Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I read Margi Preus’ Heart of a Samurai shortly after it was named a Newbery Honor book and found it captivating; when I read the description of West of the Moon, her 2014 novel, I was pretty much instantly sold.  Historical fiction inspired by an entry in the author’s great-great-grandmother’s diary?  Historical fiction blended with fairy tale?  Historical fiction about immigrating to America in the 19th century?  Sign me up!

Here’s the thing, though.  West of the Moon is most certainly captivating; there’s no denying that.  It’s also, however, more than just a little macabre.  The fate of the goatman, the truth about Spinning Girl, Astri’s dream (or was it a dream?!), Mor Kloster–this is a book that kept me reading, but also one that messed with my head.  (I was on the phone with my friend Andrea while I was reading it and I was talking about a bad dream I’d had; I started to read her the description of the book as a way to explain the probable inspiration of the dream and she interrupted me after the first sentence.  “I have READ this book!  And I had nightmares for days while I was reading it!”)  Realistically, old fairytales and folktales aren’t exactly made up of fluffy material, but the 19th century cultural traditions and common diseases referenced only added to the atmosphere.  This is a well-written, well-told story, and if you’re a fan of historical fiction and fairy tale re-tellings it’s most definitely worth your time, but–the dreams are a doozy, friends.  Be prepared.