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Earth to Moon: A Memoir
The saying goes that "God only gives you what you can handle." Well God didn't grow up in my atheist, Wiccan, fame-laden, oversexed, teetotalling, drug-free, cloistered, chaotic, non-communicative, workaholic, feral-feeling house.'
For Moon Unit, daughter of musician Frank Zappa and his 'manager', Gail, processing a life so unique, so punctuated by the whims of creative urges, the tastes of popular culture and the calculus of celebrity, has at times been eviscerating. But it is her deep sense of humour and unshakeable humility that keeps her - and this memoir - pinned to the ground.
A child-star at age 14 after her accidental international hit single (recorded with her father), 'Valley Girl', turned her into a reluctant celebrity, Moon Unit Zappa's life has been utterly extraordinary from her birth in 1967 into a family that was already blessed/cursed as music royalty thanks to the acknowledged genius of Frank. But what are the consequences of growing up in a family who spend most of their time naked arguing about sexual/extra-marital liaisons and practising white magic in a free-for-all state of nonconformist, virtuoso abandon?
Earth to Moon is a reckoning with self-esteem, the ghosts of the past and a mother and a father who, in the process of leaving their mark upon on the world, scarred their first daughter on home soil. Brutally self-deprecating and funny as hell, it belies a rose-tinted perspective on the 70s and 80s west coast American scene, from within the belly of the beast of the rock and roll world.
For Moon Unit, daughter of musician Frank Zappa and his 'manager', Gail, processing a life so unique, so punctuated by the whims of creative urges, the tastes of popular culture and the calculus of celebrity, has at times been eviscerating. But it is her deep sense of humour and unshakeable humility that keeps her - and this memoir - pinned to the ground.
A child-star at age 14 after her accidental international hit single (recorded with her father), 'Valley Girl', turned her into a reluctant celebrity, Moon Unit Zappa's life has been utterly extraordinary from her birth in 1967 into a family that was already blessed/cursed as music royalty thanks to the acknowledged genius of Frank. But what are the consequences of growing up in a family who spend most of their time naked arguing about sexual/extra-marital liaisons and practising white magic in a free-for-all state of nonconformist, virtuoso abandon?
Earth to Moon is a reckoning with self-esteem, the ghosts of the past and a mother and a father who, in the process of leaving their mark upon on the world, scarred their first daughter on home soil. Brutally self-deprecating and funny as hell, it belies a rose-tinted perspective on the 70s and 80s west coast American scene, from within the belly of the beast of the rock and roll world.
351 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2024
257 people are currently reading
6978 people want to read
About the author
Moon Unit Zappa
6 books149 followersMoon Unit Zappa (born September 28, 1967) is an American actress, musician and author. She goes by the name Moon Zappa; "Unit" is her middle name.
Zappa was born in New York City, the eldest child of Adelaide Gail Sloatman, who worked in business, and musician Frank Zappa.
She has appeared in numerous films and performed on numerous albums with the Zappas, Julie Brown and the Vandals.
To date, America the Beautiful is her only novel. Wild Child: Girlhoods in the Counterculture is a documentary style exploration of the offspring of the flower children.
Zappa was born in New York City, the eldest child of Adelaide Gail Sloatman, who worked in business, and musician Frank Zappa.
She has appeared in numerous films and performed on numerous albums with the Zappas, Julie Brown and the Vandals.
To date, America the Beautiful is her only novel. Wild Child: Girlhoods in the Counterculture is a documentary style exploration of the offspring of the flower children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
September 9, 2024
After reading an article on People magazine’s website about this book coming out, and some of what Moon Unit Zappa’s life has been about, I immediately knew I wanted to read this memoir. I was right in my feelings, because this memoir did not disappoint.
Growing up I had always heard of Frank Zappa and knew who he was, but the only song I know by him is that of the one he created with his daughter, Moon Unit for “Valley Girl”. I think everybody loved that song! “Valley girl, she’s a valley girl. Okay, fine. For sure, for sure. She’s a Valley girl, and there is no cure”. 🎼🎤🎸
Okay, on to the book… After reading this, I just want to hug Moon Unit. I want to be her friend. I want to tell her that she’s not alone. That many people live the same type of life she did, and can very much resonate with her (although my family is not a bunch of celebrities). However, Moon was unfortunately the family scapegoat. She never came out and said that in the book, but it’s quite obvious. She lived in survival mode from a very young age, and had zero nurturing or support system. Frank loved his music and his women, and her mother Gail- well she loved herself.
While reading this, I googled pictures of the family and it’s clear to me that Moon Unit and Dweezil got all the good looks. Therefore, I think her mother was jealous and did everything to make sure Moon never succeeded. Dweezil (her brother) seemed to get the short end of the stick a lot as well. Regardless, everything that went on in her family home was dysfunctional!
There were many things that were heartbreaking to read in this book, and one of them is how many times people told her she was ugly while growing up. Moon says she had horrible acne, and yet no one in the home took her to a dermatologist/doctor or taught her basic hygiene. Moon says she always had a hard time finding a boyfriend, and said something that hit hard- “Inwardly I fear it’s because all guys are like my dad. No one loves honesty, directness, earnestness, vulnerability. No one loves a reader”. 😭
All in all this a great memoir that I highly recommend. For me, I found Moon to be very relatable. I just wish that more pictures were included (and maybe they are in the final proof 🤷🏻♀️).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dey Street Books, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure to read. This book was published on August 20, 2024.
