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The Girl Who Swallowed the Moon
Staying at her great-aunt's cabin on the St. George River in Maine, Arian finds that House can communicate with her, River is composed of tears from generations of women's lives, and that swallowing a sliver of the full moon is not an action to be taken lightly.
Her story is one of remembering, joining and healing four generations of mothers and daughters, including a reweaving of the stories of Demeter, Persephone and Hecate with breath-taking description and power.
Her story is one of remembering, joining and healing four generations of mothers and daughters, including a reweaving of the stories of Demeter, Persephone and Hecate with breath-taking description and power.
191 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
About the author
Melanie Gideon
13 books478 followersMelanie Gideon is the NYT bestselling author of the memoir, The Slippery Year: A Meditation on Happily Ever After, as well as the novels Wife 22, Valley of the Moon and Did I Say You Could Go. Her books have been translated into thirty languages. She lives in the Bay Area.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 15, 2016
This was astonishing! I have no idea why more people do not know about this book :( That makes me extremely sad! So many people are missing out on something that is wonderful.
I am not as good as other goodreads reviewer's, I wish one of them would review this so the responsibility does not fall on me.
Well,
Read this if you carry a pain, read this if you are happy, read this if you are sad, read this if you are alone, read this if you are in love. Read this if you are soul searching and want to think deeply about life, read this if you need a break from reality and want to escape to a beautiful place with memorable unforgettable characters. Read this if you need some memorable quotes that will stick to your guts forever. Read this if you love metaphors, if you love symbolism, if you need strength, if you need permission to cry, if you need permission to laugh, if you need time alone, if you simply just want to exist and be happy and not have people pass judgment on you every 5 fucking seconds. Read this if you are popular, read this if you are invisible (like me)
read this...
read this...
read this...
and then, you may get back to your life... perhaps with more insight about yourself, about life.
I am not as good as other goodreads reviewer's, I wish one of them would review this so the responsibility does not fall on me.
Well,
Read this if you carry a pain, read this if you are happy, read this if you are sad, read this if you are alone, read this if you are in love. Read this if you are soul searching and want to think deeply about life, read this if you need a break from reality and want to escape to a beautiful place with memorable unforgettable characters. Read this if you need some memorable quotes that will stick to your guts forever. Read this if you love metaphors, if you love symbolism, if you need strength, if you need permission to cry, if you need permission to laugh, if you need time alone, if you simply just want to exist and be happy and not have people pass judgment on you every 5 fucking seconds. Read this if you are popular, read this if you are invisible (like me)
read this...
read this...
read this...
and then, you may get back to your life... perhaps with more insight about yourself, about life.
October 16, 2020
Okay, wow. This book is impossible to describe, but because I want to remember for myself:
The book follows mainly four people: the girl who swallowed the moon, obviously, 28-year old Arian, and the three women who are travelling to meet her – teenage girl, middle-aged, and old. As the story goes on you learn more about their history and legacy, both individuall and as women.
Because this is a book about women; about young women and old women, mothers and daughters, oridinary women and almost magical beings, goddesses and creatures of the night.
During some parts I thought it was putting too much emphasis on the whole theme of motherhood, but I think I learned a lot about being a daughter, as well, and maybe also about guilt, forgiveness, and myself. I think I will come back and read it again because there are so many layers and metaphors, some of which I feel so close to grasp and some of which I probably haven't even seen yet, but I can just feel that all of them are important and something I need to learn, as well.
The book follows mainly four people: the girl who swallowed the moon, obviously, 28-year old Arian, and the three women who are travelling to meet her – teenage girl, middle-aged, and old. As the story goes on you learn more about their history and legacy, both individuall and as women.
Because this is a book about women; about young women and old women, mothers and daughters, oridinary women and almost magical beings, goddesses and creatures of the night.
During some parts I thought it was putting too much emphasis on the whole theme of motherhood, but I think I learned a lot about being a daughter, as well, and maybe also about guilt, forgiveness, and myself. I think I will come back and read it again because there are so many layers and metaphors, some of which I feel so close to grasp and some of which I probably haven't even seen yet, but I can just feel that all of them are important and something I need to learn, as well.
