Chasing Stardust Summary, Characters and Themes

Chasing Stardust by Erica Lucke Dean is a heartfelt exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the complicated bonds of family. Following the death of her mother, Zoey embarks on a road trip across the United States to fulfill her mother’s final wish—to spread her ashes at key stops along a legendary 1972 David Bowie concert tour.

Along the way, Zoey encounters unexpected challenges, forms new connections, and unravels parts of her mother’s mysterious past. As she follows her mother’s journey, Zoey learns valuable lessons about herself, love, and the importance of embracing life’s uncertainties.

Summary

Zoey is outside a church after her mother’s funeral, clutching her mother’s urn, refusing to cry. Her older sister Jeanie criticizes her, blaming Zoey’s relationship with her boyfriend, Damian, and their free-spirited grandmother, G-Lo, who skipped the funeral.

The argument touches on their mother’s strange wish for her ashes to be scattered along the route of a 1972 David Bowie concert tour. When G-Lo arrives, she shares the story behind Vida’s ashes, revealing that she was a teenage runaway who followed rock concerts across the country.

G-Lo hints that David Bowie might even be Vida’s father. Zoey is skeptical, but the idea sparks the beginning of a journey that Zoey feels she must complete.

Zoey and Jeanie argue further, but Jeanie suggests that following their mother’s old tour route is the only way to honor her wish. Zoey is reluctant at first, but after a fight with Jeanie, she agrees.

The two sisters share a chaotic moment when G-Lo, in her usual eccentric manner, joins them on the roof, smoking a joint. The situation escalates when Jeanie slips and injures herself.

With Jeanie sidelined, Zoey decides to go on the trip alone, much to her grandmother’s dismay. After some resistance, G-Lo gives Zoey the keys to her old car, “the Betty,” and Zoey begins her journey.

Zoey sets off, nervous but determined. She listens to Bowie tapes and drives through her grief, heading first to Cleveland, the starting point of the tour.

There, she tries to scatter her mother’s ashes at the Fountain of Eternal Life, but the wind blows the ashes back into her face, making the attempt a disaster. Embarrassed and upset, Zoey drives off, vowing to do better at the next stop.

However, the journey soon takes a turn for the worse when her grandmother’s car breaks down after Zoey swerves to avoid hitting an animal on the road. Zoey is stuck in the middle of nowhere, and she ends up accepting a ride from a truck driver named Ernie.

Ernie takes Zoey to a nearby diner, where she has a tense encounter with T.J., a waiter who seems interested in her, and Travis, another man in the diner who taunts her. Feeling alone and overwhelmed, Zoey’s problems escalate when her wallet is stolen, leaving her without money and unsure of how to continue her trip.

Despite the chaos, T.J. offers her help. Zoey’s situation worsens when she meets Dash, a mysterious traveler who also seems to have his own issues.

Dash offers Zoey companionship and help, and she decides to continue her journey with him.

Throughout their travels, Zoey and Dash grow closer, sharing personal stories and bonding over their mutual love for music, particularly David Bowie. As they visit cities along the way, Zoey learns more about her mother’s reckless past and begins to understand her better.

In Blacksburg, Zoey steals a picture of her mother and G-Lo, an act that helps her connect with her mother’s youthful spirit. In New York, Zoey visits CBGB, a music venue her mother loved, only to find it has turned into a store.

Despite her frustration, Dash supports her, helping Zoey cope with her emotions.

Their journey takes them to Central Park, where Zoey finds a tree her mother carved her name into many years ago. This discovery brings Zoey a sense of connection to her mother.

However, their relationship begins to face some tension when Zoey’s growing attraction to Dash leads to a near-kiss in New Jersey. Dash pulls away, leaving Zoey confused about her feelings.

As they travel through more cities, including Boston and Beartown State Forest, Zoey begins to reconcile her emotions about her mother’s past and her own future. They visit a bridge in Boston where Zoey releases her mother’s ashes into a lake, marking a pivotal moment in her emotional journey.

