Customer Reviews

The Moon by Night

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every adult-in-the-making goes through at least one "difficult year." For Vicky Austin, that year comes when she's 14. She hasn't been able to do anything right (or it seems that way to her, at least!) for months, and now her parents have decided to tear her previously secure world apart. Dr. Austin is taking a temporary research and teaching position in New York City, leaving his small-town medical practice in another doctor's hands. The Austin family's home in Thornhill, Connecticut will be occupied by that other doctor's family, and that's where their pets will remain, too. But before they move into a New York apartment, the Austins embark on a cross-country camping trip - from Atlantic (Grandfather Eaton's home on Seven Bay Island) to Pacific (Laguna Beach, California, where they visit Uncle Douglas and Aunt Elena) and back.

It's an eventful trip during which Vicky has her first taste of romance, as she meets and is followed all the way across the country by a troubled and sometimes frightening rich boy named Zachary Grey. Zach's angry, hopeless response to life (which he fears losing at any moment, thanks to a rheumatic fever damaged heart) forces Vicky to confront twin demons that are making her own life miserable, in what L'Engle sensitively yet unsentimentally presents as something more than typical teen-aged angst. Vicky is part of the first generation to grow up under the shadow of the atom bomb, becoming aware of world events and their significance at the Cold War and nuclear arms race's height (this book's copyright date is 1963). She's become old enough, during her "difficult year" of being 14, to realize that she and everyone she loves can die at any moment; and she's also become old enough to ask herself whether or not God is really there. The love and respect she has for her grandfather, a minister and former missionary, can't save her from wondering if Zachary and others like him may not be right.

Although I didn't find THE MOON BY NIGHT as enjoyable a read as other L'Engle books because it was a bit too introspective for me (I'm used to more action and dialog, and missed it sorely as I ploughed through page after page of interior monologue), it is nevertheless the one I would most recommend to today's young readers. I was just a little bit younger in 1963 than Vicky Austin, and I remember only too well how it felt to know that my generation might not live to grow up - much less middle-aged or old - thanks to a world suddenly grown far smaller and more dangerous than the one in which our parents came of age. The children of post-911 should find plenty to identify with in Vicky's crisis of hope and faith, and much encouragement in its resolution.

At the tender age of 14-years-old, Vicky Austin is filled with uncertainty about her life. She feels out of place, and, unlike the rest of her family, she feels unsure about what she wants to make of herself when she gets older. But when her parents decide to take a cross-country camping trip, she couldn't be more exciting. On the way, for the first time ever in her life, she meets up with a boy (a gorgeous one for that matter), named Zachary, who is actually interested in her. And she's interested in him too. But as he pops up at every one of the Austin family's camping stops, the family begins becoming aggravated with the boy. Now Vicky is becoming even more confused, what with suddenly having a boy's attention on top of everything else. Will Vicky ever be able to sort out her problems, or will her "difficult year" last longer than she actually thinks.

Another excellent novel in the Austin series. Madeleine L'Engle has touched on a subject that affects people of all ages, and adds a bit of romance to liven things up. A must-read book for everyone, especially for girls ages 12-16.

Erika Sorocco

This story is about the thoughts of a young girl as she goes through life, finding who she truly is.

What's happening? Where are you, God? Why me? ... Ever thought this before? Vicky Austin has. Being 14 isn't easy, and that's why I liked this book. Beautifully written, explaining a teen girl's life through this young girl's emotions. "The Moon By Night" deals with many situations that a young woman may come across, particularly the choice between boys. A romance written for teen girls seeking understandment, this book is a best.
Thinking of what I didn't like about this book, I can't. I guess what annoyed me was that throughout the whole book, the Austin family is moving from one place to the next, which gets kind of old. Also, Vicky seems to just go off with any guy, not knowing what exactly they are like. This is seen through my eyes, since I would not just let any boy kiss me. So it isn't very fair, since that is just me and everyone is different. I enjoy romance with heart, that make me think. In the end, my resolution is, "Read the book!"

