Making All Things New
Fading Starlight by Kathryn Cushman is a contemporary Christian novel and I absolutely loved it.
The story revolves around the verse in Genesis 50:20 “You intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good…” (NIV). God can take our broken lives and make something new that is better than we could ever hope or imagine.
God is very much at the heart of the novel. Lauren is a practicing Christian who tries to shine Jesus’ light into dark places. She battles against her human nature to be Jesus’ eyes and ears, His hands and feet in a hurting world.
Prayer has a strong presence in Fading Starlight. Lauren believes in praying for help and guidance, as well as remembering to thank God for His goodness.
Within Fading Starlight the past and present collide as Lauren meets reclusive and aging movie star Charlotte. Lauren adores the retro fashions that Charlotte wears. On the surface they have a lot in common, but underneath?
The novel deals with the theme of trust. Some characters have trust in abundance. Others have been hurt in the past and are very reluctant to open themselves up to being hurt again. Suspicion and mistrust pepper their lives making them miserable. They need to put past hurts behind them and learn to live and trust again.
Fading Starlight is a very glamorous novel as Lauren is a fashion designer. The passion she has for the glamorous retro designs and beautiful fabrics transfers to the reader. Kathryn Cushman has written in such detail that the dresses and the fabrics come alive for the reader as Lauren’s passion is contagious.
There is the theme of steadfast friends within the novel. Lauren was taken in by her best friend Chloe’s family when she was a teen. They took her in out of love. Aging actress Charlotte took in her late housekeeper as she felt horrified by the injustices done. Two very different motives but two very loyal households.
This was the first book that I had read by Kathryn Cushman and I loved it. I want more, more, more by her. I feel quite empty now that the story is over. I feel like I have left dear friends behind.
More stories please Kathryn Cushman.
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.
JULIA WILSON