Zoey and Dash’s connection deepens as they continue their travels, navigating their growing attraction and the complexities of their pasts. In Beartown State Forest, Zoey reflects on her mother’s time camping and struggles with whether or not she should continue her journey alone.

Dash, who has his own family issues, offers Zoey support as they both confront their personal dilemmas.

Their journey comes to a climax when Zoey’s trust in Dash is shaken after an emotional betrayal. Feeling abandoned, Zoey continues her mission to spread her mother’s ashes, using the last of her money to buy bus tickets.

She visits several cities, including Chicago, where she attempts to honor her mother’s memory at Buckingham Fountain. Zoey’s travels take her to St. Louis and Flagstaff, where she continues to learn more about her mother’s past and the people who shaped her life.

In Santa Monica, Zoey has a final confrontation with Dash, who tracks her down with the help of G-Lo. They reconcile, and Zoey realizes that her journey has brought her not only closer to her mother’s memory but also to understanding her own heart.

In the end, Zoey and Dash decide to continue their journey together, ready to face whatever comes next. Zoey embraces her mother’s adventurous spirit, making the decision to take risks and live more freely.

Dash, no longer bound by his father’s expectations, is ready to forge his own path as well. Together, they embark on a new chapter, filled with hope and the possibility of new adventures.

Characters

Zoey

Zoey is the central character of Chasing Stardust and undergoes significant emotional growth throughout her journey. Initially, she appears to be stuck in the shadow of her mother’s passing and a difficult relationship with her boyfriend, Damian.

Zoey’s character is marked by a deep sense of grief and confusion, which is only amplified by her mother’s peculiar last request. As the story progresses, Zoey’s road trip to scatter her mother’s ashes becomes a symbol of her attempt to process her emotions, honor her mother’s legacy, and ultimately understand her own identity.

Her interactions with her family, especially her estranged relationship with her sister Jeanie, reveal a person who is searching for meaning in her life while feeling disconnected from her past and present relationships. Over time, Zoey’s connection with her mother’s past helps her shed her previous hesitations and embrace a new sense of freedom and independence.

The presence of Dash, who provides emotional support, marks the beginning of Zoey’s transformation, where she learns to confront her grief, her unresolved feelings about her mother, and her own vulnerabilities. The journey, though filled with emotional turmoil and physical challenges, becomes a path toward self-discovery, healing, and new beginnings.

Jeanie

Jeanie is Zoey’s older sister, and although she may seem harsh and unsympathetic, her character is rooted in a deep love for Zoey and a complex relationship with their shared past. While Zoey clings to her mother’s memory, Jeanie has a more cynical approach to life, possibly as a defense mechanism against their mother’s early death and their difficult upbringing.

Jeanie’s blunt personality and willingness to criticize Zoey, especially regarding her relationship with Damian, seem to stem from a desire to protect Zoey from repeating mistakes, even if it comes off as cold. Jeanie’s determination to hold onto practical matters, such as the idea of honoring their mother’s memory by scattering her ashes in a well-thought-out manner, stands in contrast to Zoey’s more chaotic emotional approach.

However, despite the tension between them, it becomes clear that Jeanie’s own vulnerability is hidden behind her stern exterior. When Zoey embarks on her road trip, Jeanie’s feelings of abandonment and concern are evident, but she ultimately supports her sister by helping her prepare for the journey, demonstrating her quieter but equally strong love for Zoey.

G-Lo (Grandmother Lola)

G-Lo, or Lola, is Zoey and Jeanie’s eccentric grandmother, a free spirit who lives life unapologetically and unburdened by societal expectations. G-Lo’s unconventional approach to life, especially her disregard for traditional norms and her indulgence in substances like cigarettes and weed, makes her a colorful and unpredictable character.

While some might see her as irresponsible or flippant, G-Lo embodies a kind of wild freedom that Zoey finds both intriguing and comforting. She is a reflection of the spirit of adventure that Zoey’s mother, Vida, once had, and through G-Lo’s storytelling, Zoey learns more about her mother’s past, including the possibility that David Bowie might be her father.