I loved the book I read it over the weekend after I read A Ring of Endless Light. I wish I read it first it answered all my questions about A Ring of Endless Light. I really related to Vicky and Zachary reminded me of people I had known. I think it is a great book in the series.

This book first intruduces Zacharey Gray a sick boy who has fallen for Vicky. He says he needs Vickys help then when Zach is away Vicky meets Andy a person she loves being around. Even when Andy and Vicky don't talk it feels right. When Zachary meets up with Andy at a campsite and asks where Vicky is Andy tells him but is kind of annoyed while Zach gets jelous. He finds Vicky and her gang up in a secluded mountain campsite. While playing a nice game of hide and go seek Zachary mysteriously vanishes. Vicky goes looking for him and finds him over the mountain. He lured Vicky there to be alone. While they are down there there is a earthquake and some of the mountain falls on Zachary. Can Vicky get help before it is to late. This is a book of trials and tribulations love and jelously trust and betrayal.

This book first intruduces Zacharey Gray a sick boy who has fallen for Vicky. He says he needs Vickys help then when Zach is away Vicky meets Andy a person she loves being around. Even when Andy and Vicky don't talk it feels right. When Zachary meets up with Andy at a campsite and asks where Vicky is Andy tells him but is kind of annoyed while Zach gets jelous. He finds Vicky and her gang up in a secluded mountain campsite. While playing a nice game of hide and go seek Zachary mysteriously vanishes. Vicky goes looking for him and finds him over the mountain. He lured Vicky there to be alone. While they are down there there is a earthquake and some of the mountain falls on Zachary. Can Vicky get help before it is to late. This is a book of trials and tribulations love and jelously trust and betrayal.

Vicky's family goes on a cross-country camping trip. But what starts out as an innocent vacation turns Vicky's world upside down as two teen-age boys make it their priority to follow Vicky's family in a desperate attempt to win her affection. One is a smart, fun-loving boy who the entire family likes and who Vicky feels for. The other is a wild boy who's suffering with a fatal disease. But this boy, who is wild and trying to prove his lack of fear of death, gets Vicky's attentions and, in some parts, her sanity as she tries to keep up with him. But I'm not gonna tell you who she chooses.

I read The Moon By Night back when I was in Junior High, after reading the Wrinkle in Time series. L'Engle quickly became my favorite author and I read all her books. This one still held a special place in my heart. I absolutely fell in love with Zachary Grey (in love with a character in a book!) and he became the archetype for the kind of men I am fascinated by. My husband is somewhat like him. =)

And Psalm 121 became my favorite biblical passage because of its use in this book. The Moon By Night was very influential in my life. I also recommend _An Acceptable Time_, a very magical book, as Zachary crosses over to the Murray family story. (A Wrinkle in Time, etc.) That is my other favorite.

Excellent book! I still call it my favorite after all these years. Let it take you on the journey, you won't soon forget it.

This is one of my favourite books,and I know I will never grow too old to enjoy it. I identify strongly with fourteen year old Vicky,who tells the story. She and her family are travelling around America,before they move to New York.On the way Vicky meets Zachary,a very confused and troubled boy,who almost envies her naiveity. Vicky is not sure if she likes Zach as much as he likes her, but she learns a lot from knowing him. While journeying through new places with her family, she finds out about friendship and courage, and understands more how to love people (including herself) for what they are, not what they could be. This book has helped,(and is still helping,)me to grow up.I would reccomend it to anyone as a wonderful read, and I send a big thank you to Madeline L'engle for writing it!

This is another great book from Madeline L'Engle. It is again told through the eyes of Vicky Austin. She is 14 now, and her life's changing forever. Maggy has been living with the Austins for two years, and is going to live with Uncle Douglas and Aunt Elena, recently married. The Austins will then go on a cross country camping trip, and return to not their safe haven of Thornhill, but New York City where Mr. Austin will do research. On the trip Vicky meets Zachary, who exposes her to life's sorrows. She also meets Andy, who becomes his rival. This is another classic from Ms. L'Engle!