Heart is a Star
A Novel
by Megan Rogers
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Pub Date 7 Jan 2025 | Archive Date 6 Jan 2025
Central Avenue Publishing | Central Avenue
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Description
Layla Byrnes is exhausted. She's juggling a demanding job as an anesthesiologist, a disintegrating marriage, her young kids, and a needy lover. And most particularly she's managing her histrionically unstable mother, who repeatedly threatens to kill herself.
But this year, it's different. When her mother calls just before Christmas, she doesn't follow the usual script. Instead, she tells Layla that there's something she needs to tell her about her much-loved father. In response, Layla drops everything to rush to her childhood home on the wild west coast of Tasmania. She's determined to finally confront her mother - and find out what really happened to her father - and lay some demons to rest.
The Heart is a Star is an engrossing, lyrical and powerfully absorbing novel about the complicated and beautiful messiness of midlife; about the ways in which we navigate an intricate, complicated world; and about how we can uncover our true selves when we are forced to face the myths that make us.
A Note From the Publisher
Booksellers & Librarians -- this book can be ordered via Simon & Schuster or whichever wholesaler you prefer. If you love it as much as we do, we'd love a nomination for IndieNext (due Oct 28) or LibraryReads
Advance Praise
"A riveting read; deeply, compellingly human, a brilliant exploration of how closely-held secrets and misunderstood moments in childhood undermine one woman’s lifelong ability to connect. With searing honesty and unflinching insight the painful truth slowly surfaces, upending her view of herself, her life, and the people she loves. It’s heart-wrenching, and in the end, completely, beautifully, liberating. I couldn’t put it down." — Lisa Cron, author of Wired for Story
The main draw of The Heart is a Star is the emotional complexity of the intimate relationships it portrays, the maturity of its protagonist, and the psychological intricacy of navigating revelations that change not only the present, but one’s own past.” — Sydney Morning Herald
“Absorbing, engrossing and brilliant.” —The Australian
“Every word contains multitudes of meaning. Steeped in thematic intensity, The Heart is a Star is a deeply engaging story about becoming un-numbed, letting go of illusion, and learning to become more human through the balance of emotion and logic.’”— Artshub
“Captivating … The Heart is a Star is a powerful novel with evocative and enticing language that will appeal to readers of Richard Flanagan and Holly Ringland. Rooted in feminine empowerment, Rogers’ debut is necessary and enthralling reading, and will stay with the reader long after the last page.” — Books+Publishing
“This book blew my socks off. The Heart is a Star is a combination of gorgeous, thoughtful prose, a deep family mystery and a meditation on what happens when we realize we’ve been steering ourselves (or have been steered by others) in the wrong direction.” — Hannah Richell, author of The Search Party
”Impressive in its structure, tension and sensitivity.” — Newtown Review of Books
“Tense, heartbreaking and crackling with vivid honesty – all those tiny, telling details that have you nodding with recognition and wanting to gulp the book in one rush of a sitting. I could not put this book down. A new star is born in the writing firmament.” — Nikki Gemmell, author of The Bride Stripped Bare
“A novel to treasure. Fragile, tender, honest, raw – and luminescent with hope.” – Mimi Kwa, author of House of Kwa
“Impressive … a compelling story told with sensitivity and intelligence.” – Lyn Yeowart, author of The Silent Listener
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781771683906 |
PRICE | CA$35.00 (CAD) |
PAGES | 288 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
The Heart is a Star is a powerful and beautifully written novel. It deals with a history of complicated family dynamics as well as life-altering betrayals. It is about longing, and forbidden relationships, and the cost of self-denial and secrecy. Yet, Megan Rogers manages to bring hope and a form of redemption for her characters. Highly recommended! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Pub Date: Jan 7, 2025.
#HeartIsAStar
#NetGalley
The Heart Is a Star is such a gorgeous gorgeous novel. There is truly something in here for everyone. It covers so many different topics on life, love, family. And so much more. I look forward to sharing a full review and thoughts very soon! Thank you very much for the opportunity. Inventions appreciate it and look forward to bringing it to readers. It is a story that will stick with them for a long time.
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