Customer Reviews

The Brightest Moon of the Century

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Christopher Meeks has produced up to now two of the finest, most intelligent, entertaining, and socially sensitive collections of short stories (THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN AND THE SEA and MONTHS AND SEASONS). For those of us who have become Meeks devotees based on these short stories, the anticipation of a full-length novel has been both exciting and a bit dubious. It is an entirely different challenge to carry a character and a few ideas, well developed as they are in Meeks' hands, along a path that justifies a complete novel. But with THE BRIGHTEST MOON OF THE CENTURY Christopher Meeks has crossed that bridge so successfully that his stance in the echelon of new important American writers seems solidly secure.

Meeks deals well with the everyday persons that populate this novel. His characters are all flawed and not afraid to share those flaws. And that is one reason this story of a young lad's journey from Minnesota through the South and to California spanning the years of his life from age 14 to age 45 reaches out to the reader in a way that offers an honest invitation to relive our own growing years. Meeks does not discard his unique gift of crafting short stories: each chapter in this novel is framed by a time span and a special growing adventure in a way that at times the reader may wonder if each chapter could stand alone. But that is where Meeks so deftly shows his craft. He sorts through his bag of ideas, dropping a few here and there only to be picked up and transformed later in the book like old memories that come to blossom or gain meaning as life goes on.

Edward Meopian manages to cope with the loss of his mother, survives the changes that his encyclopedia salesman father imposes on him, an manages to leave home for private boys school where he gains some wisdom, some tolerance for the actions of his peers, some knowledge about his inappropriate preparation for puberty and love, fights his way through college discovering he has no talent for the `preferred discipline' of science, that he loves films, and discovers passion in a relationship that pushes the button to accelerate his maturity. Things happen and things don't happen (Meeks has a way of adjusting his characters dreams and expectations with a sense of acknowledging personal flaws and humble talents). And as Edward's father re-marries, Edward gains possession of a mini-mart and trailer park in Alabama which he rules with his longtime pot smoking friend Sagebrush, all the while finding the idiosyncrasies of several women's wiles (avoiding the advances of under aged oversexed girls and the vitriol of a matronly trailer park manager). Shaky `failures' at marriage and screenwriting/directing dreams lead Edward through life changes that eventually result in his finding a touch of peace as a teacher in an arts school. Characters from his past weave through his present and the final touches of his life feel whole - sort of...

For lovers of Meeks' short stories there are chapters that retain his polish in this format. The chapter called 'One Hour' is brief and relates Edward's moment in time when the fertility question is raised. In this hilarious but tender chapter Edward visits a Sperm Bank to have his sperm washed, apparently making him a better potential for fatherhood. This is one chapter that could stand alone as short story, it is that well conceived and written.

Along the way in Edward's journey the author takes time to pause and offer some poignant philosophy. As he approaches his Alabama experience Edward muses `By being open, he'd come to understand the way real people worked - versus the pretend, made-up people of Hollywood movies - and that, in turn, would give him a clearer sense of what he should do in this life.' Or in an encounter with a cop "Failure seems to follow me around,' said Edward. "You're no failure, son," said the officer, and Edward turned to face him. "This is God," said the man. "Or the disorder of life, if you like. This is what we all have to live with.' And as Edward leaves his Alabama trailer park/mini-mart fiasco Meeks describes his view: "This world could be heaven on earth if only people let it, Edward realized. Every sunset could show you. Take it.'

At book's beginning the title is explained: during the last month of the century into which Edward was born would occur the brightest full moon `in terms of size and luminosity' of the century. And when Meeks brings us to the closing pages of his novel, Edward, transformed or at least tattered and worn by his life to that time, realizes that the year is 1999 and somewhere behind the clouds he sees that shining light of that promised moon. Meeks leaves us with a passel of memories of a common if extraordinarily interesting guy who just happens to mirror each of our flaws - and strengths. This is a fine novel, an engrossing story, and a group of indelible characters who linger in the mind long after novel's end. Meeks has done it again! Grady Harp, February 09

While looking for John Irving's new book, I stumbled on the link to C.Meeks' book and from the reviews, took a chance. It was worth the money and risk because I've found a great talent and look forward to reading his short stories.

