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Sister Stardust
A PARADE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR
A NEW YORK POST BEST BOOK OF THE WEEK
In her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s
From afar Talitha's life seemed perfect. In her twenties, and already a famous model and actress, she moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh, with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world.
When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for the adventure and independence, she's swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamourous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever.
A NEW YORK POST BEST BOOK OF THE WEEK
In her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s
From afar Talitha's life seemed perfect. In her twenties, and already a famous model and actress, she moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh, with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world.
When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for the adventure and independence, she's swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamourous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2022
About the author
Jane Green
71 books8,479 followersJane Green's twenty first novel, Sister Stardust, is out April 5th 2022.
She is the author of eighteen previous New York Times Bestselling novels, and known as one of the world's leading authors in women's fiction, with over ten million books in print, and translations in over 25 languages.
Previous novels have included The Beach House, Second Chance, Jemima J, and Tempting Fate.
She joined the ABC News team to write their first enhanced digital book— about the history of Royal marriages, then joined ABC News as a live correspondent covering Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton.
A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas, and features for The Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, Green is bringing out her first cookbook: Good Taste , with Berkley in October 2016.
She is a storyteller for The Moth radio hour on NPR,
and lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.
Jane's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Gr...
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
She is the author of eighteen previous New York Times Bestselling novels, and known as one of the world's leading authors in women's fiction, with over ten million books in print, and translations in over 25 languages.
Previous novels have included The Beach House, Second Chance, Jemima J, and Tempting Fate.
She joined the ABC News team to write their first enhanced digital book— about the history of Royal marriages, then joined ABC News as a live correspondent covering Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton.
A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas, and features for The Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, Green is bringing out her first cookbook: Good Taste , with Berkley in October 2016.
She is a storyteller for The Moth radio hour on NPR,
and lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.
Jane's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Gr...
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,067 reviews
April 15, 2022
Jane Green wrote a book based on a true story! I could not wait to read Sister Stardust!
About the book: “*A PARADE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR*
In her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s.”
Have you heard of Talitha Getty? She was married to oil heir, John Paul Getty. A model and actress in her own right, she moves from London to live in a palace in Marrakesh, Morocco. There’s quite the ex-pat scene there in the 60s!
Claire’s paths cross with Talitha Getty when she travels to Morocco with friends and stays in the palace. The two become the best of friends, and with that, Claire sees the cracks in Talitha’s interior self.
Sister Stardust is set during the Swinging 60s, so there’s all the the excess that comes along with that: partying, drugs, and in this case, excess money and spending too. I enjoyed Claire as a narrator and learning more about Talitha Getty, someone I previously knew little about. Overall, this is a well-told, entertaining, and fascinating glimpse into another time and place.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
About the book: “*A PARADE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR*
In her first novel inspired by a true story, Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s.”
Have you heard of Talitha Getty? She was married to oil heir, John Paul Getty. A model and actress in her own right, she moves from London to live in a palace in Marrakesh, Morocco. There’s quite the ex-pat scene there in the 60s!
Claire’s paths cross with Talitha Getty when she travels to Morocco with friends and stays in the palace. The two become the best of friends, and with that, Claire sees the cracks in Talitha’s interior self.
Sister Stardust is set during the Swinging 60s, so there’s all the the excess that comes along with that: partying, drugs, and in this case, excess money and spending too. I enjoyed Claire as a narrator and learning more about Talitha Getty, someone I previously knew little about. Overall, this is a well-told, entertaining, and fascinating glimpse into another time and place.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 9, 2022
EXCERPT: Out of the corner of my eye, something moved. I turned to see her wafting down a grand marble staircase, the robes of an embroidered kimono floating as she walked, an ethereal beauty, petite, with a mane of dark auburn hair, and curiously wide-set eyes filled with life and laughter beneath a heavy fringe. Her smile seemed to wash over all of us as we stood, dirty, tired, entranced.
She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
'I'm Talitha,' she said to me, hugging each of us, hugging me.
She wrapped her arms around my waist as she pulled me in, and I sensed both her fragility and her strength. I knew then that I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her.
And I knew my life was never going to be the same.
ABOUT 'SISTER STARDUST': From afar Talitha's life seemed perfect. In her twenties, and already a famous model and actress, she moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh, with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world.
When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for the adventure and independence, she's swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamourous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever.
MY THOUGHTS: Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, and more sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. I was a teenager in the years this book covered. I enjoyed remembering the music, but that's about all I enjoyed. Sister Stardust is the written equivalent of the reality TV show featuring the Kardashians. I don't see the point of either.
We don't even meet Talitha until almost half way through the book. I am unsure whether to be aggrieved, as I understood from the publicity blurb, and I quote, 'Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s,' or relieved. I think it is more the latter.
I didn't mind Claire's story up until she meets Talitha and becomes Cece. It was nothing startling, but it was an improvement on what came after.
And as for Cece's stance that 'I knew then that I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her?' That is a massive fail. Had the story actually focused on Talitha, her life and her demons, it may have been a better read. But really, this barely scratches the surface. Sister Stardust is neither one thing nor another.
⭐⭐
#SisterStardust #NetGalley
I: @janegreenauthor @harlequinaus
T: @JaneGreen @HarlequinAus
#1960s #historicalfiction
THE AUTHOR: A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
She is a storyteller for The Moth radio hour on NPR,
and lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you Harlequin Australia, Harlequin Fiction via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Sister Stardust for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
'I'm Talitha,' she said to me, hugging each of us, hugging me.
She wrapped her arms around my waist as she pulled me in, and I sensed both her fragility and her strength. I knew then that I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her.
And I knew my life was never going to be the same.
ABOUT 'SISTER STARDUST': From afar Talitha's life seemed perfect. In her twenties, and already a famous model and actress, she moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh, with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world.
When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for the adventure and independence, she's swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamourous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever.
MY THOUGHTS: Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, and more sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. I was a teenager in the years this book covered. I enjoyed remembering the music, but that's about all I enjoyed. Sister Stardust is the written equivalent of the reality TV show featuring the Kardashians. I don't see the point of either.
We don't even meet Talitha until almost half way through the book. I am unsure whether to be aggrieved, as I understood from the publicity blurb, and I quote, 'Jane Green re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s,' or relieved. I think it is more the latter.
I didn't mind Claire's story up until she meets Talitha and becomes Cece. It was nothing startling, but it was an improvement on what came after.
And as for Cece's stance that 'I knew then that I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her?' That is a massive fail. Had the story actually focused on Talitha, her life and her demons, it may have been a better read. But really, this barely scratches the surface. Sister Stardust is neither one thing nor another.
⭐⭐
#SisterStardust #NetGalley
I: @janegreenauthor @harlequinaus
T: @JaneGreen @HarlequinAus
#1960s #historicalfiction
THE AUTHOR: A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
She is a storyteller for The Moth radio hour on NPR,
and lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you Harlequin Australia, Harlequin Fiction via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Sister Stardust for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 1, 2022
After Claire was kicked out of home by her step-mother, she caught the train to London, determined to make it big – to get a job immediately along with cheap accommodation. Of course, she was utterly naïve and after tramping the streets for a couple of days, a girl in the make-up department of an department store took pity on her as she stood there with tears rolling down her cheeks. And that is how Claire’s new life began.
Music, drugs, sex and rock & roll – the sixties were full of it all. When Claire, newly named Cece, met Talitha Getty, the two women became extremely close. But Talitha’s life was fragile and her magnetism drew Cece in. What would be the outcome in those dark, dangerous days?
Sister Stardust by Jane Green was disappointing for me unfortunately. It seemed to glorify the sixties way of living, the drugs, sex and also anorexia. The first part of the book was bland, but it was readable. Claire’s meeting with Talitha changed the way it read, and I didn’t enjoy it. Sister Stardust was not for me I’m sorry to say.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Music, drugs, sex and rock & roll – the sixties were full of it all. When Claire, newly named Cece, met Talitha Getty, the two women became extremely close. But Talitha’s life was fragile and her magnetism drew Cece in. What would be the outcome in those dark, dangerous days?
