The Giver of Stars

The novel’s title, The Giver of Stars, comes from a poem by Amy Lowell, which Fred shares with Alice in Chapter 9. The poem speaks of both the rest and the excitement that a person finds while spending time with a lover. After relaxing with a lover—“outstretched upon your peace, as on a bed of ivory”—and experiencing arousal—“that into my limbs may come the keenness of fire, the life and joy of tongues of flame”—the poem’s narrator goes into the world, feeling taut and in tune, ready to share the beauty begotten in those stolen moments.

As their love blossoms, Fred and Alice find these gifts with one another. At first, when he tells her to read the poem, Alice responds by seeking sexual fulfillment with Bennett. Their attempt at sex ends in disaster; eventually, Alice realizes that Fred, not Bennett, is her giver of stars. When he thinks Alice will return to England, Fred likens their relationship to watching fireflies (little stars themselves) in the evening. The fireflies are only there for a short while, but they are delightful, as is true love, no matter its longevity.

Fred and Alice aren’t the only ones who find romantic attachment and peace in their relationships. As the little blue book spreads about town, and as people devour the romance novels brought by the librarians, many couples rekindle their romances. As they move away from a view of women as submissive to men, both men and women can ask for—and receive—true emotional and sexual fulfillment. Thus, the librarians themselves become givers of stars to a community: Individuals find a deep satisfaction in love and partnership, which they then take into the world.