Star

by Danielle Steel

Young, innocent and strikingly beautiful Crystal Wyatt was an outcast, envied and resented by all but her devoted father, with whom she shared a deep love for their remote California ranch. When her father dies, Crystal is alone and unprotected. Devastating events shake the once peaceful valley. With nothing but her dreams, her beauty, and her awe-inspiring voice, Crystal escapes to embark on the career that will ultimately make her a star. But stardom itself is shadowed by danger and violence and haunted by a memory that must be resolved before Crystal can find happiness and peace.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction, Drama

410 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do read a Steel book every now and again. Some of her books are quite good. Unfortunately this is not one of ones I liked.

SPOILERS:

The best books by Steel are the ones that are romantic without being over the top. I could believe nothing in this book. It was not an UNPLEASANT read. But I did not get involved in the story..I
couldn't.

SPOILERS:

I became irritated..to many things pulling the couple apart..to maudlin and read like a soap opera. Although soap operas can be fun, the characters were not realistic.

I did feel like screaming with all the descriptive prose about Crystal's lovely skin and hair. And Elizabeth started strongly but descended into an angry wife cliche with no depth.

Disappointed..for a good Steel read try "The Promise" or "Perfect Stranger". Both are quite good.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was very young and have revisited it over the years. This book is really one of my favorites, but I couldn't bring myself to give it 5 stars. Crystal and Spencer (the main characters in the story) obviously love one another very much, however, they make so many mistakes and it takes years and years for them to end up together. So many years wasted - it literally gave me anxiety attacks. I found myself actually getting angry with them (as if they were actual people) and I would set the book down for several days before continuing. But, I always finished it because the happy ending is what I was always waiting for.

[Bodosika Bodosika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had being on my TBR shelf for quite some time and I decided to pick up recently and am glad I did.It was really fun reading this.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

-Story of Crystal Wyatt. (Her life was always surrounded by Hollywood. In Dreams at first and in reality when she was 18.)

I was not much intrigued by the book, but my friend Ann was, and I think it's an emotional roller-coaster for a lot others. This book will make you cry tears of happiness.

The ending felt rushed and I wanted more on Crystal,Spencer and Zeb's future (family)life at least as an epilogue.I wish there was more pages to the book, especially the last 3 pages could have been stretched to at least 20 or 25..

The book was too dragged at some places, specifically her life with Ernesto Salvatore and Spencer & Elizabeth's married life(Whenever Spencer tries to wriggle out of their relationship she trapped him in, the grip fastens.And I think Ms.Steel wasted a lot of pages on their 'Divorce talks' over and over in regular intervals->it really was tiresome to read those parts..It could've been avoided.Only if those pages were added to Crystal and Spencer's relationship at the end (and how I wish!) or as an epilogue..)

Enough with the Rant.It was a short and prim book all in all.The title 'STAR' really suits the book, eventhough Spencer's life stole pages and pages from the book.

[Ashtottara Ashtottara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title by Danielle Steel turned out to be the most painful one to read among the rest of her collections. But then, I must admit that an ingénue like Crystal and a fickle-minded person like Spencer still exist today. And for this reason, I love Danielle Steel as a storyteller. Her stories are of common people who face both harsh and subtle realities of life, are aware of their imperfections, and doing their best to survive.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book as a teenager and I always find myself coming back to it! All time favorite.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After World War II Crystal Wyatt, a beautiful young woman moves to Hollywood dreaming of singing and acting in films. She meets and falls in love with Spencer Hille, He thinks she is too young for marriage and convinces himself he's not in love. Spencer later marries someone, who suits his family and life style as a lawyer. Crystal makes it big as a Hollywood star. When the characters meet again they realize they are destined to be together. However, there's a lot of suffering on the way. I think this is one of Danielle Steels's better novel.

[Marnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the movie better than the book. Can you believe that one?

[Raegan Billinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Abandoned at 15% because I couldn't take another mention of Crystal's "amazingness" or "beauty" or how she was in love with a guy she met once and who was twice her age. (Shudder)

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up due to a gripping (though angsty)
plot,HEA ending and very little skipping.
Setting: ranch CA (of Earlene Fowler’s mysterys)
Time period: WWII thru Kennedy assassination.
Good characterization a plus.

