021
Loved this one! A very character driven story and the narrator did a great job narrating his own book.
February 5, 2023
STARS OF ALABAMA
Sean Dietrich
My first novel by Sean Dietrich which I really find hard to believe as I am, or thought I was a big fan of Southern literature. I found this to be a brilliantly written story that hummed along to the tune of the crickets and night bugs. It had a great deal that I love, those short chapters with downhome language and a triple storyline all about family.
In addition, I am a great fan of novels that are driven by their characters and that center around family, regardless of how the family is formed. This story is so smooth, it just flows along on the current and floats down the river singing a song or two.
My favorite character was of course, Marigold. She was a special girl who followed her heart and ran for her life after being abused by her own family. She was abandoned by that family and then misplaced her child. Her life was downward after that as she could not give up or stop looking.
Paul and Vern were great friends and men on the move, they found a child and named her Ruth along with others who needed a family. Last was Cooter who was a child preacher because "Jesus was coming to Alabama" and he was bringing it there. Like a great storm, these people all come together in this beautiful story about love and family when times are hard.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
Sean Dietrich
My first novel by Sean Dietrich which I really find hard to believe as I am, or thought I was a big fan of Southern literature. I found this to be a brilliantly written story that hummed along to the tune of the crickets and night bugs. It had a great deal that I love, those short chapters with downhome language and a triple storyline all about family.
In addition, I am a great fan of novels that are driven by their characters and that center around family, regardless of how the family is formed. This story is so smooth, it just flows along on the current and floats down the river singing a song or two.
My favorite character was of course, Marigold. She was a special girl who followed her heart and ran for her life after being abused by her own family. She was abandoned by that family and then misplaced her child. Her life was downward after that as she could not give up or stop looking.
Paul and Vern were great friends and men on the move, they found a child and named her Ruth along with others who needed a family. Last was Cooter who was a child preacher because "Jesus was coming to Alabama" and he was bringing it there. Like a great storm, these people all come together in this beautiful story about love and family when times are hard.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
September 20, 2019
Thanks to TLC Book Tours & TNZ Fiction for my gifted copy.
This is a historical fiction set during the Great Depression I loved how there were 3 different stories narrated parallel without loosing interest in either of them and how they somehow came together & connected at the end. This is a character driven coming of age & I loved all characters in this story each of them trying to survive through the hardships with hope & courage. I was fascinated by Marigold’s power. Paul was my favorite of all. But to be honest it took me too long to finish this book especially the first half was very slow and I was expecting something to look forward to but it took too long for that & I was beginning to loose interest in the story but I continued reading and once I has more than halfway it became a little interesting for me to get to the end. I love character driven stories but some how this one didn’t connect.
If you love historical fiction & can get through very slow paced stories probably you will love this.
This is a historical fiction set during the Great Depression I loved how there were 3 different stories narrated parallel without loosing interest in either of them and how they somehow came together & connected at the end. This is a character driven coming of age & I loved all characters in this story each of them trying to survive through the hardships with hope & courage. I was fascinated by Marigold’s power. Paul was my favorite of all. But to be honest it took me too long to finish this book especially the first half was very slow and I was expecting something to look forward to but it took too long for that & I was beginning to loose interest in the story but I continued reading and once I has more than halfway it became a little interesting for me to get to the end. I love character driven stories but some how this one didn’t connect.
If you love historical fiction & can get through very slow paced stories probably you will love this.
August 2, 2019
This beautiful, well written book is about hope during the darkest times. Even though the main characters face what seem like insurmountable problems, they are always working and hoping for a better life. They could face their problems because of the families they created out of the people they loved and who loved them -- not families by blood but families out of love.
This Depression era book has three main characters and the story is told by each character. There seems to be no connection between the characters during most of the book but these stories intertwine in surprising ways and we see the real stars.
The three main characters were memorable and their journeys make this a book that you don't want to miss. Even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for the future. The story is beautiful written and the three main characters touched my heart.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
This Depression era book has three main characters and the story is told by each character. There seems to be no connection between the characters during most of the book but these stories intertwine in surprising ways and we see the real stars.
The three main characters were memorable and their journeys make this a book that you don't want to miss. Even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for the future. The story is beautiful written and the three main characters touched my heart.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
May 8, 2023
Listening to Sean Dietrich read with his southern accent about preachers, hound dogs, and a momma’s love was worth all of 5 stars. His words and voice are like a song strumming the goodness in your heart.
