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Drive Me to the Moon
He desperately needs a driving licence to get out of unemployment, but he fails his test. So he kidnaps the examiner.
Because this isn’t just about passing a test. This is about life or death.
Just like driving, right?
A brutal, satirical examination of modern survival, asking how much pressure a person can endure before breaking—and what it means when a society creates the conditions for that break, then looks away.
Because this isn’t just about passing a test. This is about life or death.
Just like driving, right?
A brutal, satirical examination of modern survival, asking how much pressure a person can endure before breaking—and what it means when a society creates the conditions for that break, then looks away.
- GenresSocial Commentary
Paperback
Published September 25, 2026
About the author
Ramona Lee Soo-Jun
14 books76 followersRamona Lee Soo-Jun is a German–Romanian novelist based in London.
Lee began publishing in 2012, releasing eleven books before the age of nineteen. Early in her career, she wrote under the pen name “Lee Soo-Jun”, which she chose in response to racial bias within the publishing industry, before formally adopting the name at eighteen.
In 2015, the first volume of her AGENT 00 series marked her emergence as Romania’s first martial-arts action author.
Lee's writing moves between action-comedy and literary fiction, incorporating elements of magical realism and satire.
Lee began publishing in 2012, releasing eleven books before the age of nineteen. Early in her career, she wrote under the pen name “Lee Soo-Jun”, which she chose in response to racial bias within the publishing industry, before formally adopting the name at eighteen.
In 2015, the first volume of her AGENT 00 series marked her emergence as Romania’s first martial-arts action author.
Lee's writing moves between action-comedy and literary fiction, incorporating elements of magical realism and satire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🧠 𝗜 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁.
Beneath the absurd premise is a fascinating character study of frustration, powerlessness, inherited disadvantage, and the desperate need to regain control. The protagonist's voice pulled me into some very dark places.
Unfortunately, there were too many stretches where the story paused to rant. While many of those rants were insightful, they eventually became repetitive.
Thank you to Ramona Lee Soo-Jun, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗼-𝗝𝘂𝗻! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Beneath the absurd premise is a fascinating character study of frustration, powerlessness, inherited disadvantage, and the desperate need to regain control. The protagonist's voice pulled me into some very dark places.
Unfortunately, there were too many stretches where the story paused to rant. While many of those rants were insightful, they eventually became repetitive.
Thank you to Ramona Lee Soo-Jun, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗼-𝗝𝘂𝗻! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
October 20, 2026
Cartea aceasta a venit de la autoare.
”There is no karma. No cosmic justice. Only me, taking control.”
Și din descrierea ei: literary thriller cu dark humor despre un narator care, după ce pică examenul auto, își răpește examinatorul. Temele: imigrație, reprezentarea românilor și a est-europenilor în Occident, costul vieții, toxic corporate culture și senzația destul de familiară că muncești tot mai mult pentru o viață care devine tot mai greu de atins.
În primul rând, am apreciat ce bine și-a descris cartea, pentru că asta a fost. Promisiune îndeplinită, a bifat toate cele de mai sus. Și mai mult: face și parte de istoria României pe la Vlad Țepeș, face și comentariu feminist, face o mulțime de referințe culturale (Rocky, nsync, rich dad, poor dad).
Din start mi-a plăcut că ”vorbește” la pers a doua și e inedit acest stil. Și vezi, iar sincronicitate, că tocmai citisem În casa visurilor de Machado și a mers la fix.
Aici un bărbat nenumit îi vorbește unui Dave. Și Dave e singura lui problema. pentru că are ceva ce el are nevoie și Dave face exces de putere și se pi**ă pe ce are nevoie al nostru personaj. Nu linkedin-ul cu anunțurile de angajare AI îl omoară, deși îl seacă și alea, nu diploma care la fel de bine poate fi hartie igienică. Instructorul auto e problema lui, pentru că a mințit într-un CV pentru un job de care are nevoie mare (copil pe drum, casă de păstrat etc) că are permis și nu vrea să mintă, vrea permisul ăla de conducere.
Cred că pe la pagina 50 deja citeam cartea ca pe o piesă de teatru. Faptul că ești doar în capul MCului să senzația asta. Dave la fel de bine putea fi poza aia din centrul unei ținte spre care atunci cu darts sau o gonflabilă sau (insert aici referință la Wilson mingea).
E scrisă într-un ritm nebun, care obosește, pentru că nu ia pauze. Și deși e scurtă, cu 12 capitole de câte 5-6 pagini, e și obositoare (și prin teme și prin pacing). Aruncă spre tine cu stres, cu nervi, cu refularea a ani și ani de discriminare.
Și mai îți dă porții de cultură: În primul capitol afli ca muzica pop germană a scos cele mai multe cântece în limba germană între 81 si 83, neue Deutsche welle. Si mai afli că „middle class” nu ține de bani ci de ce relații ai în comunitate.
Pune o mulțime de întrebări, de la cele mai normale: man, pot să îți împrumut mașina?, la unele existențiale: How much can you pile up, hoard, until it burst? Until it pops out like that tiny, elastic belly of a puppy?
Cu un discurs vehement anti o putere superioară și cu picioarele pe pământ, ba chiar pe barca asta a emigrantului care nu e de culaore, dar nu e nici alb-alb: I didn't had a rich dad, poor dad, Dave. I have a fucking immigrant as a father.
Dacă nu aș fi știut despre ce țară din balcani e vorba, nu aflam decât târziu în carte. Dar când e descrisă, vine și cu rele și cu bune, cele bune colorate de ceva blând și cald: ”Cat de diferit se simte de țara asta care nu mai e acasă, dar e casa acasa pentru părinți și mătușile care le strâng de obraji, unchii cu bautura în mână, masa mereu pusă, treaba tuturor despre treaba ta. Dar nu ar schimba locul asta. Ca e si bine.”
MC nu e un personaj chiar plăcut. Nu mi-a plăcut ce i-a făcut prietenului care l-a ajutat, e cinic, e sigur că deține adevărul și se victimizează pe alocuri. Sau așa mi-a dat senzația, că judecă la fel de mult, chiar dacă diferit de cei de care s-a săturat. Iar spre final câteva mesaje de la cineva îmi confirmă că el trebuia să fie un personaj ambiguu.
Dar e și foarte amuzant: Viva la stupid coach on YouTube :))
Primul dialog e la jumătatea cărții. În rest, personajul principal se adresează lui Dave, care e reprezentantul sistemului. Și uneori lui James, care e reprezentantul cirezii de boi care se cred șef/fac pe șefii.
Deși e scurtă, spuneam că ritmul și temele, care spre final se repetă, obosesc. Finalul am crezut că va fi deschis, mai ales după intervenția unui personaj care schimbă ce și cum vezi lucrurile. Dar nu, știi cum se termină aventura asta a la Falling Down (film 1993).
