I read this book in junior high, and it was highly influential to me... it is about a world in which non-believers are sent away to recant and be punished. But then, all is not what it seems. I loved it as a kid, and more recently read the book again along with the other two books in the trilogy (which I did not have as a kid) and I still loved the first book, and the other two were just good (and perhaps a bit disappointing in the end). Reviewed by AdrienneBe for TeensReadToo.comThe future is never written in stone, or so the saying goes. The sands of time may fall, but what stops someone from building a dam?In the future, knowledge, and therefore thought, is totally controlled. Noren is one of the few who decides that thought and knowledge are important, and that everyone should be able to exhibit both freely. He knows the difference from what is right and completely unfair, even when his world tells him differently.The only problem is, can he stop the Scholars, who are the only ones who can give the power of knowledge, on his own, or will he fail in the worst way? Running from the law, Noren is almost helpless, but the Scholars and Technicians can't take away his one power - hope.Sylvia Engdahl weaves her story in a beautiful way. Not only does she create a totally different world from the one we live in, but also changes the roles of humankind. Her characters are both ones seen on the street and ones locked behind steel doors. Readers will be changed by the abrupt outlook on this amazing world and the surprises the plot presents as a whole.THIS STAR SHALL ABIDE is a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction novel.
What do You think about This Star Shall Abide (1972)?
Read more than once, I think, in junior high. Reread 25 November 2011.
—Mari
Start was interesting the middle was boring but the last part was good
—MKhloe