Growing up I had always heard of Frank Zappa and knew who he was, but the only song I know by him is that of the one he created with his daughter, Moon Unit for “Valley Girl”. I think everybody loved that song! “Valley girl, she’s a valley girl. Okay, fine. For sure, for sure. She’s a Valley girl, and there is no cure”. 🎼🎤🎸
Okay, on to the book… After reading this, I just want to hug Moon Unit. I want to be her friend. I want to tell her that she’s not alone. That many people live the same type of life she did, and can very much resonate with her (although my family is not a bunch of celebrities). However, Moon was unfortunately the family scapegoat. She never came out and said that in the book, but it’s quite obvious. She lived in survival mode from a very young age, and had zero nurturing or support system. Frank loved his music and his women, and her mother Gail- well she loved herself.
While reading this, I googled pictures of the family and it’s clear to me that Moon Unit and Dweezil got all the good looks. Therefore, I think her mother was jealous and did everything to make sure Moon never succeeded. Dweezil (her brother) seemed to get the short end of the stick a lot as well. Regardless, everything that went on in her family home was dysfunctional!
There were many things that were heartbreaking to read in this book, and one of them is how many times people told her she was ugly while growing up. Moon says she had horrible acne, and yet no one in the home took her to a dermatologist/doctor or taught her basic hygiene. Moon says she always had a hard time finding a boyfriend, and said something that hit hard- “Inwardly I fear it’s because all guys are like my dad. No one loves honesty, directness, earnestness, vulnerability. No one loves a reader”. 😭
All in all this a great memoir that I highly recommend. For me, I found Moon to be very relatable. I just wish that more pictures were included (and maybe they are in the final proof 🤷🏻♀️).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dey Street Books, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure to read. This book was published on August 20, 2024.
August 20, 2024
4.5 stars
Before even cracking open Moon Unit Zappa’s memoir, I figured she had an unconventional upbringing given her name and being the daughter of famed musician Frank Zappa. I assumed she grew up in a hippie style environment but as I read the book, it became apparent it went far beyond that, to the point my heart actually broke for her and her siblings. To say her parents were self-involved is putting it in the kindest way possible. Moon Unit’s honesty and ability to articulate her feelings are the driving force of this memoir. An important takeaway is a person’s support system does not always include blood relatives.
Thank you Dey Street Books for providing a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Before even cracking open Moon Unit Zappa’s memoir, I figured she had an unconventional upbringing given her name and being the daughter of famed musician Frank Zappa. I assumed she grew up in a hippie style environment but as I read the book, it became apparent it went far beyond that, to the point my heart actually broke for her and her siblings. To say her parents were self-involved is putting it in the kindest way possible. Moon Unit’s honesty and ability to articulate her feelings are the driving force of this memoir. An important takeaway is a person’s support system does not always include blood relatives.
Thank you Dey Street Books for providing a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
July 15, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Dey Street Books for this advanced reader's copy.
Moon Zappa has had one heck of a life. I know, this is my non surprised face also. With parents like Frank and Gail, you kinda know what you are in for.
While I was not as surprised that Frank was pretty much non existent in her life (through no fault of Moon's), it was heartbreakingly surprising how incredibly (I will say it) terrible Gail was as a mother. There were a lot of moments that I knew about that contributed to this (the handling of Frank's estate for example), but I learned a lot and I have to tip my cap to the author for still finding her own joy.
I found it curious, though not in a bad way, that this was written in present tense. This may be the first memoir/autobiography that I have read that used this writing style. It made it feel more "connected" to Moon Unit as a reader, and made the writing more immediate. This was one of the fastest reads I have had in a very long time.
And that is not just because of writing choices. Moon is a very likable person, flawed, doing her best, and ready to share her tips as well as her struggles. Did I learn much about Frank's music? No. But I learned a lot about a person I would love to spend more time with.
Moon Zappa has had one heck of a life. I know, this is my non surprised face also. With parents like Frank and Gail, you kinda know what you are in for.
While I was not as surprised that Frank was pretty much non existent in her life (through no fault of Moon's), it was heartbreakingly surprising how incredibly (I will say it) terrible Gail was as a mother. There were a lot of moments that I knew about that contributed to this (the handling of Frank's estate for example), but I learned a lot and I have to tip my cap to the author for still finding her own joy.
I found it curious, though not in a bad way, that this was written in present tense. This may be the first memoir/autobiography that I have read that used this writing style. It made it feel more "connected" to Moon Unit as a reader, and made the writing more immediate. This was one of the fastest reads I have had in a very long time.
And that is not just because of writing choices. Moon is a very likable person, flawed, doing her best, and ready to share her tips as well as her struggles. Did I learn much about Frank's music? No. But I learned a lot about a person I would love to spend more time with.
August 23, 2024
Listened to the audiobook which is exactly how you should read this book. Moon is so sweet and her story is so full of the kind of love you just can’t fake. As I try to “find myself” she serves as a comforting guide through it. She’s been through lots of phases and so will I, the past and present and future all bumping into each other. So yeah, thanks Moon. 🌙 I’m gonna drink tea tonight and thank you from afar.
August 28, 2024
i’m having a memoir moment. this was so good and i found it difficult to read because it was so heart wrenching - i feel surviving her life was no small feat. amazing read.
August 27, 2024
Dey Street Books provided a galley for review.
