February 2013

I enjoy reading novels that both entertain and pose an idea that makes me think. Priscille Sibley’s debut novel, THE PROMISE OF STARDUST, does just that. It is the story of a family torn apart by a medical crisis and the ethical dilemma that erupts from it. Matt Beaulieu and Elle McClure were childhood friends who grew up and got married. But after an accident leaves her with severe brain damage and no hope of recovery, Matt agrees to take her off life support until he finds out that she is pregnant. Not everyone believes it is possible to save the baby Elle is carrying, and some believe it is morally wrong to keep her on the ventilator because she has an advanced health care directive that states that she would never want extraordinary measures taken to extend her life.

After I read the book back in July, I found myself wanting to talk about it with other readers. I loved the way it was crafted, and as the story unfolded, the issues became more and more complicated. While you may have one opinion at the beginning, the more you read, the more it may change.

Over the summer, readers in our Sneak Peek: An Early Look at an Upcoming Book feature won copies of THE PROMISE OF STARDUST. ALL of the readers who participated in this project gave the book high marks. I look forward to hearing from more readers about it. And for those of you in book groups, it’s a perfect book for discussions.