Sister Stardust by Jane Green was disappointing for me unfortunately. It seemed to glorify the sixties way of living, the drugs, sex and also anorexia. The first part of the book was bland, but it was readable. Claire’s meeting with Talitha changed the way it read, and I didn’t enjoy it. Sister Stardust was not for me I’m sorry to say.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
This has not been a good reading week for me. I tried this book, uncertain if it would engage me. It sadly did not. I think it is the worst book I’ve read this year.
I think I was pulled in by the cool cover and I should know better. 😂 Fortunately, I got the book from the library.
The story begins with Claire, who narrates this story to her then middle aged daughter, telling her about this incredible, but dangerous part of her life. I think Claire is about 70 at this time, yet knows how the story ended and it was not too glorious. She knows about excess and the rock-n-roll scene, yet bizarrely wants her daughter to finally live life, possibly have a grand adventure and know the fun of taking drugs and possibly have an orgy. She wants her to pull each drop out of life and live. Her daughter is middle aged, divorced, raised her own daughter, and is an artist. What? Yet, Claire has the big story to share about three weeks of her life she really lived.
So, it begins, back to 1967, Claire at 19, longs for adventure and to start living a fabulous life. So, with just 10 pounds, she sets off to London and somehow a woman takes pity on her and gets her a job at a store and she finds decent housing for single girls, too. This is in 1967 and life in the city is bursting fresh music and a new cultural revolution. She dreams of meeting the Beatles and several other big bands from the time. In a few days, she meets a nice guy with music connections, then gets a better job at the newest chic store where all the latest music ideals are said to go. If this sounds plausible to you, perhaps I’ve watched one too many episodes of SUV where Olivia Benson ID’s the bodies of girls such as this who head to NYC.
Perhaps, I am uninformed and life was much different in London in the late 60’s. Our Claire loses more weight to resemble Twiggy and suddenly is all the rage. Her friends absolutely insist she take a trip to Marrakesh and so she does.
Claire, now goes by CeCe and is with famous musicians, groupies, the elite, and finally has a life altering encounter with Talitha Getty. Talitha was actually a real person, married to Oil Heir, Paul Getty. She is certainly running with a very fast crowd and it’s sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. This was a time to experience life to the fullest and CeCe all alone by herself is instantly welcomed by this new group of friends. She has an instant connection to Talitha and says she will never leave her. Think anything could possibly go wrong here, would any predatory drunken and drugged men bother CeCe? No, luckily her pals see her as an innocent and no one harasses her in any way. So, for three glorious weeks, the party never stops and the opium pipe is passed and the drugs taking goes on all day. It gets pretty dull. Something horrible happens, but CeCe somehow can accept this and knows she is going home anyway. Fortunately, her hometown friend Benjie suddenly shows up to help her in Marrakesh. This was so fortunate. CeCe realizes this is not the life for her. So, glad to know as the audio 🎧 and page skimming was getting very quick. I almost did no finish this one. It was that ridiculous to me.
A much better book would have been to focus on Talitha Getty and add in people she possibly would have really been with, who were accustomed to life in Marrakesh. Flesh out an actual story, not some teen fantasy.
I forgot, I need to start baking, as fortunately between chapters the author has recipes for tasty treats where you add in your own DRUGS! 🍡🍨
This one was not for me. Perhaps, I am just too old to be interesting anymore. I am ok with that. I am definitely not the target audience or this is just an awful book~we’ll sort of so bad it’s good and making me laugh. 🤣
I think I was pulled in by the cool cover and I should know better. 😂 Fortunately, I got the book from the library.
The story begins with Claire, who narrates this story to her then middle aged daughter, telling her about this incredible, but dangerous part of her life. I think Claire is about 70 at this time, yet knows how the story ended and it was not too glorious. She knows about excess and the rock-n-roll scene, yet bizarrely wants her daughter to finally live life, possibly have a grand adventure and know the fun of taking drugs and possibly have an orgy. She wants her to pull each drop out of life and live. Her daughter is middle aged, divorced, raised her own daughter, and is an artist. What? Yet, Claire has the big story to share about three weeks of her life she really lived.
So, it begins, back to 1967, Claire at 19, longs for adventure and to start living a fabulous life. So, with just 10 pounds, she sets off to London and somehow a woman takes pity on her and gets her a job at a store and she finds decent housing for single girls, too. This is in 1967 and life in the city is bursting fresh music and a new cultural revolution. She dreams of meeting the Beatles and several other big bands from the time. In a few days, she meets a nice guy with music connections, then gets a better job at the newest chic store where all the latest music ideals are said to go. If this sounds plausible to you, perhaps I’ve watched one too many episodes of SUV where Olivia Benson ID’s the bodies of girls such as this who head to NYC.
Perhaps, I am uninformed and life was much different in London in the late 60’s. Our Claire loses more weight to resemble Twiggy and suddenly is all the rage. Her friends absolutely insist she take a trip to Marrakesh and so she does.
Claire, now goes by CeCe and is with famous musicians, groupies, the elite, and finally has a life altering encounter with Talitha Getty. Talitha was actually a real person, married to Oil Heir, Paul Getty. She is certainly running with a very fast crowd and it’s sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. This was a time to experience life to the fullest and CeCe all alone by herself is instantly welcomed by this new group of friends. She has an instant connection to Talitha and says she will never leave her. Think anything could possibly go wrong here, would any predatory drunken and drugged men bother CeCe? No, luckily her pals see her as an innocent and no one harasses her in any way. So, for three glorious weeks, the party never stops and the opium pipe is passed and the drugs taking goes on all day. It gets pretty dull. Something horrible happens, but CeCe somehow can accept this and knows she is going home anyway. Fortunately, her hometown friend Benjie suddenly shows up to help her in Marrakesh. This was so fortunate. CeCe realizes this is not the life for her. So, glad to know as the audio 🎧 and page skimming was getting very quick. I almost did no finish this one. It was that ridiculous to me.
A much better book would have been to focus on Talitha Getty and add in people she possibly would have really been with, who were accustomed to life in Marrakesh. Flesh out an actual story, not some teen fantasy.
I forgot, I need to start baking, as fortunately between chapters the author has recipes for tasty treats where you add in your own DRUGS! 🍡🍨
This one was not for me. Perhaps, I am just too old to be interesting anymore. I am ok with that. I am definitely not the target audience or this is just an awful book~we’ll sort of so bad it’s good and making me laugh. 🤣
April 23, 2022
Jane Green has been my go-to author for more years than I can count! She has seen me through the highs and lows…Jane’s books were there to comfort me…❤️ I can just get wrapped up and lost in them. I must say.. she knocked it clear out of the park with this one! 😍 5 shiny stars ⭐️
With Sister Stardust I was swept away to a glamorous life in a palace in Morocco. Drug fueled nights and days… partying and living with some of the most famous people of the 1960’s. 🥂
My favorite part of this book is that we get to see this all from the POV of Ceecee. Just a sweet young girl that finds herself swept up in Talitha Getty’s world. Married to an oil heir.. Talitha has a magnetic energy…she was gorgeous.. talented..alluring..and she could throw one heck of a party.. 🥃🍸🥂🍾Even the Rolling Stones were known to frequent the palace. 🤭
I absolutely loved how Claire started out and ended this story for her daughter! As Claire took a stroll down memory lane we got a look into the life of the 1960’s… as this is based on a true person… you must check out @sisterstardustt Instagram page! The photos Jane has collected of Talitha Getty are amazing…I stalk it on a regular basis. 🤫🤫🤫
Thank you so much Jane for letting us all into Talitha’s life. It was fun, intriguing and terrifying at times as Talitha pushed the drugs,sex and rock n roll to the limits.. and beyond.❤️
With Sister Stardust I was swept away to a glamorous life in a palace in Morocco. Drug fueled nights and days… partying and living with some of the most famous people of the 1960’s. 🥂
My favorite part of this book is that we get to see this all from the POV of Ceecee. Just a sweet young girl that finds herself swept up in Talitha Getty’s world. Married to an oil heir.. Talitha has a magnetic energy…she was gorgeous.. talented..alluring..and she could throw one heck of a party.. 🥃🍸🥂🍾Even the Rolling Stones were known to frequent the palace. 🤭
I absolutely loved how Claire started out and ended this story for her daughter! As Claire took a stroll down memory lane we got a look into the life of the 1960’s… as this is based on a true person… you must check out @sisterstardustt Instagram page! The photos Jane has collected of Talitha Getty are amazing…I stalk it on a regular basis. 🤫🤫🤫
Thank you so much Jane for letting us all into Talitha’s life. It was fun, intriguing and terrifying at times as Talitha pushed the drugs,sex and rock n roll to the limits.. and beyond.❤️
January 20, 2022
Claire is a young woman living at home in a small town in 1960’s England. It isn’t the ideal living arrangement since she has never gotten along with her stepmother and yearns for her independence. She seeks the excitement that London offers based on stories from her older brother about the nightlife and meeting famous musicians.