Growing up, I never got into the music of Frank Zappa. It was always a bit out there for me. My older brother might have had some of his records though. For me, what came into my radar was the 1982 song "Valley Girl", written by Frank and featuring Moon Unit on vocals. That clicked for me since a) I was a teen myself at the time and b) the whole valley asthetic was prevasive in popular culture at the time. I know those lyrics by heart.
Thanks to an episode of Ahmet Zappa's "Rocktails" I was made aware of this book. I was fascinated by Moon's discussion with the guys about it and, thus, felt I had to go to check it out.
Although our worlds were so far apart, we both come from Generation X - the kids that often had to grow-up to take care of themselves due to working parents. We had to figure out a lot of things for ourselves, relying upon deduction, logical inferences, and trial-and-error to get by. We also maybe could have used a bit more of our parents' attention and affections; we had to take what we could get.
The latter chapters dealing with parenting and her daughter's health hit home hard for me. So too did the revelation of Gail's final act against Moon and Dweezil (I can very much relate to this).
Moon's writing is straight-forward, honest and often hilarious in a dark comedic way. There are so many touchstones that those who grew up in the 70's can easily relate; they need no in-depth details. As the kids today say, IYKYK (if you know you know).
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable memoir. I learned a lot and came away with some things to ponder as well.
Growing up, I never got into the music of Frank Zappa. It was always a bit out there for me. My older brother might have had some of his records though. For me, what came into my radar was the 1982 song "Valley Girl", written by Frank and featuring Moon Unit on vocals. That clicked for me since a) I was a teen myself at the time and b) the whole valley asthetic was prevasive in popular culture at the time. I know those lyrics by heart.
Thanks to an episode of Ahmet Zappa's "Rocktails" I was made aware of this book. I was fascinated by Moon's discussion with the guys about it and, thus, felt I had to go to check it out.
Although our worlds were so far apart, we both come from Generation X - the kids that often had to grow-up to take care of themselves due to working parents. We had to figure out a lot of things for ourselves, relying upon deduction, logical inferences, and trial-and-error to get by. We also maybe could have used a bit more of our parents' attention and affections; we had to take what we could get.
The latter chapters dealing with parenting and her daughter's health hit home hard for me. So too did the revelation of Gail's final act against Moon and Dweezil (I can very much relate to this).
Moon's writing is straight-forward, honest and often hilarious in a dark comedic way. There are so many touchstones that those who grew up in the 70's can easily relate; they need no in-depth details. As the kids today say, IYKYK (if you know you know).
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable memoir. I learned a lot and came away with some things to ponder as well.
March 27, 2025
Tough childhood, difficult, selfish parents and limited success as an adult.
This is not a book that shows very much insight into her life or the people around her. I particularly regretted the lack of insight into her father, who was an innovative musician although not necessarily fun to listen to. I wouldn't ever have wanted him as a father. He seems to have always remained a mystery to his oldest daughter, who loved him and craved the attention he very rarely gave her. Very sad. But this was the main attraction for reading this book to me, and Moon didn't deliver.
The relationship with her mother was horrific. Gail was wronged constantly by a husband who flagrantly cheated on her, but she stayed with him. Was it for business reasons, psychological reasons? Why did she particularly create distance with Moon and to a lesser extent with her oldest son, Dweezil? The book doesn't explain it, although it lays out a never-ending series of hurts inflicted on Moon by her mother.
I liked reading about the life of the semi-famous in Laurel Canyon California, the genesis of Moon's main hit, Valley Girl, the process of living on the fringes of an acting career and all of the teachers, gurus and hangers on around them. But so much remains unanswered. How does she survive, and on what kind of income? Why was she estranged from all of her siblings as well as her mother? Why did her marriage fail and did she have any other relationships? What was her relationship with her daughter?
Good luck, Moon.
This is not a book that shows very much insight into her life or the people around her. I particularly regretted the lack of insight into her father, who was an innovative musician although not necessarily fun to listen to. I wouldn't ever have wanted him as a father. He seems to have always remained a mystery to his oldest daughter, who loved him and craved the attention he very rarely gave her. Very sad. But this was the main attraction for reading this book to me, and Moon didn't deliver.
The relationship with her mother was horrific. Gail was wronged constantly by a husband who flagrantly cheated on her, but she stayed with him. Was it for business reasons, psychological reasons? Why did she particularly create distance with Moon and to a lesser extent with her oldest son, Dweezil? The book doesn't explain it, although it lays out a never-ending series of hurts inflicted on Moon by her mother.
I liked reading about the life of the semi-famous in Laurel Canyon California, the genesis of Moon's main hit, Valley Girl, the process of living on the fringes of an acting career and all of the teachers, gurus and hangers on around them. But so much remains unanswered. How does she survive, and on what kind of income? Why was she estranged from all of her siblings as well as her mother? Why did her marriage fail and did she have any other relationships? What was her relationship with her daughter?
Good luck, Moon.
July 19, 2024
I’ve always liked Moon Unit Zappa. She’s always come off as someone I’d like to grab coffee with, down to earth, funny, and strong.
In this book we find out exactly how strong. This woman has been through hell. I’m got going to bother talking about who her parents were, other than to say they were horrible parents. Her childhood and life were so damaged by them and my heart breaks for her.
This book is how she made it through to be the woman she deserved to be, realistically happy. If was a long road and her story should be a cautionary tale to a lot of people. It has a happy-ish ending though.
