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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon is a unique novel. Lux Lysander lives in San Francisco, California in 1975. Lux is a single mother of a five-year-old (Bennett) and a waitress at an Irish pub in North Beach. While her son, Benno (his nickname) is visiting his grandparents in Rhode Island, Lux has decided to go on a camping trip. She needs to get away for a while. Lux going on a camping trip in the Sonoma Valley (Lux calls in Valley of the Moon). Something awakens her at midnight and she sees a strange fog. She sees a light and goes to investigate. As far as Lux knows there should not be any homes nearby. Lux heads towards the light and emerges to find a barn. Upon further investigation, Lux finds a whole village. The people here speak differently and wear old fashioned clothing.
Joseph Beauford Bell lives in Greengage. A community he established in San Ellen, California. This community set up where everyone is equal (whether they are rich, poor, white, Hispanic, Catholic, Episcopalian, etc.). All the residents get a fair wage and a share in the profits. The community has about 300 residents along with Joseph’s sister, Fancy who is visiting when there is a big earthquake in 1906. After the earthquake tremors die down, a strange fog envelops Greengage. When residents try to leave, they die in the fog. In all this time no one has ever come looking for them or stumbled into their town, until Lux. Lux feels such a peace in this unique town. The people are hopeful that they can now leave, but it is not to be. Lux enjoys her visit to Greengage, but she soon has to leave. She discovers that time moves differently in the two worlds. It goes faster in the real world. Lux has to be careful how much time she spends in Greengage (dreadful consequences). And she can only return when there is a full moon and then wait for the fog to appear. But the fog is not consistent in its appearance. As the years go by Lux is more torn between these two worlds. But Lux has her son to consider. Will Lux ever be able to stay in the world that feels like home?
Valley of the Moon was an interesting story. I liked it, but the pace is a little slow. The writing is also a flat. It needed a little more excitement or action. I liked the characters especially Joseph and the town of Greengage. Valley of the Moon is really a romance novel about two people who meet despite the chasm of time. I give Valley of the Moon 4 out of 5 stars. The book did hold my interest and I was curious to see what choice Lux would make in the end. The book does have a strange ending. If you enjoy unique, romance novels, then you will like Valley of the Moon.
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Joseph Beauford Bell lives in Greengage. A community he established in San Ellen, California. This community set up where everyone is equal (whether they are rich, poor, white, Hispanic, Catholic, Episcopalian, etc.). All the residents get a fair wage and a share in the profits. The community has about 300 residents along with Joseph’s sister, Fancy who is visiting when there is a big earthquake in 1906. After the earthquake tremors die down, a strange fog envelops Greengage. When residents try to leave, they die in the fog. In all this time no one has ever come looking for them or stumbled into their town, until Lux. Lux feels such a peace in this unique town. The people are hopeful that they can now leave, but it is not to be. Lux enjoys her visit to Greengage, but she soon has to leave. She discovers that time moves differently in the two worlds. It goes faster in the real world. Lux has to be careful how much time she spends in Greengage (dreadful consequences). And she can only return when there is a full moon and then wait for the fog to appear. But the fog is not consistent in its appearance. As the years go by Lux is more torn between these two worlds. But Lux has her son to consider. Will Lux ever be able to stay in the world that feels like home?
Valley of the Moon was an interesting story. I liked it, but the pace is a little slow. The writing is also a flat. It needed a little more excitement or action. I liked the characters especially Joseph and the town of Greengage. Valley of the Moon is really a romance novel about two people who meet despite the chasm of time. I give Valley of the Moon 4 out of 5 stars. The book did hold my interest and I was curious to see what choice Lux would make in the end. The book does have a strange ending. If you enjoy unique, romance novels, then you will like Valley of the Moon.
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
iregaipla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
erinleighty16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bethsponz's review against another edition
5.0
Such a unique book. I can’t even explain it. The Valley of the Moon is a place where time is different and moves strangely. You are just sucked into this story of lives from two different times in history. It connects with the full moon. A cool book.
cstaude's review against another edition
5.0
This book captivated me right from the start. I loved its characters and the plot was so well done I had to keep reading into the wee hours of the morning. Couldn't put it down!
readingandsunshine's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This was a book that was contributed to my traveling book project. It is not something I normally would have chosen to read but I am so glad I did. The concept was creative and heart wrenching and wonderful
bookswritingandmore's review against another edition
5.0
This book blindsided me. I was completely entranced in this story from the beginning. The premise is Lux is a single mom, raising her son Benno, or trying to raise him on her salary as a waitress, living in Noe Valley, on one floor or an older Victorian owned by Rose and Doro, in their 70’s. They are good people, an extended family. Her only kind of family in San Francisco. Her parents still live in the northeast, where she grew up. Summers, she often thinks of the years she spent with her Dad at their cabin on the lake in New Hampshire. She often wishes things were different with her and her father but one faithful day changed their relationsip forever.