[Amanda Tuinstra ( Liefde voor boeken Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

30 september komt de recensie online op mijn website.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books as a teenager and I would have given it two stars if not for the nostalgia.
It's a lovely story, albeit sometimes a bit frustrating, they love each other and they're miserable so they should just be together!
The thing that bothered me most though was how juvenile the writing was. Almost every sentence starts with the word "and". Something most authors know not to do. The constant descriptions and over the top reactions to Crystal's looks are ridiculous too. It's on almost every page.
I also felt that the story was rushed, especially the last hundred pages or so. The pacing was just a bit off for most of it. Six years pass in the space of a couple of pages at one point. It could do with being another couple of hundred pages longer.

[Ruqayyah Musa · Rating 4 out of 5]

That war must've taken a real toll on D.S. Thank you for writing so much about it. Aftermath of the war, survival, fitting in and Hollywood dreamssss....the whole affair with Ernie and Brad gives me Evelyn Hugo vibes and God! Hollywood is not a good place to be in without a mentor.
The mention of JFK and his assassination is heartwarming. The hope and heartbreak 💔
Love always wins💕🥹 against time, scandals and life itself. This is a good read

[starryari (arianna) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ohohoho no. I KNOW it didn’t end there. This book played with my emotions along with all my hopes and dreams. They part for a long time for the worst reasons. He marries another and doesn’t break it off for WHY?? He deserves pain and a life of loneliness. Ranting for the future: Don’t reread arianna NEVER. I really really wanted to love it too :’)

[Mildred Rupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, love the characters of Crystal and Spencer.

[Daniella Rdz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sufrí demasiado jaja

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Karen ReadsALot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obvious but compelling.

[J L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely one.

[abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

blind date with a book! there will not be a second one

[Charlotte Smit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het boek was op zich best prima. Het begin erg langdradig en beetje lastig om doorheen te komen. Maar later gebeurden er wel dingen, plottwists etc. Alleen het hele verhaal omvat ongeveer 14 jaar, wat gewoon erg veel is. Hierdoor werd het een beetje soap achtig, want er moeten natuurlijk dingen blijven gebeuren. Het einde was een beetje gehaast voor mijn gevoel. Alsnog wel een prima boek om aan het strand te lezen, maar niet een ‘voor het slapen gaan’-boek.

[Brigitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall very nice storyline that plays with your emotions. Found a few spelling mistakes lol

[Wolf · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star for Star.

Starts speedy and relatively strong - gives one promise for a simple but heartfelt story of accomplishment and a love that's meant to be. One isn't asking for realism - it's Danielle Steel, we know it's fantasy.
I was intrigued to read a standard love story, to make a change from my usual fare. I thought Steel would be a light, easy, and sensible read. It was easy only - too easy. This book is written for emotional retards - for people who want to read a novel done in the style of gossip column reportage. For example, a period of 5 years in this novel can be summarised in one page. I noticed this at the start, but it continued throughout the novel. It caused the story to lack depth, especially towards the end when the stakes were highest and one needed more information about the characters.


Ultimately - this is formulaic, exploitative fiction for the donut-reader. The donut-reader being the person who consumes literature that contains the comparative nutritional value of the donut. Over-sweet, addictive, and valueless regarding betterment of self. In the way that a donut raises one's insulin without satiating you, this novel keeps a person reading whilst providing absolutely zero value. If the word "very" were sugar, this book could make you diabetic.

Steel tackles huge, titillating themes. She has to, doesn't she? We want our donuts packed with jam and synthetic pistachio cream. The donut-reader wants their novels full of scandal, sex, love, and stuff like incest and crime. For incest and crime one could read Faulkner, but Steel is writing for people with particular digestion. The Steel-consumer cannot handle Faulker, in the way that a kebab-addicted person refuses a stem of broccoli. They don't like to chew it and can't get it down.
Steel's super fast paced "style" (because it's not style, it's formula - and a bad one at that) keeps you going. Once I was 100 pages in I knew I had to go on, just to experience the degradation which began to be impossible to ignore after page 50. The pathos was astonishing. Over-used and pathetic: young girl afflicted with ethereal beauty, cast out after death of father (borderline incestuous description there, Ms. Steel, thanks babe), raped by drunk brother-in-law ... Let's stop here. This particular sexual assault was rather offensive. I've read probably too much sexual assault in literature and it has to be said there are right and wrong ways of tackling this. Steel does it wrong. For her it seems rape has to be described in a Hollywood-violent way. As in, the horror is stated but ... not evoked. I got nothing from this violent, brutal attack on the protagonist. The reaction of the victim became hardly real as events unfolded further. It's like Steel got away with skimming the topic as much as possible whilst trying to make us feel pity. Like a news report. I would rather Steel were bland and cool, like Joan Didion, so that her choice of subject matter would hit us harder. But, alas, Steel is writing for the donut-reader. The donut-reader does not want to actually be made to feel deeper emotions. The donut-reader wants a stream of scandalous information, evoking ankle-deep emotions which rise and fall with the speed of the passing years per paragraph. Let me just say that of the literary assaults I've read, the ones that fare better are those that use suggestion. If Steel wants to champion female victims of assault she needs to learn what assault is. I'm not convinced she knows.

