The Stars in the Bright Sky
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 First edition | |
| Author | Alan Warner |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape (2010) Vintage (2011) |
Publication date | 2010 |
| Publication place | Scotland |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 400 |
| ISBN | 978-0-09-946182-1 |
| OCLC | 501395538 |
| Preceded by | The Worms Can Carry Me To Heaven |
The Stars in the Bright Sky is the sixth novel by Scottish writer Alan Warner. First published in 2010, it is a follow-up to his 1998 book The Sopranos. The earlier novel followed a group of Catholic schoolgirls from a bleak town in the west coast of Scotland on a disastrous day trip to Edinburgh to participate in a national choir competition. The Stars in the Bright Sky returns to most of these characters three years later, and presents an account of their attempt to arrange a holiday abroad.
The story, set in 2001, starts at London's Gatwick Airport, where Manda, Chell, Kylah, Kay, Finn and her friend from university, Ava have met to go on a joint holiday. They have not yet agreed upon a destination, planning to do so at the airport before booking a low-cost last-minute deal.
This plan is hindered when it becomes apparent that Manda has lost her passport. Much of the narrative takes place in the airport's lounges, bars and near by hotels that the group are confined to for several days (although they do break out to the Kent countryside), as they attempt to go abroad. The main themes explored through the characters' interactions are social class and friendship.[1]