G-Lo’s presence in the novel highlights the theme of finding one’s path in life without being confined by others’ expectations. She acts as a guide for Zoey, pushing her to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the unknown.

Her wisdom, though often delivered in a chaotic and carefree manner, helps Zoey reconnect with her own sense of freedom, pushing her to embrace her journey, both physically and emotionally.

Damian

Damian is Zoey’s boyfriend, a college athlete who appears to be unsympathetic and distant, particularly when Zoey needs him most. His character initially serves as a source of frustration for Zoey, as he seems emotionally unavailable and unable to provide the support she craves in the wake of her mother’s death.

Zoey’s reliance on Damian at the beginning of the story is indicative of her attempts to seek stability and comfort in a relationship that lacks depth. However, as the novel progresses, Zoey begins to see through the superficiality of her relationship with Damian, realizing that it’s hollow and unable to help her heal.

His detachment only accelerates Zoey’s decision to embark on the road trip, and his absence from her emotional journey allows her to focus more on her own self-discovery. In the end, Damian’s role in Zoey’s life is to underscore her realization that true fulfillment comes from within and that she must embrace her own path, rather than cling to a relationship that no longer serves her well-being.

Dash

Dash is a mysterious and intriguing character who accompanies Zoey on part of her journey. While initially a stranger, Dash becomes a significant part of Zoey’s road trip, offering her companionship, emotional support, and a deeper understanding of herself.

At first, Dash seems like an enigmatic figure, hiding his own secrets and dealing with his issues, particularly with his powerful family. His wealth and family connections create tension between him and Zoey, especially given her mother’s struggles with money.

However, as they share moments of connection, especially through their mutual love of music, Dash’s vulnerability and kindness emerge. His willingness to help Zoey during her emotional breakdowns and his subtle charm draw Zoey closer to him, leading to a developing romantic interest.

Despite moments of miscommunication and tension, especially as Zoey grapples with her feelings for him, Dash ultimately becomes an anchor for Zoey, providing a counterbalance to her emotional chaos. By the end of the novel, Dash’s willingness to break free from his father’s control and forge his own path mirrors Zoey’s own journey toward self-realization.

Their mutual growth and understanding form the emotional core of Zoey’s evolution, and Dash becomes not only a companion but a symbol of the new beginning Zoey is ready to embrace.

Vida

Vida, though deceased, remains a pivotal figure throughout the story. Her life, marked by rebellion and a free-spirited nature, serves as both a source of inspiration and a source of tension for her daughters.

Vida’s unconventional past, including her time spent following rock concerts and possibly her connection with David Bowie, shapes her daughters’ perceptions of her. Her death leaves a lingering impact on both Zoey and Jeanie, as they struggle to reconcile her wildness with their memories of her as a mother.

The discovery of her diary, detailing her adventurous past, serves as a key to unlocking Zoey’s understanding of her mother’s life and choices. Vida’s legacy is not just in the ashes she left behind but in the way she shaped Zoey’s journey—teaching her about living with passion and the importance of embracing life’s unpredictability.

Ultimately, Zoey’s journey to scatter Vida’s ashes is as much about understanding her mother’s complexities as it is about reconciling with her own grief and seeking a way forward in her life.

Themes

Grief and Loss

The journey in Chasing Stardust is propelled by Zoey’s grief over the death of her mother. Her mother’s passing leaves a void that Zoey tries to fill by understanding more about her life and, ultimately, by fulfilling her mother’s last wish.

Zoey’s grief manifests in different forms throughout the story, from her initial reluctance to cry at her mother’s funeral to her emotional breakdowns along the road. Her trip becomes not just a way to honor her mother’s wishes, but a means of coming to terms with her loss.

As Zoey faces numerous setbacks and challenges, she learns to confront the reality of her mother’s absence, all while struggling with the weight of the unspoken emotional baggage that comes with losing a parent. The trip’s mishaps and difficulties reflect her inner turmoil and the realization that the journey is as much about healing herself as it is about spreading her mother’s ashes.