After a fight with her stepmother, Claire is kicked out and decides to move to London where she quickly embraces the local nightlife. Through a series of events, Claire ends up traveling to Morocco with friends to stay at the palace of the super-wealthy John Paul Getty, Jr. Getty’s wife, Talitha, is notorious for hosting huge parties and where glamorous people mingle. At first, Claire is unsure of herself, the Getty’s, and the unusual setting. Quickly, these worries vanish as a deep friendship forms with Talitha and she becomes privy to her secrets. As time goes by and troubling situations develop, Claire will have to decide if her new friends and lifestyle is an improvement from her humble roots.
Sister Stardust by Jane Green was an engaging and wonderful novel. I enjoyed being transported back in time and being introduced to the Getty’s. The characters and plots are all wonderfully integrated. I impatiently wait for another book in this genre from Jane Green.
After a fight with her stepmother, Claire is kicked out and decides to move to London where she quickly embraces the local nightlife. Through a series of events, Claire ends up traveling to Morocco with friends to stay at the palace of the super-wealthy John Paul Getty, Jr. Getty’s wife, Talitha, is notorious for hosting huge parties and where glamorous people mingle. At first, Claire is unsure of herself, the Getty’s, and the unusual setting. Quickly, these worries vanish as a deep friendship forms with Talitha and she becomes privy to her secrets. As time goes by and troubling situations develop, Claire will have to decide if her new friends and lifestyle is an improvement from her humble roots.
Sister Stardust by Jane Green was an engaging and wonderful novel. I enjoyed being transported back in time and being introduced to the Getty’s. The characters and plots are all wonderfully integrated. I impatiently wait for another book in this genre from Jane Green.
September 9, 2022
Sister Stardust by Jane Green..First if you are in recovery. There are lots of triggers. I was triggered all over the place. Lots of hallucinogens, LSD, Hashish, Opium, Cocaine, Marijuana, other substances I have not heard of. The late 60's and 70's is my era. 80's picked up everything I missed from 60/70's. I partook in all of the above and still have fond dreamy memories. But CeCe resonated with me the most. Wanting to just fit in. The drama and chaos of being young and dreamy. Wanting to be loved and accepted. The tragedy of watching precious friends die. My crowd wasn't wild and glamorous. It goes to show now matter what your lifestyle is. Everyone wants the same. There are certain groups that just love and accept. There is always the one that comes in to save the day. Or the tragic circumstance that almost destroys our lives. I loved this book. Almost as much as I loved Mary Jane. It just took me back. So far back. At 55, it is all memories now. Wonderful memories that made me smile, cry and feel that complete acceptance for who I was.
If anyone has suggestions about books such as Sister Stardust or Mary Jane. Please comment below ❤️
If anyone has suggestions about books such as Sister Stardust or Mary Jane. Please comment below ❤️
January 12, 2022
Claire the narrator, is going through some items in her attic with her grown daughter when she decides. to tell Tally about her past. As the self-described pudgy country mouse from Dorset, Claire is thrown out of the house by her evil stepmother, and goes to London to find work. It is the swinging sixties, and she wants more than her village life offers. Her goal is to get thin and find a job, and she does both. A chance meeting with John, who is friends with rock musicians, continues her transformation into Cece. She finds herself headed for Morocco with her new friends, and winds up at the home of the beautiful Talitha, and her husband, Paul Getty. She adores this new life, constant partying with unlimited drugs, alcohol and sex , but then some really disturbing things happen, and she has to make some serious decisions about her future. Green really brings this time period, the late 1960's and early 1970's, alive with Cece's first person narration, when sex, drugs, and rock and roll were really what it was all about for this privileged, wealthy group. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.
April 2, 2022
When newly widowed Claire finds her box of memories from the 1960s, she recalls a magical and tragic time that had changed her forever. She decides to share her story with her daughter. In 1966, having viewed herself as a sheltered “country mouse” raised in Dorset, Claire escapes her difficult homelife and moves to London hoping to reinvent herself. London had emerged from the dark, post-war period and was filled with a young generation wearing wild, colorful mod clothing listening to fabulous music from bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Claire gets involved in the local music scene and finds herself whisked away to Marrakesh, Morocco. Her new group of friends bring her to the palatial home of Paul Getty, son of American oil magnate J. Paul Getty, and his wife Talitha, and enclave of musicians, models and fashion designers. The couple embraces Claire (now called Cece) and exposes her to a glamorous and decadent lifestyle that is both alluring and dangerous.
While Sister Stardust is author Jane Green’s twenty-first novel, it is her first work of historical fiction. And what a great era to write about. Green includes many famous, real-life people into Claire’s fictional story including the fascinating Talitha Getty. I was fully immersed in this book, which showed a period of major change in society with the emergence of the sexual revolution and a counterculture filled with free-thinking and drugs. The book brings together the fun as well as the dark side of the Swinging Sixties. Green truly captured its spirit. Whether you lived through this period or not, I recommend this dazzling trip back in time.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press | Harlequin Trade Publishing | Harper Collins for the opportunity to read Sister Stardust in advance of its April 5, 2022 publication. Now if only I could stop singing Crosby, Stills and Nash’s “Marrakesh Express”.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
While Sister Stardust is author Jane Green’s twenty-first novel, it is her first work of historical fiction. And what a great era to write about. Green includes many famous, real-life people into Claire’s fictional story including the fascinating Talitha Getty. I was fully immersed in this book, which showed a period of major change in society with the emergence of the sexual revolution and a counterculture filled with free-thinking and drugs. The book brings together the fun as well as the dark side of the Swinging Sixties. Green truly captured its spirit. Whether you lived through this period or not, I recommend this dazzling trip back in time.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press | Harlequin Trade Publishing | Harper Collins for the opportunity to read Sister Stardust in advance of its April 5, 2022 publication. Now if only I could stop singing Crosby, Stills and Nash’s “Marrakesh Express”.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
April 22, 2022
This was a transportive tale full of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.
Admittedly, I almost DNF'd this novel after the first few chapters. I am so glad I stuck with it because once the novel flashed back to the 1960s, I was completely enthralled.
Claire gets kicked out of her house by her stepmother when she is 19 years old. Ready for a new beginning, Claire moves to London and starts working in one of the fancy department stores. Convinced she won't be able to lead her best life until she loses some weight, Claire starts the yogurt diet and transforms herself into a beautiful and stylish London butterfly.
On the way to a party one evening with a girlfriend, Claire meets John who nicknames her Cece, claiming Claire is too plain for her. John brings Cece into his world of celebrities and musicians and suddenly, Cece is living the life she's always dreamed of. Traveling to Morocco with rockstars and groupies, Cece embraces her new world and gives in to experiencing life to the fullest.
