The Giver of Stars

Pastor McIntosh visits Alice at the library in an attempt to get her to uphold wifely duties based on Biblical guidelines. Though he uses scripture to argue against her separation from Bennett, Alice coolly refutes his admonition that God wants her to be a better wife. In front of the other women, she asks the pastor what God says about Mr. Van Cleve beating a woman or using inhumane practices to break up union talks. Shocked and embarrassed, the pastor (a notorious gossip) leaves. Soon, everyone in the county knows that Alice isn’t returning home.

Mr. Van Cleve has a drink with the governor, who’s support seems to be wavering. The governor says that Mr. Van Cleve is a veritable laughingstock because Bennett can’t control his wife. People think this private matter affects the very public matter of union unrest at Hoffman. Mr. Van Cleve then returns home, fully drunk, and demands that Bennett accompany him to retrieve Alice. Bennett once again refuses, and though he tries standing up against his father’s meddling, Mr. Van Cleve pushes past him and leaves.

Meanwhile, Margery rides home while thinking about the changes in her life. Though she once enjoyed a quiet house, she relishes how busy it can now be with Sven, Alice, and others. At home, however, her confidence deflates when she finds her beloved dog Bluey shot dead.

The next day, Alice rides Spirit into the middle of the street, forcing Mr. Van Cleve to stop his Ford. As townspeople gather to listen, Alice rebukes him for killing Margery’s dog. Bennett seems shocked, and as the townspeople gossip about Mr. Van Cleve’s actions, he becomes angrier, finally turning the car around and speeding away. Later, Alice, Fred, and Sven talk about how Mr. Van Cleve astutely took the fight out of Margery by killing her dog. They also discuss the danger at the mines and the ways that Mr. Van Cleve’s thugs are attempting to stop unionization. Though Sven says he’s safe because he’s a company man and suggests that Alice and Margery are safe—“[Mr. Van Cleve’s] men wouldn’t hurt a woman. Even those thugs of his. They’re bound by the code of the hills” (228)—Fred reminds them that Mr. Van Cleve is hiring men from out of town who might not uphold mountain code. Because of this, Fred teaches Alice how to use a shotgun, and determination helps her take to it quickly. She no longer feels afraid; instead, she feels a steady resolve to protect those she loves.

Winter keeps the Pack Horse librarians busy. Alice continues shooting lessons, while Izzy only makes appearances in town with her mother. Beth, still nursing her arm, stays away because her depression and restlessness casts a pall on the library. Margery begins putting on weight, though no one says anything. She’s tired from the feud with the Van Cleves, and still mourning Bluey. Her countenance has changed since her dog’s death, so that she’s always tired or withdrawn.

One night, Margery locks herself in the library and reads a book, then curses. It’s suggested that, despite previously not caring about living life as she sees fit, she’s pregnant.

Beth’s arm heals, and she returns to the library. Though Kathleen’s no longer needed, they let her stay and give her Izzy’s salary. Mr. Van Cleve now wants Alice to leave town because she doesn’t have a way to support herself (since she won’t return home and he believes the library will close soon); he stops her constantly in the street to hurl insults at her.

Meanwhile, Alice ponders her future: She has nowhere to go. She wonders if she should leave Margery’s place to give her and Sven space. Sven and Margery have been acting odd around each other lately. Fred would be more than willing to take Alice in, and even though Sophia finally asks her bluntly about her feelings for Fred, Alice admits that shacking up with a man who isn’t her husband can only lead to more trouble for the library. Sophia then mentions that she once loved a man, but someone murdered him simply for being black. Sophia moved to Louisville after that, began working in the colored library there, and prayed that she’d never have to return to Baileyville. William’s injury made her decide to come back. Despite the loss of her former beau, she tries to stay positive.

Alice knows that Fred likes her and takes delight in how easy it is to talk to him. They converse about books, and she notes things about him that she never noticed before, such as how gentle he is with animals and how much he knows about them. One day, he asks her to have dinner with him. Though Alice wants to accept, she reminds him that the town gossips—and she’s married.

Sven attempts to talk to a distracted Margery about why she has been giving him the cold shoulder. Margery again deflects his questions by suggesting that they all have a lot to worry about and that she will always want him around. Sven, who knows she’s deflecting, leaves angrily.

Alice begins riding routes again, and when she finishes work one night, she enters the library to find that Fred has prepared them a meal. Since it’s in the library, he feels it should pass scrutiny. Though Alice wants to decline, she accepts the meal and is soon glad that she did:

Time flew, and each ended the night full and happy, with the rare glow that comes from knowing your very being has been understood by somebody else, and that there might just be someone out there who will only ever see the best in you (241).

For Alice, it’s probably the best night she’s had since moving to Baileyville. Although the attraction between them is obvious, Alice turns down Fred’s offer of accompaniment on her walk to Margery’s. He gives her a shotgun for safety, which she accepts.