Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Ten stars Review: Pull of the Moon is the best book I have ever read in my life. Period. And no, I'm not a love-starved housewife in Dallas. I'm a 33 year old guy who is really pissed-off that Atlanta didn't win the World Series. My family is from Atlanta, so... Anyway, guys should read this book. Because beauty knows no gender. Girls (guys/girls: don't mean to be politically incorrect) should read this book. It's an astounding novel. But because I know you you're thinking 'who's this hick?' I'll tell you: I read constantly. Books are my air. Go ahead, ask me. Anyway, this is a book you should buy. Anybody reading this is obviously interested. And the way to soothe the interest is to read. Brilliant, Amazing, Shocking, Perfect...it's this and more.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Good Insights, But Too Whiney Review: Being a fortysomething housewife and mother, I really wanted to like this book. I read two of Berg's other novels, What We Keep and Open House and enjoyed them both. However, my feelings about The Pull of the Moon are mixed. The story, which is told through diary entries and letters to the main character's husband, periodically contains some wonderful insights into the hearts and minds of women at middle of their lives. Unfortunately, in between these insightful passages, are a lot of petty whining by Nan, the protagonist, aimed toward her husband. Like another reviewer mentioned, she seems to blame all of her frustrations on him and rarely, if ever, takes responsibility for her own choices. Also some of the scenes, in particular the beauty parlor segment, were over the top. However, even if the main character is irritating, the midlife issues touched upon by this book, can be the catalyst for some interesting and enlightening book group discussions.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Read any Berg novel but this Review: Drivel! I love Elizabeth Berg's writing and recommend almost any other of her novels, but no one should bother to read this one. I wanted to slap the character Nan for being so self-pitying and whiny. Driving around in her Mercedes, wasn't it, crying in a grocery store because she could only remember her husband and daughter's favorite foods and not her own... this is a woman who needs to be doing a lot of volunteer work, not driving around to think how lost she is. Pathetic.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: An inspirational view of life Review: If you have ever been lost especially lost within yourself, you can't afford not to read this book! Elizabeth Berg gives us a story of a woman who is lost and runs away from home to find herself. The Pull of the Moon is a well-written story that is impossible to put down. I have never read anything quite like it, and would be insulting this book's integrity if I compared it to any other book I have read. I loved everything about this book from the way it was written to the way it moved me. Words simply cannot express how wonderful this book is. My suggestion, Buy it! Find a nice quiet place and prepare yourself to experience a range of emotions and inspiration, and fall in love with this book and its values like so many others have.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: see "Martin's Letter to Nan" in "Ordinary Life" Review: Epistolary/journal novel about a 50-year-old woman in the midst of a change-of-life crisis, her one daughter away at college and her husband, whom she really does love, having rather gone to sleep too. Nan impulsively buys a purple tooled-leather journal and runs away from home for a couple of weeks, sending daily letters back home to her husband and writing in the journal. Nan, like most of us, sees herself as the beleaguered heroine in her life drama, but as a reader, I could still ruefully identify with the self-indulgence and privilege. As in real life, the protagonist Nan doesn't get off all the good lines, and when she tells off a haircutter, he ends up getting the best of her -- but everyone wins. This is a fine novel for journal writers, people who need a little solitude, for someone on a road trip, and for women who want to find and appreciate the good they have in life. An Amazon.com reader directed me to Berg's short story "Martin's Letter to Nan" from her story collection "Ordinary Life." While Nan is away, Martin does a little soul searching on his own, and Nan may be surprised to find out that what Martin wants is a room where he can smoke his cigars in the house. His "voice" is not that differentiated from Nan's, but it's fun to find out how the author imagined the long-suffering husband might react.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A great book...if you like this type of thing... Review: This was the first Elizabeth Berg book I ever read. A friend of my mothers loaned it to her and she didnt read it but ended up keeping it. I was bored one night and looking for something to read so I opened this book and read the first page and keep reading...I didnt put it down for hours and stayed up late to finish the book. I was 17 then and I am almost 20 now...Ive read the book atleast 5 times. I am pretty young to be a fan of this book and the topic is mature for some my age but the books geared at 17-25 year olds dont appeal to me. I think this is a good book for women...of any age. Berg is a wonderful writer. Her characters are so alive but so normal and possible. Her language is beautiful, homey and simple like a homemade quilt or a perfect cup of coffee. Sometimes when I read certain passages or sentances I am just amazed because they are things I have though about ot noticed or felt and she ever so eleqounetly "gets" and expresses them. The main complaint about this book that most people seem to have is that Nan, the main character is whiny and self absorbed. I do agree she is a bit whiny and somewhat self absorbed but that is just her way, her personality...shes not perfect...far from it and just because a book is written from a characters prespective does not mean that that character is always right or without bias. I think this is an excellent read if you like gushy (in a good way), female experince orientated, "find the beauty if everyday life" novels. Easily one of Bergs top 3 novels.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Keepers of the flame Review: Inspirational and moving, clever and entertaining, and vibrant and warm. All of this describes THE PULL OF THE MOON. Actually, this book, along with WHAT WE KEEP and Jackson McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD are three of the most inspirational books you'll ever come across. The writing in all three is brilliant and concise. A must read and all three are "keepers." Also recommended: WHAT WE KEEP and BARK OF THE DOGWOOD
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: No beating Elizabeth... Review: for beauty of prose, for insights into human hearts, for stories that draw you into the book and don't let you go. I highly recommend all of her books. One of my top three authors. This book is especially satisfying if you are nearing that menopause time of life, just past it, or know someone who is.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: could definitely relate Review: This book spoke to me many times. I thought it was GREAT
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Pull Yourself Out of It! Review: I always enjoy Elizabeth Berg's writing, but Nan is a spoiled, pampered darling. I'm the author of a book that inspires mothers (NEW PSALMS FOR NEW MOMS: A KEEPSAKE JOURNAL), so I'm definitely for women asking for and getting what they want. I'm also aware that women tend to "disappear" as we age, so I can fully relate to many of Nan's concerns. It's just that her tale is so unlikely and her resources so unlimited and her "real" life so cushy that it's hard to accept her as a real person with a real problem.
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