The Insatiable Moon

by Michael Riddell

Re-release of a controversial novel now made into a movie Arthur, who believes himself to be the second son of God, lives at a boarding house in Ponsonby with all the other ex-psych patients released into community care, only to find themselves washed up on the shores of 'cappuccino city' - unwanted and struggling to cope with life on the outside, as their home is threatened with closure. A gentle giant of a man, Arthur realizes his time has finally come, and he has two important tasks to complete before the end. He must let people know that judgment is coming, and he needs to find the Queen of Heaven, with whom he will father a miraculous child. At the same time, in another part of the city, Margaret, mother of two, is about to become intimately involved in the Second Coming. For those caught up in their story, the celestial dance of the ripening moon swirls inexorably above them as a poignant and ultimately deadly network of miracle and tragedy sweeps through their lives. Now a major new international movie, filmed on location in Ponsonby, starring Rawiri Paratene as Arthur and Sara Wiseman as Margaret, due for release in 2010, following the movie's debut at the New Zealand International Film Festival.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2010

Reviews

[Richard Derus]

Mike Riddell has died at age 69. I saw the film of this story in 2010, and now think it's time to read it.

[Nicki Judson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable read. Mr Riddell you smashed it out of the park (Wal's park no doubt!). The writing style was so lyrical. I found myself reading sentences over and over again to relive the magic that was wrapped up inside them. Mr Riddell is like the writer you want to become. I fell in love with the oddball characters living together in their boarding house in Ponsonby. Day to day doesn't get any more weirder than this, but Arthur, who believes himself to be the second son of God is looking for his Queen of Heaven and trying to set rights in the world. I loved how the characters are interwoven in each others lives. I loved so many lines, but one of my favourites was '... old people stuck away in homes like old books that nobody reads any more.' So glad I found you Mr Riddell.

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written story with beautiful prose that, in a way exposes the gaps in mental health policy in New Zealand that still exist presently. However, I am not a big fan of the story itself.