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. Edward isn't quite the dropout that Holden was, but they do look at the world through a unique prism. I think the best part of Edward's personality is that he's so believable. He is so much like all of us, or at least we all share some characteristics with him.

The trailer park episode is my favorite, but the whole book is a rewarding read. Hopefully, we can spread the word about this wonderful author. The world needs to hear about Christopher Meeks and his captivating stories.

Kevin Gerard - Author of Diego's Dragon, Book One: Spirits of the Sun

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.

What can I say about THE BRIGHTEST MOON OF THE CENTURY? I can say that it is an exceptional novel. The main character, Edward and I have so much in common (born around the same time, had a step-mother, was taunted in school, and dreamed of going to Hollywood), so I could relate where he was come from. Watching him grow from an awkward 14 year old to the 45 year husband and father, you can feel his transformation. Christopher Meeks separates Edward's life in stages and we experience with him the joy and pain of growing up, life in college, self-employment, tragedy and friendships. Mr. Meeks writes a terrific debut novel.

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.

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!

Those who read last year's Christopher Meeks short story collection "Months and Seasons" will likely remember Edward, a boy trying to cope with the sudden death of his mother with very little support from his still grieving father. Edward, already having a tough time adjusting to life without his mother, has the rest of his world turned upside down when his father decides to send him to an all-boys private school for rich kids. But by the end of that story, "Hands," Edward and his father are starting to figure things out and it appears that, together, they might just make it.

"The Brightest Moon of the Century," Meeks's debut novel, uses the same short story to kick off its account of Edward Meopian's life from ages 14 to 45. Edward, at age 14, is perfectly content to blend into life's background, seeing that as the best way to avoid trouble with bullies, teachers and intimidating people of all stripes, including girls his age. However, when he finds it impossible to lose himself in the crowd at his new school, Edward begins to focus on solving life's two biggest mysteries as he sees them: girls and finding that niche in the universe meant just for him.

There is a bit of Everyman in Edward and, like many of us, he sometimes takes life's path of least resistance rather than the straightest one toward his goals, causing him to reach those goals a little later, but much wiser, than others. Because of that habit, he finds himself for a while running a trailer park mini-mart deep in the heart of Alabama and working in the back room of a southern California camera shop before finally gaining access to the prestigious Los Angeles film school program of which he dreamed for so long.

Edward Meopian, by his mid-forties, puts together almost exactly the life he dreamed about as a young man. He has the beautiful wife, the son, and the dream career he dared chase. Life, though, has a few more surprises for Edward but, this time, he is ready for them. He has lived, and he has learned, and now the brightest moon of the century gives him hope that the best part of his life is still ahead of him.

"The Brightest Moon of the Century" is one man's story, a very ordinary man, at that, but Christopher Meeks has filled that story with enough interesting characters and episodes to remind just how limitless and filled with surprises even the most ordinary of lives can be. Meeks's characters, and his slightly off centered view of life, continue to remind me of John Irving's early work, definitely a good thing.

I wonder where Edward will end up - and what he will think about it all when he looks back at the lonely 14-year-old boy he once was. As John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

The Brightest Moon of the Century is the work of an expert storyteller. The characters come alive, the writing sparkles, and the story of the protagonist's journey rings true through every twist and turn. A great and truly humane novel in the tradition of Charles Dickens and John Irving.

Or, have others pointed out the Meeksian quality in Jonathan Franzen's FREEDOM?

Never mind the obvious: Minnesota origins backdrop. Hibbings' seedy motel; Alabama trailer park. The relationships: Edward and the pothead; Walter and the rocker. The inevitable (and similar) decline of both marriages. The caustic, brittle, angry intelligence of the wives. Not only all of that, but, the lovely rhythmic reportorial style, especially in the first half of JF's book. All too similar.

I'm not suggesting that he read TBMOTC first. I'm not using the "p" word. I'm just saying, that could have been (should have been) you, Chris Meeks - turning down Oprah, and then relenting, and going ON Oprah, and then making the cover of Newsweek.

Tell me I'm not the only one to notice this.