Hang the Moon: Book Review

Hang the Moon

By Jeannette Walls

Library Copy

I really wanted to like Hang the Moon. I read her previous memoir, Glass Castles. But, unfortunately it did not make my expectation. The beginning was delightful, and it was fast paced. But then one catastrophe after another happened. This made it feel like the author was just throwing stuff at us, non-sensical. It had no rhyme, or reason. It then fell flat and lost me at the end. The ending was wrapped in a tight bow( happy ever after). It was too happy ever after. C'mon this would never happen in real life. It was contrived. 

Hang the Moon takes place in the Appalachia Mountains in the early 1900's. Her Father, Duke is larger than life. An important man in town. Sallie, his daughter, and his wife( second marriage), and his son, Eddie( Sallie's half brother). Her Step Mother always ridicules Sallie from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to bed( think wicked step mother).

Eddie is not athletic, he is clumsy, a book nerd. He's Mother is over protective. His Mother makes excuses for him. The sun rises and sets on him. When an accident happens to Eddie. His Step-Sister, Sallie is sent away to her Aunt( Sallie's Mother's Sister). Sallie thinks it will be a little while. Instead it is 8 years. 

Duke only sends for Sallie to help raise Eddie as his mother has died. Then one after another events keep happening to the family. There is one thing that Sallie can hold on to. Her Mother's necklace. She has images of her Mother. But, she really doesn't know who her Mother is. We eventually learn what kind of Man Duke is. It's not what Sallie learns about her Dad. Its only after observing and watching, hearing from others does she come to the realization. The truth is unraveling in front of Sallie. The truth of her real Mom, and Dad and the relationship, and the others. 

I loved the beginning of the novel. It was a page turner and I loved it. But, then after awhile it was falling apart. Some of it was unrealistic. How the pieces fit together. I can't say, I didn't like it. I thought it would be a good book club discussion though. Themes of Appalachia, injustice, prohibition, and racism were touched in the book. It wasn't a satisfying read. But, I am still liked it.