The Brightest Moon of the Century [Kindle Edition]

Christopher Meeks (Author)

Book Description

"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

From the Author

I couldn't be happier with the reception to this, my first novel. Two years later, I just read Jennifer Egan's wonderful novel, A Visit From the Goon Squad, and I see that her book and mine share a similar idea of a novel in stories. My book happens to go chronologically, but you'll read as my main character goes from 14 into his forties. There's a whole life there.

Recently, I was able to get the seven photos that are in the printed version of The Brightest Moon of the Century into a new Kindle version of the book. I'd been inspired by Sara Gruen's use of photos in Water for Elephants, so you can see glimpses of Edward's world in his past.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 820 KB
• Print Length: 326 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615249140
• Publisher: White Whisker Books; First Edition edition (November 13, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002TG4PAO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,031 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Real Gem! March 8, 2009

By Mint910 VINE™ VOICE

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Novel-In-Stories with Great Character June 25, 2012

By T. K. Kenyon VINE™ VOICE

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Brightest Moon August 6, 2012

By William (MIKE)

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was good but not great. The end seemed to drop off. Was disappointed in the ending. Others might have a different view.

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."