Oh My Stars

A Novel

By: Lorna Landvik

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

I am convinced that at birth the cake is already baked. Nurture is the nuts or frosting, but if you’re a spice cake, you’re a spice cake, and nothing is going to change you into an angel food.

Tall, slender Violet Mathers is growing up in the Great Depression, which could just as well define her state of mind. Abandoned by her mother as a child, mistreated by her father, and teased by her schoolmates (“Hey, Olive Oyl, where’s Popeye?”), the lonely girl finds solace in artistic pursuits. Only when she’s hired by the town’s sole feminist to work the night shift in the local thread factory does Violet come into her name, and bloom. Accepted by her co-workers, the teenager enters the happiest phase of her life, until a terrible accident causes her to retreat once again into her lonely shell.

Realizing that she has only one clear choice, Violet boards a bus heading west to California. But when the bus crashes in North Dakota, it seems that Fate is having another cruel laugh at Violet’s expense. This time though, Violet laughs back. She and her fellow passengers are rescued by two men: Austin Sykes, whom Violet is certain is the blackest man to ever set foot on the North Dakota prairie, and Kjel Hedstrom, who inspires feelings Violet never before has felt. Kjel and Austin are musicians whose sound is like no other, and with pluck, verve, and wit, Violet becomes part of their quest to make a new kind of music together.

Oh My Stars is Lorna Landvik’s most ambitious novel yet, with a cast of characters whose travails and triumphs you’ll long remember. It is a tale of love and hope, bigotry and betrayal, loss and discovery–as Violet, who’s always considered herself a minor character in her own life story, emerges as a heroine you’ll laugh with, cry with, and, most important, cheer for all the way.©2005 Lorna Landvik; (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

Praise for Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

“Highly entertaining . . . almost as hard to put down [as] Mary McCarthy’s The Group.”
–The Seattle Times

“A lively story as delectable as a five-pound box of chocolates . . . a thoroughly engaging chronicle of friendship and the substantive place it holds in women’s lives.”
–Anne LeClaire, author of Leaving Eden

“It is impossible not to get caught up in the lives of the book group members. . . . Landvik’s gift lies in bringing these familiar women to life with insight and humor.”
–The Denver Post

“A guilty pleasure . . . This light, snappy read may be [Landvik’s] best yet.”
–Midwest Living magazine

"The Minneapolis author plunges fearlessly into sticky situations and uncomfortable truths in this atmospheric tale of a wounded soul on a journey of self-discovery in 1930s North Dakota."
-Minneapolis Star Tribune

Intriguing and emotional story with a happy ending

This book is quite different from Ms. Landvik's other stories, but I think it is one of her best. It will grab you from the beginning and keep you listening for hours. As the story moves back and forth in her life, you may find that you have many mixed opinions about the main character, Violet, but in the end you will cheer for her. Even a physically challenged, homely girl can have a charmed life! I loved this book and recommend it highly.

Great book.

My favorite of hers. Her charactors are fully developed and real. Great book to make you apprecate your life.

One of my favorites

I read this book years ago and decided to listen to it again. Excellent book.

Audio book didn't match Audible app

I very much enjoyed the story and the narration was excellent. However, the app showed 20 chapters, but the audio was actually 30 chapters. I often will stop playing a book at s chapter break, but could not because the timing and chapters were not in sync. Thus is the first time I've ever had this happen.

A Good listen from a great author

I thought "Oh My Stars" was very poinant and moving. There are lessons taught throughout this book that everyone needs to be reminded of. If you like Lorna Landvik you will love this book.