This book gave me Almost Famous vibes. It was sensual and poetic and the imagery Green created while Cece was in Morocco was absolutely incredible. Though the tale felt far fetched as a whole, the relationships Cece built and the individual characters felt so real. I loved how flawed and human even the biggest celebrities were and how small the world felt with everyone jet setting around the world to spend time abroad. The wealth and opulence Green described was truly magical and otherworldly.
Cece was an interesting character. I was happy the obsession with her weight and diet was fairly short lived and wasn't discussed once we got into the meat of the story. It was a bit of negative that all of Cece's dreams seemed to have come true once she lost weight and I think more could have been done for positive body image but all in all, this was a romantic and wild read and one I am definitely glad I picked up!
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.
Admittedly, I almost DNF'd this novel after the first few chapters. I am so glad I stuck with it because once the novel flashed back to the 1960s, I was completely enthralled.
Claire gets kicked out of her house by her stepmother when she is 19 years old. Ready for a new beginning, Claire moves to London and starts working in one of the fancy department stores. Convinced she won't be able to lead her best life until she loses some weight, Claire starts the yogurt diet and transforms herself into a beautiful and stylish London butterfly.
On the way to a party one evening with a girlfriend, Claire meets John who nicknames her Cece, claiming Claire is too plain for her. John brings Cece into his world of celebrities and musicians and suddenly, Cece is living the life she's always dreamed of. Traveling to Morocco with rockstars and groupies, Cece embraces her new world and gives in to experiencing life to the fullest.
This book gave me Almost Famous vibes. It was sensual and poetic and the imagery Green created while Cece was in Morocco was absolutely incredible. Though the tale felt far fetched as a whole, the relationships Cece built and the individual characters felt so real. I loved how flawed and human even the biggest celebrities were and how small the world felt with everyone jet setting around the world to spend time abroad. The wealth and opulence Green described was truly magical and otherworldly.
Cece was an interesting character. I was happy the obsession with her weight and diet was fairly short lived and wasn't discussed once we got into the meat of the story. It was a bit of negative that all of Cece's dreams seemed to have come true once she lost weight and I think more could have been done for positive body image but all in all, this was a romantic and wild read and one I am definitely glad I picked up!
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.
November 23, 2022
OK, I keep trying to think of a nicer way to say this, but I give up. This book is a pile of hot garbage.
So much unnecessary filler! I could not care less about name dropping and celebrity stories from the 60s she kept putting in here... clearly to get the page count up. And random recipes? And history lessons? What the what?
Terribly boring story where nothing was believable, one-dimensional characters, and mediocre writing.
So much unnecessary filler! I could not care less about name dropping and celebrity stories from the 60s she kept putting in here... clearly to get the page count up. And random recipes? And history lessons? What the what?
Terribly boring story where nothing was believable, one-dimensional characters, and mediocre writing.
May 16, 2022
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**3.5 stars**
Sister Stardust by Jane Green. (2022).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 30 March 2022**
From afar Talitha's life seemed perfect: a young, beautiful, famous model and actress, living in a palace in Marrakesh with her oil heir husband Paul. She presided over a swirling expat scene filled with music, art and free love. When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expected to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha. When she is caught up in an adventure to Marrakesh, the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamorous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever...
This novel is a fictional reimagining of Talitha Getty, a troubled woman who passed away at only 30 years old in 1971. I must admit to having never having heard of Talitha before, so this book sent me into a little Google/Wikipedia dark hole; I actually quite enjoy this as it means I get to learn a bit of history on top of enjoying a story. The book is from Claire's perspective: at the beginning Claire is a young woman who dreams of escaping her small town and getting to London; she manages to do so and somehow through a series of events she ends up in Morocco at Talitha and Paul Getty's palace with her new identity as Cece. What follows is a few crazy weeks of drugs, celebrities, drugs, exposure to sexual affairs, drugs, new experiences, violence, oh and did I mention drugs? It's a thrilling, dramatic and hedonistic adventure for Claire/Cece who gets her eyes opened real wide, all while she feels a deep connection to the charismatic Talitha...
Overall: if you are looking for an engaging holiday read, or something entertaining to escape into, consider this one.
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**3.5 stars**
Sister Stardust by Jane Green. (2022).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 30 March 2022**
From afar Talitha's life seemed perfect: a young, beautiful, famous model and actress, living in a palace in Marrakesh with her oil heir husband Paul. She presided over a swirling expat scene filled with music, art and free love. When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expected to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha. When she is caught up in an adventure to Marrakesh, the two become kindred spirits. But beneath Talitha's glamorous facade lurks a darkness few can understand. As their friendship blossoms, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever...
This novel is a fictional reimagining of Talitha Getty, a troubled woman who passed away at only 30 years old in 1971. I must admit to having never having heard of Talitha before, so this book sent me into a little Google/Wikipedia dark hole; I actually quite enjoy this as it means I get to learn a bit of history on top of enjoying a story. The book is from Claire's perspective: at the beginning Claire is a young woman who dreams of escaping her small town and getting to London; she manages to do so and somehow through a series of events she ends up in Morocco at Talitha and Paul Getty's palace with her new identity as Cece. What follows is a few crazy weeks of drugs, celebrities, drugs, exposure to sexual affairs, drugs, new experiences, violence, oh and did I mention drugs? It's a thrilling, dramatic and hedonistic adventure for Claire/Cece who gets her eyes opened real wide, all while she feels a deep connection to the charismatic Talitha...
Overall: if you are looking for an engaging holiday read, or something entertaining to escape into, consider this one.
October 27, 2021
It’s the 60’s, there is sex, drugs, and rock and roll; and it’s all beautifully written in lush detail by the incomparable Jane Green who has somehow written a book unlike anything else she’s ever delivered. I love Jane Green, but never expected this kind of book to be published with her name on it, and it’s just SO damn good. It’s page turning, it’s fun, it’s wild, it’s going to be, I predict, one of the sensations of the summer of 2022. It’s not coming out til April and I think a ton of buzz is going to build for this one....as Jane has outdone herself writing biographical fiction for the first time about the remarkable Talitha Getty, transporting us as readers to Morocco from the eyes of Claire, a young naive girl who quickly is opened up to a whole new world when she meets Talitha.
I loved it! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I loved it! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
June 19, 2022
Ok, I know I will probably be in the minority with this one. I'll start by saying I normally love Jane Green and was excited for this book. I googled a lot of interesting people from the 60s as a result of this novel and it was great seeing photographs and reading up on them a bit.
But, I just couldn't stand the main character. Even when Claire becomes Cece, a girl who became stick thin by eating only yogurt to feel pretty, grown up and accepted (and in just a few weeks lost so much weight and kept it off) she's just so boring. And it's just completely unrealistic that she jumped in the car with strangers, happened to have her passport, and took off on a jaunt to another country. I understand the 60s were different (the author tells us again and again), but come on.
Anyhow, she spends merely 3 weeks in a palace with famous people, does a lot of drugs, has a sort of threesome, OD's and witnesses a murder.
After 3 weeks, the "country mouse" from I believe Dorset went back to London because she couldn't handle the lifestyle. IMO, she kept repeatedly letting it be known that she was not secure and not cool yet she seemed to judge everyone she came into contact with, even though they all accepted her as a total stranger.
But she really wasn't part of this lifestyle. She was a hanger on for 3 weeks even though Paul kept telling her she wasn't, yet she stayed for free, wore free glamorous clothing from Talitha and then we find out at the end brought enough things back from Marakesh to practically redecorate her home, despite going there with no money.
And of course, she ironically had her self described, "best day ever," on the day Talitha died in Rome, after refusing to go on a free trip with Talitha to Rome for the weekend when she knew that Talitha, who she claims was the most amazing person she had ever known, told her she was not feeling well and also Cece had not responded to Talitha's letters for years because she was establishing her own life 🙄🙄
This book is a great idea but it just fell flat. I think it needed a different POV, perhaps someone who really was a part of the group. I also don't understand why a book touted as being about Talitha wouldn't even introduce her until halfway through the story.