Dar cum se încheie e neașteptat, aia e clar.
”There is no karma. No cosmic justice. Only me, taking control.”
Și din descrierea ei: literary thriller cu dark humor despre un narator care, după ce pică examenul auto, își răpește examinatorul. Temele: imigrație, reprezentarea românilor și a est-europenilor în Occident, costul vieții, toxic corporate culture și senzația destul de familiară că muncești tot mai mult pentru o viață care devine tot mai greu de atins.
În primul rând, am apreciat ce bine și-a descris cartea, pentru că asta a fost. Promisiune îndeplinită, a bifat toate cele de mai sus. Și mai mult: face și parte de istoria României pe la Vlad Țepeș, face și comentariu feminist, face o mulțime de referințe culturale (Rocky, nsync, rich dad, poor dad).
Din start mi-a plăcut că ”vorbește” la pers a doua și e inedit acest stil. Și vezi, iar sincronicitate, că tocmai citisem În casa visurilor de Machado și a mers la fix.
Aici un bărbat nenumit îi vorbește unui Dave. Și Dave e singura lui problema. pentru că are ceva ce el are nevoie și Dave face exces de putere și se pi**ă pe ce are nevoie al nostru personaj. Nu linkedin-ul cu anunțurile de angajare AI îl omoară, deși îl seacă și alea, nu diploma care la fel de bine poate fi hartie igienică. Instructorul auto e problema lui, pentru că a mințit într-un CV pentru un job de care are nevoie mare (copil pe drum, casă de păstrat etc) că are permis și nu vrea să mintă, vrea permisul ăla de conducere.
Cred că pe la pagina 50 deja citeam cartea ca pe o piesă de teatru. Faptul că ești doar în capul MCului să senzația asta. Dave la fel de bine putea fi poza aia din centrul unei ținte spre care atunci cu darts sau o gonflabilă sau (insert aici referință la Wilson mingea).
E scrisă într-un ritm nebun, care obosește, pentru că nu ia pauze. Și deși e scurtă, cu 12 capitole de câte 5-6 pagini, e și obositoare (și prin teme și prin pacing). Aruncă spre tine cu stres, cu nervi, cu refularea a ani și ani de discriminare.
Și mai îți dă porții de cultură: În primul capitol afli ca muzica pop germană a scos cele mai multe cântece în limba germană între 81 si 83, neue Deutsche welle. Si mai afli că „middle class” nu ține de bani ci de ce relații ai în comunitate.
Pune o mulțime de întrebări, de la cele mai normale: man, pot să îți împrumut mașina?, la unele existențiale: How much can you pile up, hoard, until it burst? Until it pops out like that tiny, elastic belly of a puppy?
Cu un discurs vehement anti o putere superioară și cu picioarele pe pământ, ba chiar pe barca asta a emigrantului care nu e de culaore, dar nu e nici alb-alb: I didn't had a rich dad, poor dad, Dave. I have a fucking immigrant as a father.
Dacă nu aș fi știut despre ce țară din balcani e vorba, nu aflam decât târziu în carte. Dar când e descrisă, vine și cu rele și cu bune, cele bune colorate de ceva blând și cald: ”Cat de diferit se simte de țara asta care nu mai e acasă, dar e casa acasa pentru părinți și mătușile care le strâng de obraji, unchii cu bautura în mână, masa mereu pusă, treaba tuturor despre treaba ta. Dar nu ar schimba locul asta. Ca e si bine.”
MC nu e un personaj chiar plăcut. Nu mi-a plăcut ce i-a făcut prietenului care l-a ajutat, e cinic, e sigur că deține adevărul și se victimizează pe alocuri. Sau așa mi-a dat senzația, că judecă la fel de mult, chiar dacă diferit de cei de care s-a săturat. Iar spre final câteva mesaje de la cineva îmi confirmă că el trebuia să fie un personaj ambiguu.
Dar e și foarte amuzant: Viva la stupid coach on YouTube :))
Primul dialog e la jumătatea cărții. În rest, personajul principal se adresează lui Dave, care e reprezentantul sistemului. Și uneori lui James, care e reprezentantul cirezii de boi care se cred șef/fac pe șefii.
Deși e scurtă, spuneam că ritmul și temele, care spre final se repetă, obosesc. Finalul am crezut că va fi deschis, mai ales după intervenția unui personaj care schimbă ce și cum vezi lucrurile. Dar nu, știi cum se termină aventura asta a la Falling Down (film 1993).
Dar cum se încheie e neașteptat, aia e clar.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the arc.
This was definitely a very interesting story to read and I could definitely relate to some of the things our main character was going through. The choice of using 2nd person pov was definitely the right one.
I just wished it had been slightly shorter!
This was definitely a very interesting story to read and I could definitely relate to some of the things our main character was going through. The choice of using 2nd person pov was definitely the right one.
I just wished it had been slightly shorter!
September 25, 2026
Oh Dave, we could've been best friends - why do come up with such a good idea for a book just to leave me wanting?
*Note - I received an advance review copy of the book for free, thank you to the author and BookSirens for the opportunity!
The idea of the book is great, a topic that isn't tackled in today's literature enough: the experience of an immigrant, second gen or otherwise, who isn't 'White enough' but not 'diverse enough' either to fit either of the neat boxes we're expected to fit into, the desperation of doing everything right but still not getting the game enough to succeed, the added pressure to succeed because of your background. So, as a first gen Romanian immigrant to the UK, I was hyped, to say the least.
The overall idea for the setting is brilliant - the main character, second gen Romanian immigrant in London, takes his driving instructor, Dave, captive and talks to him (although most of it is an inner monologue, really) about what life is like for him, and the things Dave will never understand. The book felt very easy and quick to devour, the tone snappy, written in a stream of consciousness filled with frustration, emotional rants and a very subjective perspective. Unreliable narrator lovers, rejoice! (Or not?)
And yet, it didn't always hit. At the end of the book, I didn't feel like I had a picture of all the mechanisms that created the MC, and probably the biggest missing puzzle piece is how he was parented. What kinds of values did his parents pass onto him? Did they ever discuss their struggles with him? What value conflicts did he experience, between his home and British society? There was plenty to explore there, and I felt like that would've clarified a lot of what made the MC tick. Possibly a decision to avoid vilifying the parents, but it still felt like something was missing from the picture.
Many of the characters in the story didn't really feel British in spirit to me (e.g. Dave grumpily grousing about how the MC parked too close to other cars). It often didn't feel like England, and subtler struggles (like learning the hidden 'rules of the game') weren't really portrayed. Overall, tonally, it didn't feel England-specific but more 'immigrant anywhere'.
