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The Sight of the Stars (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.01) - 364 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author Belva Plain beguiles us once again with a novel that explores the bonds that sustain families—and the lies that can shatter them forever. Sweeping through the pivotal events of twentieth-century America, The Sight of the Stars chronicles four generations of one remarkable family as they journey through years of love, loss, sacrifice, and unimaginable betrayal. Dressed in a brand-new suit, with one hundred and fifty dollars in his pocket, Adam Arnring says good-bye to his family and boards a train for the fabled West. The year is 1907. Adam is nineteen years old, a young man with stars in his eyes who has always dreamed of a future in the great open spaces of America. Now, far from his New Jersey home, he takes the first step toward attaining that dream, landing a job in a small department store in a booming Texas town. Here he meets a woman who excites him beyond all measure. The exquisite, untouchable Emma Rothirsch lives in a world whose doors are firmly closed to him. But Adam is a man willing to take great risks to get what he wants. One is Emma. The other is to build a lasting business enterprise that will live on through his children and grandchildren. But just when Adam’s dreams are within reach, fate intervenes. Tragedy strikes from the trenches of World War I, setting in motion a series of events that echo down through the years. The owner of a prospering department store and the head of a growing family, Adam succumbs to a moment of weakness that culminates in an unforgivable act of betrayal. And now, as another generation prepares to take its rightful place in the family’s legendary empire, the tenuous threads of the Arnrings’ past begin to unravel, revealing a shattering secret that reaches back nearly a century. Across a teeming canvas of history, through world wars and the close of a century, The Sight of the Stars tells a deeply affecting story of family and forgiveness, guilt and redemption. Brimming with the emotional depth and moral complexity we have come to expect from this incomparable storyteller, The Sight of the Stars is about what happens when we dare to dream, and the moments that can change families forever.
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"It started slowly and maintained a stately pace throughout, but I got attached to the characters by the end, and it ended up being one of those books you can't stop thinking about for days. It made me want to read more of Belva's books. "
— John (4 out of 5 stars)
The Sight of the Stars Listener Reviews
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" A nice story with a good plot. Not so full of twists and conflicts. Not the best book I've heard from her but still a good one. "
— Fernanda, 2/15/2014 -
" Following a family through many generations gives us a chance to understand misunderstanding, forgiveness. grudge, differences. Lessons taught in story form are always good. "
— Jan, 2/10/2014 -
" It was an ok book. It had a lot of sad twists to it, but it did redeem itself when it showed how true love, understanding and forgiveness can conquer all. "
— Kari, 2/3/2014 -
" Very good .... very sad. "
— Patti, 1/19/2014 -
" I enjoyed this rags-to-affluence story. The characters are well-developed, and the author made me care. I'd read another book by this author. "
— Lindsay, 1/12/2014 -
" I always enjoy Belva Plain books. "
— Humkeb, 12/31/2013 -
" I read the Readers Digest condensed version and it was good. Other reviews say it is slow in the middle but this one isn't! It is in the same volume as The Wedding and which I loved. "
— Vivian, 12/7/2013 -
" It started slowly and maintained a stately pace throughout, but I got attached to the characters by the end, and it ended up being one of those books you can't stop thinking about for days. It made me want to read more of Belva's books. "
— John, 11/22/2013 -
" My mom had finished this book while she was visiting and left it for me to read. This is much more my mom's kind of book -- I really couldn't get into it. "
— Tracy, 11/11/2013 -
" Typical Belva Plain book. Very enjoyable to read. "
— Ann, 8/26/2013 -
" It was a good story about life and how to forgive and move on with your life. Have read quite a few Belva Plain's books and have enjoyed them all. "
— Sandy, 6/8/2013 -
" I'm not sure I've read anything by Belva Plain before. I found the story interesting, but something about her writing style just didn't quite grab me. I'm not even sure what it was. "
— Carole, 5/21/2013 -
" predictable ending as are all her books "
— Missy, 3/18/2013 -
" An epic novel spanning about 70years beginning 1900. Family jealousies, romance, infidelity, blackmail, etc. An engrossing family saga. Belva always gives details that draw you in to the era and helps you learn history from a personal perspective. "
— Lynn, 3/2/2013 -
" My favorite of hers so far! "
— Rachel, 2/28/2013 -
" Bonus Book - April 2009 "
— The, 2/6/2013 -
" Boring,boring,boring... I only kept reading it because I was hoping it would get better. "
— Keri, 6/2/2012 -
" It was OK but nothing special! "
— Francene, 3/17/2012 -
" Predictable story about a family and its trials and successes. Does have a good message that you can't always know a person and his abilities. "
— Diane, 1/26/2012 -
" Time does pass really fast!! :( "
— ALeXi$, 6/12/2011 -
" I always enjoy Belva Plain books. "
— Humkeb, 6/9/2011 -
" A bit boring but sweet. Good for reading at bedtime. <br/>I haven't had to take a sleeping pill all week............ "
— Donna, 11/21/2010 -
" Time does pass really fast!! :( "
— ALeXi$, 7/9/2010 -
" Predictable story about a family and its trials and successes. Does have a good message that you can't always know a person and his abilities. "
— Diane, 4/29/2010 -
" My mom had finished this book while she was visiting and left it for me to read. This is much more my mom's kind of book -- I really couldn't get into it. "
— Tracy, 12/2/2008 -
" It was an ok book. It had a lot of sad twists to it, but it did redeem itself when it showed how true love, understanding and forgiveness can conquer all. "
— Kari, 11/15/2008 -
" An enjoyable read and could'nt put it down until I learned the fate of Blanche, Jonathan, Emma and especially Leo. <br/> <br/>What awesome characters and twisting plot. <br/> <br/>Downright good story. "
— Mom, 9/21/2008 -
" I read the Readers Digest condensed version and it was good. Other reviews say it is slow in the middle but this one isn't! It is in the same volume as The Wedding and which I loved. "
— Vivian, 7/8/2008 -
" It was a good story about life and how to forgive and move on with your life. Have read quite a few Belva Plain's books and have enjoyed them all. "
— Sandy, 4/6/2008 -
" Typical Belva Plain book. Very enjoyable to read. "
— Ann, 4/4/2008 -
" An epic novel spanning about 70years beginning 1900. Family jealousies, romance, infidelity, blackmail, etc. An engrossing family saga. Belva always gives details that draw you in to the era and helps you learn history from a personal perspective. "
— Lynn, 3/28/2008 -
" predictable ending as are all her books "
— Missy, 1/9/2008 -
" I enjoyed this rags-to-affluence story. The characters are well-developed, and the author made me care. I'd read another book by this author. "
— Lindsay, 1/7/2008
About Belva Plain
Belva Plain (1915–2010) was the author of more than a dozen bestselling novels with both period and contemporary settings and themes.
About David Pittu
David Pittu, a two-time Tony Award nominee, has narrated dozens of audiobooks, including Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, which earned two prestigious Audie Awards for best narration. He has also won three Earphones Awards. Well-known for his work in theater, he has appeared off-Broadway in LoveMusik and Is He Dead, for which he received his Tony nominations, as well as Parade, for which he earned a National Broadway Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He is also a writer, member, and director of the Atlantic Theater company.