Review: The Promise of Stardust

The Promise of Stardust

By Priscille Sibley

Published: February 5, 2013

Matt Beaulieu was two years old the first time he held Elle McClure in his arms, seventeen when he first kissed her under a sky filled with shooting stars, and thirty-three when he convinced her to marry him. Now in their late 30s, the deeply devoted couple has everything-except the baby they've always wanted.

When an accident leaves Elle brain dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot bear the thought of life without her, he knows Elle was afraid of only one thing-a slow death. And so, Matt resolves to take her off life support.

But Matt changes his mind when they discover Elle's pregnant. While there are no certainties, the baby might survive if Elle remains on life support. Matt's mother, Linney, disagrees with his decision. She loves Elle, too, and insists that Elle would never want to be kept alive on machines. Linney is prepared to fight her son in court-armed with Elle's living will.

Divided by the love they share, Matt and Linney will be pitted against each other, fighting for what they believe is right, and what they think Elle would have wanted resulting in a controversial legal battle that will ultimately go beyond one family . . . and one single life.

My review:

The Promise of Stardust is a gut-wrenching story. There are no easy answers and the author does a good job of presenting both sides of the argument. The book shows both the current situation in the hospital and courtroom as well as the past and how Matt and Elle met and various key moments in their relationship. This helps the reader to get to know Elle as she is already in a coma at the beginning of the novel. 

Matt and Elle are the most well developed characters in the book though we also learn more about Linney and Elle's parents. Some of the other characters are not developed at all like Matt and Elle's siblings. This did not detract from the story however since it is Elle and Matt that take center stage and are most important. 

Overall I loved this book though there were some minor flaws. This is the sort of book that makes you think and feel strong emotions while reading.  It is both a beautiful (and tragic) love story and an exploration of parent/child relationships, death, and life. This book has been compared to Jodi Picoult's works and while it should appeal to her fans, I prefer The Promise of Stardust to any of Picoult's books I've read so far. It would make a great selection for book discussion groups.