This is so well written that it pointed out the one thing she never really went into detail about, how she became a writer. I would have loved to read about her feelings when her first book was published.
Great book! Recommend to everybody and hope to hear more from Moon in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
In this book we find out exactly how strong. This woman has been through hell. I’m got going to bother talking about who her parents were, other than to say they were horrible parents. Her childhood and life were so damaged by them and my heart breaks for her.
This book is how she made it through to be the woman she deserved to be, realistically happy. If was a long road and her story should be a cautionary tale to a lot of people. It has a happy-ish ending though.
This is so well written that it pointed out the one thing she never really went into detail about, how she became a writer. I would have loved to read about her feelings when her first book was published.
Great book! Recommend to everybody and hope to hear more from Moon in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
September 8, 2024
In her memoir, Moon reveals fully the struggle of being the daughter of countercultural rock royalty, sharing her journey toward healing and personal fulfillment after growing up in a household void of emotional expression and familial familiarity. With a father whose selfishness was as expansive as his creativity and a mother whose personality disorder projected her spousal frustrations onto her children, Moon details an unconventional and unique family dynamic that continues to divide her family years after her parents’ death. As Frank was gone most of the year touring, and eschewed his fatherly responsibilities when he was home in favor of working in isolation, and Gail was left to manage the house and keep the family together, making sure the myriad of women who came through wouldn’t take her husband away, Moon felt compelled to become a normalizing presence in a home that was anything but, taking on a de facto parent role to shield her younger siblings from the emotional pain she endured as a child yearning for love. Moon searches for her identity and sense of self, attempting to step out from the shadow of her famous father without losing what few connections they had. A journey several decades in the making, Moon’s book is a documentation of trying to find your own place in the world, despite feeling ill-equipped as a lost child. Incredibly insightful and painfully poignant, Moon’s book is familiar to those who ever felt out of place within their own families, while also serving as a foundation of empathy for how and why people become who they are. Even if you’ve never heard a song by Frank in your life, Moon’s book is a touching and fulfilling experience.
January 31, 2025
I didn’t enjoy this memoir. That’s not to say it’s not well-written or doesn’t have some interesting (sometimes outrageous) stories—I understand why others have rated it highly—but I didn’t connect with Moon, and by the end, I didn’t trust the honesty and authenticity of her perspective. A lot is either being left unsaid or she is completely oblivious to the reality of her character, because as she writes it, she’s practically a saint with nay a bad intention who’s never done anyone wrong whereas everyone around her—her parents, her siblings, her husband—are deeply cruel and selfish with few redeeming qualities or moments. The book offers an interesting glimpse into growing up in the Zappa family, one she paints as traumatically dysfunctional with cold, unloving parents who are both physically and emotionally absent. It’s a tale we’ve heard a time before from a Hollywood or rock-n-roll offspring but what I found so unsettling about this version is that Moon stays glowing about her parents through it all; she doesn’t resent how horrible they were, and through childhood into adulthood, she lets them walk all over her and take advantage of her. The estrangement with her siblings seemingly comes out of nowhere and isn’t explained well. There has to be more to the story? Although at this point, I’m not that interested to know more.
October 31, 2025
I'm a big Zappa fan, so was interested in the inside scoop on family life with Mr Zee.
As the 4 children always seemed quite well adjusted compared to the majority of Hollywood brats I'd assumed that their parents had provided a stable, supportive environment.
The reality (according Moon anyway) couldn't have been further from the truth. Frank was a distant, workaholic father and Gail was a controlling, abusive mother.
Moon has had a lot to deal with in her life because of this. Gail especially comes in for a lot of criticism and I have to admit that the 1st few posthumous releases of Zappa's music had rather uncharacteristic album artwork courtesy of her influence.
A fascinating and entertaining story, even if I find some of the New Age, guru stuff from Moon a bit much
As the 4 children always seemed quite well adjusted compared to the majority of Hollywood brats I'd assumed that their parents had provided a stable, supportive environment.
The reality (according Moon anyway) couldn't have been further from the truth. Frank was a distant, workaholic father and Gail was a controlling, abusive mother.
Moon has had a lot to deal with in her life because of this. Gail especially comes in for a lot of criticism and I have to admit that the 1st few posthumous releases of Zappa's music had rather uncharacteristic album artwork courtesy of her influence.
A fascinating and entertaining story, even if I find some of the New Age, guru stuff from Moon a bit much
August 12, 2024
Tolstoy wrote, "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," but I don't think even he could imagine the Frank Zappa family. Whew. There is so much dysfunction in this family, even by rock star standards. It's remarkable that Moon Unit Zappa is so self-aware and can forgive her family of origin.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated
December 18, 2024
I'm having a hard time believing that everyone was terrible except her.
August 31, 2024
Extremely sad and depressing book that is raw in its honesty but fails to provide a full picture of her life. After a horrible upbringing with a famous dad that ignored her to sleep with strange women around the world, and an evil jealous mother who went to her grave cutting the daughter out of the Zappa family fortune, Moon has a right to all the emotions she gives voice to in this book.
The problem is that after very detailed specifics about her horrible parents and spoiled siblings, she rushes through the last ten years of her life in just a handful of pages, never really fully condemning her mom and dad. She instead shows "empathy" to those that traumatized her and even reaches out to her terrible brothers and sister to offer "forgiveness" (they don't respond). She misses the importance of righteousness, justice, and morality. That's because her philosophy of life was influenced by her wacky hippie-like father and witchy mother. And a fraudulent swami she starts following that dictates her life decisions, only to discover that the female spiritual leader is a total fraud.