The book tended to get repetitive at times, but some portions REALLY hit, like when you're completing a form or an application and you select for your application 'White - Other' - too White to be diverse, but still a bit other. Specific enough, and the wording of that really drove the point home. Other parts were a bit too 'generic capitalism everywhere criticism' to hit as much, and it felt like those points were more likely to be over-repeated throughout the book (e.g. how meaningless work feels).
There were some hints near the end, and possibly more throughout, about the unreliability of the narrator (no spoilers) - I loved those parts! I would've enjoyed more of those - potentially texts from others/ emails/ more conversations where they show very different perspective to the MC, and describe events differently. There were more opportunities to play around with that, especially by including more actual conversations with Dave and cutting down a bit on the inner monologue.
Overall - very happy to see this topic tackled in a Fight Club-esque book. The addition of some parts would've massively improved the book (e.g. more on the parents), the book could get repetitive and didn't always feel like the UK, but still an enjoyable read. Looking forward to seeing more from a promising author with great takes on under-represented topics! :>
*Note - I received an advance review copy of the book for free, thank you to the author and BookSirens for the opportunity!
The idea of the book is great, a topic that isn't tackled in today's literature enough: the experience of an immigrant, second gen or otherwise, who isn't 'White enough' but not 'diverse enough' either to fit either of the neat boxes we're expected to fit into, the desperation of doing everything right but still not getting the game enough to succeed, the added pressure to succeed because of your background. So, as a first gen Romanian immigrant to the UK, I was hyped, to say the least.
The overall idea for the setting is brilliant - the main character, second gen Romanian immigrant in London, takes his driving instructor, Dave, captive and talks to him (although most of it is an inner monologue, really) about what life is like for him, and the things Dave will never understand. The book felt very easy and quick to devour, the tone snappy, written in a stream of consciousness filled with frustration, emotional rants and a very subjective perspective. Unreliable narrator lovers, rejoice! (Or not?)
And yet, it didn't always hit. At the end of the book, I didn't feel like I had a picture of all the mechanisms that created the MC, and probably the biggest missing puzzle piece is how he was parented. What kinds of values did his parents pass onto him? Did they ever discuss their struggles with him? What value conflicts did he experience, between his home and British society? There was plenty to explore there, and I felt like that would've clarified a lot of what made the MC tick. Possibly a decision to avoid vilifying the parents, but it still felt like something was missing from the picture.
Many of the characters in the story didn't really feel British in spirit to me (e.g. Dave grumpily grousing about how the MC parked too close to other cars). It often didn't feel like England, and subtler struggles (like learning the hidden 'rules of the game') weren't really portrayed. Overall, tonally, it didn't feel England-specific but more 'immigrant anywhere'.
The book tended to get repetitive at times, but some portions REALLY hit, like when you're completing a form or an application and you select for your application 'White - Other' - too White to be diverse, but still a bit other. Specific enough, and the wording of that really drove the point home. Other parts were a bit too 'generic capitalism everywhere criticism' to hit as much, and it felt like those points were more likely to be over-repeated throughout the book (e.g. how meaningless work feels).
There were some hints near the end, and possibly more throughout, about the unreliability of the narrator (no spoilers) - I loved those parts! I would've enjoyed more of those - potentially texts from others/ emails/ more conversations where they show very different perspective to the MC, and describe events differently. There were more opportunities to play around with that, especially by including more actual conversations with Dave and cutting down a bit on the inner monologue.
Overall - very happy to see this topic tackled in a Fight Club-esque book. The addition of some parts would've massively improved the book (e.g. more on the parents), the book could get repetitive and didn't always feel like the UK, but still an enjoyable read. Looking forward to seeing more from a promising author with great takes on under-represented topics! :>
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ramona Lee Soo-Jun has to be one of the most talented aspiring new authors of our generation. Her previous novel, George, was so well written with so much emotional resonance that I thought it would be hard to surpass this work. Now having read Drive Me To The Moon I know I was wrong. Yes, George is still a 6 star book for me, but I absolutely loved Drive Me To The Moon for very different reasons.
In Drive Me To The Moon we follow our main character on his journey to find a new job after he was unjustifiably fired from his previous one. After months of scrolling on LinkedIn he comes across a very promising job offering, but the only thing that keeps him away from applying is the lack of a driver's licence. He has tried multiple times, but for some unknown reason, the examiner always fails him. In retrospect with his rage on the job market and the driving examiner, he also feels alienated from the white capitalistic society. As the son of Romanian immigrants he's just not white enough to belong. He only tries to make a good life for himself and his family, as they're expecting a daughter with his wife. All of his hopes are instilled in that job offering, if only he would pass the driving exam. His frustration to the world, leads him in a unhinged path, that of kidnapping his examiner. And from that all hell breaks loose.
The author explores a different way of storytelling, that of a monologue enhanced by a sarcastic and rebellious writing style. The book doesn't have an array of characters, it's a character study but the story even though isn't heavy plot wise, is so addicting, fast paced and deeply emotional. On the other hand, we never learn the protagonist's name, and that reminds me of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Drive Me To The Moon feels like "Frankenstein meets corporate horror". Frankenstein's creation was left unnamed, seemingly to our protagonist, where he doesn't seem to have a place in our capitalist western society just because of his diversity, his "otherness". He can't be put in a specific box, because simply it wasn't designed for him, for someone like him, but only for the white, privileged, western people.
If George was like a heartwarming hug with a few tears here and there, Drive Me To The Moon is a punch to your gut, because of the complex and very important discussions that it makes. This book is made to make you feel uncomfortable, to re-evaluate your privileges and the barriers that are placed for others, that you may not experience. The Eastern European representation is so important, as there's not much of that in worldwide literature. So Ramona gives voice to those who can't be heard, because of how unjust our society is.
Overall, in just under 200 pages, Ramona masterfully packs the story with so much emotional depth that the small number of characters don't lack of. The excellency of the book exists in the simplicity of the plot and its cast, where in first glance there's not much into it, but the deeper you delve into it, the more noteworthy elements and conversations resurface. From the alienation that comes from one's complex and diverse identity and the stereotypes that society puts on them, to the disadvantageous nature of capitalism on everyone besides white privileged people. Because if you're not white enough, unfortunately you don't get to have the same rights, the same opportunities, the same hopes, but you're only filled with resentment and rage hat may lead to a very unhinged and problematic outcome, just like our protagonist. A must read for all.
A heartfelt thank you to the author, Ramona Lee Soo-Jun and Netgalley for providing with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
In Drive Me To The Moon we follow our main character on his journey to find a new job after he was unjustifiably fired from his previous one. After months of scrolling on LinkedIn he comes across a very promising job offering, but the only thing that keeps him away from applying is the lack of a driver's licence. He has tried multiple times, but for some unknown reason, the examiner always fails him. In retrospect with his rage on the job market and the driving examiner, he also feels alienated from the white capitalistic society. As the son of Romanian immigrants he's just not white enough to belong. He only tries to make a good life for himself and his family, as they're expecting a daughter with his wife. All of his hopes are instilled in that job offering, if only he would pass the driving exam. His frustration to the world, leads him in a unhinged path, that of kidnapping his examiner. And from that all hell breaks loose.