January 2, 2024
My oh my! This story is fantastic! It’s really three stories in one that culminates in a beautiful ending. This book has it all: southern charm, beautiful prose, tragedy, joy, and characters that seem as real as family members. This book feels like a combination of the Grapes of Wrath, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and Fried Green Tomatoes.
September 8, 2019
This was very enjoyable to listen to. The author is the reader as well. He has a great southern voice. I think it’s a whole different ballgame - listening to verses reading. I think my rating and review may have been different had I read it but it’s hard to say.
August 20, 2019
Stars of Alabama is a beautifully-written novel that begins during the Great Depression and spans roughly 20 years. It's told in short chapters, most no more than three pages long, each focusing on one of the novel's many main characters. For a while, it seems as though the stories will never overlap, but when they finally do, the results are incredibly satisfying.
Everyone wants to belong, to be part of a family. The families that spring up in this novel are not the traditional kind (and sometimes those who are related by blood are nothing remotely resembling family)—they are people who choose each other, who commit to caring for one another. And it's a beautiful picture of what humanity can be.
Stars of Alabama is one of those books that grabs you and won't let go until you've turned the final page, and I'm so glad I got to live in its world for a short time.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
Everyone wants to belong, to be part of a family. The families that spring up in this novel are not the traditional kind (and sometimes those who are related by blood are nothing remotely resembling family)—they are people who choose each other, who commit to caring for one another. And it's a beautiful picture of what humanity can be.
Stars of Alabama is one of those books that grabs you and won't let go until you've turned the final page, and I'm so glad I got to live in its world for a short time.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 8, 2021
4 1/2 stars - I knew nothing of this book or the author other than someone recommended it to me, I can't even remember who that was. It's a great story, I found it intriguing, meandering, gentle and heart-warming. On it's own I would have given it 4 stars. The audio version elevates everything. It is obvious that the author is a seasoned and talented story-teller, something that is revered in my part of the world. If you have the opportunity, listen to the audiobook, not only does the author do an excellent job performing the book, but he makes the characters really come alive.
August 1, 2019
Quirky, exciting, heartwarming, memorable—-what more do you want in a book?
Here are three different families that eventually intertwine, but not before you lose a couple of dearly-loved people.
There’s a lost baby, a young woman with healing powers, two migrant workers struggling to survive, a child preacher, and raging dust storms.
And “when the dust clears, we can still see the stars.” 📚😢⭐️
Here are three different families that eventually intertwine, but not before you lose a couple of dearly-loved people.
There’s a lost baby, a young woman with healing powers, two migrant workers struggling to survive, a child preacher, and raging dust storms.
And “when the dust clears, we can still see the stars.” 📚😢⭐️
November 3, 2019
Meandered but never really went anywhere
June 30, 2022
A remarkable Southern saga - not a traditional family story but one of friendships and how they intertwined. Excellent characterization, I felt all their hearts beating, that’s how real they were to me. I love to read about the south during the depression years and as it moves into the 1950’s. Long before Civil Rights.
The writing was excellent and I liked the way the story was broken into chapters just a few pages long. Each one told a part of the story and then moved on to another part, until they all collided!
Very interested in reading more by Mr Dietrich.
The writing was excellent and I liked the way the story was broken into chapters just a few pages long. Each one told a part of the story and then moved on to another part, until they all collided!
Very interested in reading more by Mr Dietrich.
August 27, 2019
My first book by Sean of the South Dietrich. I’m a newer follower of his writing and podcast maybe less than a year. Was excited to hear he had written his first fiction novel and had to get it. While I was reading it, he performed in a town not too far from me and was able to meet him and he signed my book- really down to earth and sincere just like his writing is. Back to the book- what a joy to read this story about people coming together thru hard times and becoming a family. Setting is in Alabama, where I am from in the 20’s and 30s around the Great Depression. Times were hard but people came to help one another and some became families. Difficult circumstances often bring about unlikely relationships and this novel told both that beautifully. Dietrich has a true gift of writing and it totally shows up in this books. A quality and redemptive read- I highly recommend! Now onto his other works!
January 4, 2025
Southern fiction can be hit or miss for me, but this one I loved. It had a tremendous sense of place (Deep South) and time period (Depression through early 1950s). The characters were so real you'd almost expect to meet them. The story was heart-breaking at times yet still hopeful, and the writing was vivid and often beautiful. Even the magical realism (which I usually don't care for) wasn't too off-putting.
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