June 23, 2019
Every girl and woman should read this book. The understanding of the storyline creeps up on you; it's not until about 3/4 of the way through that the impact hits. You suddenly understand the characters and their meaning to the overall story. I won't give it away but it's so impactful it serves to open your eyes to something I think every woman experiences, whether she realizes it or not. The story explains this, through fantasy and legend, but it's very real, and once you understand it, it's hard not to open up and let in some healing energy. It's a truly unique, spiritual experience.
August 11, 2017
I really liked it! It reminded me of A Wrinkle in Time, which says a lot. There is so much in here beyond a children's book. It explores the power and magic of love, the magic and love an adoptive family, and so much more!
August 13, 2024
I love sweet little fairy tales
February 19, 2021
Very cute!
June 8, 2023
Such an enjoyable read. The pages flew by and I loved the characters. This world felt real to me and I was utterly enchanted.
January 18, 2019
Intriguing novel that is a combination dystopian fantasy and fairy tale. I liked best the unique and surprising characters, including a lovable, personified bog-Creator that writes poetry, a tiny dragon who thinks he's enormous, a couple of contrasting witches and a very young protagonist who has to find out who she really is.
January 14, 2021
If you are a twelve to year old girl or ever have been a twelve year old girl, read this book! And give it to every twelve year old girl you meet. Love, authority, loss, sorrow, change and all the other ingredients it takes to make the magic of a changeling girl are here in glorious splendor that *almost* make me want to be a teenager again.
October 28, 2023
The most beautiful book I’ve read in a very long time. Definitely going to share it with my daughter.
It’s magic and poetry and fairy tales and generational stories woven so well together.
If I could give six stars I would.
I DESPERATELY want to see this made into a TV series or a movie trilogy (one movie would not be able to do it justice).
Please someone option this for movie rights!!
It’s magic and poetry and fairy tales and generational stories woven so well together.
If I could give six stars I would.
I DESPERATELY want to see this made into a TV series or a movie trilogy (one movie would not be able to do it justice).
Please someone option this for movie rights!!
May 25, 2017
This started out feeling like The Hunger Games--with a sacrifice each year from the villages. Fortunately, it moved out of that territory. The writing is amazing, and there are so many poetic phrases. I'm not big on fantasy, but this was fun.
October 4, 2020
Although a "Young Readers" book, I at 79 thoroughly enjoyed. Reading I experienced a new level of appreciation for the power of LOVE. The Crow in this read brought back memories of our childhood pet Crow, Calvin. Recommend to all young adults and adults as well.
September 21, 2021
I bought this book for my kiddos but ended up just reading the whole thing myself. It blew me away. What a thrilling imaginative premise. I loved every second of it. Could not put it down, recommend it to all parents you know.
September 2, 2017
This is a wonderful book about the power of both sadness and love. Some readers may have difficulty with the number of points of view. The storyteller in particular requires a discerning reader.
April 4, 2018
Beautiful story. Heartwarming characters. Simply and lovingly written.
April 27, 2018
2.5. I like the essential tale but found it a bit condescending in its telling.
July 26, 2018
Very good fairy tale.
January 2, 2019
Just could not get interested or finish it. Couldn’t bare to see it in my currently reading forever.
May 15, 2019
This was a wonderful book about love, sacrifice, and beauty! I highly recommend it for young adults and adults!
April 14, 2020
Loved it.
July 29, 2020
Young adult fiction - a bit too long in spots but otherwise held my attention
April 2, 2021
Entertaining youth read
February 12, 2022
Beautiful fantasy. Full of meaning and wonder.
March 19, 2022
My whole book club is giving up on this crazy book! I could not understand this book, I got about halfway hoping it would start making sense but no luck!
October 29, 2022
beautiful.
August 16, 2023
Loved the fantasy and magic in this middle grade chapter book in which good magic battles evil forces that have kept an isolated area captive for many years.
June 19, 2024
Read for a book club and want to listen with my kids.
January 22, 2019
Another lovely story I read so could discuss with my 10 year old Granddaughter. I enjoyed this book, lots of good learning points-lots of magic and witches, good and evil. Loved it!
June 18, 2012
I read this book in high school. I loved it. Since, I have read it numerous times. It is one of my favorite books.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews