The Giver of Stars

As the library grows, it becomes more disorganized. Margery realizes that they need someone working on the books, but none of the four women currently working want to give up riding to stay indoors organizing. Margery gives her routes to Beth and heads to Hoffman Mining Company despite her reluctance. For Margery, “Hoffman was a vision of Hell” (81). It’s both a mining company and a town that has grown up around the mines; both destroy the beauty of the land. Margery visits Sven and asks for a black worker named William Kenworth, intent on speaking to William’s sister. Sven informs her that William suffered a leg injury in the mines. Sophia, though she left for Louisville some time ago, has returned to look after him.

Margery visits the Kenworths in Monarch Creek. Sophia and Margery have a good history. Although Margery’s father forbade her from going to school, Sophia and her mother allowed Margery to read their books; Margery owes her education to them. She greets the Kenworths warmly, making small talk about the growing union unrest, then finally asks Sophia if she’ll work at the library. Sophia politely reminds her that it’s a white library, where she won’t be welcome (Sophia worked in a colored library in Louisville), but Margery assures her that she’ll be safe and receive payment for her services. Sophia says she’ll think about it, and Margery heads back to town.

Alice used to love having church dinners at home, but lately she detests them. When they have a dinner with Pastor McIntosh and his sister Pamela, she’s berated with questions about children. Pamela mentions how her sons now have children, and the wives are gearing up for more. Alice silently sulks as Mr. Van Cleve and the others joke about women disparagingly. Soon the conversation turns to her possibly harming her chances of having kids by all the horse riding she’s doing.

Alice, who resents that Bennett hasn’t touched her in months, reminds the table that Englishwomen ride and produce offspring without any trouble. When Pastor McIntosh mentions that he’s read a scientific article supporting the supposition that she’s harming her sex organs, Alice asks for the article, putting the pastor (and the others) in an awkward position. When she chokes up when defending herself—which, to the men, is a sign she’s being emotional—the pastor says he’ll pray for her during the next church service.

Bennett later scolds Alice for being so rebellious and emotional, then storms off when she again defends herself. His actions sadden Alice, who wonders “how she could be in a house full of people and also in the loneliest place on earth” (96).

The librarians feel the strain of their work, so for a welcome respite, Beth suggests that they have a party. She gets moonshine and, when she returns, they’re greeted by a newly arrived Sophia. Sophia takes stock of the library and immediately sets about putting things in order. She sets specific hours and says she will work with the door bolted to avoid potential racially motivated disruptions from the townsfolk. While Sophia works, Beth and the others pass around the moonshine and, after a short time, begin bonding. Izzy shocks everyone by singing beautifully, and Sophia joins her.

Margery notices Alice’s sad demeanor, and when they go outside, Alice finally confides that Bennett hasn’t touched her. They haven’t consummated their marriage vows. Margery rushes into the library, then returns with a little blue book that the mountain women read to be better wives (sexually and otherwise). Alice is clearly embarrassed, and when Fred appears, she returns the book to Margery and rushes inside. Fred retrieves his gramophone and joins the party. The group later drives Sophia home for her safety, then drops off Alice. Margery tells Fred that “It’s been long enough” (108), suggesting that it’s time for him to move on.

Alice sits in Jim Horner’s cabin, a place that once frightened her, and listens to his daughters Millie and Mae read. Jim smiles proudly, mentioning how they’re smart like their mother. He then apologizes to Alice for being so rude during their first meeting. His wife had died recently, and he wasn’t sure how to deal with life. Smiling, Alice admits, “I think you’re doing just fine” (112). She underscores this by praising him for wanting to allow his daughters to attend Mrs. Beidecker’s school.

Though Mrs. Brady is admittedly shocked to learn that Sophia is working in the library, she admits Sophia does a great job and that library services are for “colored as well as white” (114). Margery doesn’t tell Mrs. Brady, however, about the library’s other secret: The library has been sending out anonymous letters, letting residents know their rights against Hoffman Mining Company and offering legal guidance. Meanwhile, Sven informs Mr. Van Cleve that his mines aren’t in compliance. Mr. Van Cleve attempts to show concern, but it’s obvious he doesn’t care.

The first frosts bring hog-slaughtering season and also a visit from a famous musician called Tex Lafayette. Though initially reluctant, Alice eventually agrees to go to the concert. Sophia can’t attend because she’s black, but Fred will swing back by afterward and take Sophia home to avoid trouble. On the way to the concert, a skunk sprays Alice. When she arrives, she sees Bennett, happy, with Peggy sweet-talking him. Fred finds her in the crowd and takes her to his place, where she bathes and changes into one of his wife’s dresses. It’s clear that there’s attraction between them, and he tries to talk about Bennett, but Alice wishes to go to avoid gossip.

Once outside, they notice the library door open, and when they enter, three drunken men are destroying property and calling Sophia derogatory names. Fred forces the men out, after getting violent with one of them.