It was a good chance to reflect on the misuse of empathy in society and the damage that has come from both the fake New Age spiritual movement and the rock-music-influenced "free love" movement. "Empaths" can be very dangerous in their support of immorality, evildoers, criminals, and fallen leaders while ignoring the victims. Empath Moon should not defend her abusive parents just to make herself feel less guilty. Hatred and disassociating yourself from your family can be a valid reaction instead of tolerating abuse.
In the most significant storyline, Moon took the savings she had from her music and VH-1 work to buy her own house to finally move out of her parents' home (why in the world did she wait so long?). Yet while her dad was dying her mom begged Moon to sell the house and give mom the funds to pay off dad's medical bills (since they didn't believe in basics like health insurance, of course!). Moon, of course, tried to earn her parents' love by giving in. Never repaid, after Frank passed away the mom went on a spending spree, going deep into debt, then called the family together with a bunch of lawyers to pressure the kids to give up their untouchable beneficiary portions of Frank's music. When Moon comes up with a very sound compromise, the mother cuts her off and the author ends up with almost nothing...then two of the siblings sue her for the rest.
They were all in the wrong but Frank and his wife were the ones to blame, so instead of trying to apologize to them again (for no apparent reason), Moon should let their bad legacy stand so they can pay for all the evil they did in the world (while claiming to only be doing good and supporting very liberal causes to the tune of donating six figures to one California Democrat!). While their children went starving for basic necessities and parental involvement, those two adults wasted their time in recording studios, other people's beds, and publicly polishing their images by fronting liberalism. Degenerate hypocrites.
This is the poster family for how NOT to raise your kids (rule-free, sleeping around, psychologically abusing kids and treating some as favorites while ignoring others). Moon hungers for affection, boundaries, attention, and some sense of order--and she gets nothing that she needs. It's a condemnation of a California lifestyle, the music industry, celebrity parents, those devoted to following witchcraft and evil, and the unwarranted praise we heap on famous people who appear to have it all together.
While my heart goes out to her, my head says that she failed to stand up for herself, never found real truth, and buckled throughout her life hoping that some day her parents would finally show her love. They never really did. Their eyes were selfishly on themselves on earth and never glanced at the shimmering Moon.
The problem is that after very detailed specifics about her horrible parents and spoiled siblings, she rushes through the last ten years of her life in just a handful of pages, never really fully condemning her mom and dad. She instead shows "empathy" to those that traumatized her and even reaches out to her terrible brothers and sister to offer "forgiveness" (they don't respond). She misses the importance of righteousness, justice, and morality. That's because her philosophy of life was influenced by her wacky hippie-like father and witchy mother. And a fraudulent swami she starts following that dictates her life decisions, only to discover that the female spiritual leader is a total fraud.
It was a good chance to reflect on the misuse of empathy in society and the damage that has come from both the fake New Age spiritual movement and the rock-music-influenced "free love" movement. "Empaths" can be very dangerous in their support of immorality, evildoers, criminals, and fallen leaders while ignoring the victims. Empath Moon should not defend her abusive parents just to make herself feel less guilty. Hatred and disassociating yourself from your family can be a valid reaction instead of tolerating abuse.
In the most significant storyline, Moon took the savings she had from her music and VH-1 work to buy her own house to finally move out of her parents' home (why in the world did she wait so long?). Yet while her dad was dying her mom begged Moon to sell the house and give mom the funds to pay off dad's medical bills (since they didn't believe in basics like health insurance, of course!). Moon, of course, tried to earn her parents' love by giving in. Never repaid, after Frank passed away the mom went on a spending spree, going deep into debt, then called the family together with a bunch of lawyers to pressure the kids to give up their untouchable beneficiary portions of Frank's music. When Moon comes up with a very sound compromise, the mother cuts her off and the author ends up with almost nothing...then two of the siblings sue her for the rest.
They were all in the wrong but Frank and his wife were the ones to blame, so instead of trying to apologize to them again (for no apparent reason), Moon should let their bad legacy stand so they can pay for all the evil they did in the world (while claiming to only be doing good and supporting very liberal causes to the tune of donating six figures to one California Democrat!). While their children went starving for basic necessities and parental involvement, those two adults wasted their time in recording studios, other people's beds, and publicly polishing their images by fronting liberalism. Degenerate hypocrites.
This is the poster family for how NOT to raise your kids (rule-free, sleeping around, psychologically abusing kids and treating some as favorites while ignoring others). Moon hungers for affection, boundaries, attention, and some sense of order--and she gets nothing that she needs. It's a condemnation of a California lifestyle, the music industry, celebrity parents, those devoted to following witchcraft and evil, and the unwarranted praise we heap on famous people who appear to have it all together.
While my heart goes out to her, my head says that she failed to stand up for herself, never found real truth, and buckled throughout her life hoping that some day her parents would finally show her love. They never really did. Their eyes were selfishly on themselves on earth and never glanced at the shimmering Moon.
February 23, 2025
This was highly recommended by Andy Miller on the Backlisted podcast. Sadly I don't share his enthusiasm.
