Avon Books, 1991, 2005
ISBN-10: 0380761319
ISBN-13: 978-0380761319
The Shadow and the Star
Victorian-miss-meets-American-ninja romance. He doesn’t wear a velvet smoking jacket, believe me!
Discuss this bookSetting:
England, Hawaii, Victorian period
Mascot Animal:
Shark
Laura's Comment:
When I’m asked which of my books is my personal favorite, I always answer that it’s The Shadow and the Star. I began to write it because I was haunted by the image of a young boy left alone in vile circumstances in my earlier book, The Hidden Heart. So I set out to give Samuel a better future, and make him a hero in his own right. Without really realizing it, I turned to my own heritage as the truest means to heal his anguish, creating a heroine in Leda who embodied the steadfast, kind and courageous ladies who influenced my own life as I grew up—the circle of my grandmother and aunts and their friends in a small Texas town. Proper, generous, proud; sure of what was right and what was wrong, they gave me a foundation, a place to stand in life. Perhaps they were as shocked by a crooked hem as by a crooked banker, but there was always a pie or a boiled custard going out the door for an ill neighbor. They represent a feminine community and a standard that has quietly sustained civilization for centuries, unnoticed and unreported in newspapers and history books. Not all strength is obvious. Sometimes the most important gestures aren’t made on a grand stage. In small everyday acts of courage, self-respect, and concern for others, these women taught me that a straight hem means something—it means you cared enough do it right, so that you could be proud of yourself even if no one else took notice.
The Shadow and the Star is, in part, my celebration of this hidden culture among women and its quiet power to mend the cracks in our lives. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
Recognition:
Romance Writers of America Golden Choice Award—Finalist, Best Romance of 1991
Romance Writers of America Rita Award—Finalist, Best Historical Romance of 1991
Laura's Fave Review:
“There is such harmony in the way Kinsale blends her characters and plots. She draws out the essence of a character then wraps that essence in a story line that is so appropriate it is difficult to hypothesize that there may have been a better way to showcase that character. This work is a perfect example of that harmony.”
Under the Covers
Old Covers:
Fabio, running for president while knee-deep in water
I saw a video of the photo shoot for this inside cover. Fabio and female model stood in a plastic kiddie pool while a guy on a ladder poured a bucket of water over them. Hilarious.
[1] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.08.2010
Please feel welcome to discuss this book. All opinions are welcome, positive or negative, but civility and polite language are required for comments to remain. Political or religious references are not allowed, unless directly related to the book under discussion. I do answer questions but I seldom give interpretations about my books or characters, because I enjoy hearing what readers see in them. These comments and discussions replace my old forum at The Terrace. (Note that the spam captcha is an english word interspersed with a number—this may help you tell a letter from a number. If it’s still too hard to see, reload the page for another one.) WARNING: Book discussions may contain spoilers.
[2] Posted by Susan on 01.16.2010
Laura, Your comments above indicate that for me you conveyed the concept exactly. I love the small details, interactions, and scenes in this book; her reading to the staff from the newspaper, and why she chose one article v. another. Awesome!
[3] Posted by Dea on 01.17.2010
The Shadow and the Star is my favorite! Leda is wonderful. Under her naive surface, she’s steadfast and brave. The scenes with her and the Ladies are hilarious. She is exactly right for someone as wounded as Samuel.
I read this book on a Kindle and now I think I need to track down a paper copy with the Fabio cover because that is just way more interesting haha
[4] Posted by Michael on 01.17.2010
The Shadow and the Star is one of my favorite books. I loved everything single freaking thing about it. From the flashbacks to the cherry brandy to the bridetable to the incredibly satisfying ending, I enjoyed every word. In the words of Comic Book Guy, BEST…ROMANCE…EVER.
[5] Posted by Brenda on 01.20.2010
This was the first LK novel I’d ever written…I was a senior in High School (I’m now 36), and have been an addict ever since!! I have to agree with Susan, that the small details are what help draw me in, and Michael, the cherry brandy scene is one of my favorites!! But I also love the scene in the library when Samuel has Leda try on the necklace…so very provocative and sensual!!
[6] Posted by SandyO on 02.02.2010
I’ve been reading romances for about thirty years. And with most of the memorable ones, I can remember everything about the hero, but rarely anything about the heroine. Except LK’s books. And with the Shadow and the Star, as much as I love Samuel (that windblown Gabriel come to earth minus nothing but the wings), it is Leda that always makes me smile.
[7] Posted by Hannah on 02.17.2010
The Shadow and the Star was the second book that I had read of Laura Kinsales. This was an EXCELLENT story. I usually take books after I read them and exchange them for other books, this book continues to remain on my shelf. I have never willingly re-read a book, but this book I will do so time and time again. Outstanding imagery and characters.
[8] Posted by Pam on 03.04.2010
While Prince of Midnight was the first Laura Kinsale book I ever read, this one captured me and became my favorite. I still have a vivid memory of reading it in college, laying on my bed and being so caught up in the prose that I barely remembered to breathe. (It was the scene where Samuel put the necklace on Leda, if I recall.) It’s one of my own goals as a writer to be able to capture readers in the same way, and to leave that kind of lasting impression (we’re talking twenty years now!).
