The Tudors meet Prohibition-Era Virginia? | Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls | Book Review

TL;DR

"Hang the Moon" by Jeanette Walls is a historical fiction novel set in prohibition-era Virginia, following the story of Sally Kincaid and her journey of self-discovery and survival in a world filled with secrets and power struggles.

Transcript

hi guys Olive here here today to review hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls this book was published in 2023 by Scribner which is a division of Simon Schuster the hardcover comes in at 368 Pages however I read an advance e-copy of this book that I received for free for reviewing purposes through Edelweiss this is the third novel from Jeanette Walls who ... Read More

Key Insights

• ☕ "Hang the Moon" is a historical fiction novel set in prohibition-era Virginia, offering a blend of secrets, power struggles, and a coming-of-age story.
• 🥰 The character of Sally Kincaid is feisty, ambitious, and eager for independence. Her journey of self-discovery forms the heart of the story.
• 👪 The novel explores complex family dynamics, including a powerful father figure and the consequences of family secrets and betrayal.
• 🫥 The book draws inspiration from the Tudor era, with a complicated line of succession and parallels to Henry VIII's wives, adding depth to the narrative.
• 🧔‍♀️ "Hang the Moon" offers a mix of genres, including historical fiction, women's fiction, romance, action, and tragedy, making it a multi-faceted reading experience.
• 🙂 While the story can be dark and filled with unfortunate events, it also has moments of light-heartedness and companionship, thanks to the character of Sally.
• 👉 The book showcases the author's seven-year journey in finding the right perspective for the story, ultimately settling on a first-person narrative from Sally's point of view.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main theme of "Hang the Moon"?

The main theme of "Hang the Moon" is a coming-of-age story, where Sally Kincaid tries to find her place in the world, uncovering family secrets, and making difficult choices to protect the people she cares about.

Q: How does Sally's character evolve throughout the novel?

Sally starts as a young woman trying to adapt to a changed family dynamic and society. As the story progresses, she gains independence, ambition, and agency over her life, but also learns the consequences of her choices and the true nature of her father.

Q: Who inspired the character of Sally's mother in the novel?

The character of Sally's mother is partially inspired by one of Henry VIII's wives, although the specific wife is not mentioned. However, the character of Sally herself was inspired by a real woman named Willie Carter Sharp, who was known as the queen of the Roanoke Rum Runners during the prohibition era.

Q: How does the author's writing style contribute to the story?

The author's simple and humble writing style suits the tone of the book and the character of Sally. It allows readers to connect with Sally's perspective and experiences on a personal level.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Hang the Moon" is the third novel from Jeanette Walls, known for her memoir "The Glass Castle."

• The story is set in prohibition-era Virginia and follows Sally Kincaid, the daughter of a powerful businessman known as the Duke.

• Sally is sent away from her childhood home and returns years later, discovering family secrets while navigating a complicated family empire and a changing world.