Anyhow, Cece was just so unlikeable, it annoys me so much that Talitha would consider her to be like a sister. Unless your sister was self centered and hated you.
And don't even get me started as to why Benji would follow Cece anywhere and propose every month for four years while she "built her life," while living rent free at Benji's flat and worked in a job that he got for her...why these rock stars ever let Cece into their lives, however temporarily, is just beyond me.
But, I just couldn't stand the main character. Even when Claire becomes Cece, a girl who became stick thin by eating only yogurt to feel pretty, grown up and accepted (and in just a few weeks lost so much weight and kept it off) she's just so boring. And it's just completely unrealistic that she jumped in the car with strangers, happened to have her passport, and took off on a jaunt to another country. I understand the 60s were different (the author tells us again and again), but come on.
Anyhow, she spends merely 3 weeks in a palace with famous people, does a lot of drugs, has a sort of threesome, OD's and witnesses a murder.
After 3 weeks, the "country mouse" from I believe Dorset went back to London because she couldn't handle the lifestyle. IMO, she kept repeatedly letting it be known that she was not secure and not cool yet she seemed to judge everyone she came into contact with, even though they all accepted her as a total stranger.
But she really wasn't part of this lifestyle. She was a hanger on for 3 weeks even though Paul kept telling her she wasn't, yet she stayed for free, wore free glamorous clothing from Talitha and then we find out at the end brought enough things back from Marakesh to practically redecorate her home, despite going there with no money.
And of course, she ironically had her self described, "best day ever," on the day Talitha died in Rome, after refusing to go on a free trip with Talitha to Rome for the weekend when she knew that Talitha, who she claims was the most amazing person she had ever known, told her she was not feeling well and also Cece had not responded to Talitha's letters for years because she was establishing her own life 🙄🙄
This book is a great idea but it just fell flat. I think it needed a different POV, perhaps someone who really was a part of the group. I also don't understand why a book touted as being about Talitha wouldn't even introduce her until halfway through the story.
Anyhow, Cece was just so unlikeable, it annoys me so much that Talitha would consider her to be like a sister. Unless your sister was self centered and hated you.
And don't even get me started as to why Benji would follow Cece anywhere and propose every month for four years while she "built her life," while living rent free at Benji's flat and worked in a job that he got for her...why these rock stars ever let Cece into their lives, however temporarily, is just beyond me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2022
A number of times, I asked myself, “ And WHERE did I find this novel? WHY am I reading this?” Arrghhhh… The fly leaf and author reviews are quite intriguing and I was SO prepared to be intrigued and educated about Paul Getty’s exotic wife Talitha, their bohemian capers in Morocco during the 1960’s and the beautiful people attracted to them - BUT… I was bored. The history was primarily name dropping, dreamy re-creations of celeb write-ups, gushing travelogue descriptions of Morocco and the Getty’s eclectic fashions. The narrative was primarily linear, with “Cece”, the main character breathlessly recounting the tale of danger, drugs and indulgence as though it was a grand awakening.
The novel did motivate me to research the names which were dropped, to fill in the very big holes which the novel dug open around them… I simply didn’t know enough about Marianne Faithfull with Mick Jagger or Brian Jones or Bill Willis to appreciate them being woven into the fiction.
The reader initially meets Claire, a mature demure woman, going through her attic with her daughter Tally who knows her mother as a conservative and proper person. The trunk, the hidden away treasures…. Oh, teehee. (Who was Claire, I wondered, in this history? Was she real? Turned out, I would simply wonder about everything until I finished the book and could check who was who… and then again, I probably didn’t sufficiently research the British landed gentry…).
I like historical fiction. I love well structured, well researched, “living” historical fiction. “Sister Stardust” has some history, yes, but oh boy… So blurred.
The era is evoked. The fashion is described. There are fictional romances.
However, I have to disagree with author Jane Green’s assessment that “for that short period of time, in the late nineteen sixties, we learned what it was to be truly alive.” ? Suicides, overdoses, heroin addiction, drug smuggling, wife beating, possible murders, infidelity, jealousy, mental illness and Rock and Roll were all part of that “ life”. Journalists reportedly described the Gettys as “ The Beautiful and the Damned”.
I now know more… just barely. Pass on this one… barely 2.0
The novel did motivate me to research the names which were dropped, to fill in the very big holes which the novel dug open around them… I simply didn’t know enough about Marianne Faithfull with Mick Jagger or Brian Jones or Bill Willis to appreciate them being woven into the fiction.
The reader initially meets Claire, a mature demure woman, going through her attic with her daughter Tally who knows her mother as a conservative and proper person. The trunk, the hidden away treasures…. Oh, teehee. (Who was Claire, I wondered, in this history? Was she real? Turned out, I would simply wonder about everything until I finished the book and could check who was who… and then again, I probably didn’t sufficiently research the British landed gentry…).
I like historical fiction. I love well structured, well researched, “living” historical fiction. “Sister Stardust” has some history, yes, but oh boy… So blurred.
The era is evoked. The fashion is described. There are fictional romances.
However, I have to disagree with author Jane Green’s assessment that “for that short period of time, in the late nineteen sixties, we learned what it was to be truly alive.” ? Suicides, overdoses, heroin addiction, drug smuggling, wife beating, possible murders, infidelity, jealousy, mental illness and Rock and Roll were all part of that “ life”. Journalists reportedly described the Gettys as “ The Beautiful and the Damned”.
I now know more… just barely. Pass on this one… barely 2.0
December 23, 2021
Since I was a teen during the 1960s and coveted everything British, including clothes from Carnaby Street, long blonde hair with bangs and Paul McCartney, this wonderful novel set smack-dab in the grooviest and coolest time period in history (at least MY history) really resonated and brought back many memories. I knew nothing about the charismatic Talitha Getty but this novel featuring her life while she lived in Morocco was fascinating with an appealing cast of imaginary and real people.
Fans of DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid will devour this, and I also recommend this as a readalike for LADY SUNSHINE by Amy Mason Doan.
Publishing date is April 2022. Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
Fans of DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid will devour this, and I also recommend this as a readalike for LADY SUNSHINE by Amy Mason Doan.
Publishing date is April 2022. Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
April 7, 2022
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Described as glamourous and intoxicating by fellow bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sister Stardust is the latest novel from prolific writer Jane Green. Revolving around a real-life figure with a colourful life story, Sister Stardust follows the exploits of a young woman navigating life in the fascinating swinging sixties period. Revealing, addictive and immersive, Sister Stardust is a great escapist style read.
Sister Stardust introduces Talitha Getty, a twenty something who lives a life of glamour and excess thanks to her work as a model. When Talitha makes the move from her London base to Marrakesh with her husband, she is exposed to another luxurious world involving art, culture, independent love and music. Talitha’s new life in Marrakesh is a sign of the times, the world is changing and with it, the lifestyles of many have altered. When a young woman named Claire encounters Talitha Getty, her life is irrevocably changed. Claire is drawn to Talitha and she joins her in Marrakesh, embarking on a new life path, which is defined by experimentation and risk. The bond between Talitha and Claire grows in Marrakesh, but it is threatened by Talitha’s suspect life choices. Claire’s life will never be the same again after Talitha’s influence bears down on her heavily. Sister Stardust is a compulsive read that transports the reader to a time in our not-too-distant past, exposing a period of great upheaval and hedonism.
Since my first experience of Jane Green’s writing as a late teen with the novel Bookends, I have followed and enjoyed many stories by this well-known author. With a long and impressive back list, it is great to see Jane Green expand her repertoire and produce a work of modern historical fiction. Sister Stardust was a colourful tale.
What I appreciated about Sister Stardust was the placement of Talitha Getty, a real-life figure in this fictional conglomeration. This actress, socialite and model lived a life of excess and she ultimately paid the price for her indulgences, dying of a heroin overdose at just thirty years old. This style icon is a really interesting figure to insert into a work of modern historical fiction. I think Jane Green has researched Getty well and brought her to life very vividly on the pages of Sister Stardust. I know I was inspired to do some extra reading on Talitha Getty after reading Green’s book.
