The Almost Moon: A Novel by Alice Sebold
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Book Reviews of The Almost Moon: A Novel
Book Review: Disappointed in the bad reviews!!!!! Very good book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe some of you wanted the cherry on top, happy ending version, but you should have known from Lovely Bones that Sebold is capable of and will take you to the deepest, darkest depths and dungeons of the human heart. This time, she gave you the dark without the light and I feel that this is what most of you got turned off to. It hit closer to reality, maybe too close for some of you hiding bad feelings in your closets that you are too afraid to think about. Such is life. Not everyone is going to kill their mother, but every dialogue, every decision of Helen's, every recollection hits home with incredible realism and depth. Most of us hide screwed up lives and it takes courage from Sebold to probe those buried feelings and write about it with such tenacity.
I think the bad reviews are unjustified. The Almost Moon was sincere, and powerful. Most importantly, it was deep on a whole other level than the rest of light reading popular fiction out there that I despise.
Open up to this book and appreciate it for what it really is. Thanks, Sebold.
Book Review: Almost Moon: Characters We Hate
Summary: 5 Stars
Good literature is like good art. According to writer Annie Dillard it should be like a big dog dragging you into traffic. Good literature disturbs, and Almost Moon is disturbing. As a reader, you can't really like the main character or her mentally ill mother. You can't "enjoy" the subject matter. Matricide isn't pretty, after all. But Sebold addresses the subject of family dysfunction and its long-lasting effects frankly and boldly. The novel fascinates because it does not engage reader identification in some ways -- who wants to think about killing one's mother. But it also fascinates because it engenders thought: What would I do? Could I maintain kindness in the face of an elderly parent turned abusive other? How can we alter the face mental illness in this country to prevent such tragedies? Who suffers and why? Sebold explores the dark reaches of the human psyche in this novel. If you are unprepared to be dragged into the dark, then don't read this novel. If you have a strong stomach and an enquiring mind, then relish it.Book Review: A Dark and Powerful Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow, I'm really surprised at all of the negative reviews surrounding Sebold's second novel. I read the reviews when the book first came out, but purposely put off reading it for a number of months because I wanted to read it with as much objectivity as possible. I found the book dark, but very, very powerful. I became aware of how time itself became a strong character, much like how Kurosawa used the element of time in his movies. The tension in Helen's character was hard to take sometimes, because the tension was so palatable. You could feel the anguish and struggle come right off the page.
I understand how this book may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're not expecting the second coming of The Lovely Bones, and keep an open mind, I think you'll find this a powerful read. It's hard to say that I "liked" the book, because that's not a verb that I would readily associate with a book of this nature, but I was quite moved by it. Honestly, I thought it was a more powerful book than "The Lovely Bones."
Book Review: Can't Put It Down - True Life
Summary: 5 Stars
The Almost Moon: A Novel
Well, I couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed the author's other books and couldn't wait to read this one either. It might magnify the drama of real life a bit, but that's the kind of reading I like. The absurd. The outlandish. The things I wouldn't have the guts to do myself - although I don't see myself ever murdering anyone. My mom had dementia and there were times I missed her sooooo... much and felt so sad for the empty shell she had become, I understood the character's actions. I think the author is an artist with words. A recent NPR interview convinced me that I had to read the book. Look for the podcast to hear why it will give you more introspect to the book. If others can recommend more books like this, please do. I'm a fan of The Bell Jar too, so you can see I'm an audience of one of the damaged and bizarre. Try Geek Love.
Book Review: Absolutely amazing book.
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished this book last night, and I can't stop thinking about it. It has been a long time since I read something that picks up so much steam as it unfolds. The insights, not just into Helen's family life, but the relationships in every family -- just beautiful. And what I like about Alice Sebold's writing is that everything isn't just laid out for you. You're really challenged to delve into these characters and situations, draw conclusions based on your own experiences, and move along from there. I've never read an author that does that so effortlessly.
Full of suspense, and surprisingly enough, humor...I just can't recommend this book enough. Buy it. Read the whole book, not just the first one or two chapters so you can feign outrage at the perceived subject matter.
I haven't read a novel this good in quite some time. I'll certainly never forget it.