The author explores a different way of storytelling, that of a monologue enhanced by a sarcastic and rebellious writing style. The book doesn't have an array of characters, it's a character study but the story even though isn't heavy plot wise, is so addicting, fast paced and deeply emotional. On the other hand, we never learn the protagonist's name, and that reminds me of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Drive Me To The Moon feels like "Frankenstein meets corporate horror". Frankenstein's creation was left unnamed, seemingly to our protagonist, where he doesn't seem to have a place in our capitalist western society just because of his diversity, his "otherness". He can't be put in a specific box, because simply it wasn't designed for him, for someone like him, but only for the white, privileged, western people.
If George was like a heartwarming hug with a few tears here and there, Drive Me To The Moon is a punch to your gut, because of the complex and very important discussions that it makes. This book is made to make you feel uncomfortable, to re-evaluate your privileges and the barriers that are placed for others, that you may not experience. The Eastern European representation is so important, as there's not much of that in worldwide literature. So Ramona gives voice to those who can't be heard, because of how unjust our society is.
Overall, in just under 200 pages, Ramona masterfully packs the story with so much emotional depth that the small number of characters don't lack of. The excellency of the book exists in the simplicity of the plot and its cast, where in first glance there's not much into it, but the deeper you delve into it, the more noteworthy elements and conversations resurface. From the alienation that comes from one's complex and diverse identity and the stereotypes that society puts on them, to the disadvantageous nature of capitalism on everyone besides white privileged people. Because if you're not white enough, unfortunately you don't get to have the same rights, the same opportunities, the same hopes, but you're only filled with resentment and rage hat may lead to a very unhinged and problematic outcome, just like our protagonist. A must read for all.
A heartfelt thank you to the author, Ramona Lee Soo-Jun and Netgalley for providing with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Thank you, StoryGraph & Ramona Lee Soo-Jun, for the early copy of her book, Drive Me to the Moon.
4.25 ★
This was my first giveaway win EVER, so I was VERY excited to get this one.
I devoured this book. It is SO unique, and I loved how much the author managed to fit into such a small setting and such a short book. I had so many highlights and notes by the end because there was just so much here to think about. Truly, some moments of strong writing, great callbacks, hilarious descriptions, and deeply profound remarks.
Most of this book is told thru his inner monologue. Which meant I constantly thought of Dexter lol hear me out...You know those videos where they take away Dexter's inner monologue and suddenly he's just standing there looking completely extra insane? THAT is this book 😂 And it obviously works. The rants get long and repetitive at times, but that's also what makes sense for a spiraling mind. This man has clearly never gotten to say all of this shit out loud, so apparently we're getting ALL of it in his head instead. He even tells us he just wants to be listened to.
This main character is complex. He's absolutely not a good guy. Not by a long shot. But some of his thoughts and observations? He's making some damn good points. His worldview comes from his experiences and his own suffering, and I really liked that the book didn't make him easy to dismiss as simply a monster. Finding myself agreeing with this inner rambling lunatic at times was interesting lol.
My biggest issue was definitely the repetition and pacing in a few spots. The 12-page dream especially was...a choice. 😂 In a 179-page ebook, that's roughly 6% of the entire thing spent on ONE dream, and being so close to the end, it dragged for me. There were a few other spots where the rants went on longer than I needed, but nothing quite like that.
Still, I really did love this. It was weird, dark, thought-provoking, and completely different from anything I've read recently. But I have one last question...how long were they there? What an ending.
I'll end on this: I NEED the audiobook. I want the accent. I want the anger. I want the RAGE. The way his thoughts got going the rambling the intensity the sudden shift back to calmness within a single paragraph I would 100% revisit this as an audiobook just for that! I already have his voice in my head, and I desperately need to hear what someone else does with it 😂
What a great first giveaway experience!
4.25 ★
This was my first giveaway win EVER, so I was VERY excited to get this one.
I devoured this book. It is SO unique, and I loved how much the author managed to fit into such a small setting and such a short book. I had so many highlights and notes by the end because there was just so much here to think about. Truly, some moments of strong writing, great callbacks, hilarious descriptions, and deeply profound remarks.
Most of this book is told thru his inner monologue. Which meant I constantly thought of Dexter lol hear me out...You know those videos where they take away Dexter's inner monologue and suddenly he's just standing there looking completely extra insane? THAT is this book 😂 And it obviously works. The rants get long and repetitive at times, but that's also what makes sense for a spiraling mind. This man has clearly never gotten to say all of this shit out loud, so apparently we're getting ALL of it in his head instead. He even tells us he just wants to be listened to.
This main character is complex. He's absolutely not a good guy. Not by a long shot. But some of his thoughts and observations? He's making some damn good points. His worldview comes from his experiences and his own suffering, and I really liked that the book didn't make him easy to dismiss as simply a monster. Finding myself agreeing with this inner rambling lunatic at times was interesting lol.
My biggest issue was definitely the repetition and pacing in a few spots. The 12-page dream especially was...a choice. 😂 In a 179-page ebook, that's roughly 6% of the entire thing spent on ONE dream, and being so close to the end, it dragged for me. There were a few other spots where the rants went on longer than I needed, but nothing quite like that.
Still, I really did love this. It was weird, dark, thought-provoking, and completely different from anything I've read recently. But I have one last question...how long were they there? What an ending.
I'll end on this: I NEED the audiobook. I want the accent. I want the anger. I want the RAGE. The way his thoughts got going the rambling the intensity the sudden shift back to calmness within a single paragraph I would 100% revisit this as an audiobook just for that! I already have his voice in my head, and I desperately need to hear what someone else does with it 😂
What a great first giveaway experience!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I stumbled upon the author (and advance copy) via Facebook and found the premise of the author's and the book's perspective of children of immigrants drawing me in as a first generation Romanian immigrant into Western Society myself.
The book wastes no time introducing us to the inner thoughts of the main character, which is where you are then, for most of the book, "held hostage" just as the driving instructor is. The small breaks progressing the outside world, which much to the protagonists' disappointment continues to move forward, felt like grounding moments with a mix of (almost welcome?) confirmation for his obsessive overthinking and, more often, triggers for self reflection.
I believe the book hits the mark on being relatable and somewhat cathartic in the same way movies like Falling Down and parts of Persepolis feel. A strong, self-fuelling, visceral response towards perceived unfairness and, more importantly, the lack of control (partially self inflicted).
