Customer Reviews
Audio version is a real trhill - By: bob, 18 Aug 2008 
I listened to the unabridged audio version of Mr Starlight read by Jonathan Keeble. I got from the library, for something to listen to on a very long car journey, & did not expect to be it to be great. This is one occasion when a well written book comes together with an excellent reader to grip you. And this isn't even my normal sort of book. The voices feel real in their words & tones. Keeble switches voices effortlessly & never feels anything except convincing.
Mr Starlight - By: gerty guinea, 08 Apr 2008 The first time I tried to read this book, I gave up after a few chapters - I just couldn't get into it. I picked it up again having enjoyed The Dress Circle, & this time found it hard to put down. It is a very cleverly written book - the author makes the reader aware of the skeletons in the closet long before most of the characters find out, thus emphasising the innocence (or ignorance?) of the time. The characterisation was excellent, to the extent that I felt genuine anger towards Mrs Boff & her attitude to the long suffering Cled. Highly recommended.
Open Your Eyes Mrs Boff - By: Laura Daly, 25 May 2006 
Cled & Sel Boff play in the Welsh Club in Birmingham the lads however are soon off to America & life changes for both of them. Sel (Mr Starlight) hits the big time while Cled provides the narative & the one liners. It is an enjoyable read & I did laugh out loud at some of it, however I found it did drag on & unlike most of Ms Grahams books I was not sad to see the last page. I did however appericate the usual talent Laurie Graham has for giving the reader a vivid picture. The Mother clearly needs to open her eyes to Sel's life. There is an underlying saddness in it alll. But its a good read overalll.
A very good read - By: , 25 Apr 2005 This was an extremely enjoyable book. Laurie Graham is very skilled at flipping between comedy & tragedy, & Mr Starlight certainly contains both elements. The prose is well written & it very easy to get stuck into & not put down for hours!
Another lovely book from Laurie Graham - By: Mastikate, 08 Oct 2004 
Laurie Graham is the most delightful storyteller & I am huge fan.
Mr Starlight is another success for her, although I didnt enjoy is as much as say "The Dress Circle", which is the only reason I have not given the book 5 stars.
The book describes the life of the Boffs. Cled & Sel are entertainers at the local clubs around Birmingham, & they appear on the surface to be a pretty ordinary family. Sel is a cossetted & ambitious crooner, while Clef is a talented musician forever playing sidekick to his charismatic brother. When he gets the opportunity to move to America, Sel grabs the chance. Clef, with not much else to do, tags along.
The story of the Boff's rise to fame & their difficulty in coping is well written, & full of the quirkiness we have come to know from Graham. There are plenty of skeletons in closets, & enough conflict & emotion to keep the story rolling along.
I have no hesitation in recommending Mr Starlight, but if you are a first time reader of Laurie Graham, I would suggest that "The Dress Circle" or "The future homemakers of America" might be a better place to start.
