57 pages • 1 hour read
Daniel James BrownThe Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Indifferent Stars Above, Daniel James Brown recounts the tragic 1846 journey of the Donner Party, focusing on Sarah Graves, a newlywed traveling West with her family. The party, misled by an unproven shortcut through the Sierra Nevada, faces extreme hardships including starvation and dire environmental conditions, ultimately leading to a harrowing survival ordeal. The book contains depictions of starvation, cannibalism, and death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Daniel James Brown's The Indifferent Stars Above is praised for its compelling storytelling and vivid historical detail, immersing readers in the harrowing reality of the Donner Party. However, some find the narrative pace slow and the detailed digressions distracting. Overall, it effectively combines human drama with rigorous historical research, providing a gripping yet educational read.
Who Should Read The Indifferent Stars Above?
Readers who relish harrowing true survival stories intertwined with historical detail will find The Indifferent Stars Above compelling. Fans of works like Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air and Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea will appreciate Daniel James Brown's meticulous research and narrative style.