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mgreer56's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abbeyhar103's review against another edition
5.0
This was WONDERFUL. I don't always love everything Chabon writes, but I think this might be my favorite.
Such a fantastic mix of memoir, magical realism, unreliable narration, and subject matter. Told in a non-linear style that took me a bit to get used to.
Such a fantastic mix of memoir, magical realism, unreliable narration, and subject matter. Told in a non-linear style that took me a bit to get used to.
djr100's review against another edition
5.0
As a big Charon fan, this not only didn't disappoint, but was yet another display of his talent. I loved the fictionalized memoir as a story telling vehicle. So many "family" stories that while jumping around were really brought together by Chabon.
eschwake's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
team_worm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alexisrt's review against another edition
4.0
This is a solid effort from Chabon, an improvement over his overindulgent Telegraph Avenue. Here, he delivers a "memoir" (of dubious truthfulness) of his grandparents' relationship, as revealed to him at the end of his grandfather's life. The story jumps through time (though one core story proceeds largely sequentially), place, and perspective, as Chabon writes from both his own present day point of view and a third person POV centered on his grandfather. It's funny, if a little on the self-knowing side, but it isn't a funny book; it's a blackly humorous sad story of crime, mental illness, and family secrets.
karentipsy's review against another edition
Couldn't get into it. Doesn't really seem to have a point and I'm not confident there will be one. I don't know how this book has so many amazing reviews. Plus I dislike the way the author writes. There's an underlying smugness that is difficult to define.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book. It reads like fiction, but you know it really isn't. Can't say I loved it, but I also didn't question why I read it. There is an off flow to it, almost poetic almost lyrical. Weirdly the story's narrative doesn't fit that idea either. The characters are very real and relatable, even if they are curious.
tigerknitting's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best writers around today is Michael Chabon. I really enjoyed "Wonder Boys" and "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay", so when I heard about "Moonglow" I was very excited.
"Moonglow" is written as a memoir, with Chabon telling the story of his grandfather's last days during which he told Chabon much about his life (which he had not previously shared.) Chabon's grandather (who is not named) lived a very interesting life, which included serving in World War II. His wife (Chabon's grandmother) fled Europe after the war with her daughter in tow. Throughout their marriage they dealt with many difficult things. It is hard to describe more than that without giving away the plot. Suffice it to say, the book is very well written and very interesting.
If you like Chabon's other books you'll like this one. You'll also like it if you like historical fiction, especially set from World War II on, or if you like books with lots of characters.
"Moonglow" is written as a memoir, with Chabon telling the story of his grandfather's last days during which he told Chabon much about his life (which he had not previously shared.) Chabon's grandather (who is not named) lived a very interesting life, which included serving in World War II. His wife (Chabon's grandmother) fled Europe after the war with her daughter in tow. Throughout their marriage they dealt with many difficult things. It is hard to describe more than that without giving away the plot. Suffice it to say, the book is very well written and very interesting.
If you like Chabon's other books you'll like this one. You'll also like it if you like historical fiction, especially set from World War II on, or if you like books with lots of characters.