Through the internal rants (the language chosen is strong enough to not call it just an internal monologue, I'd argue) you get exposed to the built up anger, sense of futility and resentment at all that is unfair in society through the protagonist's lens. To the point where it feels tiring to exist in this person's head that is fundamentally cursed with being too observant more than anything else, wholly unable to take a step back without external input.
In the first half, the character comes across as self centered, while in the second half, flashes of self-awareness come alive together Dave's consciousness. My favourite example being the reaction to Dave's answer to the "trick question" . The greatest flaw of the character is definitely self-centred-ness, perfectly shown by the inability to contain his destructive impulse, even keenly aware of the impact it would have on his beloved family.
That being said, parts of the rants do feel like they slightly overstay their welcome. One could get the impression that the author found some personal catharsis as well through getting these feelings written down. (Românilor le place să se plângă până la urmă :) )
All in all, would recommend the book, an interesting read.
The book wastes no time introducing us to the inner thoughts of the main character, which is where you are then, for most of the book, "held hostage" just as the driving instructor is. The small breaks progressing the outside world, which much to the protagonists' disappointment continues to move forward, felt like grounding moments with a mix of (almost welcome?) confirmation for his obsessive overthinking and, more often, triggers for self reflection.
I believe the book hits the mark on being relatable and somewhat cathartic in the same way movies like Falling Down and parts of Persepolis feel. A strong, self-fuelling, visceral response towards perceived unfairness and, more importantly, the lack of control (partially self inflicted).
Through the internal rants (the language chosen is strong enough to not call it just an internal monologue, I'd argue) you get exposed to the built up anger, sense of futility and resentment at all that is unfair in society through the protagonist's lens. To the point where it feels tiring to exist in this person's head that is fundamentally cursed with being too observant more than anything else, wholly unable to take a step back without external input.
In the first half, the character comes across as self centered, while in the second half, flashes of self-awareness come alive together Dave's consciousness. My favourite example being the reaction to Dave's answer to the "trick question" . The greatest flaw of the character is definitely self-centred-ness, perfectly shown by the inability to contain his destructive impulse, even keenly aware of the impact it would have on his beloved family.
That being said, parts of the rants do feel like they slightly overstay their welcome. One could get the impression that the author found some personal catharsis as well through getting these feelings written down. (Românilor le place să se plângă până la urmă :) )
All in all, would recommend the book, an interesting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Drive Me to the Moon is indeed a good title for this book. It’s a short book, but I genuinely felt like we went to the moon and back through the range of emotions and storytelling that ultimately led to the characters’ actions.
The narrator describes himself as a second generation immigrant, or a “white other”, and the book is told mostly from that perspective. It’s largely a monologue of thought, alongside brief conversations with the driving examiner. Through this, the narrator takes us through his experience of being a secound generation Eastern European immigrant in London and what that feels and looks like when you’re employed or looking for work. Are you actually valued, or are you just the diversity hire when diversity happens to be in season?
I found the idea of “otherness” particularly interesting. The book explores people who aren’t necessarily outwardly different at first glance from white people in terms of appearance or colour, but who can still experience that feeling of being an outsider.
The more I got into the book, the more relatable it became. As a millennial person of colour living in London, I found myself connecting with a lot of the observations around identity, work, belonging and navigating life in London. However, this is a thriller, and without giving anything away, this short book took me through a whole range of emotions. I was constantly trying to figure out whether my relatability to the character was influencing how I felt about the story, while also thinking quite deeply about mental health and the impact of feeling alienated or unseen.
The more you get into it, the more troubling it becomes.
It’s suspenseful and looks at power dynamics, identity and mental health, but it also has this feeling of peeking through your own worldview and making you question what you’re seeing.
For such a short book, there is a lot packed into it. I definitely went to the moon and back with this one.
The narrator describes himself as a second generation immigrant, or a “white other”, and the book is told mostly from that perspective. It’s largely a monologue of thought, alongside brief conversations with the driving examiner. Through this, the narrator takes us through his experience of being a secound generation Eastern European immigrant in London and what that feels and looks like when you’re employed or looking for work. Are you actually valued, or are you just the diversity hire when diversity happens to be in season?
I found the idea of “otherness” particularly interesting. The book explores people who aren’t necessarily outwardly different at first glance from white people in terms of appearance or colour, but who can still experience that feeling of being an outsider.
The more I got into the book, the more relatable it became. As a millennial person of colour living in London, I found myself connecting with a lot of the observations around identity, work, belonging and navigating life in London. However, this is a thriller, and without giving anything away, this short book took me through a whole range of emotions. I was constantly trying to figure out whether my relatability to the character was influencing how I felt about the story, while also thinking quite deeply about mental health and the impact of feeling alienated or unseen.
The more you get into it, the more troubling it becomes.
It’s suspenseful and looks at power dynamics, identity and mental health, but it also has this feeling of peeking through your own worldview and making you question what you’re seeing.
For such a short book, there is a lot packed into it. I definitely went to the moon and back with this one.
Review of advance copy
Drive Me to the Moon is the most uncomfortable book I've read in a long time, and I'd recommend it to everyone.
A man kidnaps his driving test examiner. The car ends up wrecked and the examiner trapped in the passenger seat, and the rant that has been rattling around inside this man's head for years finally gets said out loud. He confesses everything he has never said about being an immigrant in Britain. He says it for himself, for his girlfriend and the child they are expecting, for his parents, for every person he has watched get passed over the same way. Angry, manic, and uncomfortably accurate about what plenty of people think and never voice.
This isn't a book arguing that being different entitles anyone to anything. It's sharper than that, and more honest. It's about what it costs to be seen as a category rather than a person: celebrated when it suits, quietly set aside when it doesn't, and never quite off probation. Lee gets the corporate version exactly right. The promotions that go to the better-connected rather than the better. The rooms you were never going to be invited into. The accent that decides what people think of you before you've finished a sentence.
He is a second-generation immigrant who has spent his whole life being taught that he is here because other people allow him to be. That is where the politeness comes from. Polite at work, polite in the queue, polite buying a house, because belonging was never his to assume and someone else has always held the door. Everything his parents gave up adds up to a son still waiting for permission.
Underneath it runs a quieter argument about who gets to write history, and how a part of the world that survived war after war arrives here with none of it counted.
It gets harder to read as it goes on. That is deliberate, and it is the point.
Highly recommended, for everything in it that usually goes unsaid.
A man kidnaps his driving test examiner. The car ends up wrecked and the examiner trapped in the passenger seat, and the rant that has been rattling around inside this man's head for years finally gets said out loud. He confesses everything he has never said about being an immigrant in Britain. He says it for himself, for his girlfriend and the child they are expecting, for his parents, for every person he has watched get passed over the same way. Angry, manic, and uncomfortably accurate about what plenty of people think and never voice.
