Star of the Sea

Infobox Book |
name = Star of the Sea
title_orig =
translator =

| image_caption = First edition cover
author = Joseph O'Connor
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Historical
publisher = Random House
release_date = 1 January 2004
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 410pp (432 including prologue)
isbn = ISBN 0-099-46962-6 (first edition, paperback)
preceded_by =
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"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 Irish famine. 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, most of them with humble and desperate backgrounds. Key protagonists are David Merridith Lord Kingscourt, his wife Laura, their servant Mary, the ship's captain Josias Lockwood, a friendless Irishman named Pius Mulvey, and American journalist Grantley Dixon. The narrative of the novel is driven by a murder aboard the ship, though the victim and murderer are not known until late in the book.

The chapters of the novel are narrated alternately by the main protagonists, and their personal histories unfold in turn.

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" - is the Virgin Mary in her aspect as a guide and protector to those who work or travel on the sea. She is worshipped as such by many Catholic sea-shore communities.

Indeed, in Dutch and other translations the book was given the title "Stella Maris".

A bestseller

"The Star of the Sea" became an International No.1 Bestseller, selling over 800,000 copies in a year. [http://www.blakefriedmann.co.uk/filmClients/_285/ Joseph O’Connor - Blake Friedmann ] ]

Awards

Star of the sea has collected many awards and shortlistings:

* 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
* 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

References