- Paperback: 160 pages
- Publisher: Vintage; New Ed edition (2 Jan 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0099425165
- ISBN-13: 978-0099425168
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.1 x 20 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,449,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Stars Can Wait
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More About the Author
Product Description
The Guardian
‘Classy…a moving story about one boy’s coming of age’
Marie Claire
‘A sensitive and moving tale’
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a small masterpiece, just 146 pages long. It is set near Katowice, just inside German-occupied Poland, in 1940 and 1941. The central figure is fifteen-year old Gracian Sofka. By day he works in the darkness of a German-run coal mine; but what gives meaning to his life is the sight of the starry heavens at night. His enchantment is enhanced when he is given a telescope, through which he discovers new dimensions and meanings not only in the heavens but on earth when he turns the instrument upon it. The meanings, however, though initially inspiring, will turn out to be far from comforting.
There is a close and touching relationship between Gracian and his largely taciturn and somewhat enigmatic brother Pawel, twelve years his senior. There are some mysteries about Pawel's past life, which will be revealed in due course; but they have little bearing on the tragic climax of the book at the end. A tragic end is hinted at early in the book. When it comes, it is not what the reader expects, but it is as perfectly crafted as is the rest of the book.
The language is simple, but poetic; and the descriptions and images are memorable.
There is a close and touching relationship between Gracian and his largely taciturn and somewhat enigmatic brother Pawel, twelve years his senior. There are some mysteries about Pawel's past life, which will be revealed in due course; but they have little bearing on the tragic climax of the book at the end. A tragic end is hinted at early in the book. When it comes, it is not what the reader expects, but it is as perfectly crafted as is the rest of the book.
The language is simple, but poetic; and the descriptions and images are memorable.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jay Basu's debut is a subtle magic that slowly but inexorably enfolds you in its deceptively fabulistic story - despite its brevity and straightforward language, there's a whole dark universe in there. Gripping and truly excellent.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jay Basu's first novel is lucid, sincere and concise - rare qualities in contemporary literature. It succeeds in both educating the reader about a little-known country's forgotten history, and touching you deeply without resort to sentimentality. The characterisation is superb, and the visual clarity which Jay brings to his prose is refreshing and vivid. I'm looking forward to his second novel already.
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