How many buttons needed to be pressed in this book? We had rape, crazy deep love, death, WW2, the Korean War, Hollywood casting couch scandal, insane beauty plus insane talent plus insane morality. ("perfect" protagonists are boring and should be killed and replaced with interesting protagonists). Steel made Crystal Wyatt a half-intelligent, half-strong woman with seeming perfection at everything she does. Her decision making is retarded. Yes, that's the word. Her apparent love for Spencer Hill (I really had my doubts) results in a series of affairs with him during the existence of their illegitimate son (GIFT OF GOD Zebadiah - Christ, yet the child doesn't deserve a father according to super perfect mama Crystal). So Crystal is an expert secret keeper after having her life returned to her by Spencer, after a very touch-and-go murder trial. OF COURSE there's murder. The Hollywood agent who grooms and enslaves her is shot dead and she's accused of it. Quite funny actually, and a great segway into my next major problem with this book.
The slimy agent Ernie had the makings of a good villain, but we lost his characterisation too quick. It seems all the good character creation was used up on Elizabeth Barclay (the only character resembling a character, in my opinion).
Steel offended me with Ernie. Simply because she bothered to highlight a serious topic (grooming) and used it to exploit the reader by way of a sex scene with him. Steel probably wanted the reader to understand how a young woman can be groomed and made sexually dependent on a terrible man - a deserving topic, and she did well by explaining what was happening to Crystal within this dangerous dynamic. Yet, Steel decided to use this opportunity to titillate her female reader, exploiting them in the same way that Ernie exploits Crystal. Because this is exploitative fiction, not meant for thinking but consumption only. And how else to get female readers reading than by exposing them to porn? Therefore, all the deep and perfect love between Crystal and Spencer is left with only hints of sex ("they made love all night"). Whereas pseudo-rapist Ernie gets full on cunnilingus descriptions and we are informed of his perfect physique. All I learnt about Spencer is that he is "handsome" and has dark hair.

Steel, it's all very clear what you're doing. I've read my fair share of chick-lit and a lot of it is great. Philippa Gregory, Sarah Winman, Gail Honeyman, Sheri S. Tepper (that's the sci-fi chicklit), Clare Chambers - to name but a few of the talented ones. Literature aimed at women does not mean void of literary aptitude. It doesn't have to mean that.
I think Steel is a decent writer. But maybe she has a contract that makes certain demands that she is willing to meet - at the expense of something amounting to storytelling. Therefore the dictionary is thrown in the trash, leaving us with very boring descriptions of very stupid things made to seem very interesting and important to very malnourished readers.

My version of Steel's Star: "They drove to Lake Tahoe, and E. wore Chanel. S. wore a suit from Macy's that he bought four years ago when he first saw C.'s purple eyes. Whilst C. stayed in Los Angeles and won five Oscars in two years and felt very good about her life that had been SO HARD. And S. dreamt of her during every Christmas he spent in Palm Springs, and every Easter in Washington in the Georgetown duplex that E. had decorated. It was very nice, but he missed C."

It ends with this apparently insane love only becoming verified because Spencer gave up his illustrious career and sham marriage because JFK got shot. No, seriously, that's literally it. He only goes back to her (discovering his secret child - and is totally fine with the massive lie) after he realises the golden political future - described as "Camelot Days" - is gone with the memory of the Kennedys.

Steel ensnares her donut fans with all the usual trendy views. JFK good, McCarthyism bad. Fame good, Hollywood bad. America good, internment of Japanese bad. Children good, truth bad. It's all just too easy and boring and very very predictable.

Despite the cool and restrained cover, and the fact that Steel is prolific and successful, I can't see the appeal. It could have been good and sweet, but instead it was bad and I think harmful. I just feel she plays on the emotions and expectations of Americans, using pathos to drive bloated plots without offering anything valuable in return other than a "happy" ending. I didn't find it happy at all.

[Maguii Paredes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un romance con muchas idas y vueltas, bastante típico de la época. A pesar de que es muy repetitivo sobre todo al principio, es un libro que gusta mucho.

[Alannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

They say that true intelligence is the ability to understand not just what's said, but also what isn't said. Reading in between the lines is a crucial skill for those wanting to truly interact with great pieces of literature. The mark of a great book is one that leaves you deep in thought, contemplating the hidden meanings and symbols long after you've turned the last page.

Fortunately this book leaves nothing to the imagination and I didn't have to spend any more time thinking about it other than the 2 days I spent reading it. The characters are one dimensional and the story was over all underwhelming. The bottom line is (spoiler alert) - the main male lead is a nonce. Twice. At 30 years old, he can't make up his mind which teenager he wants to be with (does he choose the 14 year old or the 18 year old? Really difficult decision...) and, in the end, ruins both their lives. The end of the story concludes with the male lead having a nervous breakdown when JFK, whom I believe he loved more than either woman, is assassinated.

Maybe I just have to admit that, as a modern woman in the year of our lord 2024, this book just wasn't written for me. One thing's for sure- I will do more research when selecting something to read from the hotel lobby.

[Ushlah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another heart touching book!
I really don’t understand how Danielle Steel could write so touching book.
Or maybe because it’s always based on a girl.
A girl (Crystal) has known this guy (Spencer) when she was fourteen years old-he did ask her to marry him-but not the right time –always! –They find each other again once he’s engaged to another girl –then again after he gets married to his fiancée- Then he realized that he does not love his wife.


The girl (Crystal) mixed up with another guy & thinks that she owns too much to this guy to leave him- Then this guy won’t let her leave when she wanted to – And Spencer’s wife doesn’t give him a divorce when he wanted to -& this goes for on & on for years – Spencer ask again to marry Crystal buy at that time he had political aspirations & a terrific job waiting for him- Crystal ended it all –for his sake – And finally she realize that she’s pregnant – And never tell him that.

[MiniCarmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A veces el cuerpo me pide una novela romántica antigua de portada cuestionable (aunque esta está bien) de esas que le gustan a mi abuela de ochenta y tantos años. Un guilty pleasure, y no pasa nada. El libro que estoy leyendo en físico es más densito y para escuchar en el autobús necesitaba lo contrario, así que con la experiencia previa, sabía que Danielle Steel era una buena opción para distraerme. No me juzguéis porfa.

Sabía a lo que venía, pero no me esperaba que los dos libros que leído de ella se situen en el mismo lugar, en el Valle de Napa y los ranchos de California. Ha sido curioso, porque hace más de seis meses que leí a la autora por primera vez y me sigo acordando casi perfectamente de Cuento de hadas, así que una pequenísima parte de mi esperaba ver un cameo de algún personaje. Al contrario que en el primer intento, esta vez el libro no se me ha hecho pesado y lento, supongo porque hay muchos escenarios: el rancho, Hollywood, San Francisco, Washington... también hay más diálogo y en general creo que es menos descriptivo, lo que le da agilidad. Eso no quita que haya momentos en los que habría estrangulado a los protagonistas por dar vueltas a lo mismo una y otra vez.

En general, y a primera vista, creo que como historia me ha gustado un pelín más, pero le voy a poner menos nota porque hay cosas que me han hecho arrugar la naríz en más de una ocasión. Tengo en mente que estamos en 2023, que el libro fue escrito en 1989 y que se sitúa entre los años 40 y 50 aproximadamente. Lo tengo muy presente y no soy nada partidaria de juzgar un libro antiguo con la mente actual, pero hay cosas que simplemente me dan grima. El primer motivo y más evidente es que Spencer de veintitantos años se enamora a primera vista de Crystal, de catorce (y es mutuo). Iugh.

Crystal Wyatt es una chiquilla deslumbrante, ya se encargan de recordarnoslo cada dos páginas. Ella es un ángel caído del cielo, bellísima, con una inocencia adorable (con catorce, con veintitantos y con veintimuchos), es perfecta en general. Todo el mundo la admira, la adora y la ama. Excepto su madre y su hermana que la envidian, qué sorpresa. Sueña con ser una estrella de Hollywood y todo el mundo sabe que lo conseguirá porque es guapísima, y encima de todo canta bien. Pero es guapa, que es lo más imporante. ¿He dicho ya que es guapa? Tiene que quedar claro este punto porque es su mayor cualidad.

Spencer Hill es un militar traumatizado por la guerra que se ve obligado a vivir la vida de su hermano muerto en combate porque a pesar de todo es un blandengue que dice mucho pero hace poco. Y se enamora de Crystal cuando tenía 14 años, también nos lo repite cada poco. Spencer es una veleta y decide casarse con una mujer solo porque es lo que se espera de él y apechuga, es un comodón conformista, por muchas guerras que haya ido. Que no quiere casarse, pero lo hace. Que se tira 14 añazos queriendo divorciarse y no lo hace porque patata.

