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{{short description|2004 book by Joseph O'Connor}}
{{short description|2002 book by Joseph O'Connor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox book <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
{{Infobox book <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
| name = Star of the Sea
| name = Star of the Sea
Line 13: Line 14:
| series =
| series =
| genre = [[History|Historical]]
| genre = [[History|Historical]]
| publisher = [[Random House]]
| publisher = [[Secker & Warburg]]
| release_date = 1 January 2004
| release_date = 2002
| media_type = Print ([[Paperback]])
| media_type = Print
| pages = 410pp (432 including prolog ue)
| pages = 410pp (431 including prologue)
| isbn = 0-09-946962-6
| isbn = 9780436255564
| isbn_note = (first edition, paperback)
| isbn_note =
| oclc = 53123829
| oclc =
| preceded_by =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| followed_by =
}}
}}


'''''Star of the Sea''''' is a historical novel by the Irish writer [[Joseph O'Connor]] published in 2004. The novel is set in 1847 against the backdrop of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Irish famine]]. ''Star of the Sea'' became an international number one bestseller, selling more than 800,000 copies in a year.<ref name = "awards">[http://www.blakefriedmann.co.uk/filmClients/_285/ Joseph O’Connor - Blake Friedmann<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor |url=http://www.fictionawardwinners.com/reviews.cfm?id=1334 |website=www.fictionawardwinners.com |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref>
'''''Star of the Sea''''' is a historical novel by the Irish writer [[Joseph O'Connor]] published in 2002. The novel is set in 1847 against the backdrop of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Irish famine]]. ''Star of the Sea'' became an international number one bestseller, selling more than 800,000 copies in a year.<ref name = "awards">{{Cite web |url=http://www.blakefriedmann.co.uk/filmClients/_285/ |title=Joseph O’Connor - Blake Friedmann<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=22 March 2008 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725191420/http://www.blakefriedmann.co.uk/filmClients/_285/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor |url=http://www.fictionawardwinners.com/reviews.cfm?id=1334 |website=www.fictionawardwinners.com |access-date=2021-06-25}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
The ''Star of the Sea'' of the title is a [[Coffin ship|famine ship]], making the journey from [[Ireland]] to [[New York City|New York]]. Aboard are hundreds of refugees, many from humble and desperate backgrounds. Key protagonists are David Merridith Lord Kingscourt, his wife Laura, their servant Mary Duane, the ship's captain Josias Lockwood, a friendless Irishman named Pius Mulvey, and American journalist Grantley Dixon.
The ''Star of the Sea'' of the title is a [[Coffin ship|famine ship]], making the journey from [[Ireland]] to [[New York City|New York]]. Aboard are hundreds of refugees, many from humble and desperate backgrounds. Key protagonists are David Merridith Lord Kingscourt, his wife Laura, their servant Mary Duane, the ship's captain Josias Lockwood, a friendless Irishman named Pius Mulvey, and American journalist Grantley Dixon.


The narrative of the novel follows multiple threads interwoven by Grantley Dixon from documents such as diaries and letters, or from conversations/interviews with some of the principal characters or their relatives/descendants. The narrative partly follows the chronological course of the voyage, and for the intermediate or interposed parts consists of the meshed-in background lives of some of the emigrants and their relatives before they left Ireland (or England, or even after they arrived in the US). The novel departs from the usual formula of a murder mystery in that readers are vaguely informed of the identity of the murderer and the victim early in the novel, but the murder does not take place until the closing pages of the novel, and murder does not carry the full idea or sense of the killing.
The story has multiple threads interwoven by Grantley Dixon. He uses diaries, letters, his own articles and conversations/interviews with some of the main characters or their relatives/descendants. The story partly follows the chronological course of the voyage, and for the intermediate or interposed parts consists of the meshed-in background lives of some of the emigrants and their relatives before they left Ireland (or England, or even after they arrived in the US). The novel departs from the usual formula of a murder mystery in that readers are vaguely informed of the identity of the murderer and the victim early in the novel, but the murder does not take place until the closing pages of the novel, and murder does not carry the full idea or sense of the killing.


As the writer was clearly aware in choosing the name, the term "Star of the Sea" has deep roots in [[Catholic]] tradition. [[Our Lady, Star of the Sea]] - a translation of the [[Latin]] ''[[Stella Maris (disambiguation)|Stella Maris]]'' - is the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]] in her aspect as a guide and protector to those who work or travel on the sea and under which title she is venerated in many Catholic seaside communities. Indeed, in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and other translations the book was given the title "''Stella Maris''".
As O'Connor was clearly aware in choosing the name, the term "Star of the Sea" has deep roots in [[Catholic]] tradition. [[Our Lady, Star of the Sea]]—a translation of the [[Latin]] ''[[Our Lady, Star of the Sea|Stella Maris]]''—is the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]] in her aspect as a guide and protector to those who work or travel on the sea and under which title she is venerated in many Catholic seaside communities. Indeed, in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and other translations the book was given the title "''Stella Maris''".


In 2008, London band [[Silvery]] released the song "Star of the Sea" on their debut album ''Thunderer & Excelsior'' on [[Blow Up Records]], loosely following the narrative of the book.
In 2008, London band [[Silvery]] released the song "Star of the Sea" on their debut album ''Thunderer & Excelsior'' on [[Blow Up Records]], loosely following the narrative of the book.


O'Connors 2007 book ''Redemption Falls'' is an effective sequel to the book, set in the aftermath of the [[American Civil War]] and featuring some character crossover
O'Connor’s 2007 book ''Redemption Falls'' is in effect a sequel to the book, set in the aftermath of the [[American Civil War]] and featuring some character crossover.

==Publication history==
The book was first published in 2002 by [[Secker & Warburg]] in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Star of the Sea: Review Extracts & Media Comment|url=http://josephoconnorauthor.com/review-extracts-star-of-the-sea.html|year=2002|work=Joseph O'Connor|accessdate=2021-12-30}}</ref> and in paperback in 2003 by [[Vintage UK]].<ref>{{ISBN|9780099469629}}.</ref> A [[paperback]] edition was issued on 1 January 2004 by [[Random House]].<ref>{{ISBN|0-09-946962-6}}, {{OCLC|53123829}}.</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
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* A Sunday Times No 1 bestseller in paperback
* A Sunday Times No 1 bestseller in paperback
* May 2004: Nielsen Booktrack best-selling adult fiction paperback of the year: more than 850,000 copies in print
* May 2004: Nielsen Booktrack best-selling adult fiction paperback of the year: more than 850,000 copies in print
* Richard & Judy Book Club (UK) selection: 2004
* Runner-up for the Nibbie Best Read Award at the British Book Awards: 2004
* Runner-up for the Nibbie Best Read Award at the British Book Awards: 2004
* Shortlisted for the Sunday Independent Irish Novel of the Year Award
* Shortlisted for the Sunday Independent Irish Novel of the Year Award

Latest revision as of 10:41, 30 October 2024

Star of the Sea
First edition cover
AuthorJoseph O'Connor
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical
PublisherSecker & Warburg
Publication date
2002
Publication placeIreland
Media typePrint
Pages410pp (431 including prologue)
ISBN9780436255564

Star of the Sea is a historical novel by the Irish writer Joseph O'Connor published in 2002. The novel is set in 1847 against the backdrop of the Irish famine. Star of the Sea became an international number one bestseller, selling more than 800,000 copies in a year.[1][2]

Plot

[edit]

The Star of the Sea of the title is a famine ship, making the journey from Ireland to New York. Aboard are hundreds of refugees, many from humble and desperate backgrounds. Key protagonists are David Merridith Lord Kingscourt, his wife Laura, their servant Mary Duane, the ship's captain Josias Lockwood, a friendless Irishman named Pius Mulvey, and American journalist Grantley Dixon.

The story has multiple threads interwoven by Grantley Dixon. He uses diaries, letters, his own articles and conversations/interviews with some of the main characters or their relatives/descendants. The story partly follows the chronological course of the voyage, and for the intermediate or interposed parts consists of the meshed-in background lives of some of the emigrants and their relatives before they left Ireland (or England, or even after they arrived in the US). The novel departs from the usual formula of a murder mystery in that readers are vaguely informed of the identity of the murderer and the victim early in the novel, but the murder does not take place until the closing pages of the novel, and murder does not carry the full idea or sense of the killing.

As O'Connor was clearly aware in choosing the name, the term "Star of the Sea" has deep roots in Catholic tradition. Our Lady, Star of the Sea—a translation of the Latin Stella Maris—is the Blessed Virgin Mary in her aspect as a guide and protector to those who work or travel on the sea and under which title she is venerated in many Catholic seaside communities. Indeed, in Dutch and other translations the book was given the title "Stella Maris".

In 2008, London band Silvery released the song "Star of the Sea" on their debut album Thunderer & Excelsior on Blow Up Records, loosely following the narrative of the book.

O'Connor’s 2007 book Redemption Falls is in effect a sequel to the book, set in the aftermath of the American Civil War and featuring some character crossover.

Publication history

[edit]

The book was first published in 2002 by Secker & Warburg in the United Kingdom.[3] and in paperback in 2003 by Vintage UK.[4] A paperback edition was issued on 1 January 2004 by Random House.[5]

Awards

[edit]

Star of the Sea has collected many awards and shortlistings:[1]

  • A New York Times Notable Book of: 2004
  • An Economist Book of the Year: 2004
  • Voted as one of 15 Vintage Future Classics: 2005
  • A Sunday Times No 1 bestseller in paperback
  • May 2004: Nielsen Booktrack best-selling adult fiction paperback of the year: more than 850,000 copies in print
  • Richard & Judy Book Club (UK) selection: 2004
  • Runner-up for the Nibbie Best Read Award at the British Book Awards: 2004
  • Shortlisted for the Sunday Independent Irish Novel of the Year Award
  • Winner of the Prix Madeleine Zepter Award for European Novel of the Year, France
  • Nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award: 2003
  • Winner of the Acerbi Foundation Award Prize, Italy: 2003
  • One of Le Point's 15 Best Books of the Year: 2003
  • Winner of the Prix Millepages Award: 2003
  • Hennessy / Sunday Tribune Hall of Fame Award winner: 2003
  • Winner of the 2004 Irish Post Award for Literature
  • Voted one the annual 25 Books to Remember 2003 by the New York Public Library service
  • 800,000 copies sold in the UK in one year alone
  • Featured in May 2009 International Baccalaureate English HL A1 Exam

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Joseph O'Connor - Blake Friedmann". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  2. ^ "Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor". www.fictionawardwinners.com. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Star of the Sea: Review Extracts & Media Comment". Joseph O'Connor. 2002. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  4. ^ ISBN 9780099469629.
  5. ^ ISBN 0-09-946962-6, OCLC 53123829.
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