Forgive the Moon

by Maryanne Stahl

Book Overview

During a vacation on Long Island, Amanda Kincaid hoped to sort out the many changes in her life, including her crumbling marriage. Instead, she discovers some shocking things about the past-and meets... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451206339
• ISBN13: 9780451206336
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: New American Library
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Smart, sensitive, intense

For intelligent readers who like character-driven, beautifully written stories, it doesn't get any better than this. Stahl delves deep into the psychology of relationships in all their pain, joy and confusion, and emerges with a very human tale that buoys the soul.

Couldn't Put It Down

Forgive the Moon is a fabulous story of one woman's coming full-circle. The protaganist goes on vacation with her family leaving her husband behind. A rocky marriage to busy her mind, she finds that there is life beyond her marriage, and probably a better one. It's a story of love, courage and family.

Too good for just "summer reading"

I loved this book. Maryanne Stahl has a style and expertise that raise this story of a woman trying to find her place in the world well above the simple romance it could have been. The protagonist's personal struggles--with her flagging marriage, a lover, her role as mother (and potential mother, because she might be pregnant), and the realization of her talents as a musician--are skillfully intercut with scenes from a childhood tempered by the mental illness of her mother. There is much going on here, and yet the book is a quick read. Almost too quick; I was sorry to put it down when I'd finished it.Sue O'NeillAuthor: Don't Mean Nothing: Stories of Viet Nam

A Great read.

Maryanne Stahl tells a story the way we live it, in calm moments, quiet whispers, slices of memories. She presents a complicated life without relying on melodrama or a loud writing voice. Her voice is understated; it has no ego. She removes herself so we can see a family, one not too different from any family. In this way (at least for me) the book becomes a generic journey for all of us, particularly women who are pulled by maternal strings, creative urges and sexual longings. Amanda, the protagonist, struggles with neglect. It has haunted her all of her life. Her recently deceased mother was a schizophrenic, and her presence throughout Amanda's life was diaphanous. Her husband has grown distant and may be having an affair. Her cherished daughter has left the nest. And on top of all of this, Amanda thinks she may be pregnant. The setting is the Long Island beach where Amanda's family gathers for their annual family vacation. The story flows seamlessly, moving in and out of time gradually so that we gather the complicated pieces of history as we watch the family interact in the present. The mood is sensual, earthy, and peaceful, like Amanda who finds her comfort in the natural order of life-- the ocean, the fertile soil, the innocent animals. Ms Stahl plants the reader like a seed, with fine detail, allowing imagery to help her speak to us, and it does. By the end we understand more than Amanda and her family. We learn about how one evolves, rejuvenates and finds answers in a life that is like that ocean--complex, teaming with hidden, interconnecting lives, fluid and forgiving, yet tumultuous and unforgiving at times. But always, always demanding respect. A great read. Thoughtful. It will fly by, but take time to read it and think.