I listened to Earth to Moon: A Memoir narrated by Moon Unit Zappa. It is written in an emotional, over excited, breathless, almost hysterical style. On one level that's understandable. Never were Larkin’s lines about parents more apposite. The Zappas take the notion of a dysfunctional family to new levels. The descriptions of child abuse and family drama are shocking. Frank is absent a lot of the time, and emotionally absent all of the time. Gail, his wife and Moon's mother, is codependent. Moon desperately seeks Frank's attention and approval to almost total disinterest. The whole family seem narcissistic. The kids chaotic upbringing was clearly very traumatic: no boundaries, a lot of quasi mystical hippy nonsense, nudity, random strangers, pornographic magazines, emotional remote and distracted parents etc.
Moon has had many many hours of therapy and some of her insights are credible and interesting, however these are often interspersed with a lot of Californian new age-y psychobabble, served alongside off the scale levels of entitlement. I don't want to judge her too harshly as her upbringing would mess anyone up and she ultimately emerges with some hard earned insights and wisdom.
It's hard to guage just how much of Moon's personality has been caused by the dysfunction of her upbringing. Either way Earth to Moon: A Memoir is a mix of grim, annoying, and interesting. I would not have bothered with it had I known what was in store.
2/5
The saying goes that "God only gives you what you can handle." Well God didn't grow up in my atheist, Wiccan, fame-laden, oversexed, teetotalling, drug-free, cloistered, chaotic, non-communicative, workaholic, feral-feeling house.'
For Moon Unit, daughter of musician Frank Zappa and his 'manager', Gail, processing a life so unique, so punctuated by the whims of creative urges, the tastes of popular culture and the calculus of celebrity, has at times been eviscerating. But it is her deep sense of humour and unshakeable humility that keeps her - and this memoir - pinned to the ground.
A child-star at age 14 after her accidental international hit single (recorded with her father), 'Valley Girl', turned her into a reluctant celebrity, Moon Unit Zappa's life has been utterly extraordinary from her birth in 1967 into a family that was already blessed/cursed as music royalty thanks to the acknowledged genius of Frank. But what are the consequences of growing up in a family who spend most of their time naked arguing about sexual/extra-marital liaisons and practising white magic in a free-for-all state of nonconformist, virtuoso abandon?
Earth to Moon is a reckoning with self-esteem, the ghosts of the past and a mother and a father who, in the process of leaving their mark upon on the world, scarred their first daughter on home soil. Brutally self-deprecating and funny as hell, it belies a rose-tinted perspective on the 70s and 80s west coast American scene, from within the belly of the beast of the rock and roll world.
I listened to Earth to Moon: A Memoir narrated by Moon Unit Zappa. It is written in an emotional, over excited, breathless, almost hysterical style. On one level that's understandable. Never were Larkin’s lines about parents more apposite. The Zappas take the notion of a dysfunctional family to new levels. The descriptions of child abuse and family drama are shocking. Frank is absent a lot of the time, and emotionally absent all of the time. Gail, his wife and Moon's mother, is codependent. Moon desperately seeks Frank's attention and approval to almost total disinterest. The whole family seem narcissistic. The kids chaotic upbringing was clearly very traumatic: no boundaries, a lot of quasi mystical hippy nonsense, nudity, random strangers, pornographic magazines, emotional remote and distracted parents etc.
Moon has had many many hours of therapy and some of her insights are credible and interesting, however these are often interspersed with a lot of Californian new age-y psychobabble, served alongside off the scale levels of entitlement. I don't want to judge her too harshly as her upbringing would mess anyone up and she ultimately emerges with some hard earned insights and wisdom.
It's hard to guage just how much of Moon's personality has been caused by the dysfunction of her upbringing. Either way Earth to Moon: A Memoir is a mix of grim, annoying, and interesting. I would not have bothered with it had I known what was in store.
2/5
The saying goes that "God only gives you what you can handle." Well God didn't grow up in my atheist, Wiccan, fame-laden, oversexed, teetotalling, drug-free, cloistered, chaotic, non-communicative, workaholic, feral-feeling house.'
For Moon Unit, daughter of musician Frank Zappa and his 'manager', Gail, processing a life so unique, so punctuated by the whims of creative urges, the tastes of popular culture and the calculus of celebrity, has at times been eviscerating. But it is her deep sense of humour and unshakeable humility that keeps her - and this memoir - pinned to the ground.
A child-star at age 14 after her accidental international hit single (recorded with her father), 'Valley Girl', turned her into a reluctant celebrity, Moon Unit Zappa's life has been utterly extraordinary from her birth in 1967 into a family that was already blessed/cursed as music royalty thanks to the acknowledged genius of Frank. But what are the consequences of growing up in a family who spend most of their time naked arguing about sexual/extra-marital liaisons and practising white magic in a free-for-all state of nonconformist, virtuoso abandon?
Earth to Moon is a reckoning with self-esteem, the ghosts of the past and a mother and a father who, in the process of leaving their mark upon on the world, scarred their first daughter on home soil. Brutally self-deprecating and funny as hell, it belies a rose-tinted perspective on the 70s and 80s west coast American scene, from within the belly of the beast of the rock and roll world.
August 20, 2024
Shoutout to the eldest kids out there. Funny book and very sad.