This isn't a book arguing that being different entitles anyone to anything. It's sharper than that, and more honest. It's about what it costs to be seen as a category rather than a person: celebrated when it suits, quietly set aside when it doesn't, and never quite off probation. Lee gets the corporate version exactly right. The promotions that go to the better-connected rather than the better. The rooms you were never going to be invited into. The accent that decides what people think of you before you've finished a sentence.
He is a second-generation immigrant who has spent his whole life being taught that he is here because other people allow him to be. That is where the politeness comes from. Polite at work, polite in the queue, polite buying a house, because belonging was never his to assume and someone else has always held the door. Everything his parents gave up adds up to a son still waiting for permission.
Underneath it runs a quieter argument about who gets to write history, and how a part of the world that survived war after war arrives here with none of it counted.
It gets harder to read as it goes on. That is deliberate, and it is the point.
Highly recommended, for everything in it that usually goes unsaid.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alienated Dissociation
Have you ever wanted to say what you really mean on LinkedIn and have all the corporate stooges read it with their eyes wide open in fear?
Drive Me to the Moon lives out that fantasy for us all. Written in the second-person, we are literally buckled up and strapped in for the ride as the protagonist lets loose and crashes us both with his foot firmly on the pedal, full speed ahead. To me, it was like becoming Yorick's skull as Hamlet delivers his lines. The irony of our (mostly) silent role is a question better left to the dead.
Actively aggressive in a rant that drifts in and out of a surreal meta-narrative, Ramona expertly captures a difficult frustration that plagues the modern world. The promise of how millennials and younger were told to find a career and the reality of the scraps left on the plate are an infuriating subject that we pretend doesn't exist as the 1% drifts further and further away.
The unspoken regret between an ideal of work/life balance scarcely exists as a cry for help in lost opportunities written off as an opportunity cost. And how we forget just how much those cost saving measures impact human lives in ways that are often erased from most feel-good stories.
Definitely not this one though!
I say that because you can feel a certain 90s optimism in the DNA of the author. The letdown of our current decade comes with the added weight of cultural struggles that are an integral part of growing up just different enough to never quite fit in.
Beyond the usual bullshit and lies, there is an added injustice to what it means to "forge ahead" when you don't belong.
Have you ever wanted to say what you really mean on LinkedIn and have all the corporate stooges read it with their eyes wide open in fear?
Drive Me to the Moon lives out that fantasy for us all. Written in the second-person, we are literally buckled up and strapped in for the ride as the protagonist lets loose and crashes us both with his foot firmly on the pedal, full speed ahead. To me, it was like becoming Yorick's skull as Hamlet delivers his lines. The irony of our (mostly) silent role is a question better left to the dead.
Actively aggressive in a rant that drifts in and out of a surreal meta-narrative, Ramona expertly captures a difficult frustration that plagues the modern world. The promise of how millennials and younger were told to find a career and the reality of the scraps left on the plate are an infuriating subject that we pretend doesn't exist as the 1% drifts further and further away.
The unspoken regret between an ideal of work/life balance scarcely exists as a cry for help in lost opportunities written off as an opportunity cost. And how we forget just how much those cost saving measures impact human lives in ways that are often erased from most feel-good stories.
Definitely not this one though!
I say that because you can feel a certain 90s optimism in the DNA of the author. The letdown of our current decade comes with the added weight of cultural struggles that are an integral part of growing up just different enough to never quite fit in.
Beyond the usual bullshit and lies, there is an added injustice to what it means to "forge ahead" when you don't belong.
October 6, 2026
Am citit Drive me to the Moon pe telefon, aşa că a rămas cu mine impresia că intram zilnic pe un blog să aflu ce mai face personajul principal. Vocea autorului este confesională. Simți că vorbește cu tine de pe cealaltă parte a ecranului, îi simți furia, dezamăgirea, revolta, şi pe alocuri, ironia și umorul.
Furios că a fost picat la un test de condus care i-ar fi asigurat un job mai bun, autorul / personaj principal al cărui nume nu îl ştim, îl răpește pe Dave, examinatorul de la școala de șoferi. Acesta devine care prizonierul lui dar și persoana căreia i se confesează. Pe lângă subiectul central al cărții - condiția imigranților aflați la a doua generație şi lipsa lor de identitate, cartea atinge multe alte teme actuale: dificultatea de a găsi un job, cum le surâde șansa celor care se nasc în familia potrivită versus restul lumii, ipocrizia de pe LinkedIn, nebunia din corporații, diversitatea și incluziunea de ochii lumii pentru a bifa un obiectiv, coaches din online care te învață să-ți schimbi viața în trei pași simpli, feminismul.
Pentru mine este o carte – manifest, un strigăt de furie și de neputință despre lumea de astăzi, o furie inclusiv a celor care chiar dacă nu sunt imigranți, se regăsesc în personajul principal pentru că simt că viața devine din ce în ce mai injustă, mai dificilă, mai greu de dus şi lipsită de perspectivă.
Singura mea fustrare – că finalul este dechis și nu mi-am putut da seama care va fi soarta personajului principal. Recunosc că aș fi vrut tare mult un final care să devină cumva fericit, dar cartea este ca în viață, nu ca în filme.
Furios că a fost picat la un test de condus care i-ar fi asigurat un job mai bun, autorul / personaj principal al cărui nume nu îl ştim, îl răpește pe Dave, examinatorul de la școala de șoferi. Acesta devine care prizonierul lui dar și persoana căreia i se confesează. Pe lângă subiectul central al cărții - condiția imigranților aflați la a doua generație şi lipsa lor de identitate, cartea atinge multe alte teme actuale: dificultatea de a găsi un job, cum le surâde șansa celor care se nasc în familia potrivită versus restul lumii, ipocrizia de pe LinkedIn, nebunia din corporații, diversitatea și incluziunea de ochii lumii pentru a bifa un obiectiv, coaches din online care te învață să-ți schimbi viața în trei pași simpli, feminismul.
Pentru mine este o carte – manifest, un strigăt de furie și de neputință despre lumea de astăzi, o furie inclusiv a celor care chiar dacă nu sunt imigranți, se regăsesc în personajul principal pentru că simt că viața devine din ce în ce mai injustă, mai dificilă, mai greu de dus şi lipsită de perspectivă.
Singura mea fustrare – că finalul este dechis și nu mi-am putut da seama care va fi soarta personajului principal. Recunosc că aș fi vrut tare mult un final care să devină cumva fericit, dar cartea este ca în viață, nu ca în filme.
Read
July 17, 2026**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
This is a long novella and it exposes the problems faced by immigrants in the economic and social systems of the western world.
It’s a bitter, funny and intelligent social commentary more than a story per se. The characters seem to serve more the purpose of this exposé rather than being fully fleshed human beings, which isn’t necessarily a negative point as long as you accept the story as is and enjoy it. However, they are well written and relatable.
