Moon-whales

by Ted Hughes

A poet's evocation of animals and plants which live on the moon of his imagination.

Genres: Poetry, Fantasy, Fiction, Animals, British Literature, Childrens

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Edward James Hughes was an English poet, translator, and children's writer. Critics frequently rank him as one of the best poets of his generation and one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1984 and held the office until his death. In 2008, The Times ranked Hughes fourth on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
He married fellow poet Sylvia Plath in 1956, and they lived together in the United States and then in England, in a tumultuous relationship. They had two children before separating in 1962 and Plath ended her own life in 1963.

Reviews

[Steven Godin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Water

On moors where people get lost and die of air
On heights where the goat's stomach fails

In gorges where the toad lives on starlight
In deserts where the bone comes through the camel's nostril

On seas where the white bear gives up and dies of water
In depths where only the shark's tooth resists

At altitudes where the eagles would explode
Through falls of air where men become bombs

At the Poles where zero is the sole hearth
Water is not lost, is snug, is at home —

Sometimes with its wife, stone —
An open-armed host, of poor cheer.

[Douglas Summers-Stay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the school library during a hard time in my life, and was happy for the distraction. The poet imagines various creatures that live on the moon, and their strange habits.
Here's the title poem:

Moon-Whales
By Ted Hughes

They plough through the moon stuff
Just under the surface
Lifting the moon’s skin
Like a muscle
But so slowly it seems like a lasting mountain
Breathing so rarely it seems like a volcano
Leaving a hole blasted in the moon’s skin

Sometimes they plunge deep
Under the moon’s plains
Making their magnetic way
Through the moon’s interior metals
Sending the astronaut’s instruments scatty.

Their music is immense
Each note hundreds of years long
Each complete tune a moon-age

So they sing to each other unending songs
As unmoving they move their immovable masses

Their closed eyes ecstatic

[tima · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Ant’s nest is a Nunnery / Of Holy Madwomen. / They race out searching for God. / They race home: ‘He’s not there!’’

[rinabeana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this because Andrew Smith mentioned it in Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth. I have to say that I wasn't overly enamored of most of the poems. It's pretty much children's poetry, which I don't have a problem with in general, but this just didn't do it for me. There were some adult allusions, and a couple poems reminded me of Shel Silverstein's whimsical style, but overall I thought the rhyme schemes seemed too forced. It was worth checking out for a few of the poems, though.

[H. Givens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems detailing the thing Ted Hughes imagined living on the moon. Enjoyed it very much, quick read and truly imaginative. The poetry lags in a few places but also provides some great turns of phrase.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moon Bells and other poems by Ted Hughes is a slim volume - about as slim as a slim volume gets - published in 1978, It was part of the Chatto Poets For The Young series. I point this out at the start of my comments about the book because, given the content, this is remarkable.

Ted Hughes was known for poetry that observed and reflected upon nature, particularly animals. Here, however, there are no cuddly toys, no eye-lashed pink ponies, no square-chin talking cats à la Disney. These poems deal with the realities of nature, the struggle for life and death, and the stark reality of having to eat.

From road-kill badgers left on the verge, to a snake that eats animals as big as itself, to crows that rejoice in the creation of human carrion, these poems both record and magnify the essence of survival. Dog eat dog. Absurdity perhaps, but also quite real.

But there is life as well, amid vivid pictures of reality filtered through the poets lines. Packs of hounds that leave trails of dog shit and dead foxes, sharks, bears, wolves, cows, calves, and one dead badger leave their mark.

Children? Perhaps, fifty years ago.

[Christina Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been making an effort to read more poetry, so picked this up as I vaguely remember enjoying some poetry by Ted Hughes in the past.
This book of poems is all about the creatures that live on the moon and is both barmy and fun! It reminded me of other examples of nonsense verse and I can imagine that it will either be adored or hated by most young readers - either they will enjoy the whimsical images and zaniness, or they will just think it is weird! For me, the poems caused a mixture of these two reactions.
My favourite poem was the titular Moon Whales.

[Stefan Grieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, imaginative, funny and a bit creepy, wonderfully illustrated by Chris Riddel who I was first introduced to by 'The Edge Chronicles series' I read when I was a lot younger (which this reminds me of, as well as Roald Dahl and Lewis Carol), it's nonsensical verse with a hint of melancholy and menace, and unlike the sad fate of the moon at the end, will not leave you deflated.

[Honesty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein but often darker, Moon-Whales paints a bizarre image of life on the moon. Quite literally, this collection is sheer lunacy, both inspired and otherwise. The titular poem is easily 5 stars. The overall collection, 3.5.

[Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird, unique, quirky, absolutely insane book. Read it if you have a chance! Idk about showing it to kids tho, it is a bit gory in few places (describing killer-numbers and other strange things).

10/10.

[Earth&Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical, absolutely madcap, and sometimes weirdly creepy.

[Gail Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of poems for children using the moon as a theme. There are all types of poems in this anthology that tell about many fantastic creatures that have been made up.

My favourite poem was Moon Mirror on p16. I liked the way it played with rhythms and there were some very interesting images too. The rhyme scheme and repeated words all help to give the poem that excited sing song feel, perfect for children.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book four stars because of the brilliant five star title poem. It is a book aimed at children and some of the poems are pretty good but some didn't quite make it and felt like filler.

[Steph Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations! This book is perfect for teaching children about poems. The poems are easy to read and can be used to help children understand poetry terminology. This would be a great book for a teacher to read to the class by picking a poem a day and then discussing it as a class.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing my struggle to see the greatness in Ted Hughes.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone is about the moon.

[Mills College Library]

821.914 H8946m 1976