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The Brightest Moon of the Century [Paperback]

Christopher Meeks
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

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Book Description

March 7, 2009
"A truly great novel in the tradition of Charles Dickens and John Irving." --Marc Schuster, Small Press Reviews

In his fourth award-winning book, Christopher Meeks offers a comic and compassionate coming-of-age novel. A young Minnesotan, Edward, is blessed with an abundance of "experience"--first when his mother dies and next when his father, an encyclopedia salesman, shoehorns Edward into a private boys school where he's tortured and groomed. He needs a place in the universe, but he wants an understanding of women.


Edward stumbles into romance in high school, careens through dorm life in college, whirls into a tornado of love problems as a mini-mart owner in a trailer park in Alabama, and aims for a film career in Los Angeles.

In nine chapters, the reader experiences Edward's life from ages 14 to 45. This novel follows Meeks's highly acclaimed collections of short stories, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea and Months and Seasons.

Carmela Ciuraru wrote in the Los Angeles Times Book Review of Meeks's first book, "This idea resonates throughout the collection: Meeks's characters seek happiness in the small things because they have no choice ... [The stories] are poignant and wise, sympathetic to the everyday struggles these characters face."

Author and humorist Sandra Tsing Loh has said, "Christopher Meeks's quirky stories are lyrical and wonderfully human. Enjoy."


Editorial Reviews

Review

"Christopher Meeks captures life's unpredictability while retaining a message of the hope that inspires us all." -Meghan Burton, Medieval Bookworm

"In his debut novel, The Brightest Moon of the Century, Christopher Meeks chronicles one man's path to middle age and, in doing so, illustrates how choices and circumstances -- even those that seem arbitrary at the time -- have a way of irrevocably cementing a person's future." -Cherie Parker, Minnneapolis Star Tribune

"Charming and endlessly entertaining, The Brightest Moon of the Century is a fine read that is an excellent addition to literary fiction collections." -Midwest Book Review

"Edward is endearingly real, and readers will be rooting for him in every situation. The Brightest Moon of the Century will appeal to readers across genders and generations." -Dawn Rennert, She Is Too Fond of Books

"Christopher Meeks' work is joyful, funny and sensitive. The Brightest Moon of the Century is a satisfying read and one which made me hope that Meeks will continue to write novels." -Wendy Robards, Piker Press

Product Details

  • Paperback: 324 pages
  • Publisher: White Whisker Books (March 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615249140
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615249148
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,565,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christopher Meeks was born in Minnesota, earned degrees from the University of Denver and USC, and has lived in Los Angeles since 1977. He's taught English at Santa Monica College, and creative writing at CalArts, UCLA Extension, Art Center College of Design, and USC. His fiction has appeared often in Rosebud magazine as well as other literary journals, and his books have won several awards. His short works have been collected into two volumes, "The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea" and "Months and Seasons," the latter which appeared on the long list for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. He's had three plays produced, and "Who Lives?: A Drama" is published. His focus is now on longer fiction. His first novel is "The Brightest Moon of the Century," and his second, "Love At Absolute Zero."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A Real Gem! March 8, 2009
Format:Paperback
The Brightest Moon of the Century is one of my favorite kinds of stories, it explores a large portion of one person's life, you get to see how they grow and change and the experiences that make them who they are. It's put together basically as 9 short stories from Edward's life. His teenage years to mid-adulthood. We're there for it all!

I loved all the stories, from Edward's time at a private high school to his college girlfriend to his time owning a trailer park mini-mart to his time as a film student. It was all interesting and strongly written. I couldn't pick a favorite section, it all built on itself to create a great character study! The things that he did and happened to him seemed so unique to his life, it read basically as a biography.

Another thing I really liked was that several times, characters from one part of Edward's life made a reappearance later on in the story, tying the story that much closer together. Another unique touch to an already unique story is a collection of photography that helps set the scenery for specific parts of the story. I loved that!

This book is a real gem, it's engaging and original! I loved it!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Novel-In-Stories with Great Character June 25, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
"The Brightest Moon of the Century" by Christopher Meeks is a sweet bildungsroman that spans a several decades. The major events in the life of Edward Meopian (Myopian?) are chronicled, from his mother's untimely death at 14 to his moment of clarity in his 40's. His life ambles around, from Minnesota to LA, down Alabama, and back to LA.

In many literary, character-driven first novels, there is a justifiable criticism that "nothing happens." While this is a novel-in-stories, and thus each episode is quite self-contained, each story has some heart-stopping moments. In my opinion, Meeks became more sure of himself as he wrote the later stories because each one seems to increase in drama and action. Some lovely turns of phrase make this novel-in-stories a delightful journey.

The Southern trailer park episode has some shirt-clutching moments, especially when the thieving woman attempts to exact her revenge. The character of Sagebrush (Edward's friend from college) is damaged and, ultimately, redeemed in this episode. I wish Sagebrush had been around more, at least by phone or letters, to buffer Edward's journey. A friend who has your back is always a good addition to a story. It is in the South that Edward comes into his own, too, and his character forms deeply.