When Benno goes to visit his grandma Lux seeks the peace and quiet of nature. She ends up camping in the Valley of the moon and comes across a peculiar fog around midnight. She goes to investigate and discovers that it takes quite awhile to walk through the fog but once she makes it through she is all the sudden in broad daylight at this majestic hideaway where different people live. Lux isn't sure what to make of them at first as they dress as if they are from another time. She soon discovers that they are and thus begins Lux's dual life of present day mundane life and her adventures to the Valley of the Moon.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! I simply can not find enough good words to describe the writing, the character development and the story to you. It was original and very well told. I found myself wanting to spend a day or two in this invisible land with Lux and her friends. I wept with her when she couldn't chose between her present day life and her life in Greenage. The author did such a great job describing the different community style and then would seamlessly take us right back to 1975 in San Francisco with ease. The ending shocked me but it was perfect. A definite winner I would pick up again and again.
When Benno goes to visit his grandma Lux seeks the peace and quiet of nature. She ends up camping in the Valley of the moon and comes across a peculiar fog around midnight. She goes to investigate and discovers that it takes quite awhile to walk through the fog but once she makes it through she is all the sudden in broad daylight at this majestic hideaway where different people live. Lux isn't sure what to make of them at first as they dress as if they are from another time. She soon discovers that they are and thus begins Lux's dual life of present day mundane life and her adventures to the Valley of the Moon.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! I simply can not find enough good words to describe the writing, the character development and the story to you. It was original and very well told. I found myself wanting to spend a day or two in this invisible land with Lux and her friends. I wept with her when she couldn't chose between her present day life and her life in Greenage. The author did such a great job describing the different community style and then would seamlessly take us right back to 1975 in San Francisco with ease. The ending shocked me but it was perfect. A definite winner I would pick up again and again.
knynas1's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book was way better than I anticipated. The characters are going to stay with me for a long time. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, thrilling and a wonderful love story. I often think about how fluid time is and how connected we all are through common life events. I loved this story!
daniellewalsh's review
4.0
The storytelling is cinematic and it's magical seeing Lux exist in both the past and her present - 1970s San Francisco; a time of the hippie movement and people living with the effects of the Vietnam War.
It paints a picture of 19th Century America, where utopian communities were created to set themselves apart from mainstream living, instead bringing people together to try to achieve collective perfection and leave a legacy.
Although they are years apart, the characters share a love for living as they want to live, simply and well, in a community that accepts them. To those stuck in Greengage, the novelty may have started to wear off, but the arrival of Lux injects a sense of fascination back into the place.
It's been compared to The Time Traveler's Wife, which I haven't read before, but from the sounds of it, it has similar themes. If you want to delve into a world of time travel, nature and simple living, community, belonging, Valley of the Moon will transport you to 1970s and 1906...and beyond.
⏳
It paints a picture of 19th Century America, where utopian communities were created to set themselves apart from mainstream living, instead bringing people together to try to achieve collective perfection and leave a legacy.
Although they are years apart, the characters share a love for living as they want to live, simply and well, in a community that accepts them. To those stuck in Greengage, the novelty may have started to wear off, but the arrival of Lux injects a sense of fascination back into the place.
It's been compared to The Time Traveler's Wife, which I haven't read before, but from the sounds of it, it has similar themes. If you want to delve into a world of time travel, nature and simple living, community, belonging, Valley of the Moon will transport you to 1970s and 1906...and beyond.
⏳
chanteld's review against another edition
3.0
Captivating. Magical. Beautiful. This time travel romance.
In 1975, Lux is a single mom who is struggling to make her way as a waitress when she discovers an idyllic community in the Sonoma Valley. Greengage, is a farm, she meets Joseph and his family and friends in a community of workers who share an egalitarian philosophy. In Greenage it is 1906. Yes. Time travel. Gaps in time. Whatever it is to be called.
Lux finds herself torn between her ties to the modern world, her adored son Benno, her best friend Rhonda, her estranged parents, and the first place she has ever felt truly at home.
This is my very first experience with time travel in a book. I struggled with having to suspend reality, this isn't real kept popping up in in the beginning, but then I let it all go and started to enjoy the story.
Now, I still maintain that I am not a fan of Lux. But I genuinely enjoyed this book. There are so many lovely moments mixed with heart rending moments. This is tale of love, grow and the real meaning of family.
In 1975, Lux is a single mom who is struggling to make her way as a waitress when she discovers an idyllic community in the Sonoma Valley. Greengage, is a farm, she meets Joseph and his family and friends in a community of workers who share an egalitarian philosophy. In Greenage it is 1906. Yes. Time travel. Gaps in time. Whatever it is to be called.
Lux finds herself torn between her ties to the modern world, her adored son Benno, her best friend Rhonda, her estranged parents, and the first place she has ever felt truly at home.
This is my very first experience with time travel in a book. I struggled with having to suspend reality, this isn't real kept popping up in in the beginning, but then I let it all go and started to enjoy the story.
Now, I still maintain that I am not a fan of Lux. But I genuinely enjoyed this book. There are so many lovely moments mixed with heart rending moments. This is tale of love, grow and the real meaning of family.