Customer Reviews

The Moon in Deep Winter

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4 star:		(2)
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Like a cold, northeastern version of McGuane's 92 in the Shade, this novel is the story of a misguided homecoming gone wrong. After years spent as a bit player on the margins of Southern California's criminal underworld, Parker returns to his small New England town hoping to reconcile differences with his mother, his younger half-siblings, and his dictatorial step-father. He soon finds that his family secrets run even deeper and darker than expected. Polevoi does a masterful job weaving a complex family web of half-truth, paranoia, and barely subdued violence. Within the world of The Moon in Deep Winter, what is most familiar is also the most strange, what would seem at first glance to be most wholesome soon becomes most absurd. This is a book populated not by heroes and villains, but by humans--with all of their flaws and selfish designs. As in Thomas Berger's Neighbors and Denis Johnson's Already Dead, Parker and the other characters in The Moon in Deep Winter are all forced to confront one universal and unsavory truth: that all of their values, all of their dreams, and all of their loyalties, are nothing compared to their need for self-preservation.

This book was a stunning first novel. I enjoyed the read very much. The characters were terrific and I didn't stop getting surprised until I had read the last page. Can't wait for Polevoi's next. I hope there's one in the hopper.

Sometimes one would prefer the mad dog killer types of the criminal underworld to one's own family. "The Moon in Deep Winter" is the story of Parker Sloane. Seeking to return to his family after a spell as something in no way legal, he finds his homesickness unfounded as his insane family with its nonstop dysfunction is harder to handle than the organized crime syndicates he used to work with. Religion, incest, and other unseemly elements permeate "The Moon in Deep Winter". A read that will keep readers glued to the pages.

"The Moon in Deep Winter" tells the story of Parker Sloane, who has returned to his home and family after having been gone for five years. During his absence, Parker travelled around the world for a cash-smuggling scheme and was later nearly beaten to death. In need of a safe haven, Parker headed back to home to his mother, stepfather and half-siblings only to find himself with even bigger troubles than before. This family epitomizes the meaning of dysfunctional as each chapter Parker discovers another side to their madness. This book explores some serious issues including adultery, murder and even incest, making it a beautifully written, although tragic piece of writing.

I loved the writing in this book and appreciated the wonderful descriptions of each of the characters. Although none of the characters won any of my sympathy, I was compelled to read further and see what would become of them. There is also a dark humor to the writing that is subtle, and yet greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

While I really enjoyed the writing and the story itself, I am still unsure of whether or not I am satisfied with the ending. I am not the type to require a happily ever after, but I felt the book finished off too quickly and could have been more fully developed. Even though I was surprised by the ending, I can still appreciate Polevoi's vision, as unsettling as it may be. The books I tend to like reading the most are those that offer unique plots and in that respect, this one certainly fits the bill!

http://bookopolis.blogspot.com

Finished Polevoi's first novel, The Moon in Deep Winter, in two days. Found the plot intriguing, the description of the New England winter settings wonderfully realistic, and the character development fascinating. A great read. Buy the book.

I read this novel in two sittings and suggest that if you can find one long afternoon, preferably on a cold or dark day, that you take it all in one sitting. The story is exciting and the characters incredibly vivid. I know I like a book when I have a clear image of what someone in the book looks like without the author blatantly telling me. I've never met people like those in The Moon in Deep Winter (and I hope I never will) but for the sake of reading, I could see them, hear them, feel their calm sense of craziness. The books screams "movie." Coen brothers, if you're out there -- read this -- it's for you!

Wonderfully written - intense - I had to finish it in one day to find out what happened. So glad I am not a part of that family but loved being able to be a part of their secrets! Now just waiting for the movie to be cast...my recommendations...Jack Nicholson or Nicholas Cage as Burke; John Cusack as Walt; I like Winona Ryder for Rita (she just fits the image); do you think you can get Harvey Kietel as Alf - not a big part but I see it!; and I see Parker as maybe a Johnny Depp...

THE BOOK WAS A WONDERFULLY WRITTEN TRIP TO THE FAMILY WE ARE GLAD NOT TO BE A PART OF.

Didn't know much about this novel when I saw it, but as someone with a crazy family myself, I could definitely relate to the premise! Bought it, took it home and read it all in one late-night sitting. VERY funny and creepy!! Made me realize that my own family isn't so bad after all......

After an illegal scheme overseas Parker Sloane leaves Southern California where he has lived for years, as a two-bit criminal, to return to his New England small-town home. Although part of his reason for going to the back woods is to elude those wanting to kill him, he hopes to reconcile with his family members especially with his mom and younger siblings; although he does not expect the same with his martinet stepfather, but Parker would not mind a ceasefire understanding with him.

However, Parker begins to believe you can go home as nothing has changed except in the sense of worsening. His stepfather is even more a dictator than before; his brother resents him; his half sister is a siren tempting him; and his mom has become a born again evangelical. He now wonders if he was better off facing professional hit men than his family even as he feels an urgent need to help each of them and keep them together.

This is a fascinating family drama as each of the key five players look outward at each other with either anger and resentment or lothing and disappointment. When they look introspectively at themselves they see survival supersedes everything. With a nod towards Maslow's Hierarchy, Lee Polevoi provides a profound glimpse at the individual members of a dysfunctional family in which the sum is much less than the parts as each of their personal needs supersede all else even their inner principles.

Harriet Klausner