By the end, Edward seems like an old friend who you've found after a long absence, and he catches you up on his life. You're invested. He's a likeable character who I'll think about for a long time.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read June 20, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Christopher Meeks is a very talented writer who weaves fascinating stories from the ordinary events of life. This "coming of age" story was a very satisfying, fast read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent addition to literary fiction collections February 9, 2010
Format:Paperback
The man's quest to understand women is something that may take decades. "The Brightest Moon of the Century" tells the story of Edward, as the first novel from acclaimed short story author Christopher Meeks follows Edward through his life in boarding school to the pursuit of his dreams in Hollywood and the reality of being a convenience store owner. Charming and endlessly entertaining, "The Brightest Moon of the Century" is a fine read that is an excellent addition to literary fiction collections.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Unique Coming of Age Story July 9, 2009
Format:Paperback
Chris Meeks melds his mastery of short stories with a coming of age tale in his first novel. The reader is invited to follow Edward from his awkward and insecure youth into the often awkward and insecure middle years of his life. Each section of the novel covers the mushroom cloud events that shape Edward's life and character, and each section reads a little like a snapshot, or stand alone short story. The story of the young Edward was familiar to me as he has appeared in Meeks prior short story compilations.

Moon is definitely a coming of age story but it doesn't span a single summer or a handful of years. Instead it is a journey and very realistically portrayed one at that. After all, humans are creatures who hopefully never stop learning and change slowly into better people once they absorb some life lessons. Meeks has chosen some fascinating pivot points in Edward's life, spending pages on the set up of a mini-mart and then resorting to mere paragraphs to narrate other huge life events.

Squeamish and sensitive readers should be aware of some language and quite a bit of sexuality. For example, Meeks pulls few punches when narrating Edward's epiphany at a sperm bank.

Overall, Meeks tells a good story with believable characters. Readers who love melancholy voices should find quite a bit to like in Brightest Moon. Having just finished it I can say I'm happy for Edward's upbeat hope though the ending is less than happily ever after.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Science of One March 12, 2009
Format:Paperback
In a magical feat of literary transformation, Christopher Meeks has turned from polishing gems of short stories to displaying the physics of a soul, the chemistry of a heart in his novel, The Brightest Moon of the Century.

By holding up to the light of the page the seminal moments in the life of his protagonist, from childhood to fatherhood, Meeks makes Edward Meopian vibrate with visibility, even his occluded areas of mystery.

How fortunate Edward has such a recording angel as Meeks. We should all be loved so honestly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars This is a hard one to review!
I really did like this book yet it covered so many years of Edwards life that it at times lost me in the details. Read more
Published 24 days ago by soleful
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it tremendously
This book was painful at times -- Edward can be so horribly insensitive and so unaware. But it was a great read and moves quickly thru various stages in his life. Read more
Published 25 days ago by popcorn lover
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
A little slow in spots, but all in all a good read. The main character has some interesting experiences which are fun!
Published 1 month ago by JT
1.0 out of 5 stars Meh
I have no credentials as a critic, but I was disappointed by this novel. Several parts were interesting and almost moving, but the ending was abrupt and the author repeatedly told... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Aeon Will Bookstore
3.0 out of 5 stars The Brightest Moon
This book was good but not great. The end seemed to drop off. Was disappointed in the ending. Others might have a different view.
Published 10 months ago by William (MIKE)
5.0 out of 5 stars Is it just me...?
Or, have others pointed out the Meeksian quality in Jonathan Franzen's FREEDOM?

Never mind the obvious: Minnesota origins backdrop. Read more
Published on November 28, 2010 by Corie S.
1.0 out of 5 stars Borrrring ! !
Very slow and horribly boring. Had I not spent 2.99 for it I would have deleted it way before I did. Read more
Published on October 26, 2010 by Kodiak Snow Bunny
5.0 out of 5 stars Cover to cover, a great read
While looking for John Irving's new book, I stumbled on the link to C.Meeks' book and from the reviews, took a chance. Read more
Published on January 9, 2010 by C. Demarest
5.0 out of 5 stars I Buy Every Book Written by Christopher Meeks
It's hard to put it into words. For me, that is, certainly not for Christopher Meeks.

I kept seeing Holden Caulfield flailing around in my mind as I read this story. Read more
Published on August 17, 2009 by Kevin Gerard
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The Brightest Moon of the Century
IF YOU'RE IN LOS ANGELES on December 1, I'll be speaking at Santa Monica College as part of the college's literary series at 11:15 a.m. in Lecture Hall HSS 165. The event is free and open to the public. The series itself has included this year author and Los Angeles Times book editor David Ulin... Read more
Nov 22, 2009 by Christopher Meeks |  See all 4 posts
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