This book was so poorly written I don't know where to begin. For one, I do not need a lengthy explanation of what a bong is nor have I ever heard of anyone using "bong" as a verb. I didn't need an explanation of what streaking is, either. This book reads like notes - an outline for a book yet to be written. I wanted to throw it out the window but I finished it because I'm stubborn and it's a personal rule of mine. I've given it one star because negative stars is not an option. It seemed to me that even the author was sick of the whole thing by the end. At the risk of allowing this to turn into a rant, I will leave it at that. ( )

Not all authors can successfully make the jump from short stories to novels, but with “The Brightest Moon of the Century,” Meeks succeeds. ”The Brightest Moon of the Century” is somewhat structured as a novel in stories, as we follow the main character, Edward, from ages 14 to 45 in nine chapters. Unlike some books I’ve read in this format, though, the story flowed logically from one chapter/period of life to another.

I really liked Edward, he was an overall good and sympathetic person, but he inadvertently had a pretty interesting life. Other than his brief sojourn in a trailer park in Alabama I’m not actually sure what Edward did that was so interesting, but he never seemed like some boring schmoe, probably a testament to Meeks’ writing. Edward was just such a patently real, human character that I could not help but becoming involved and invested in his life. Yes, he had hardships and no, he didn’t always make the best decisions, but he was someone I could like and root for, which I always appreciate.

This is really a good read. In fact, if you’re ever considering picking up some of Meeks’ work, you can expect solid writing and an enjoyable story, so go ahead and give him a try. ( )

"Near mid-century when Edward was born, the full moon was years from being the brightest. That would happen - in terms of luminosity and size - in the last month of the century." [Opening of The Brightest Moon of the Century]

Christopher Meeks came highly recommended by fellow blogger and friend Wendy from Caribousmom. Wendy has good taste in books, and so I knew I could trust her not to steer me wrong. Although she hadn't read The Brightest Century of the Moon at the time I agreed to read and review the book, she had read some of the author's other work and knew he was a gifted writer.

The Brightest Moon of the Century is Meek's first full length novel. If it is a sign of what he has already written and what is to come, Christopher Meeks is well on his way to becoming one of my favorite authors. In this particular novel, the reader is introduced to Edward Meopian. The story spans a good portion of his life, beginning when he is 14 years old and coming to a close when he reaches his mid-40's, from 1968 to 1999.

This is a difficult book to summarize without giving too much away, but I will give it a try. Edward lost his mother when he was a young boy and is raised by a father struggling to do the best he can under the circumstances. They live in Minnesota where his father works as an encyclopedia salesman. Edward is not too happy when his well meaning father forces him to attend a private school during his teen years. During the glimpse into his life we are presented, Edward gains a stepmother and stepbrother, heads off to college in Denver, Colorado and makes his way in the world in Los Angeles and later in Alabama. He finds love as well as heartbreak. His life is full of ups and downs as he discovers just who he is, and as he sets off on the path he has chosen for himself. That path does not always go in the direction he anticipated, sometimes taking unexpected detours; and yet it is exactly that which makes Edward's story all the more real and interesting.

The Brightest Moon of the Century is full of funny moments as well as sentimental ones. I laughed out loud on occasion and got teary eyed in others. While I enjoyed every word in this book, my favorite section has to be Edward's stay in Alabama where he and his college friend Sagebrush own and run a mini mart in a trailer park. The two couldn't be more different from one another, one being more interested in playing while the other strives to be responsible. The two men compliment each other, balancing each other out. Small town Alabama was such a contrast from the life Edward had been living in Los Angeles. He grows quite a bit while in the South.

I enjoyed reading about Edward's experiences in graduate school. as well. The rather demanding Professor Neff reminded me of one of my former college professors, albeit in an entirely different field of study. And I loved the moments when Edward struggles to understand girls and women early on in the book. The final section of the book also left quite an impression on me, taking a more serious turn. As quirky and funny as the book could be at times, there was also a seriousness about it. Life is not always easy. It certainly wasn't all that easy for Edward.

As Edward's story unfolds, the author effectively captures the essence of where Edward is in the moment at each point in his life, both mentally and developmentally. As a result, I grew up right along side Edward. I felt his teenage angst, his optimism about the future, his frustrations and disappointments, his hope and the shifting of his dreams. I experienced first hand his transition from boy to man and as he came into his own. The transition was very subtle, as it is in real life. Life events building on one another and the people that come in and out of our lives are a part of what makes us who we are, shaping the direction our lives take. We play it safe; we take risks. It is no different for Edward.

Edward himself is a bit naive in some ways. It's that innocence which makes him easy to relate to initially. He is insecure and yet there is also a confidence about him that balances his character out. He does not realize just how smart and capable he truly is. Edward is a romantic at heart, and, like many, he longs for love, hopes for it and searches it out. He wasn't the cool kid in school nor do the beautiful women flock to his side (although I'm sure he wished they would). He is down to earth; someone who is easy to identify with. He is someone I wouldn't mind having as a friend.

The other characters in the book are just as memorable. My favorite perhaps is Beatrice, Edward's stepmother. She seems to take everything in stride and is supportive of both Edward and Edward's father. Len, the handyman, is another favorite. Like all of the characters in the book, he is flawed, but it is his good intentions and heart that stand out. Many of the characters brought something to the story all their own and made me long to know more about them.

What I got most out of this wonderful novel is a sense of hope. Life is full of bumps in the road, and those bumps make us stronger, helping us to become who we are and who we will eventually be. It's important not to forget to watch that sunset once in awhile.

"This world could be heaven on earth if only people let it, Edward realized. Every sunset could show you. Take it." [pg 224] ( )

http://www.bookgeeks.co.uk/2009/04/10/jennies-review-the-brightest-moon-of-the-c... ( )

Edward Meopian’s life is never easy. His mother dies before he goes to high school and his father has a hard time expressing his love. Edward is uncomfortable at school and it only gets worse when his father enters him into a prestigious private institution with the kids of famous people, especially given that he doesn’t even know how to tie his tie. Edward learns, though, and through this book we follow his life, through college, love affairs, strange jobs, and even fatherhood.

One thing I have loved in reading many of Mr. Meeks’ stories is the humanity of his characters. You can always feel for these people. In this novel, Edward is no exception, and in fact, he echoes the experience of many. He remains in the background for most of his early years, struggling with bullying and confusion over girls, especially given his raging adolescent hormones. Through college, he decides what he wants to be, but the path there isn’t easy or conventional. While on his unexpected detours, Edward figures out who he is and begins to achieve, but he still isn’t perfect, because no one can be. This book echoes the unpredictability of life in a way that will resonate with anyone who has ever been a little lost. I also think the time gaps were handled very well in this novel. For obvious reasons, we skip ahead every so often, but it was very easy to know how much time had passed and I never felt I was missing out on anything.

I think I was most amused by Edward’s adolescent years, particularly his struggle with girls. He doesn’t understand them at all but is mainly fixated on sex in a very believable teenage way. I’ll admit that I found this section hilarious. I can’t know what goes in the mind of a teenage boy, but I suspect the author has a better idea.

Overall, I enjoyed very much reading about the ups and downs of Edward Meopian’s fictional life. Christopher Meeks captures life’s unpredictability while retaining a message of the hope that inspires us all. I’m very pleased to say that I highly recommend this book. I think we can all find a little bit of ourselves in Edward.

http://chikune.com/blog/?p=549 ( )