It was interesting to read about the challenges faced by younger people who come from a diverse background than the country they were born and raised in. The rejection takes many forms, some more obvious and some more subtle, but painting an inescapable trajectory of institutionalised marginalisation. And this on top of a corporate world that has many entry barriers for those who lack the right connections.
I enjoyed getting the ins and outs of a world I never accessed due to illness right after getting my degree and it made me realise that I didn’t miss anything at all.
The language and the writing are enjoyable and add to the story a different layer and build depth.
This is a long novella and it exposes the problems faced by immigrants in the economic and social systems of the western world.
It’s a bitter, funny and intelligent social commentary more than a story per se. The characters seem to serve more the purpose of this exposé rather than being fully fleshed human beings, which isn’t necessarily a negative point as long as you accept the story as is and enjoy it. However, they are well written and relatable.
It was interesting to read about the challenges faced by younger people who come from a diverse background than the country they were born and raised in. The rejection takes many forms, some more obvious and some more subtle, but painting an inescapable trajectory of institutionalised marginalisation. And this on top of a corporate world that has many entry barriers for those who lack the right connections.
I enjoyed getting the ins and outs of a world I never accessed due to illness right after getting my degree and it made me realise that I didn’t miss anything at all.
The language and the writing are enjoyable and add to the story a different layer and build depth.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Drive Me to the Moon by German-Romanian writer Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is a thriller novel and a satirical take on how the society treats second-generation immigrants. It is going to be published on 25th September 2026.
The story follows an anonymous narrator of Romanian descent who needs a drivers license to get a new job. Unfortunately he fails and his response is a little bit wild - he kidnaps his examiner. The narrator is ought to be talking to his examiner, however sometimes it feels like an inner monologue, a bunch of flashbacks and visions, dialogic speech is rarely used throughout the book and only a few actions occur. In the writers defense, that solution works really well in the context, also the ending is very simbolical.
I firmly recommend this book because it tells a truth no one dares to speak about. Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is telling a tale not only about Eastern European immigrants, but about every person on the planet, about how diversity is praised then demolished by the same people, about second chances that are never the one.
In conclusion Drive Me to the Moon by Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is a novel worth reading despite the literary confusion it gives sometimes.
The story follows an anonymous narrator of Romanian descent who needs a drivers license to get a new job. Unfortunately he fails and his response is a little bit wild - he kidnaps his examiner. The narrator is ought to be talking to his examiner, however sometimes it feels like an inner monologue, a bunch of flashbacks and visions, dialogic speech is rarely used throughout the book and only a few actions occur. In the writers defense, that solution works really well in the context, also the ending is very simbolical.
I firmly recommend this book because it tells a truth no one dares to speak about. Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is telling a tale not only about Eastern European immigrants, but about every person on the planet, about how diversity is praised then demolished by the same people, about second chances that are never the one.
In conclusion Drive Me to the Moon by Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is a novel worth reading despite the literary confusion it gives sometimes.
Review of advance copy
A review of Drive Me to the Moon by Ramona Lee Soo-Jun
I searched for and bought this book because I knew I would relate to the story and also to the author’s plight.
As a minority within a minority in a Balkan country, I had tasted xenophobia on many levels. Due to the resourcefulness of my family we managed to leave and by traveling half the world ended up in US - our dream.
Joining the military and graduating from a top university was not the end of experiencing xenophobia. It’s a different flavor but still the same feeling. So I get what the author and the main character are experiencing.
I must admit that I dislike the main character, and I sympathize with Dave, his victim. However, every good story must have a villain and he is a pretty pathetic one. Not a Darth Vader, but more like Lester Nygaard of Fargo.
Regardless, I like the book. It’s a quick read and the writing is crisp. But you must like drama.
I searched for and bought this book because I knew I would relate to the story and also to the author’s plight.
As a minority within a minority in a Balkan country, I had tasted xenophobia on many levels. Due to the resourcefulness of my family we managed to leave and by traveling half the world ended up in US - our dream.
Joining the military and graduating from a top university was not the end of experiencing xenophobia. It’s a different flavor but still the same feeling. So I get what the author and the main character are experiencing.
I must admit that I dislike the main character, and I sympathize with Dave, his victim. However, every good story must have a villain and he is a pretty pathetic one. Not a Darth Vader, but more like Lester Nygaard of Fargo.
Regardless, I like the book. It’s a quick read and the writing is crisp. But you must like drama.
September 11, 2026
I read an advance copy and while I enjoyed the message and really felt seen - as an immigrant myself, from Romania as well, it was quite relatable. This could have been a short story tho, the themes are very relevant and relatable but they seemed over explained. I felt like I was reading the same thing through different examples. The main character was unbearable, at the end of his rope (understandably) but was complaining excessively about everything. I was also taken out of the story several time when the main character envisioned visceral violence. I may have missed something but the premise of kidnapping his driving test instructor was interesting but made no sense in the end.
In short - I loved the theme explored and I related but it was too long and over explained. We could have come to the same conclusion and delivered the same message with half the pages.
In short - I loved the theme explored and I related but it was too long and over explained. We could have come to the same conclusion and delivered the same message with half the pages.
September 26, 2026
Drive Me to the Moon is a sharp and thought-provoking satire that explores pressure, unemployment, identity, and what happens when people are pushed to breaking point. I really loved the premise of this book and it isn’t something I would ordinarily have picked up, but was glad to have had the reading experience. I enjoyed the author's unique voice and the way the story balanced absurdity with serious social commentary. My only criticism is that some of the themes and arguments felt repetitive, so the story could have either tightened up or the reader might have had a chance to delve more deeply into the life of the main character. That said, you could certainly gain a good sense of who he was and where he was coming from. The book gave me plenty to think about and delivered a powerful message, making it a memorable and worthwhile read.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
I received an advance copy of this book via a giveaway on Storygraph.
I feel really conflicted about this one for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it is unique, which I really like. The whole book is written in a monologue style, which I have never come across before. It did take some getting into though, with the rhythm, and on occasions this style did feel a bit repetitive to me but I found the writing style interesting.
On a downside, I do feel it is a bit long. The repetition got to me a bit, and I did find myself feeling more irritation for the main character, rather than the sympathy that it was supposed to create.
There were some interesting topics raised re immigration though, and I am glad to have read it.
I feel really conflicted about this one for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it is unique, which I really like. The whole book is written in a monologue style, which I have never come across before. It did take some getting into though, with the rhythm, and on occasions this style did feel a bit repetitive to me but I found the writing style interesting.
On a downside, I do feel it is a bit long. The repetition got to me a bit, and I did find myself feeling more irritation for the main character, rather than the sympathy that it was supposed to create.
