{"schema_version":"bf_book_companion_v1","release_id":"20261010T034321Z-reviewed-full-unique-works","book":{"amazon_purchase_url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/0440240425?tag=bookfrontie00-20","asin":"0440240425","authors":["Henning Mankell"],"book_id":"9780440240426","canonical_url":"https://bookfrontier.com/books/a-bridge-to-the-stars-9780440240426","cover_image_url":"https://img.bookfrontier.com/9780440240426.jpg?v=a1957834e178c318","description":"This poignant novel explores how a unilateral decision can change a life. Two things are hard for Joel Gustafson to cope with: not knowing why, and not being able to do anything about it. Joel’s father was once a sailor who lived by the sea. Joel’s mother once lived with them. Joel’s father abandoned the sea. Joel’s mother abandoned Joel and his father. While looking out his window one night, Joel sees a lonely dog on the street. Joel spots the animal again and begins sneaking out night after night, trying to find it. 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