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luma1008's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
bloodredrache's review
4.0
(Warning: this book could be extremely triggering for those with mental health issues. Read at your own discretion.)
An extremely ambitious novel, Where the Moon Isn't frames a story written and typed by a main character suffering from mental illness following the death of his brother. Painful and evocative of mental illness, Filer has written an amazing first novel.
An extremely ambitious novel, Where the Moon Isn't frames a story written and typed by a main character suffering from mental illness following the death of his brother. Painful and evocative of mental illness, Filer has written an amazing first novel.
monicajosephine's review
4.0
I was really impressed with the portrayal of schizophrenia. As someone who has worked with folks with schizophrenia for quite a few years, I am frequently frustrated/disappointed/appalled by the portrayal of schizophrenia in popular media. This did not disappoint. It was moving and interestingly written. Realistic and yet with some hope.
sarah_d's review
3.0
I found this to be a very entertaining and interesting novel, with a compelling perspective on schizophrenia from the "inside." I wouldn't mind reading more from Nathan Filer. 3.5 stars.
cwiegmann24's review
3.0
While reading this book, I realized I was a hundred pages in, and had no idea where the book was going. Then I did the same thing at page two hundred. Looking at what the book is about, that might be part of the idea. You get a glimpse of Matthew's childhood, and then are taken on a wild ride of a person slowly deteriorating into madness. That makes it hard to follow.
This isn't a bad book; by the end I really wanted to know if Matt was going to come to terms with his childhood and the loss of his brother. I wanted him to get better. I was pulled into caring about the character, and that is a big part of whether or not I like the book. I was debating on 3 or 4 stars for this review, but I felt swayed by the recommendations that I got for this book. I finally realized that I just needed to rate the book based on how I felt about it when I was reading it. My 3 stars are for the tragic beginning of the book and the hopeful outlook at the end. I didn't connect with the pages and pages of Matt's mental decline. I guess it gave me a glimpse into the mind of a schizophrenic. The changes in typography echoed House of Leaves, although this book is nowhere near the craziness found in that book.
Overall, this book was okay. Interesting read, but not the experience I was hoping for.
This isn't a bad book; by the end I really wanted to know if Matt was going to come to terms with his childhood and the loss of his brother. I wanted him to get better. I was pulled into caring about the character, and that is a big part of whether or not I like the book. I was debating on 3 or 4 stars for this review, but I felt swayed by the recommendations that I got for this book. I finally realized that I just needed to rate the book based on how I felt about it when I was reading it. My 3 stars are for the tragic beginning of the book and the hopeful outlook at the end. I didn't connect with the pages and pages of Matt's mental decline. I guess it gave me a glimpse into the mind of a schizophrenic. The changes in typography echoed House of Leaves, although this book is nowhere near the craziness found in that book.
Overall, this book was okay. Interesting read, but not the experience I was hoping for.
megangolson's review
3.0
I definitely enjoyed this book, but didn't find much more than an escape in it. There was nothing to make me think or rethink. There was no meaning. Perhaps there isn't any meaning in mental illness, but I think I'm reading farther into things now than the book warrants.
My only real complaint was with Simon having Down Syndrome. I could see no thematic or plot necessity for it. Sure it made him carrying Matt home more touching and it lowered the height requirements for the cliff, but it added nothing to the story. Although I think it is important for authors to include these characters in novels - representation matters - in a family already laden with schizophrenia and anxiety, it seemed forced.
Overall good book. Could have been better, as is true with most things.
My only real complaint was with Simon having Down Syndrome. I could see no thematic or plot necessity for it. Sure it made him carrying Matt home more touching and it lowered the height requirements for the cliff, but it added nothing to the story. Although I think it is important for authors to include these characters in novels - representation matters - in a family already laden with schizophrenia and anxiety, it seemed forced.
Overall good book. Could have been better, as is true with most things.
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