The Stars of Heaven by Jessica Dall

LibraryThing ER

August 18, 2020

Publisher digital request

Red Adept Publishing

Fiction, digital book, historical 

3.5/5

332 pages

12/18-12/21/20

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Red Adept Publishing and Library Thing ER in exchange for an unbiased review. 

 

This fictional story about the Lisbon earthquake on All Saints Day in 1755 seemed well researched with a strong beginning. Cecilia de Santa Rita e Durante is an impulsive and passionate protagonist who struggles to find equilibrium after she is separated from her family during the aftermath of the earthquake. She manages to find her way to her uncle Tio Aloisio house with the help of his business partner John Bates. 

 

Cecilia and Mr Bates form an unexpected and often contemptuous bond as the struggle to discover what has become of the people in Lisbon. She is desperate to find her sister Bibiana and brother Father Francisco Durante. During this time of the European Age of Enlightenment and the Portuguese Inquisition, Cecilia is pressured to make difficult decisions which question her religious beliefs. 

 

Her discussions with John Bates as an English Protestant provides her with new insight into controversial subjects she never once questioned.  She also learns to read and in a few languages which also awakes her curiosity to the world beyond Lisbon and the Church. Her uncle Tio seems to have a collection of banned books which only complicates and challenges her beliefs. 

 

The book felt much longer than it actually was to read. The middle part seemed to drag on with repetitive and and drab information. Once it neared the end then the plots began to progress with more interesting plots. The story of Cecilia and John is a focal point amidst the background of the disastrous tragedy. It was a disappointment for their connection to be severed for many chapters before he returns to complete the story. 

 

There are some devious and evil characters in history who play their part in deception and treacherous acts. While they added some direction I felt it lacked the structure to support the return of Mr Bates which seemed inevitable given the synopsis of the book from publisher. 

 

I enjoyed it but not as much as I would have liked. I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction as it did provide an interesting view of a little discussed piece of history.