Jane Green centers her novel about the Dutch model and actress Talitha Getty, wife of the famous oil heir, J. Paul Getty Jr. Their home in Marrakesh, Morocco, was a bustling center for rock stars like Mick Jagger, and Talitha Getty’s bohemian, counter culture style influenced 1960’s fashion. Her inventive outfits from the markets of Marrakesh combined with beautiful clothes from designer Yves Saint Laurent inspired countless women in the 60s and today who wear flowing gowns, embroidered fabrics, and knee-high boots in Talitha’s unique style.
Green’s use of a fictional narrator, Claire, to tell the story of Talitha’s rise and fall is an effective storytelling technique that builds suspense, even if you know what happened to Talitha in real life. The book begins as Claire tells her daughter about her friendship with Talitha, and their experiences with sex, drugs and partying.
Green excels in describing the lush menagerie of rock stars, fashionable clothes, amazing food, and flavors of Marrakesh. Tragically, the drug culture of the times permeated Talitha’s life. Green details the excessive drug abuse: “‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’ I sank down on a pile of floor cushions and accepted the joint Talitha handed to me, happy that this, at least, I knew how to do. I passed the joint to Eddie as Talitha put a vodka drink in my hand and held out a tray of sticky, dark balls, encouraging me to try one… ‘Mahjoun. Our chef makes it himself. It’s chocolate, honey, butter, dried fruits, nuts and spices. And, of course, an awful lot of kif…Hashish! That’s what it’s called here’.”
While reading Sister Stardust, I was transported to the hedonistic world that Green extensively researched. Green describes the time of extremes: “…There was so much chaos. There was so much magic, and beauty, and laughter, and joy, and darkness, and hedonism, but above all, chaos. Of course it was unsustainable. But for that short period of time, back in the late nineteen sixties, we learned what it was to be truly alive.”
The beauty and the tragedy of Talitha’s life in Sister Stardust raise questions about society’s expectations of women in contrast to contemporary times. I found this glimpse of history fascinating, as Talitha, in her troubled, short life influenced many people.

Jane Green has created another book with her trademark use of vivid description, interesting characters, and cohesiveness. Sister Stardust follows the heroine, Claire, through her transition from "country mouse" transplanted to London in the 1960’s, to a member of Talitha and Paul Getty’s inner circle, surrounded by celebrities and experience all that accompanies their lifestyle.
Absorbing this semi-factual tale takes some thoughtfulness. It’s not fluff ; it’s even deeper that Green’s usual stories. While the blurb is a bit deceptive in that it focuses more on the Gettys than on Claire and it is, in fact, Claire’s journey, it’s clear that her growth is deeply affected by her experience in the hedonism surrounding the Gettys, and Talitha in particular.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more time pondering that you might with other novels about an outsider’s reactions when they’re suddenly immersed in a glamorous new world, I highly recommend giving Sister Stardust a read.

I absolutely LOVE Jane Green's regular novels, so seeing that she tried her hand at historical fiction, I knew I had to try it out. And I was NOT disappointed. "Sister Stardust" covers the story of Talitha Getty, someone I knew almost nothing about before I started reading. I absolutely loved reading about the 1960s and could not put it down until I was done. I think this was definitely a hit.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but the second half did not hold my interest. I’m not really sure what the point of this book was, but it definitely seemed to romanticize the drug use and free love of the sixties. And anorexia, unfortunately. Ultimately negative consequences show up, but the protagonist’s memories remain mostly positive and without regret, so I wasn’t sure what to think. Even when she herself experiences something quite terrible, she shrugs it off as no big deal. The tragedies around her feel more like a bummer than devastating. It was a weird book, tonally, and I don’t recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I have been a Jane Green fan for several years, and I was very intrigued by the concept of this book, but I don't think it lives up to my expectations. There was so much potential that was unfulfilled, and I felt like more emphasis was put on filling in the begining of the story than the end. Thanks as always to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this title.

Sister Stardust takes Claire, a "regular girl from Dorset" and inserts her into the glamorous life of Talitha Getty for two unforgettable weeks during the 60's where parties and drugs were common and days-long. Beautifully descriptive of Marrakesh and the drug culture of the day.

Sex, drugs, rock and roll! Great for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six. Will definitely recommend it to TJR-loving patrons.

Being a woman of a certain age, this book really resonated with me. Of course, I didn't get the chance to hang out with the superstars of the day, as our protagonist does.
Green manages to capture the essence of the late 60s, early 70s when we felt the world was our oyster and we could do and be anything. Claire is such a down-to-earth character who is caught up in a whirlwind of sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. Leaving her home in Dorset, and reinventing herself in London, she exemplifies the freedoms of the time.

