That's the working epitaph of 15-year-old Moon Landing. Not that Moon's death is imminent—far from it—but his thoughts have turned to gallows humor, as his world disintegrates along with his parents' marriage. His older brother skateboards through life with ease, but Moon is deeply troubled.
Just as he is solving for romantic unknowns with a gorgeous older girl, Moon must contend with his father's sudden absence, his mom-gone-wild's sexcapades, and his best friends' curious penchant for self-destruction. Not to mention his newfound role in agitating to end an African guerilla's bloody rampage.
To make sense of it all, Moon embarks on a quest to unravel the riddle of God's injustice to man.
In this humorous and touching coming-of-age novel, Moon struggles to understand his parents—who they are, what brought them together, what broke them apart—and what that all means for his future.
"I was instantly captivated by this funny and gritty book—a Catcher in the Rye for the selfie generation! Moon Landing is a darkly hilarious narrator of the contradictions and confusions of growing up. Thrilling, vivid, and deeply satisfying!"
–Chuck Ranberg, Five-time Emmy Award®-winning writer of Frasier and Desperate Housewives
Crowder’s contribution to this latest and best addition to the genre is that he is telling a coming-of-age story in multiple dimensions. Young Moon aside, almost everyone in this book, including the adults, is coming of age in his or her own way. Each of the Landings is in motion and responding to the new and shifting family dynamic in ways that have cascading consequences for everyone else. This makes for an extraordinarily fun and unpredictable read. It is Crowder’s facility with the larger questions – the ones hanging in the cosmic backdrop against which all of this personal evolution (and devolution) is set – that makes this novel really shine. These are the same philosophical and religious conundrums of humanity against which we are ALL coming of age, all the time, and Crowder uses them brilliantly to frame young Moon’s more intimate and personal development. – Owen Thomas
Best coming of age story I've read in years
Best coming of age story I've read in years—I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor, particularly a quirky sense of humor. I read 2-3 novels a week. Most are too predictable and many leave me wondering if the author simply got tired of writing because climax and resolution seem rushed. This novel wasn't like that. It was a very good read. – C. Altair
I intend to suggest Crowder's book for my book club
A lovely lovely book about a sweetly sensitive boy growing into manhood in a difficult familial situation. Very well developed characters, engaging story. I couldn't put it down. I'd been "led" to it as I was perusing books by another author, wanting similar type writing. The book I'd just read before this is My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, by Frederik Backman. George Crowder's "The Book of Moon" is every bit as engaging and well written as that by Backman - a book that was selected by my book club to read this year. I intend to suggest Crowder's book for my book club's reading for our next year's book list. –CoMtWoman
Quirky, humorous, and authentic
Quirky, humorous, and authentic— If you like books by Richard Russo and similar authors you will enjoy this book. – Dan Lungaro
Unputdownable
Perfect in every way. Not only is it well written with such beautiful turns of phrases that I frequently wanted to re-read a sentence, but it was unputdownable and life-affirming. I read a lot, 3/4 books a week, and in the last five years only three books have made my 'one of the best' list and this is the fourth. – TESSLOCK
A delight in so many way
This novel is a delight in so many ways: it is readable, the plotting rings true, and the characters are beautifully drawn. And it is precisely Crowder's characterization that elevates a nicely-written story to something much better. When I first met Mrs. Patel, whose one scene covers only two pages, she leaped off the page and wrapped herself around my brain indelibly. Moon and Moss are quickly elbowing themselves a place on my list of favorite characters of all time, right next to Scout Finch and Elizabeth Bennet. – Janice M.
One writer worth following
Crowder's characters are lovingly portrayed as both flawed & funny, yet realistic & sublime. And I can't help but feel a new appreciation for teenagers as the story through their eyes is most compelling. This is one writer worth following into the future! – Rowena J. Armstrong
Insightful, funny and redemptive!
I have been a school counselor for many years and reading The Book of Moon is like looking at adolescence through fresh eyes. It is insightful, funny and redemptive! This is a truly fun read; the most enjoyable book I have read in a long time. The characters are rich and enduring and most definitely find their way into your heart. George Crowder tackles everything from theology to the finer points of skateboarding in a way that draws you in. I laughed and I wept. – Kate
Fantastic read
From the moment I started I couldn't put it down, it made me scream out laughing and made me cry. Fantastic read. – Amanda M.
Engrossing
This surprising little book was so engrossing I finished it within hours of its arrival. I cannot say enough about how charming, funny and endearing the characters are; very wise and entertaining. I think this is one I will keep and read over and over. – Nancy W.
Screwed up my sleep schedule
I couldn't stop until I finished, which screwed up my sleep schedule. George Crowder can write! Witty and profound, informative and full of heart. – Katherine S.
