The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley

The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley is a complicated love story that brings up ethical questions when considering life and death. It is written in such a way that showcases the couple’s love for one another, while still focusing on the seriousness of the current situation.

Book Description

“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 they wed. Now in their late thirties, the deeply devoted couple has everything—except the baby they've always wanted.

When a tragic accident leaves Elle brain-dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot bear losing her, he knows his wife, a thoughtful and adventurous scientist, feared only one thing—a slow death. Just before Matt agrees to remove Elle from life support, the doctors discover that she is pregnant. Now what was once a clear-cut decision becomes an impossible choice. Matt knows how much this child would have meant to Elle. While there is no certainty her body can sustain the pregnancy, he is sure Elle would want the baby to have a chance. Linney, Matt's mother, believes her son is blind with denial. She loves Elle, too, and insists that Elle would never want to be kept alive by artificial means, no matter what the situation.

Divided by the love they share, driven by principle, Matt and Linney fight for what each believes is right, and the result is a disagreement that escalates into a controversial legal battle, ultimately going beyond one family and one single life.

Told with 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, with beauty and grace, the power of love to wound . . . and to heal.” – The Promise of Stardust

My Thoughts

Warning: The Promise of Stardust is the type of book that will make you cry. Be prepared and have plenty of tissues nearby when reading.

After the tragic accident that left Elle brain dead and on life support, her husband learns that she is pregnant with the child they had both longed to have. However, there is nothing about that in the decision for no life support. Elle’s husband, Matt believes that if she knew she was pregnant, Elle would have wanted their child to have a chance to live. Elle’s mother doesn’t want that for Elle though, and insists to have her daughter taken off life support. The legal issues and love story make for a highly thought provoking and sad tale of family loves and losses.

The characters were all created to be realistic, and as a reader, I had compassion and understanding for all sides of this tale. That isn’t an easy accomplishment, but Priscille Sibley created this story flawlessly. I’ll remember this story and the characters in it for a long time. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Promise of Stardust, William Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.