Customer Reviews

I'll Watch the Moon: A Novel

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Nova Tierney lived her life shrouded in the secrets of the people she lived with. On her deathbed, her mother clears much of the mystery for Nova, helping her come to peace with her past and what brought her to the present.

I'll Watch the Moon takes Nova back to 1948 when she was just nine-years-old. She lives with her mother and fourteen-year-old brother, Dewey, in a boarding house owned by her Aunt Dortha who took them in after Nova's father died in the arms of another woman. Nova didn't know the reason then, but that was just one of many mysteries she came to understand later.

Dewey had big dreams. He loved watching the sky, the moon and the stars. Nova loved hearing Dewey talk about his dreams of being the first person on the moon. She loved everything about Dewey. They were as close as a brother and sister could be. So close, that Dewey's friends had nicknamed her Tag because she always tagged along.

But on one fateful day, she didn't tag along. Polio had reared its ugly head and it seemed eager to spread in the water. Therefore Nova's mom always made them stop swimming at the first outbreak of the season. But that's exactly where Dewey and his friends were going - swimming. That one disobedience triggers many life changes. For Nova, she only realizes the extent of the effect in hind sight.

Because of the absence of a father, Nova was always on the look out for a new pa. A neighbor, Thomas Diel, was her first choice. He had been in the army during the war and was kind and came to visit the boarding house regularly. Nova was convinced he came to see her mother, but her mother would have nothing to do with the attentions of Thomas Diel.

So Nova turned her sights on Josef, one of the boarders. He had moved to the states after the war. The scars on his face told only part of his story. There were much deeper scars on the inside that he kept hidden most of the time. One scar Nova knew about was that his entire family had been killed when the Nazi's occupied his native Poland. Her mom couldn't understand how he could still believe God was good and gracious after all he had witnessed and been through during his stay in a Nazi concentration camp.

She had been through things herself that Nova learned of later that had destroyed her faith and her willingness to love, but Josef told her something that stuck with her for the rest of her life - if he was God, he wouldn't change anything, but he would understand why.

Ann Tatlock weaves the lives of several people together in this touching tale of life, faith and love in the midst of pain and suffering. You'll cry for the pain they were dealt, but also for the joy they found. Tatlock shows how the people in our lives stay with us and influence us forever - even after they're gone.

Sometimes it's a comforting memory and sometimes we have to forgive and make peace. She also shows us how in hindsight, we realize why some people are the way they are.

Ann Tatlock has sure made me into an instant FAN with this wonderfully sweet, moving, TRUE story! I loved the historical fiction aspect of the story outlining the polio epidemic and the influenza outbreaks from our not-so-distant-past. I was also touched by the sweet, tender relationship between siblings with a less than perfect mother. This is a MUST read for those who have lost FAITH in mankind as well as the Almighty/Providence!!
Get ready to stay up all night with this one! A wonderful gift for anyone on your holiday list!!

This was a very good book....along the same lines as "To Kill A Mockingbird" to me. Ok, so nothing's that good. But, this is a serious book about character and wondering about God in the hard times. I will be putting this book on the list of books I'd like my grown children to read/have. Along with "To Kill A Mockingbird". I got this one from the library, but I will be buying a copy now.

I enjoyed this book so much! A warm story of family relationships and caring friends. I will recommend this book andthis author to all my reading friends.

This book is a definite delight. So very captivating and just try to put it down. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.

This was such a beautiful story and was touch by all of the main characters. My all time favorite book...even after reading many more great books, this one stays at the top of my list. A mix of faith, history, and courage of one's self, it was beautifully written. You will not be disappointed when you read this. Great from the first page to the last.

Okay, I'm not a mental case. BUT this story will sound like I am. I started "I'll watch the Moon" and could not put it down. I read the entire book in 7 hours, I was completely engrossed with the family. Here's where I may seem crazy. When I went to bed that night, I included the characters on my prayer list. I had never done that before, but they became so real to me. Ann Tatlock is amazing.

This is a wonderfully told story of life, death, despair and hope, in uncertain times of the post WWII era. The relationships between young Nova and her family and friends is realistic and endearing. I was struck by the closeness between her and her older, teenage brother. She idolizes him and he truly loves her. The most touching moments for me, however, are between Nova and Josef, each providing a source of comfort and encouragement to the other. The story of hatred, loss and forgiveness are entwined in a heartwarming lesson of God's love.

This is an incredible story of love and forgiveness. I will recommend this book to everyone I know! I can't remember the last time I read such a moving, touching story.

This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. From the first page, I couldn't put it down. It's excellently written and the characters are people I'll forever remember.