Through these moments, the novel explores how grief can propel individuals toward unexpected journeys, personal revelations, and ultimately, growth.

Self-Discovery

Zoey’s road trip is as much about rediscovering her mother as it is about discovering herself. Initially, Zoey is caught up in the expectations of others, especially her boyfriend Damian, whose indifference to her emotional journey highlights Zoey’s own uncertainty about who she truly is.

Over the course of her travels, Zoey uncovers parts of her mother’s reckless past that challenge her perception of her family and herself. Each stop, from Cleveland to Santa Monica, is not just about scattering ashes but about Zoey’s own exploration of identity and purpose.

As she delves deeper into her mother’s experiences, Zoey begins to realize that she is more than just the daughter of her mother. She is an individual capable of making her own decisions, living her own life, and taking risks.

The friendship and eventual romantic connection with Dash provide her with the courage to embrace her independence, moving beyond her grief and uncertainty toward a future of possibility. Zoey’s journey symbolizes the challenge of finding one’s own voice amid the shadows of family legacy and personal loss.

Family and Relationships

Throughout Chasing Stardust, the relationships between Zoey, her sister Jeanie, and their grandmother G-Lo play an integral role in Zoey’s emotional growth. Zoey’s relationship with Jeanie is marked by tension and rivalry, particularly around the memory of their mother.

Jeanie’s practical, skeptical attitude contrasts sharply with Zoey’s idealized and romantic view of their mother’s life, and this conflict drives Zoey to seek answers about their mother on her own terms. Zoey’s relationship with G-Lo, on the other hand, offers a sense of comfort and a connection to her mother’s free-spirited past.

G-Lo’s carefree nature and her willingness to embrace life’s unpredictability provide Zoey with both the support and the inspiration she needs to continue on her journey, even when it feels overwhelming. The story also highlights the complexity of Zoey’s romantic relationship with Damian, which becomes strained as Zoey realizes that she has outgrown her dependence on him.

Her growing attraction to Dash is marked by a shared understanding of loss and a deepening emotional connection that contrasts with the superficiality of her previous relationship. In all these relationships, Zoey learns that family, while sometimes painful, can also provide the strength and understanding necessary for personal growth.

Personal Growth and Change

Zoey’s journey across the country serves as a powerful metaphor for personal growth. In the beginning, she is caught between the comfort of her past life, represented by her relationship with Damian and her home life with Jeanie and G-Lo, and the pull of a future that requires her to let go of the past.

Zoey’s evolving relationship with her mother’s ashes and her eventual understanding of the significance of each location she visits marks her transition from a grieving daughter to a self-assured woman who understands her own desires and ambitions. The breakdown of her car, the financial and emotional struggles, and her encounters with strangers such as Ernie, T.J., and Dash force Zoey to navigate the discomfort and unpredictability of life.

Her personal growth is not just about the physical distance she covers on the road but about her emotional transformation as she sheds her fears and embraces the unknown. By the end of the novel, Zoey is no longer defined solely by her mother’s legacy or her past relationship.

She has embraced change, let go of her old life, and taken steps toward a future where she can chart her own path.

Love and Connection

At its core, Chasing Stardust is also a story about love and connection. Zoey’s evolving feelings for Dash are a reflection of her journey toward emotional maturity.

Initially, she is hesitant to trust him due to the complexities of her past relationships, particularly her betrayal by Damian. However, as Zoey and Dash share experiences, confront their own emotional baggage, and discover mutual interests, their bond grows stronger.

Dash, too, has his own struggles with his family and identity, which allows him to understand Zoey’s personal journey. Their connection represents the possibility of healing and new beginnings.

Their relationship challenges Zoey’s ideas of love, forcing her to confront her own fears of vulnerability and commitment. As Zoey moves forward, she not only finds clarity in her relationship with Dash but also in her own ability to love herself and embrace the unpredictable nature of life and relationships.

Through love and connection, Zoey learns that she can heal, grow, and ultimately open herself to the possibilities that lie ahead.