There were some interesting topics raised re immigration though, and I am glad to have read it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Advanced Readers Copy from NetGalley
Drive Me to the Moon by Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is an unusual and thought provoking read. I enjoyed the dark humour and the way it explores frustration, identity, and the pressures of modern life. The story presents frustration as something that builds through disappointment and a sense of being trapped by circumstances, making the central conflict feel both exaggerated and recognisable. Its treatment of identity is also interesting, particularly in the way personal expectations and social pressures shape how the characters see themselves and their place in the world. The book’s focus on work, success, and the need to keep moving forward reflects the anxieties of modern life, where practical setbacks can feel overwhelming. The premise is certainly memorable, although some parts felt repetitive and I found it difficult to fully connect with the characters.
Drive Me to the Moon by Ramona Lee Soo-Jun is an unusual and thought provoking read. I enjoyed the dark humour and the way it explores frustration, identity, and the pressures of modern life. The story presents frustration as something that builds through disappointment and a sense of being trapped by circumstances, making the central conflict feel both exaggerated and recognisable. Its treatment of identity is also interesting, particularly in the way personal expectations and social pressures shape how the characters see themselves and their place in the world. The book’s focus on work, success, and the need to keep moving forward reflects the anxieties of modern life, where practical setbacks can feel overwhelming. The premise is certainly memorable, although some parts felt repetitive and I found it difficult to fully connect with the characters.
October 9, 2026
While reading this book, I liked to compare the main character with AM from “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream”.
This novel was something new for me, since it is the type of story that is out of my comfort zone. We see the main characters struggles as a second generation immigrant, as they unfold both inside his mind and outside on the people around him. We see all of the reasons behind his current predicament, in order to somewhat understand it.
If there was something that I did not enjoy that much, it would be when the action of the book would be interrupted by a new monologue, though that didn’t happen that many times.
This novel was something new for me, since it is the type of story that is out of my comfort zone. We see the main characters struggles as a second generation immigrant, as they unfold both inside his mind and outside on the people around him. We see all of the reasons behind his current predicament, in order to somewhat understand it.
If there was something that I did not enjoy that much, it would be when the action of the book would be interrupted by a new monologue, though that didn’t happen that many times.
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August 21, 2026I was really grateful to receive a copy of this from the author.
Now I think I got the wrong idea from the blurb but… this was a WILD ride!
I’m glad it was a short book because I don’t think my heart could’ve taken many more pages. A constant stream of consciousness, a long monologue that didn’t shy away from hard topics or uncomfortable feelings. But weirdly it kind of did because it’s (mostly) in the characters head?
Honestly I’ve never read a book like it and I think this will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you again for the beautiful copy :)
Now I think I got the wrong idea from the blurb but… this was a WILD ride!
I’m glad it was a short book because I don’t think my heart could’ve taken many more pages. A constant stream of consciousness, a long monologue that didn’t shy away from hard topics or uncomfortable feelings. But weirdly it kind of did because it’s (mostly) in the characters head?
Honestly I’ve never read a book like it and I think this will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you again for the beautiful copy :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I came to this book with pretty modest expectations since, I have to admit, I am guilty of a slight bias against self-published fiction. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the narrative voice and clarity of the novel's message. I have to agree with some of the other reviews in that it did drag a bit towards the end - tell a dream, lose a reader etc. etc. - but other than that I found the narrator's rants insightful and strangely propulsive, despite the very little actual plot. Excited to see what Ramona does next.
September 19, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
God, what an interesting read!
I love the anger and passion behind every sentence, the inner monologue full of snipes and resentment while also being insightful. It's unique and I love the way it lets the reader sit with the narrator's anger alongside them. However, some parts really did drag for me. A lot of the over explaining could have been cut and it would have been a bit more enjoyable.
But once again, love the premise, it's super unique and down to earth, but some of it went off on a tangent.
God, what an interesting read!
I love the anger and passion behind every sentence, the inner monologue full of snipes and resentment while also being insightful. It's unique and I love the way it lets the reader sit with the narrator's anger alongside them. However, some parts really did drag for me. A lot of the over explaining could have been cut and it would have been a bit more enjoyable.
But once again, love the premise, it's super unique and down to earth, but some of it went off on a tangent.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An honest and critical look at the injustices of society through a lens that is often overlooked. Ramona explores some of the nonsensical aspects of modern life, highlighting the hypocrisy and fallacies that take place every day.
If you've ever experienced corporate rage, being an outsider in an "accepting" society, or despair at the cost of living, this book may resonate with you. It's perhaps a chance to validate your experiences and laugh at the insanity of the mundane.
If you've ever experienced corporate rage, being an outsider in an "accepting" society, or despair at the cost of living, this book may resonate with you. It's perhaps a chance to validate your experiences and laugh at the insanity of the mundane.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The blurb presents this book to be a thriller, I would not consider it is as such, more so a social commentary.
I understood the points being made by the character long before the book stopped making them.
The book and writing style felt elongated for no real reason but filling more pages. It would've felt much more enjoyable in a shorter format.
The blurb presents this book to be a thriller, I would not consider it is as such, more so a social commentary.
I understood the points being made by the character long before the book stopped making them.
The book and writing style felt elongated for no real reason but filling more pages. It would've felt much more enjoyable in a shorter format.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love seeing a Romanian immigrant represented with so much care in foreign literature. I really hope more people read this. Both homesick immigrants who feel alone and everyone else, to maybe understand that feeling a little better and gain some empathy.
Such an extreme and peculiar plot, yet I genuinely can't think of a better way to get across that feeling. Weird in all the right ways.
Such an extreme and peculiar plot, yet I genuinely can't think of a better way to get across that feeling. Weird in all the right ways.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Romanian representation? Yes, please. A narrator who's a complete psycho? Yes, please. A discourse on racism and xenophobia? Yes, please. A quick read that stays with you for days after you finish it? Yes, please.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a quick and enthralling read. The author puts you directly in the situation. They are asking you these questions. They are talking with you the reader.
It is a fast read and kept me entertained and thinking even after I was done.
It is a fast read and kept me entertained and thinking even after I was done.
October 5, 2026
A well written story which was both atmospheric and fast paced, Drive me to the Moon was a different yet unique read that was thought provoking from start to finish.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for a an arc.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for a an arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm extremely honored that I met Ramona in person. Knowing the artist behind it made reading this book even more special. Without revealing details, the story is intense and captivating. The author built characters that one can almost see and touch in the mental space of their imagination. Watching the narrative unfold from inside a character's head space makes for a mind-bending experience. I can't wait to get my hands on the physical book. This type of storytelling lends so well to being turned into a movie, with the main characters flashbacks building for fascinating character development!
Review of advance copy received from Author
O schiță excelentă despre o frântură de viață, în care absurdul nu e niciodată prea departe de realitate.
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