Tipiquísima historia, un amor prohibido, quieren estar juntos pero no pueden. Se alejan porque es lo mejor para ambos y asumen sus vidas separadas. Cuando se vuelven a ver se dan cuenta de que lo que quieren estar juntos, pero no lo hacen porque perjudicaría sus carreras profesionales. Y así una y otra y otra vez. Si no me equivoco, la historia se desarrolla en 14 años, y dan para mucho a pesar de que se comunican poco y se ven menos todavía. El culebrón de sábado por la tarde. Ya he dicho que sabía a lo que venía.

Inciso: Boyd y Hiroko han sido mis personajes favoritos. Son lindísimos juntos, y me ha enternecido casi más su historia de ellos contra el racismo y rechazo de la sociedad solo por ser japonesa que la de los personajes principales.

Yo pensaba que le daría las tres estrellas, porque mucho me tendría que volar la cabeza para darle cuatro, cinco ya lo veía muy inalcanzable, pero se va a quedar en dos porque aunque en sí la historia me ha gustado, tiene cosas que ya he mencionado arriba que es que no. Me explayo: Crystal y Spencer se llevan unos 12 años. Se conocen cuando ella tenía 14 y se enamoran a primera vista. Pero enamorarse de daría la vida por ti, super en serio ya sabemos lo que es el instalove de este tipo de novelas. En general no me molestan las diferencias de edad siempre y cuando los dos sean adultos o al menos que casi lo sean. Podría aceptar incluso que ella le llamase la atención sin connotaciones románticas, que se conociesen por diversas circunstancias (aquí es una boda) y simplemente saber 'ah pues esta es la hermanita de la novia ok' y ya, y al reencontrarse unos años después se enamorasen a primera vista si hace falta. Hasta ahí bien, pero es que en este caso se dice cuarenta veces que SE ENAMORÓ DE UNA NIÑA DE CATORCE AÑOS teniendo él cerca de 30. Muchísimo cringe, iughhh ¿todo bien en casa? Por muy desarrollada que estuviese físicamente y guapa que sea, 14 años por dios. Al principio intentaba obviarlo pero al mencionar tantas veces que "seguía siendo una niña", "era la niña de la que se enamoró" UF ES QUE TODO MAL SPENCER. Pero bueno, estaba encandilado ¿no? Y ella también lo amaba también así que haremos la vista gorda porque tampoco dan para más. Iugh. Ya en el tramo final, Crystal mantiene una relación que aparentemente era de amistad con un señor de cincuenta y muchos o incluso ya los 60 años. Parecía que era una cosa representante-productor-director-relación cordial sin más, pero en varias ocasiones da a entender que era una relación con derecho a roce profundo y IUGH CRYSTAL QUE TE SACA MÍNIMO 30 AÑOS. Repito ¿todo bien en casa? Están todos cucú.

Obviando eso, que es horrible, el culebrón no está mal, y para pasar el rato sirve. La chica de rancho acaba repudiada por su familia y decide ir a buscarse la vida cumpliendo su sueño de ser una estrella. Él, un abogado de éxido atrapado en un matrimonio de conveniencia con una arpía más preocupada por las fiestas y las apariencias que de su marido y su felicidad. Pero ya está, es que sabía a lo que venía.

Por cierto, Zebedías se corona como el nombre más feo con el que he tenido el honor de toparme, lo siento si hay algún Zebedías leyéndome.

[Selene Gudino · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet love story about a girl who wants to become a hollywood star and a guy involved in the military.
I've read quiet a few books of Danielle Steel and i've cried and laugh a lot with most of them, but sadly this wasn't one of the finest works from Mrs. Steel. I feel that the story needed a little more of strenght, it was a little more predictable that it should have (when you've read a lot you kindda see it comming). But even though, it is a nice read.
If you liked this book you'll really enjoy other books from her such as: "Wings" and "The gift"

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, though I don't agree with some of the choices that the characters made. Steel repeats herself constantly, telling us over and over how beautiful Crystal is, as if we'd forget that she, or any of Steel's characters for that matter, are anything but stunningly beautiful. But overall a great read about one woman's ability to survive.

[Cara Byrne]

I liked the story, classic Danielle Steel where two people can't be together for whatever reason but it all works out in the end. I saw another review on here where somebody remarked on her repeating herself on numerous occasions as if she's trying to pad the book out, which I totally agree with - that's the only downer really.