The Promise of Stardust

Author:  Pricille Sibley

Year:  2013

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Pages:  399

Goodreads Synopsis:

Filled with grace, sensitivity and compassion, The Promise of Stardust is an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking tale that raises profound questions about life and death, faith and medicine, and illuminates the power of love to divide and heal a family in the wake of unexpected tragedy

"In this brave novel, a family making choices about death with dignity finds themselves in uncomfortable opposition...explores with compassion and insight, how political and personal needs align and shift."

-Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Murderer's Daughters

Matt Beaulieu was two years old the first time he held Elle McClure in his arms, seventeen when he first kissed her under a sky filled with shooting stars, and thirty-three when he convinced her to marry him. Now in their late 30s, the deeply devoted couple has everything-except the baby they've always wanted.

When an accident leaves Elle brain dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot bear the thought of life without her, he knows Elle was afraid of only one thing-a slow death. And so, Matt resolves to take her off life support.

But Matt changes his mind when they discover Elle's pregnant. While there are no certainties, the baby might survive if Elle remains on life support. Matt's mother, Linney, disagrees with his decision. She loves Elle, too, and insists that Elle would never want to be kept alive on machines. Linney is prepared to fight her son in court-armed with Elle's living will.

Divided by the love they share, Matt and Linney will be pitted against each other, fighting for what they believe is right, and what they think Elle would have wanted resulting in a controversial legal battle that will ultimately go beyond one family . . . and one single life.

I somehow managed to not see anything on this book anywhere - on any blogs, amazon, goodreads - anywhere. Then, I was in Target and it was their featured book club book. I picked it up and read the back and was intrigued. I enjoy Jodi Picoult books a lot and this sounded like her. I'm very glad I picked it up.  Pricelle Sibley doesn't write with all the polish and flair that Picoult does but this was a very well thought out and written story. I loved Matt and his determination to save his and Elle's baby. I appreciated the tension with her family and their differing views. Plus, I was curious the entire time as to whether or not the baby would live. I just kept reading and thinking, "I've got to read fast so that I can find out what happens." 

This book raises some interesting moral issues. They're not as heart-wrenching as most of the issues in Picoult's stories but it was still intriguing. I wondered what I'd do in that position and how hard I'd fight for the unborn child. I felt like there were things that Sibley could have done to twist that emotional knife in the heart just a little bit more but overall, this was a well-thought out and written book.