FICTION

The Half Moon

Scribner. May 2023. 304p. ISBN 9781982172602. $28. F
COPY ISBN
The latest novel by best-selling Keane (Ask Again, Yes) takes readers into a marriage that is struggling. Jess and Malcolm Gephardt married when she got pregnant, but she lost that baby. Jess ends up undergoing years of infertility treatments and IVF, which is immensely frustrating and expensive. Jess is an attorney but doesn’t love her job, only the paycheck that comes with it. Meanwhile, Malcolm has purchased the bar where he’s worked for over 20 years, but he neglects to tell Jess that he also bought the building on a handshake deal with his old boss, which proves to be problematic. Everything comes to a head one week in the couple’s small town, when a blizzard hits and everyone loses power, one of the bar’s regulars goes missing, Malcolm is overwhelmed with money problems, and worst of all, Jess leaves him for another man. These events beg the question: Can this marriage be saved?
VERDICT A deep dive into the complexities of marriage makes this novel perfect fodder for book discussions. Should appeal to fans of Elizabeth Berg, Eleanor Lipman, and Meg Wolitzer.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?