January 1, 2025
Audible version narrated by Moon Unit Zappa
It’s hard to say whether I liked Earth to Moon. As with most memoirs, my feelings hinge on whether I connect with the subject, even just a little bit —and in this case, I didn’t. Moon’s life and beliefs (especially as an adult) felt so far removed from my own that I struggled to empathize or even understand her perspective. That said, I was fascinated by the sheer sensationalism of it all. But inspiration? No. If anything, adult Moon comes across as whiny, unbelievably naive, and steeped in privilege. And I couldn’t help but wonder if the string of close relationships that ended badly might have more to do with her and not everyone else as she begs the reader to believe.
The first half of the book, where Moon recounts her chaotic childhood with a womanizing, self-absorbed rockstar dad and a sometimes unhinged, codependent mom, was the strongest part for me. However, like many others, I didn’t enjoy her “younger voice” in this section. The overly stylized child’s perspective was weird and off-putting, and her high-pitched narration in the audiobook only amplified my irritation. That said, I appreciated that Moon read her own memoir—it added a layer of authenticity, especially during the emotionally charged moments.
What kept me reading was the sheer extremity of her experiences. Moon’s life was so far removed from the “normal” human experience it was like reading about someone growing up on Mars. The bizarre anecdotes, the 80s glam rock connections, and her brushes with soon-to-be Hollywood icons were definitely entertaining. But Moon’s reactions to these events and people only highlighted her desperation and neediness—qualities she doesn’t seem to have outgrown.
This is a fast, easy read, and I didn’t find it nearly as sad or depressing as some reviewers have. Aren’t memoirs like this supposed to be sensational and “off the rails”? That’s part of the appeal! If I were judging just the first half of Earth to Moon, I’d probably give it 4 stars. But as Moon moved into adulthood, her inability to take responsibility or grow up lost me. By almost 60, it’s time to accept some culpability, Moon.
It’s hard to say whether I liked Earth to Moon. As with most memoirs, my feelings hinge on whether I connect with the subject, even just a little bit —and in this case, I didn’t. Moon’s life and beliefs (especially as an adult) felt so far removed from my own that I struggled to empathize or even understand her perspective. That said, I was fascinated by the sheer sensationalism of it all. But inspiration? No. If anything, adult Moon comes across as whiny, unbelievably naive, and steeped in privilege. And I couldn’t help but wonder if the string of close relationships that ended badly might have more to do with her and not everyone else as she begs the reader to believe.
The first half of the book, where Moon recounts her chaotic childhood with a womanizing, self-absorbed rockstar dad and a sometimes unhinged, codependent mom, was the strongest part for me. However, like many others, I didn’t enjoy her “younger voice” in this section. The overly stylized child’s perspective was weird and off-putting, and her high-pitched narration in the audiobook only amplified my irritation. That said, I appreciated that Moon read her own memoir—it added a layer of authenticity, especially during the emotionally charged moments.
What kept me reading was the sheer extremity of her experiences. Moon’s life was so far removed from the “normal” human experience it was like reading about someone growing up on Mars. The bizarre anecdotes, the 80s glam rock connections, and her brushes with soon-to-be Hollywood icons were definitely entertaining. But Moon’s reactions to these events and people only highlighted her desperation and neediness—qualities she doesn’t seem to have outgrown.
This is a fast, easy read, and I didn’t find it nearly as sad or depressing as some reviewers have. Aren’t memoirs like this supposed to be sensational and “off the rails”? That’s part of the appeal! If I were judging just the first half of Earth to Moon, I’d probably give it 4 stars. But as Moon moved into adulthood, her inability to take responsibility or grow up lost me. By almost 60, it’s time to accept some culpability, Moon.
January 29, 2025
Subtitle: Nepo Baby Blues. I kid, but I’d definitely say the second half of the book tackles problems only faced by someone super privileged—you know, getting snubbed by your crush, Bon Jovi, or having your credit card declined at a designer store. The descriptions of child abuse & family drama in the first half are the most compelling part of the book. Zappa gives real insight in what it’s like growing up with a womanizing, emotionally-absent rock n’ roll dad & a narcissistic, codependent mom. I did find the “child/teen” voice annoying after a while (I had the audiobook, and listening to an adult woman mimic the voice of a younger version of herself was off-putting). Would recommend for people wanting a tell-all in the vein of “I’m Glad My Mom Died” (although that book is much better). You can really see the toll that fame, money, and child stardom take on people’s mental health. But, the last hour or so of the audiobook is whining over how she didn’t get a fair share of her father’s estate. There’s a lot of over-emotional reading—it makes it very difficult to listen to. I often found myself disliking her, because of how hard she was trying to justify her choices/actions to the reader. I’d suggest avoiding the audiobook.
September 1, 2024
Devoured.
August 25, 2024
Wow this is an amazing memoir. It shows that genius doesn't necessarily guarantee someone will be a good parent. Also a person can cause a lot of hurt without ever laying a finger on another person.
Moon Unit Zappa tells me the story of her relationship with her parents. It is wild stuff
Moon Unit Zappa tells me the story of her relationship with her parents. It is wild stuff
September 29, 2024
Her mum sounds like a right cunt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2025
This book had two more mentions of the Spin Doctors than I expected. (Which is to say I was expecting none.)
January 13, 2026
What a wonderfully written memoir! I couldn't put it down. Like most girls in the 80s, I loved 'Valley Girl' and was envious of the lifestyle I believed that Moon Unit Zappa led. She wrote with much honesty and obviously through a process of healing of what her upbringing was like. It was heartbreaking to read at times.
November 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this and thought Moon Unit navigated how she wrote about a challenging childhood and relationship with her parents well.