The other central character of this tale is Claire, who is the kind of underdog of this story as it is Talitha Getty who seems to take full stage. Claire was a great character to follow, but I didn’t always agree with her choices and decisions. However, I think this was very much in keeping with the overall feel of the era. Therefore, I feel that Green managed to capture the true essence of the swinging sixties. With references to popular music figures, celebrities, stylists and more included in Sister Stardust, this is a faithful portrayal of a bygone era. The movement from London to Marrakesh is handled well and the brilliance of this location setting is expressed with passion by the author.
If you like a good celebrity tale and you are keen to learn more about life in the swinging sixties, Sister Stardust is calling your name.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Described as glamourous and intoxicating by fellow bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sister Stardust is the latest novel from prolific writer Jane Green. Revolving around a real-life figure with a colourful life story, Sister Stardust follows the exploits of a young woman navigating life in the fascinating swinging sixties period. Revealing, addictive and immersive, Sister Stardust is a great escapist style read.
Sister Stardust introduces Talitha Getty, a twenty something who lives a life of glamour and excess thanks to her work as a model. When Talitha makes the move from her London base to Marrakesh with her husband, she is exposed to another luxurious world involving art, culture, independent love and music. Talitha’s new life in Marrakesh is a sign of the times, the world is changing and with it, the lifestyles of many have altered. When a young woman named Claire encounters Talitha Getty, her life is irrevocably changed. Claire is drawn to Talitha and she joins her in Marrakesh, embarking on a new life path, which is defined by experimentation and risk. The bond between Talitha and Claire grows in Marrakesh, but it is threatened by Talitha’s suspect life choices. Claire’s life will never be the same again after Talitha’s influence bears down on her heavily. Sister Stardust is a compulsive read that transports the reader to a time in our not-too-distant past, exposing a period of great upheaval and hedonism.
Since my first experience of Jane Green’s writing as a late teen with the novel Bookends, I have followed and enjoyed many stories by this well-known author. With a long and impressive back list, it is great to see Jane Green expand her repertoire and produce a work of modern historical fiction. Sister Stardust was a colourful tale.
What I appreciated about Sister Stardust was the placement of Talitha Getty, a real-life figure in this fictional conglomeration. This actress, socialite and model lived a life of excess and she ultimately paid the price for her indulgences, dying of a heroin overdose at just thirty years old. This style icon is a really interesting figure to insert into a work of modern historical fiction. I think Jane Green has researched Getty well and brought her to life very vividly on the pages of Sister Stardust. I know I was inspired to do some extra reading on Talitha Getty after reading Green’s book.
The other central character of this tale is Claire, who is the kind of underdog of this story as it is Talitha Getty who seems to take full stage. Claire was a great character to follow, but I didn’t always agree with her choices and decisions. However, I think this was very much in keeping with the overall feel of the era. Therefore, I feel that Green managed to capture the true essence of the swinging sixties. With references to popular music figures, celebrities, stylists and more included in Sister Stardust, this is a faithful portrayal of a bygone era. The movement from London to Marrakesh is handled well and the brilliance of this location setting is expressed with passion by the author.
If you like a good celebrity tale and you are keen to learn more about life in the swinging sixties, Sister Stardust is calling your name.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
March 27, 2022
Sister Stardust was a book I just had to read. As an avid crime and thriller reader, this was a nice change of pace and genre for me, I love books set in the 50's and 60's - era's of big changes in the world. Women finally had more freedom and music was life. This book had me captivated from the very being until the end, the lifestyles of the rich and famous an escape from the real world for a few hours.
This is the story of a young girl from a small town in Dorest, England in the 1960's Claire longs for a more exciting life, the big lights and rockstars in London calling her. When she finally gets there she find herself mixing with the celebrities and finally becoming the girl she dreamed of being. On a very drugged induced night, Claire (now known as Cece) ends up on a plane to Marrakesh to the home of fashion icon, Talitha Getty. Something about Talitha mesmerizes Cece and she finds herself spending nights taking drugs, eating incredible food and learning alot about life.
Her dream life isn't always she imagined though, these people have tough lives, despite how it appears in the papers and magazines. Years later when she tells her adult daughter the story, all those feelings and emotions come back to her.
A wonderful coming of ages story that just has to be read.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me this advanced copy to read. Published in Australia March 30th
This is the story of a young girl from a small town in Dorest, England in the 1960's Claire longs for a more exciting life, the big lights and rockstars in London calling her. When she finally gets there she find herself mixing with the celebrities and finally becoming the girl she dreamed of being. On a very drugged induced night, Claire (now known as Cece) ends up on a plane to Marrakesh to the home of fashion icon, Talitha Getty. Something about Talitha mesmerizes Cece and she finds herself spending nights taking drugs, eating incredible food and learning alot about life.
Her dream life isn't always she imagined though, these people have tough lives, despite how it appears in the papers and magazines. Years later when she tells her adult daughter the story, all those feelings and emotions come back to her.
A wonderful coming of ages story that just has to be read.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me this advanced copy to read. Published in Australia March 30th
April 24, 2022
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Sister Stardust by Jane Green was magical, it transported me to the swinging sixties era, glamour, rock stars, fashion designers, psychedelic drugs, free love and a luxurious palace in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh where artists hang out, including the Rolling Stones. I couldn’t put it down! What an eye opener!
Sister Stardust is based on a real life figure named Talitha Getty who was a socialite, model, actress and style icon of the 1960’s.
Claire is growing up in Dorset England, she doesn’t get along with her stepmother and yearns for a more exciting life in London where all the famous people are. After being kicked out of home she takes the opportunity to head for London.
Claire is young and somewhat naive, her first night sees her sleeping on the streets but she manages to find a job in a department store that provides her a hostel to live in. She’s finding it lonely and has no real friends in London.
A chance encounter with a man named Johnny changes her life forever as he introduces her to a world of glamour, rock & roll and an unplanned trip to Marrakesh to stay at a palace.
Claire meets her spellbinding host Talitha Getty and they become extremely close, kindred spirits you could say as she’s swept away with Tabithas’ magnetic charm. Talithas’ husband Paul is an oil heir and Talitha lives her life to excess, she loves surrounding herself with people and drug induced partying at their palace.
Claire is enjoying the glamorous lifestyle but under all the glitter is darkness and soon tragedy!
I loved the atmospheric essence of Marrakesh and enjoyed Claire’s exploits as she discovered the world outside of her hometown.
Everything about this book was captivating, the swinging sixties era certainly provides for a fascinating story.
Publication date 30 March 2022
Publisher Harlequin Australia
Thank you so much Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to be mesmorised by this book!
Sister Stardust by Jane Green was magical, it transported me to the swinging sixties era, glamour, rock stars, fashion designers, psychedelic drugs, free love and a luxurious palace in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh where artists hang out, including the Rolling Stones. I couldn’t put it down! What an eye opener!
Sister Stardust is based on a real life figure named Talitha Getty who was a socialite, model, actress and style icon of the 1960’s.
Claire is growing up in Dorset England, she doesn’t get along with her stepmother and yearns for a more exciting life in London where all the famous people are. After being kicked out of home she takes the opportunity to head for London.
Claire is young and somewhat naive, her first night sees her sleeping on the streets but she manages to find a job in a department store that provides her a hostel to live in. She’s finding it lonely and has no real friends in London.
A chance encounter with a man named Johnny changes her life forever as he introduces her to a world of glamour, rock & roll and an unplanned trip to Marrakesh to stay at a palace.
Claire meets her spellbinding host Talitha Getty and they become extremely close, kindred spirits you could say as she’s swept away with Tabithas’ magnetic charm. Talithas’ husband Paul is an oil heir and Talitha lives her life to excess, she loves surrounding herself with people and drug induced partying at their palace.
Claire is enjoying the glamorous lifestyle but under all the glitter is darkness and soon tragedy!