Sister Stardust
by Jane Green
Hanover Square Press
Publication Date; April 5, 2022
Thanks to the author, Hanover Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book at this time.
This is a tough review to write. I think this was 100% the wrong book at the wrong time. I started this book on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning we woke to the news that Russia had started war in Ukraine. I found myself in a book slump and had a hard time picking this one up, and when I did, it all just felt so frivolous. The drugs, the partying, the money, it just felt so unnecessary. Again, this book would usually be one I really enjoyed but unfortunately, it hit during a truly awful week.
3stars

After clashing with her step-mom, Cece leaves her small town for London. She lands a job in a department store, and begins transforming herself into a glamorous it girl. When she begins dating a music promoter, she quickly befriends a rock stars girlfriend and finds herself traveling with the band to Marrakesh. There she meets Talitha Getty, and finds herself in the midst of drugs and wild orgies.

This was a well written, engaging story. The characters were fascinating, almost hypnotic. The book was hard to put down, I found myself reading long into the night. The lifestyle of the rich and famous was absolutely crazy. With all of the attention, easy drugs, and risk taking, I see how they burn out quickly. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

While this is a good book - i was led to believe it was about Talitha Getty. While she was in it the book revolves around Claire - a young British girl awed by fashion, bands and drugs of the 60's. Having been a teenager about this time - I remember the fashion and music - but the drugs weren't as prevalent in everyone's lives as this book might lead some to believe! It was a fun read - if just for nostalgia's sake.

This is a tough review to write. I think this was 100% the wrong book at the wrong time. I started this book on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning we woke to the news that Russia had started war in Ukraine. I found myself in a book slump and had a hard time picking this one up, and when I did, it all just felt so frivolous. The drugs, the partying, the money, it just felt so unnecessary. Again, this book would usually be one I really enjoyed but unfortunately it hit during a truly awful week.

I don't know what I'm missing... I really did not like this book. I was hoping for a story full of awakening like Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau, but was disappointed. Toted as a novel inspired by the life of Talitha Getty, it was really about a young woman named Claire and how she floated into and out of Talitha's .orbit I would have much rather had the book been from Talitha's perspective.

Think Daisy Jones and the Six from the groupie perspective and with famous names flitting through—plus Morocco! An enjoyable read.

When Taylor Jenkins Reid gave it high praise, I knew I had to read it! This was a fun book. A longer review to follow when I am not swamped at work, but this book will surely be passed around like crazy this summer. I can't wait to suggest it to colleagues.

Sister Stardust is a different kind of novel from popular author Jane Green. Claire is packing up after her husband passed whiling away the rest of her life. When her beloved daughter Tally comes over to search the attic for supplies for a trip with friends, Claire opens a box full of items from her passes and is thrown down memory lane to a time in her youth. She moved to Morroco in the 60's where she is swept up into a world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Claire meets and is befriended by the fabulous Talitha Getty and is soon pulled into her orbit. As is usually the case, a series of dangerous events threaten to change Claire's life forever. I love the recent rise in fiction about rock and roll and days gone by. Sister Stardust is another superlative entry into this genre. Fans of Jane Green will be pleased as will anyone who enjoys books of this type. Many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read an ARC.

Claire spends her young adulthood dreaming of lifestyles of the famous in the big city. When she finally makes her way to London, she is shocked to find herself running in the same circle as musicians she has idolized for years. Desperate for adventure, she takes off to Marrakesh with her wild & crazy batch of new friends. It is here she is introduced to Talitha Getty and she quickly discovers that her life will never be the same. Horizons are broadened, innocence is lost, and a life-altering series of events unfold when she learns the lives of the rich & famous are sometimes darker than she imagined.

Truth be told, I only recognized a handful of names so...yeah, I clearly don't know a ton about the 60s. BUT, this was fantastic. Even with little background, Green's writing made me feel like I had know these people forever; like I was right there in Marrakesh with them. I thought it was funny how Claire's family didn't believe all of the people she knew, but I probably wouldn't believe my Mom if she told me that either. Wild. That was wild.

Sidenote: As someone who is interested in fashion/trends, I love how detailed the fashion was described throughout. It really helped to picture it and put myself in the moment...and also to long for those pieces.

As usual, Jane Green writes a wonderful story. I love her. This one dragged a bit in the middle. A first for the author into historical fiction, which is different for her. Definitely recommend.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to HTP Books for our gifted copy of Sister Stardust by Jane Green. This book is available on April 5th!

Rating: 4 to 4.5 star
Genre: Literary/Biographical Fiction

I believe that this is classified as a biographical fiction. This is a story set in the 60's. Although this isn't my favorite genre, I really enjoyed this one. It took a little bit to get into, as the beginning sets the stage for the story.

You might enjoy this if:
-You enjoy fiction stories.
-You enjoy stories set in the 60's
-You enjoy historical fiction or stories set in certain time periods.

I have always been fascinated with the 60s fashion and music scene. I was so excited to read this as there are not many fiction books set in that time period. I loved it! The descriptions brought 1960s London and Morocco to life.