I did find the last sections felt a little bit rushed compared to the rest, but overall thought it was great.
I did find the last sections felt a little bit rushed compared to the rest, but overall thought it was great.
January 10, 2025
"Earth to Moon" is what Moon Unit Zappa's mother, Gail, would say to her to get her attention. This memoir draws from Moon's journals that she's been writing since the age of five. The better part of the book deals with a very fractious mother/daughter, love/hate relationship and a mostly absentee celebrity father (Frank Zappa). Moon was not raised in a "normal" American style which put her out of step with most of her contemporaries. As a result, she suffered from low self-esteem, rode an emotional roller-coaster and tried every form of new age therapy. Along the way she worked as an actress, writer and interviewer, jobs that came to her thanks to her success with the song "Valley Girl."
I can see how readers might be put off by Moon's low self-esteem, hysteria in crises and general cluelessness about ordinary life. She ricochets around emotional episodes. always searching for stability and a better relationship with Gail. For me, this was fascinating reading. Most music related biographies deal with alcohol and/or drug abuse but, thanks to Frank, she avoided those pitfalls. Instead, she suffered from toxic parenting for which there is no 12-step program. There are moments of joy, redemption and celebrity encounters, so it isn't a total bummer.
My one disappointment was that she did not mention her time on the set of the movie "The Spirit of '76" where she had a scene with teen idol David Cassidy. I thought that might have potential for comedy or pathos, but I guess it didn't stick with her as a notable memory. Oh well.
I can see how readers might be put off by Moon's low self-esteem, hysteria in crises and general cluelessness about ordinary life. She ricochets around emotional episodes. always searching for stability and a better relationship with Gail. For me, this was fascinating reading. Most music related biographies deal with alcohol and/or drug abuse but, thanks to Frank, she avoided those pitfalls. Instead, she suffered from toxic parenting for which there is no 12-step program. There are moments of joy, redemption and celebrity encounters, so it isn't a total bummer.
My one disappointment was that she did not mention her time on the set of the movie "The Spirit of '76" where she had a scene with teen idol David Cassidy. I thought that might have potential for comedy or pathos, but I guess it didn't stick with her as a notable memory. Oh well.
October 28, 2024
I feel bad saying this, but truthfully the worst part of this book is the writing. Childhood in the Zappa home was (as I'd already learned prior to reading this) tough to say the least. It was interesting hearing more about Gail, though, and I appreciated that hers and Moon's relationship was closely examined from Moon's birth to Gail's death.
There were a few gaps, though. The siblings turning their backs on Moon came as a shock since Moon described their childhoods (and even young adulthoods) as friendly. And why was she so in love with her father when every description of him is about what a terrible parent and husband (and colleague, it seems) he was?
And, as much of a supporter as I am for mental health services, it felt like a lot of the facts from Moon's life had been given a therapy-speak makeover, such that at multiple points I wondered if what she had said was really the truth.
I sympathize with Moon's tough life, but I can't say that I would recommend this book. And, surely, she wasn't in the right in EVERY argument. Right?
There were a few gaps, though. The siblings turning their backs on Moon came as a shock since Moon described their childhoods (and even young adulthoods) as friendly. And why was she so in love with her father when every description of him is about what a terrible parent and husband (and colleague, it seems) he was?
And, as much of a supporter as I am for mental health services, it felt like a lot of the facts from Moon's life had been given a therapy-speak makeover, such that at multiple points I wondered if what she had said was really the truth.
I sympathize with Moon's tough life, but I can't say that I would recommend this book. And, surely, she wasn't in the right in EVERY argument. Right?
September 29, 2024
Frank and Gail Zappa were some very odd people, very odd parents, and they raised very odd children. Since Moon doesn't seem to know what caused all the rifts, neither do I. I think she's trying hard to overcome her childhood and be a good parent and person. Not that what I think matters. It was just hard to have empathy with her towards the end of the book. It felt a bit like she needed to wrap it up, and so she did, but so much isn't explained. Maybe because she doesn't understand either? I feel badly for her, and I'm glad she's working on being happy.
October 5, 2024
Listened to the audiobook narrated by the author herself and really enjoyed the listening experience. Moon is an exceptional storyteller and has balanced the hard truths of her life with her unique wit and take on the ordinary and not so ordinary. Like her father’s book, Moon told the story as only she could. Listening to her stories about her mom Gail, at times I felt the book could have been called Earth to Gail for what she (her mom) seemed oblivious to with how she related to her children, or Moon, at least.
November 7, 2025
I did not want to read this book, in fact I was against Moon writing this book, but now all I feel is empathy towards Moon Unit Zappa, I’m happy she told her story so beautifully.
March 28, 2025
This book is a very powerful memoire that has everything. It contains every emotion from sadness, grief, love, unhappiness, and happiness. Above all, this book is about recovering from life long family trauma, grief due to loss and grief for what did not exist in a family. This book is about the process of being freeish from the past, breaking the cycle to make a better future for herself and her daughter, and healing which will be an ongoing process. Moon Zapa does not sugar coat anything when telling her story. Since I listened to the audio version of this book that was read by Moon, her emotions came through loud and clear when she read, and I could feel her joy, and I could feel her pain. This book is a must read for anyone who is recovering from long-term trauma, and it is a reassurance for people to know that the struggle is epic, and they are not alone. Thank you Moon Zapa for having the courage to tell your story, and thank you for opening yourself up to the world.
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