I loved the atmospheric essence of Marrakesh and enjoyed Claire’s exploits as she discovered the world outside of her hometown.
Everything about this book was captivating, the swinging sixties era certainly provides for a fascinating story.
Publication date 30 March 2022
Publisher Harlequin Australia
Thank you so much Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to be mesmorised by this book!
April 18, 2022
Fun + entertaining + wholly original ✌🏻🌈🌼 Everyone knows the swinging 60’s was all about sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. Now thanks to Jane Green.. add to it.. the bedazzling socialite and life of EVERY party, Talitha Getty, befriending a little church mouse named Claire.. aka Cece. It’s not so hard to guess how this friendship will turn out, nor how deep Cece will go to be included, but I had so much fun getting there. What an interesting life, but thankful not mine! And believe it or not.. this is based on a true story too. Read it and you too will do a deep dive on Google about this little known socialite. SISTER STARDUST.. a groovy and fun, time-traveling escape to another era!
April 13, 2023
Sister Stardust is about one woman's early adult life in 1960s London. It's based on a true story full of famous musicians of the time, and encapsulates how they lived.
July 25, 2023
4/5
perfectă pentru fanii romanului Cei șapte soți ai lui Evelyn Hugo!!
perfectă pentru fanii romanului Cei șapte soți ai lui Evelyn Hugo!!
June 21, 2022
I’ll be honest - this book just wasn’t for me in a lot of ways. I didn’t know much about it initially, and as I started to dig in, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to enjoy it.
That being said, I just don’t feel like anything happened in this book. I couldn’t tell you what the plot was. The entire book felt like a big name-drop, which if you’re unfamiliar with a lot of 60s culture like me, it’s not going to mean much to you and I’m left confused about which characters were real and which were fictional. Googling helped where I cared. 😉 If the goal was just to give a snapshot of what life was like in the 60s, maybe it works? However much of it felt entirely unrealistic and more like a fever dream you have of hanging out with rock stars…
Additionally, the form of the storytelling wasn’t working for me. Was Claire/Cece telling the story to her daughter?? Weird. Was she talking to us directly (I swear she addresses the reader at one point)?? Also weird. I don’t know, but it was a strange construct with her looking back, telling how things were going to turn out in the future for certain characters while still in the midst of the story. I didn’t like it.
Definitely would not recommend.
That being said, I just don’t feel like anything happened in this book. I couldn’t tell you what the plot was. The entire book felt like a big name-drop, which if you’re unfamiliar with a lot of 60s culture like me, it’s not going to mean much to you and I’m left confused about which characters were real and which were fictional. Googling helped where I cared. 😉 If the goal was just to give a snapshot of what life was like in the 60s, maybe it works? However much of it felt entirely unrealistic and more like a fever dream you have of hanging out with rock stars…
Additionally, the form of the storytelling wasn’t working for me. Was Claire/Cece telling the story to her daughter?? Weird. Was she talking to us directly (I swear she addresses the reader at one point)?? Also weird. I don’t know, but it was a strange construct with her looking back, telling how things were going to turn out in the future for certain characters while still in the midst of the story. I didn’t like it.
Definitely would not recommend.
October 17, 2021
Claire grew up in a small town in the 1960’s. As she approaches adulthood she desperately wants to experience more than what her home town has to offer. Clair is offered a chance to go live in Morocco, a place that famous artists and musicians are now frequently visiting. Once arriving, Claire is quickly pulled into a scene of music, drugs, and communal living. Will Claire survive this lifestyle?
Jane Green tells a biographical fiction story involving the infamous Talitha Getty. The journey of fictional character, Claire, is told in such detail that you can immediately connect with her. This was a great book, but be prepared for some emotional roller coaster moments. This is something different for Jane Green, and I would say it is a complete success!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Jane Green tells a biographical fiction story involving the infamous Talitha Getty. The journey of fictional character, Claire, is told in such detail that you can immediately connect with her. This was a great book, but be prepared for some emotional roller coaster moments. This is something different for Jane Green, and I would say it is a complete success!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
March 26, 2022
This book brings you back to the fabulous 60s. This is a re-imagining of the life of the 60s socialite and model, Talitha Getty,band a coming of age novel. I didn't know about this family, or Talitha, but I had to do a bunch of googling while reading and definitely got pulled down the rabbit hole!
It starts with Claire, a young girl living in England who moves to London after an argument with her stepmother. There, she is involved in the partying and nightlife, and meets new friends.. She then travels to Morocco with them and starts to live the more free, and wild life. Talitha is known for the parties she has at her and her husband, Paul Gettys palace home. Claire, now known as Cece, ends up there. She loves this new life with all the music, musicians, models, drugs and sex. Cece and Talitha become bonded, and form a very close relationship, and she learns of things about Talitha that will change everything.
This includes real life characters, and well as other fictional characters. The setting of Morocco, and the life of the 60s was so entertaining to read about, and this story was so captivating. What a unique Historical fiction book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
It starts with Claire, a young girl living in England who moves to London after an argument with her stepmother. There, she is involved in the partying and nightlife, and meets new friends.. She then travels to Morocco with them and starts to live the more free, and wild life. Talitha is known for the parties she has at her and her husband, Paul Gettys palace home. Claire, now known as Cece, ends up there. She loves this new life with all the music, musicians, models, drugs and sex. Cece and Talitha become bonded, and form a very close relationship, and she learns of things about Talitha that will change everything.
This includes real life characters, and well as other fictional characters. The setting of Morocco, and the life of the 60s was so entertaining to read about, and this story was so captivating. What a unique Historical fiction book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
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March 7, 2022Jane Green just keeps getting better and better. What a delight this book was! Can’t wait to host her on my podcast to talk about it. You don’t want to miss this one! Pre-order it immediately!’
November 13, 2022
☆☆☆☆
Based on a true story that is gloomy, at times. This is one of the books that has been gathering dust on my bookshelf for too long. Although I’ve never heard of Talitha and Paul Getty, there were many famous characters that I did recognize.
Claire abruptly leaves home after an argument with her stepmother. She heads to London, young and naive, full of visions of adventure. Life doesn’t go as planned and she gets most of her education through the school of hard knocks. Then she meets a charming boy who introduces her to another world and unexpected opportunities.
She travels to Marrakesh and gets a taste of life with the rich and famous. She’s introduced to everything the infamous ’60s has to offer…drugs, wild parties, free love, famous musicians, and Talitha. She and Talitha form an instant connection that continues until Talitha’s premature death.
Jetting off to Morocco and other exciting places with Claire (who evolves into the mature and fashionable Cece) was exciting. The parties and risqué behavior were entertaining up to the point of deadly outcomes.
Thank you to HTP Books for providing a copy of this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#SisterStardust #JaneGreen #htpbooks #htpinfluencer #harlequintradepublishing #briannawodabek #netgalley #giftedARC #honestreview #howluckyami #ilovereviewingbooks #ilovereadingbooks #fortheloveofbooks #somanybookssolittletime #womenwhoread #womensfiction #readingintherockies #readwithme #readersofinstragram #bookstagrammer #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #cantstopreading #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecommendations #mustread #justfinishedreading
Based on a true story that is gloomy, at times. This is one of the books that has been gathering dust on my bookshelf for too long. Although I’ve never heard of Talitha and Paul Getty, there were many famous characters that I did recognize.
Claire abruptly leaves home after an argument with her stepmother. She heads to London, young and naive, full of visions of adventure. Life doesn’t go as planned and she gets most of her education through the school of hard knocks. Then she meets a charming boy who introduces her to another world and unexpected opportunities.
She travels to Marrakesh and gets a taste of life with the rich and famous. She’s introduced to everything the infamous ’60s has to offer…drugs, wild parties, free love, famous musicians, and Talitha. She and Talitha form an instant connection that continues until Talitha’s premature death.
Jetting off to Morocco and other exciting places with Claire (who evolves into the mature and fashionable Cece) was exciting. The parties and risqué behavior were entertaining up to the point of deadly outcomes.
