Forgive the Moon

by Maryanne Stahl

Devastated by the recent death of her mentally ill mother, her disintegrating marriage, and her daughter's leaving for college, Amanda Kincaid seeks refuge in a Long Island beach vacation, but her life is transformed forever when she meets a doctor who is also spending the summer nearby. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Literature

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

About the author

Maryanne Stahl lives in Thunderbolt, Georgia with a man, a dog, and two cats.

Reviews

[Rachel Wolovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not very mainstream, I enjoyed reading this book at the beach! The mental illness element and the family dynamic captured my interest.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m probably over-rating this book because there were a lot of things that struck a cord with me. It was a sort of emotional read for me. It’s short, but took me a while because life. I may rate this a 4/5 later, but right now it’s a 5.
It’s about family and forgiveness, betrayal and renewal and ways that seasons of our lives can change. How timely, as we transition into fall!

[A Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a good read. The story revolves around an annual extended family trip to the beach where relationships change, people are missing due to passing or personal issues. A good character study.

[Emily Featherstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Slow plot, but found it didn't really matter since the author has such a way with words. Great to read by the ocean.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Tricia Cassavaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

3

[Nichole C · Rating 4 out of 5]

It could be a bit slow at times and seemed to give the main characters every move and thought, but still enjoyed.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Opposite Shore” begins aboard a sailboat and although the sailing by no means smooth from that moment on, you immediately know you’re in the hands of a skipper who will take you on a memorable ride through deep waters. Inspired by Shakespeare’s most mature play, The Tempest, this novel is “character-driven” in the very best sense of the word. We come to know four people intimately—the somewhat ethereal painter Rose, her husband William with longtime passions of his own, their teenage daughter Miranda, and Rose’s earthy, but wounded sister Anna—and in the course of the novel each slowly, sometimes painfully, discovers what she or he truly wants and the real costs of pursuing that desire.

Like the beautiful antique sailboat that features so prominently in the story, this novel is impeccably crafted. Every elegant sentence, each emotional nuance reveals the author’s skill as a writer and her deep insight into the complexities of the human heart. Every reader will find something to relate to in the dilemmas of Stahl’s cast of flawed, but sympathetic characters. This is a deeply satisfying journey for the intellect and the spirit. Highly recommended!

[Talia Carner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This particular summer of Amanda's vacation on the east end of Long Island is different as her world is going through changes she can neither control nor is capable of facing: Her mother's death after years of mental illness during which she was emotionally absent even as she cooked dinners for her family (with that cigarette forever hanging at the side of her mouth, a feather of ash dangling at its end.) Amanda's husband, having recently launched a new business venture with a young female colleague, is asking for "space." Amanda's college-age daughter has made the next step of separation as she has moved in with her boyfriend and chosen to spend the summer away.

By the end of the week, oh, well, things are different. Surrounded by a cast of wonderfully detailed and distinct personalities, starting with the absent mother and ending with the new sister-in-law who doesn't quite fit the family constellation, Amanda's perceptions of herself and others alter in ways that are both obvious and subtle.

Stahl's lyrical prose surfs the reader through the scenes of the place, which she obviously loves--and where I live, making it all come alive for me.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Maryanne Stahl's FIRST novel and I must say she did an incredible job. It was a wonderful story about forgiveness, families and the events that keep us glued together.

From the back cover:

"When Amanda Kincaid comes to Long Island for her family's annual beach vacation, she can't help but reflect on the many recent and significant changes in her life. Her mother has passed away after years of mental illness. Her beloved daughter has left for college. Her twenty-year old marriage is falling apart. And she secretly fears she may be pregnant again.

During a week of sun and shadows, Amanda discovers some shocking things about the past. But she also starts thinking more about what she wants for her future, especially after she meets Michael Burns, a doctor and musician summering nearby..."

[Julie Grear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good "beach read". Would give it 3 1/2 stars. Typical of most books that alternate from present time to flashbacks, I really enjoyed the chapters that told the story of Amanda's past,as there was more depth to the story, whereas the Chapters telling the story of her present day life were very typical "beach books" of a woman who is trying to figure out what has happened to her life after 20 years of marriage. Have to say though, early in the book there is a chapter that brings the family together at their mother's death bed (NOT a spoiler....you know the mother is dead when you start the book). This single chapter i so well written and evoked such emotion in me, not over the death, but rather the power of family which was I explicitly captured in this single chapter. If only the entire book had been written with such essence....

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally bought this book because of the illustrations on the front cover of the ocean and beach. Amanda Kincaid, the main character in this novel, is likable and in many ways easy to relate to. She struggles with her marriage and her children like most women one way or another and try to figure out how to keep going in spite of her challenges. While I enjoyed the flashbacks concerning the recent history of Amanda's marriage and home life, I didn't much enjoy the author's flashbacks of her childhood. They seemed to slow down the progression of the book. Overall, I quite enjoyed the novel and Amanda’s development in it. She in a sense had reawakened to a new hope and outlook on her life.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Amanda's marriage is facing the typical cliche`. Husband is having a midlife crisis which results in wife having mid life crisis and blames it all on her crappy childhood. Though I found it OK. Other parts were just vulgar for the sake of being vulgar. Not at all in line with the characters that she was portraying. I found that other characters were added at random and didn't make much sense. She would start building them and then .... nothing. It wasn't awful, but wasn't spectacular either.

[Denise Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman's struggle to find her way as she is forced to come to terms with the pain of her childhood, the crumbling state of her marriage, the sacrifice of personal dreams to raise a family, and the possibilities now that her family is growing up and their needs are not as immediate and all-engrossing. A search for peace and equilibrium in a world that is topsy-turvy.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate to call this a "beach read" when really, Stahl explores the issues of what happens when a mother dies and a marriage disintegrates and a woman struggling with empty nest syndrome learns how to heal. I like that this was complicated and not an easy fix. Stahl is pitch perfect in this lovely novel.

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should have been called "Forgiving My Mom"... The woman is recalling events in her life and reconciling with her memories of her mom. It could be her mid-life crisis where she starts acting out, but in the end she realizes that she is okay.

[Carrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I have ever read. The content just disturbed me too much to be able to like it. It would be a good read for someone who is able to watch R rated movies but I like books with not so much detail.

[Morrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book bogged down for me but then with a bit of a push it picked back up and I read it to the end and I am glad I did. The bogged down part was when the plot just read like so very many other books on the bookstore shelves. In the end though the author pulled it out and made it, its own book.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to give it a 2. Started skimming about a fourth of the way through, only kept with it to find out what happened with their marriage. Didn't find any of the characters likeable. Found some well crafted writing in all the rambling.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, lovely writing.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept my attention -- romantic and challenges of marriage.

[Melissa Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn't fab, however, i don't regret reading it

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amanda Kincaid comes to terns with her grief over her mentally ill mother’s death on her family’s annual Long Island vacation.

[Kiessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book inspired in me a feeling of complete apathy.

[Kshappert]

a fairly predictable storyline...woman with troubled marriage goes to the beach and finds a handsome man...but a decent enough read

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not hate or love this book but really not a fan of the ending.

[Susannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Just - meh.

[Jen Reardon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about family and trying to find your way in life.

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book and would love any and all feedback from readers. thanks!

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

ehh. More for middle-aged women.