I just finished River of Stars, and I’m still not sure if I’m in Walnut Tree Island or the real world. The second book by Georgina Moore is a beautiful, moving story about love, loss, and the kind of community that makes you feel safe and warm. The story takes place on the made-up Walnut Tree Island, which is clearly based on the bohemian charm of Eel Pie Island. There are a lot of songs, memories, and the changing tides of the Thames.
The book starts in the present day with Jo Star, an artist who is very protective of her home island and the people who live there. Two different times tell the story. When Oliver Greenwood, Jo’s long-lost love and the new owner of the island, comes back and talks about selling the land, the community goes crazy. This story isn’t just about property and protest, though; it’s very personal. Jo and Oliver have a complicated history that goes back to a summer that changed everything.
The second timeline starts in the 1960s, when Jo’s grandmother Mary, a teenage singer who wants to be famous, falls in love with a musician who is about to become famous. George Greenwood, Oliver’s grandfather, helps Mary find safety on the island. She has a broken heart and a baby to take care of. We can see how the Stars and the Greenwoods’ lives were affected by their complicated relationships and the secrets they kept as time went on.
The sense of place really worked for me. You can tell Moore lives on a houseboat. The island setting is very real. I could almost hear the music floating across the water, feel the heat of a summer party, and smell the paint from Jo’s studio. The characters are very well written, and Mary stole my heart right away. Golibe, Jo’s loyal friend, and George Greenwood, who was quietly kind, made the story more interesting and warmer.
There are deep and moving themes in the book, such as trauma that gets passed down through generations, the weight of secrets, the strength of women, and how art and community can help people heal. The chapter titles were song titles, which I thought was great. It was a very clever idea that made the story flow better. The story works well with the slow pace. You shouldn’t read this book too quickly; you should enjoy it.
This book has some things in common with The Garnett Girls, like strong women, complicated feelings, and a setting that feels like a character in its own right. But I think I liked River of Stars even more than I liked it on its own. If you like stories with two timelines, characters, and a touch of nostalgia, this is the book for you.
In the end, River of Stars is a well-written book that took me away. It’s a love letter to the Thames, music, art, and all the messy, beautiful things that bring us together. I will definitely read Georgina Moore again, and I will definitely go back to Walnut Tree Island.
With thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
Also read: The Garnett Girls by Georgina Moore
About the Author: Home | Georgina Moore