Thank you to HTP Books for providing a copy of this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#SisterStardust #JaneGreen #htpbooks #htpinfluencer #harlequintradepublishing #briannawodabek #netgalley #giftedARC #honestreview #howluckyami #ilovereviewingbooks #ilovereadingbooks #fortheloveofbooks #somanybookssolittletime #womenwhoread #womensfiction #readingintherockies #readwithme #readersofinstragram #bookstagrammer #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #cantstopreading #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecommendations #mustread #justfinishedreading
March 29, 2022
I adored this book. What The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo did for the glamour of 1950s Hollywood, Sister Stardust does for the heady sex, drugs and rock and roll days of the 60s. Free love, Drug use, vibrant hippy vibe, harem pants and feather boas, floppy hats and beads. The decadent lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Claire has grown up in a small town in England. With a cruel and unkind stepmother and a crush on her brothers best friend, she longs for a better life. When Linda, her stepmother throws her out of the house she heads to London. By chance she happens to cross paths with Talitha Getty, and is soon swept into a glamorous time when they head to Marrakech with Talithas wealthy husband the oil baron Paul Getty. Claire spends her days rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Movie stars and rock gods, and experimenting with various pills and dope. It all seems exotic and Claire, now CeeCee, is determined to stay. But behind the facade of glitz and glamour is a sad lonely life lead by the hostess and her guests, while the famous, have dark murky sides that lead to irreversible consequences for many.
It’s a great book about an era I remember even if I was very young.
#SisterStardust #NetGalley
Claire has grown up in a small town in England. With a cruel and unkind stepmother and a crush on her brothers best friend, she longs for a better life. When Linda, her stepmother throws her out of the house she heads to London. By chance she happens to cross paths with Talitha Getty, and is soon swept into a glamorous time when they head to Marrakech with Talithas wealthy husband the oil baron Paul Getty. Claire spends her days rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Movie stars and rock gods, and experimenting with various pills and dope. It all seems exotic and Claire, now CeeCee, is determined to stay. But behind the facade of glitz and glamour is a sad lonely life lead by the hostess and her guests, while the famous, have dark murky sides that lead to irreversible consequences for many.
It’s a great book about an era I remember even if I was very young.
#SisterStardust #NetGalley
September 30, 2022
This is my overview Sister Stardust.
Claire a mousy overweight 18 year old girl finds herself bored with her life; nothing exciting ever happens in Dorset. She yearns for excitement. After a fight with her "wicked" stepmother and being rejected by her crush, she decides to move to London. This is her chance to really make something of herself. Once there, she miraculously manages to control her emotional eating ( only ever mentioned once in the beginning and again at the end) and goes on a yogurt diet. She sheds all of her excess weight and transforms into a beautiful girl (because you know thin = beautiful). From that point on, her life becomes a dream. Jobs that she would never have been considered for before are now available to her, she meets amazing people and has amazing adventures all because she is now beautiful. Her beauty and awesomeness even get her invited to stay with the Gettys in Marrakesh, Morocco, where she becomes weirdly obsessed with Talitha. During her visit with the Gettys, Claire discovers that she loves art and opera music almost as much as she loves drugs, oh yeah, and she could be bisexual if the right occasion should present itself. Due to a suspicious death the whole scene comes to an abrupt end. Claire and her famous friends part ways, never to be heard from again, except for the odd visits that Claire has with Paul and Talitha Getty back in London. Claire goes on to get an amazing job at a museum, once again because of her looks and of course excels. She also marries the boy that rejected her earlier.
This book was absolutely terrible. First of all the plot is absolutely ridiculous, not believable at all! The sex scenes were incredibly boring and the trivialization of drugs, drug abuse and drug overdose is irresponsible. I mean, who wouldn't go right back to taking drugs and getting drunk the same day they survived an overdose. According to Jane Green to really live life means to take an obscene amount of drugs and party so much that you barely make it out alive.
Claire a mousy overweight 18 year old girl finds herself bored with her life; nothing exciting ever happens in Dorset. She yearns for excitement. After a fight with her "wicked" stepmother and being rejected by her crush, she decides to move to London. This is her chance to really make something of herself. Once there, she miraculously manages to control her emotional eating ( only ever mentioned once in the beginning and again at the end) and goes on a yogurt diet. She sheds all of her excess weight and transforms into a beautiful girl (because you know thin = beautiful). From that point on, her life becomes a dream. Jobs that she would never have been considered for before are now available to her, she meets amazing people and has amazing adventures all because she is now beautiful. Her beauty and awesomeness even get her invited to stay with the Gettys in Marrakesh, Morocco, where she becomes weirdly obsessed with Talitha. During her visit with the Gettys, Claire discovers that she loves art and opera music almost as much as she loves drugs, oh yeah, and she could be bisexual if the right occasion should present itself. Due to a suspicious death the whole scene comes to an abrupt end. Claire and her famous friends part ways, never to be heard from again, except for the odd visits that Claire has with Paul and Talitha Getty back in London. Claire goes on to get an amazing job at a museum, once again because of her looks and of course excels. She also marries the boy that rejected her earlier.
This book was absolutely terrible. First of all the plot is absolutely ridiculous, not believable at all! The sex scenes were incredibly boring and the trivialization of drugs, drug abuse and drug overdose is irresponsible. I mean, who wouldn't go right back to taking drugs and getting drunk the same day they survived an overdose. According to Jane Green to really live life means to take an obscene amount of drugs and party so much that you barely make it out alive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2022
Sister Stardust transports you to another time where life is carefree, exhilarating and dangerous. 1960’s England was a unique time in history…moral was high, the World Cup was won, fresh new music from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones emerged, and London was the place to be.
Claire leaves her small town for the big city, gets swept up by a new group of friends and lands at famous model, actress and socialite Talitha and wealthy oilman Paul Getty’s renovated palace in Marrakesh. With parties and a glamorous lifestyle, this new life in the fast lane for the small town girl is eye opening and intoxicating. Talitha Getty immediately becomes the mysterious and beautiful woman Claire, now dubbed Cece by her sophisticated friends, is drawn to and a deep friendship blooms…one not to be forgotten. Musicians, models, dancing, drugs and sex, along with the connection to her kindred spirit, Talitha and her own secrets weighs heavily on Cece as she figures out who she really is, and makes decisions that determine her fate and future.
In Sister Stardust, Jane Green beautifully tackles her first foray into historical fiction and takes us for a magical and hedonistic ride to a wild, fun and also dark place. I recommend this novel that elegantly transports you to a different time…if you are at all like me, you will be googling as you read to learn more about Talitha Getty, Paul McCartney, Brian Jones, Yves Saint Laurent and other famous guests who make an appearance at the exotic Moroccan palace! Author Q & A on https://booknationbyjen.com/2022/04/0...
Claire leaves her small town for the big city, gets swept up by a new group of friends and lands at famous model, actress and socialite Talitha and wealthy oilman Paul Getty’s renovated palace in Marrakesh. With parties and a glamorous lifestyle, this new life in the fast lane for the small town girl is eye opening and intoxicating. Talitha Getty immediately becomes the mysterious and beautiful woman Claire, now dubbed Cece by her sophisticated friends, is drawn to and a deep friendship blooms…one not to be forgotten. Musicians, models, dancing, drugs and sex, along with the connection to her kindred spirit, Talitha and her own secrets weighs heavily on Cece as she figures out who she really is, and makes decisions that determine her fate and future.
In Sister Stardust, Jane Green beautifully tackles her first foray into historical fiction and takes us for a magical and hedonistic ride to a wild, fun and also dark place. I recommend this novel that elegantly transports you to a different time…if you are at all like me, you will be googling as you read to learn more about Talitha Getty, Paul McCartney, Brian Jones, Yves Saint Laurent and other famous guests who make an appearance at the exotic Moroccan palace! Author Q & A on https://booknationbyjen.com/2022/04/0...
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